Chinese Fried Rice with Variations

Fried rice is a dish that is great on its own, and one that can be served with Chinese dishes like sweet and sour pork and chicken with pineapple. Use rice that is leftover since the rice kernels will be firm enough to handle the sautéing in the pan. A non-stick sauté pan is best since the rice and eggs will not stick to the bottom of the pan when cooking large batches.

Basic Chinese Fried Rice

2 Tbsp peanut or corn oil
1 medium onion, diced
2 cups cold, leftover cooked rice
2 large eggs, beaten
1 to 2 Tbsp reduced sodium soy sauce

Heat a large non-stick skillet with the peanut oil over medium-high until it is hot. Add in the diced onion and cook until the onions are light brown. Add in the rice, breaking up any chunks of cold rice if necessary. Continue cooking until the rice is heated through. Add in the beaten eggs and soy sauce. Stir continuously until the egg has been combined with the rice evenly, and the eggs have completely cooked and are set. Remove to a serving platter and serve immediately.

Here are other variations you can do with the basic recipe of fried rice.

Shrimp and Vegetable Fried Rice

3 Tbsp peanut or corn oil
1 medium onion, diced
3 cups cold, leftover cooked rice
1 pound of raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 cup sliced button mushrooms
1/2 cup sliced canned water chestnuts
3 large eggs, beaten
1 to 2 Tbsp reduced sodium soy sauce

Heat a large non-stick skillet with the peanut oil over medium-high until it is hot. Add in the diced onion and mushrooms and cook until the onions are light brown. Add in the rice, breaking up any chunks of cold rice if necessary. Continue cooking until the rice is heated through. Add in the raw shrimp and water chestnuts and cook until the shrimp are pink and cooked through. Make a large well in the center of the pan and add in the beaten eggs. Stir the eggs until scrambled. Stir well until the scrambled eggs are combined with the rice evenly. Remove to a serving platter and serve immediately.

Other Variations

Pork Fried Rice: Add in green onions, shredded or chopped cooked pork roast, Napa cabbage or regular green cabbage with the onions to the plain fried rice recipe.

Vegetable Fried Rice: Add in frozen peas and carrots with the onions to plain fried rice recipe.