Easy and scrumptious, this garlic fried rice transforms humble leftovers into an irresistible dish. With the proper steadiness of crispy edges and large garlic taste, this recipe will rapidly develop into a family favourite.
If there’s one dish that’s at all times in my again pocket for a fast meal, it’s garlic fried rice. This recipe takes one thing so simple as leftover rice and turns it right into a garlicky, crispy, completely satisfying dish. You may whip it up as a facet or make it the star of your meal. Both means, it’s at all times successful.
The perfect half is it’s prepared in minutes, so it’s excellent for whenever you want one thing quick and scrumptious.
Why We Suppose You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredient Overview
- Cooked White Rice. Leftover rice is the star of this dish. Day-old rice works greatest as a result of it’s barely drier, which helps obtain these crispy bits all of us love. If you happen to don’t have leftover rice, you should use freshly cooked rice – simply enable it to chill for about 20-Half-hour to let the moisture evaporate a bit. If you happen to favor, it’s also possible to use brown rice or jasmine rice, although brown rice shall be nuttier and chewier.
- Garlic. Contemporary garlic is vital to getting that daring, fragrant taste. Make sure you mince it finely so it cooks evenly with out burning. If you happen to’re out of contemporary garlic, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder can work, however contemporary garlic actually makes an enormous distinction on this recipe.
- Soy Sauce. Soy sauce provides that deep, savory umami taste that brings all the pieces collectively. If you happen to want a gluten-free choice, tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce different works simply as effectively. Coconut aminos can be used should you’re avoiding soy, although the flavour shall be barely sweeter.
- Sesame Oil. This oil provides the dish a wealthy, nutty taste and is normally added on the finish to maintain its aroma and taste robust. If you happen to don’t have sesame oil, you possibly can skip it, nevertheless it actually enhances the flavour. A drizzle of olive oil with a pinch of sesame seeds could be a workaround, although the style received’t be as daring.
- Butter or Vegetable Oil (for cooking). Butter pairs fantastically with the garlic and egg (if utilizing). If you happen to favor a extra impartial taste, you should use vegetable oil to sauté the garlic and rice. You too can use canola or sunflower oil.
- Inexperienced Onions (non-compulsory, for garnish). Inexperienced onions add a contemporary chunk that enhances the garlic and sesame flavors. If you happen to’re out of inexperienced onions, chopped cilantro or parsley can work as effectively.
- Sesame Seeds (non-compulsory, for garnish). A sprinkle of sesame seeds provides a little bit of crunch and nuttiness to the ultimate dish. If you happen to don’t have sesame seeds, be happy to skip them.
Ideas for Success
- Use Leftover Rice. Day-old rice is right for fried rice as a result of it’s drier and fewer sticky, permitting the grains to separate and crisp up fantastically. If you happen to solely have contemporary rice, unfold it out on a baking sheet and let it cool for not less than 20-Half-hour to take away extra moisture.
- Don’t Burn the Garlic. Garlic cooks quick! To keep away from burning it, sauté the garlic over medium warmth and stir consistently. If it begins to brown too rapidly, decrease the warmth a bit.
- Let the Rice Sit. The key to getting crispy, golden bits in your fried rice is letting it sit undisturbed within the pan for 1-2 minutes earlier than stirring. This permits the rice to fry correctly and develop that fantastic crispy texture. Stir sometimes, however don’t overdo it.
- Season to Style (However Don’t Overdo the Salt). Soy sauce is of course salty, so style your fried rice earlier than including any additional salt.
- Don’t Skimp on the Sesame Oil. Sesame oil provides the rice a definite nutty taste that takes it to the following stage. Including it towards the top helps protect its taste and aroma.
- Customise. This recipe is a superb base for no matter you could have readily available. Add a fried egg, hen, shrimp, or some sautéed greens like peas or carrots.
Storage and Reheating
Storing Leftovers. Let the rice cool fully earlier than transferring it to an hermetic container. Retailer it within the fridge for as much as 3 days. The rice will agency up a bit within the fridge, which is nice for reheating.
Freezing. To freeze, portion the cooled rice into freezer-safe luggage or containers, eradicating as a lot air as potential. It’s going to maintain effectively within the freezer for as much as 2 months. Once you’re able to eat, thaw the rice within the fridge in a single day earlier than reheating.
Reheating. For the perfect outcomes, reheat the rice in a skillet on medium warmth. Add a small splash of water or oil to assist revive the moisture and stop it from drying out. Stir sometimes and prepare dinner till heated by way of, about 5-7 minutes.
- Microwave. If you happen to’re in a rush, you possibly can reheat the rice within the microwave. Add a splash of water, cowl loosely with a moist paper towel, and warmth in 30-second increments, stirring in between, till warmed by way of.
Pairing Options
Garlic fried rice is extremely versatile, making it the proper facet for quite a lot of dishes. Listed below are a few of my favourite mixtures:
- 2 tablespoons butter or vegetable oil
- 3 garlic cloves minced [Note 2]
- 1 giant egg non-compulsory
- 2 cups cooked white rice leftover rice works greatest [Note 1]
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free [Note 3]
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon rice vinegar or lime juice [Note 4]
- 1-2 inexperienced onions chopped (non-compulsory, for garnish)
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds non-compulsory, for garnish
- Salt and pepper to style
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Warmth butter (or vegetable oil) over medium warmth in a big skillet or wok. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, stirring consistently to stop burning [Note 5]. If you happen to favor aromatics like onions or ginger, sauté them now.
2 tablespoons butter, 3 garlic cloves
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Push the garlic to the facet of the pan and crack an egg into the middle. Scramble till totally cooked, about 1 minute. Combine the egg with the garlic [Note 6].
1 giant egg
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Add the rice, utilizing your spatula to interrupt up any clumps. Fry over medium-high warmth for 3-4 minutes, stirring sometimes. Permit some grains to crisp by letting them sit undisturbed for 1 minute at a time [Note 7].
2 cups cooked white rice
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Drizzle the soy sauce and sesame oil evenly over the rice. Stir effectively to coat each grain. If utilizing rice vinegar or lime juice, stir it in now for a brilliant, zesty contact.
1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, ½ teaspoon rice vinegar or lime juice
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Improve the warmth to medium-high. Fry the rice undisturbed for about 1 minute to develop golden, crispy edges. Stir as soon as to flip and crisp the opposite facet.
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Style and modify with salt and pepper as wanted [Note 8]. Garnish with inexperienced onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve instantly.
1-2 inexperienced onions, 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, Salt and pepper
- Use leftover, chilled rice for greatest outcomes. If utilizing contemporary rice, let it cool for 20-Half-hour.
- If you happen to love garlic, be happy to make use of greater than 3 cloves. The extra garlic, the stronger the flavour – simply make sure you keep away from burning it.
- Use common soy sauce for full umami taste, or substitute with tamari for a gluten-free model. If you happen to favor deeper taste, contemplate including a contact of oyster sauce.
- Rice vinegar or lime juice provides acidity to steadiness the richness of the oils and soy sauce. Use sparingly to keep away from overpowering the garlic.
- Garlic burns rapidly and turns into bitter, so watch it intently and stir typically. If it begins browning too quick, scale back the warmth.
- The scrambled egg provides taste and texture. Cooking it individually helps to maintain it comfortable and fluffy within the closing dish.
- Letting the rice sit undisturbed for 1-2 minutes whereas frying provides you crispy bits.
- Soy sauce already provides saltiness, so style the rice earlier than including extra salt.
Energy: 249kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 6g | Fats: 11g | Saturated Fats: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 3g | Monounsaturated Fats: 4g | Trans Fats: 0.2g | Ldl cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 391mg | Potassium: 100mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.4g | Vitamin A: 247IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 1mg
Servings: 3 servings
Energy: 249kcal
