
Classic Fried Rice
A go-to, foolproof fried rice made with day-old rice, eggs, soy sauce, and simple vegetables. This classic version is endlessly customizable, comes together in under 20 minutes, and tastes better than takeout. The key is high heat, cold rice, and a hot wok or skillet — follow these steps and you'll nail it every time.
4 servings · Prep 10 min · Cook 15 min · Total 25 min
Main Course
Ingredients
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4 cup cooked long-grain white rice day-old and cold, clumps broken apart
3 eggs lightly beaten
3 cloves garlic minced
3 stalks green onions thinly sliced, white and green parts separated
3 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tsp sesame oil toasted
0.5 tsp white pepper
2 tbsp vegetable oil divided
0.5 tsp salt
Equipment
Stovetop
Mixing Bowl
Skillet
Wok
Fork
Measuring Cups
Whisk
Spatula
Knife
Measuring Spoons
Cutting Board
Mixing Bowl (4 Quarts)
Dipping Fork
Instructions
- Prep everything before you start cooking — fried rice moves fast. Mince the @[Garlic], slice the @[Green Onions] (keeping white and green parts separate), thaw the @[Peas and Carrots], beat the @[Eggs], and break up any clumps in your cold @[Long-Grain White Rice] with your hands or a fork.
- In a #[Mixing Bowl], stir together the @[Soy Sauce], @[Oyster Sauce] (if using), @[Sesame Oil], and @[White Pepper]. Set aside.
- Heat a #[Wok] or #[Skillet] over ^[high heat] until it just begins to smoke. Add ~[1 tablespoon] of @[Vegetable Oil] and swirl to coat. Add the beaten @[Eggs] and scramble quickly, breaking them into small pieces. Remove the @[Eggs] to a plate before they are fully set — they will finish cooking later. Set aside.
- Return the #[Wok] to ^[high heat] and add the remaining ~[1 tablespoon] of @[Vegetable Oil]. Add the white parts of the @[Green Onions] and the minced @[Garlic]. Stir-fry for ~[about 30 seconds] until fragrant — do not let the @[Garlic] burn.
- Add the @[Peas and Carrots] and stir-fry for ~[1 minute] until heated through.
- Add the cold @[Long-Grain White Rice] to the #[Wok]. Using a #[Spatula], press and toss the @[Rice] against the hot surface, breaking up any remaining clumps. Stir-fry for ~[3–4 minutes], letting the @[Rice] sit undisturbed for ~[30 seconds] at a time between tosses so it can get a little toasty.
- Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the @[Rice]. Toss well to coat every grain. Stir-fry for ~[another 1–2 minutes] until the sauce is fully absorbed and the @[Rice] looks glossy.
- Return the scrambled @[Eggs] to the #[Wok] and fold them into the @[Rice], breaking them into smaller bits as you go. Taste and adjust with @[Salt] if needed.
- Remove from heat. Garnish with the green parts of the sliced @[Green Onions] and serve immediately.
