This easy Fried Rice recipe will curb your cravings, and save you money! It’s far healthier than take out, lower in calories, higher in nutrition, and less expensive!
In this article I will share 10 recipe for fried rice, all extremely healthy, and easy to make. From Vegan Fried Rice, to Shrimp Fried Rice… even Thai Fried Rice, we’ve got you covered on all the best recipes for fried rice.
My healthy fried rice is a great way to use up leftover rice! So the next time you have extra rice, pop it in the refrigerator and read below to learn how to make fried rice from leftovers.
My personal favorite is my recipe fried rice with chicken! Chicken fried rice is a full meal, not just a side dish… and I will show you how to make it healthy below.
From fried rice chicken, to vegetarian fried rice recipes, this article will supply you with 10 recipes for fried rice, and teach you how to make fried rice healthy.
Easy Fried Rice Recipe |10 Recipes for Fried Rice
My easy fried rice is the base for all 10 of the recipes for fried rice in this article. With it you can make a fried rice chicken recipe, vegan and vegetarian recipes with fried rice, and even Thai chicken fried rice recipes!
I like to make my fried rice recipe easy by purchasing precooked rice (in the freezer section) or making the rice the evening before… more tips to make easy recipes for fried rice below.
Here’s what you’ll find in this article:
- How to Make Fried Rice
- Fried Rice Recipe Easy
- Fried Rice with Chicken
- Fried Rice with Egg
- Fried Rice Cauliflower
- Fried Rice with Shrimp
- Pork Fried Rice
- Vegetarian Fried Rice
- Fried Rice Thai Recipe
- Vegan Fried Rice
- Fried Rice in Pineapple
- Healthy Fried Rice Recipe
In the next section we will get to fried rice how to make, and immediately following I will get into the 10 recipes for fried rice, ending with the printable easy fried rice recipe card.
This fried rice recipe is so versatile, you can make chicken with friend rice as a side dish, or make a hearty filling dinner of shrimp fried rice…
How to Make Fried Rice
I like to make my fried rice recipe easy by using leftover, or precooked rice from the freezer section of the grocery store. To make a traditional fried rice Chinese style, you will need cold rice… and that is where we will start.
Next we will discus the fried rice seasoning, as it is important depending on which style of easy friends rice recipe you are making (Chinese or Thai).
If you are looking for the full recipe for easy friend rice, I have supplied that below in the printable recipe card. There I will give you measurements, times, more tips and tricks to make your recipes for fried rice healthy and more…
But before we get there, I wanted to supply you with a shopping list and the basic directions so you feel comfortable diving into making your homemade easy fried rice recipes.
Shopping List for Easy Fried Rice Recipe:
- Olive oil
- Eggs, or tofu (for vegan fried rice recipes)
- Frozen Peas and Carrots
- Onion
- Garlic, minced
- Pre-cooked, cold rice
- Green onions
- Soy sauce, or Tamari (for Gluten-Free fried rice recipes)
- Toasted Sesame Oil
- Salt and Pepper
- Chicken, optional (for fried rice with chicken recipe)
- Shrimp, optional (for fried rice shrimp recipes)
- Ground pork, optional (for pork fried rice recipes)
- Additional eggs, optional (for fried rice egg recipes)
- Pineapple, optional (for Thai fried rice recipes)
- Additional veggies, optional (for full meal fried rice recipes)
How to Make Fried Rice:
- In a hot wok or large skillet add the eggs. Scramble in the pan and then transfer to a clean bowl.
- Add in oil, onion, and any protein (pork, chicken, shrimp) and cook until protein is cooked through.
- Add the peas and carrots, and garlic cook for a moment, then add in the rice.
- Top with soy sauce, sesame oil, salt and pepper and the scrambled eggs. Toss well and cook until rice is hot. Then top with green onions and serve.
With this easy fried rice recipe you can make a recipe for shrimp fried rice, a fried rice recipe chicken, fried rice recipes with pork, even vegan or vegetarian fried rice recipe.
Now that you know the basics, we can get into the 10 recipes for fried rice, including fried rice recipes shrimp, chicken, vegetarian, Thai and so much more…
1. Fried Rice Recipe Easy
This fried rice easy recipe is a very basic recipe, similar to what you might find at the Chinese restaurant.
This easy fried rice recipe makes a great side dish, but if you’re looking for more of a meal, see the other 9 recipes for fried rice below.
If you’re looking to keep your fried rice calories low, this easy fried rice recipe will make you VERY happy! It’s only 185 calories per cup!
How to Make Fried Rice Easy Recipe:
- Omit all optional protein ingredients.
- Make the recipe according to directions in the how to section or recipe card below.
2. Fried Rice with Chicken
Chicken fried rice recipes are a great “one pot” dinner… you make the entire recipe fried rice chicken in one wok (or skillet) and therefore the cleanup is a breeze!
When I make a recipe of chicken fried rice, I like to add in additional vegetables. This will help round out the meal, and even increase the servings! My favorite extra vegetable for fried rice is sliced red bell pepper.
Recipes with fried rice with chicken can be served as a meal and not a side dish. I like to make this fried rice recipe chicken for lunch, but it is equally delicious for dinner!
Special Tip: You can use leftover chicken for fried rice! Simply add in 1 cup shredded chicken when you add in the cold rice.
How to Make Fried Rice Chicken Recipes:
- Add 1 cup of thin sliced chicken breast or thigh, and 1 sliced red bell pepper to the wok or skillet when you add in the onions.
- Continue with the fried rice according to directions in the how to section or recipe card below.
3. Fried Rice with Egg
There are two schools of thought on making fried rice with egg…
- You can make the traditional fried rice (highlighted above under #1) and add in 1-2 more eggs and scramble them.
- You can make a fancier recipe, like the chicken recipe with fried rice (see #2) and top it with a fried egg.
I prefer the fried egg method… you can add it to any fried rice recipe, with chicken, with pork, even oven the fried rice shrimp recipe.
When I add a fried egg to my homemade fried rice recipes, I like to add in more vegetables and serve it as a meal… and I know what you’re thinking, and YES, this does make a wonderful breakfast!
How to Make Fried Rice with Egg:
- Make your desired fried rice, adding in extra veggies and or protein as you desire. (See recipe card below)
- Top with a fried, runny egg.
4. Fried Rice Cauliflower
Cauliflower rice has become all the rage, and I’m excited to tell you… you can make cauliflower fried rice! You can even use cauliflower rice to make fried rice recipes with chicken, pork, shrimp and more.
With this recipe for fried rice cauliflower version, you can make all of the other 9 fried rice recipes in this article… all you are swapping out is the rice! So go ahead and use cauliflower rice to make fried rice recipes with chicken, and the amazing fried rice with shrimp that is in the next section!
It’s easy to use cauliflower rice in place of traditional rice to make the shrimp, vegan, traditional, even the chicken recipe for fried rice in this article!
How to Make Fried Rice Cauliflower:
- Make your desired fried rice, adding in extra veggies and or protein as you desire. (See recipe card below)
- Instead of adding in cold, precooked rice, add in cauliflower rice and cook for 5-7 minutes.
5. Fried Rice with Shrimp
Fried rice with shrimp makes for a very impressive meal… it’s great for potlucks and homemade date nights. It’s hard to go wrong when you make my healthy fried rice recipe with shrimp!
There are a lot of in-depth fried rice shrimp recipes online… but the great thing about my fried rice with shrimp recipes is that the meal is done so fast, you won’t have to worry about overcooking the shrimp!
It’s easy, and impressive to make fried rice recipes shrimp, plus shrimp is one of the least expensive seafood proteins, so this fried rice recipe shrimp is also inexpensive!
How to Make Shrimps Fried Rice:
- Add 1 pound of cleaned shrimp, and 1 sliced red bell pepper to the wok or skillet when you add in the onions.
- Continue with the fried rice according to directions in the how to section or recipe card below.
6. Pork Fried Rice
Fried rice with pork is a very traditional dish, but there are several different types of pork for fried rice… I will discuss here.
People make each recipe for pork fried rice a little different, by switching out the cuts of pork. Most traditionally, fried rice with pork is made with Chinese BBQ pork… but that would take this recipe from easy, to difficult and time consuming. Instead here are 3 cuts that can be made in a flash.
- Ground pork
- Panchetta
- Bacon
This pork fried rice recipe can be made three different ways, as there are different types of fried rice pork.
Similar to the recipe for chicken friend rice, you will add in your protein with the onions…
How to Make Pork Fried Rice:
- Add 1 pound of ground pork, or chopped pork, and 1 sliced red bell pepper to the wok or skillet when you add in the onions.
- Continue with the fried rice according to directions in the how to section or recipe card below.
7. Vegetarian Fried Rice
Did you know that many fried rice recipes are already vegetarian? In this section I will share some fried rice vegetables, and discuss adding in extra protein should you want to serve this recipe as a meal, and not a side dish.
If you want to make this dish a meal, I recommend making the egg fried rice with added vegetables… It’s a great way to boost nutrition without adding more carbs. Plus more protein thanks to the egg, bonus!
Fried rice vegetarian dishes are typically side dishes… below I have given you a few modifications to make it main dish worthy with extra fried rice vegetables and a slight modification to the fried rice recipe egg from above.
How to Make Vegetarian Fried Rice:
- Make the fried rice recipe. (See recipe card below)
- Add 1 sliced bell pepper in with the onions.
- Top with a fried, runny egg. (optional)
8. Fried Rice Thai Recipe
The first time I had fried rice in Thai restaurants, my entire view of Thai food, and fried rice changed!
Fried rice Thai is made different ways… but the common denominator is pineapple! In the section below I will even show you how to make Thai fried rice IN pineapple!
Often, Thai fried rice recipes are also shrimp fried rice recipes. So I will be sure to notate that in the directions below.
You can make this Thai fried rice vegetarian, you can add in chicken, and even top with shrimp!
How to Make Thai Fried Rice:
- Make the fried rice, adding in chicken and shrimp (both are optional).
- Add 1 sliced red bell pepper, 1 cup pineapple chunks (I like to use frozen) with the peas and carrots, or in the place.
- Omit the sesame oil, and replace with sriracha and the juice of 1/2 lime.
- Top with unsalted cashews and chopped cilantro.
9. Vegan Fried Rice
It’s extremely easy to make both Thai and Chinese fried rice, vegan! It’s a matter of omitting the eggs and replacing them with one of two items:
- Crumbled firm or extra firm tofu
- Scrambled vegan eggs
This vegan fried rice recipe is very similar to the vegetarian fried rice with eggs, but with that singular ingredient swap.
I like to double the fried rice vegetable count when making this vegan dish, I also add in sliced red bell pepper (green, orange or yellow is fine too) and sometimes I even sprinkle hemp hearts over the top!
This vegan fried rice with vegetables makes a great side or main dish! Fried rice with veg makes a great lunch, and if you’re adding in crumbled tofu, feel free to add some grilled tofu to the top for added protein.
How to Make Vegan Fried Rice:
- Make the fried rice, omitting the eggs and replacing with crumbled tofu or vegan eggs. (See recipe card below)
- Add 1 sliced bell pepper in with the onions, and double the peas and carrots.
10. Fried Rice in Pineapple
Who needs vegetable fried rice when you can have pineapple fried rice!
If you are wrinkling your nose, just go with me for a moment… and let me assure you, I am not a fan of pineapple pizza, and I LOVE, love, love this dish!
Fried rice in pineapple is typically the same or similar to the Thai fried rice… but it’s served in a pineapple.
Fried rice pineapple can be make vegan. Or it can be a recipe fried rice chicken… but it should be the Thai version to get the flavors right. Chinese fried rice in pineapple would not be very good.
How to Make Fried Rice in Pineapple:
- Cut a pineapple in half, down the middle (see photo).
- Use a small pairing knife to cut around the edges, and then cut lengthwise and across as you would with an avocado. Then use a sharp spoon to scoop out, and finally cut into bitesized chunks.
- Make the fried rice, adding in chicken and shrimp (both are optional).
- Add 1 sliced red bell pepper, 1 cup pineapple chunks (I like to use frozen) with the peas and carrots, or in the place.
- Omit the sesame oil, and replace with sriracha and the juice of 1/2 lime.
- Add the rice dish to the hollowed out pineapple.
- Top with unsalted cashews and chopped cilantro.
Healthy Fried Rice Recipe
The healthy fried rice recipes all work into this one recipe card. You can use it to make the recipe for fried rice with chicken. The recipe for fried rice with shrimp, even the pork, vegetarian, vegan and Thai recipes all highlighted above.
I like to make this recipe for fried rice easy, and to do that I have a few tips for you.
Special Tips to Make this Recipe Easier and Faster:
- Buy the frozen bags of mixed peas and carrots, they will save you time chopping and also save you money! Often you can get an organic bag of peas and carrots for as low as $1, so stock up when they are on sale.
- Don’t bother with defrosting the peas and carrots… just dump them in. Easy, right?!
- Make the rice the night before, or even easier, but the packets of frozen precooked rice in the grocery freezer section. It will save you time, and makes a great pantry/freezer staple which will make this easy recipe, even easier and more accessible.
- Use leftover chicken, pork, shrimp, and even scrambled eggs! My mother used to get so mad when I did not finish my meals, she would put them in the fridge and force me to eat them for breakfast (I wonder where all my unhealthy eating habits came from). The next time your kids don’t eat all their scrambled eggs at breakfast, cover and move them to the fridge and reuse them to make this recipe.
Easy Fried Rice Recipe | 10 Recipes for Fried Rice
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 eggs or 1/2 cup crumbled tofu (for vegan fried rice recipes)
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
- 1 onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups pre-cooked cold rice
- 2 green onions sliced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce or Tamari (for Gluten-Free fried rice recipes)
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- Salt and Pepper
Optional ingredients:
- 1 pound sliced chicken optional (for fried rice with chicken recipe)
- 1 pound cleaned shrimp optional (for fried rice shrimp recipes)
- 1 pound ground pork optional (for pork fried rice recipes)
- 4 additional eggs optional (for fried rice egg recipes)
- 2 cups pineapple optional (for Thai fried rice recipes)
Instructions
How to Make Traditional Fried Rice:
- In a hot wok or large skillet add the eggs. Scramble in the pan and then transfer to a clean bowl.
- Add in onion, and any protein (pork, chicken, shrimp) and cook until protein is cooked through.
- Add the peas and carrots, and garlic cook for a moment, then add in the rice.
- Top with soy sauce, sesame oil, salt and pepper and the scrambled eggs. Toss well and cook until rice is hot. Then top with green onions and serve.
How to Make Fried Rice Chicken Recipes:
- Follow Traditional Fried Rice directions…
- Add 1 cup of thin sliced chicken breast or thigh, and 1 sliced red bell pepper to the wok or skillet when you add in the onions.
- Continue with the fried rice according to directions in the how to section or recipe card below.
How to Make Fried Rice with Egg:
- Follow Traditional Fried Rice directions…
- Add in extra veggies and or protein as you desire.
- Top with a fried, runny egg.
How to Make Fried Rice Cauliflower:
- Follow Traditional Fried Rice directions…
- Add in extra veggies and or protein as you desire. (See recipe card below)
- Instead of adding in cold, precooked rice, add in cauliflower rice and cook for 5-7 minutes.
How to Make Shrimp Fried Rice:
- Follow Traditional Fried Rice directions…
- Add 1 pound of cleaned shrimp, and 1 sliced red bell pepper to the wok or skillet when you add in the onions.
- Continue with the fried rice according to directions in the how to section or recipe card below.
How to Make Pork Fried Rice:
- Follow Traditional Fried Rice directions…
- Add 1 cup of ground pork, or chopped pork, and 1 sliced red bell pepper to the wok or skillet when you add in the onions.
- Continue with the fried rice according to directions in the how to section or recipe card below.
How to Make Vegetarian Fried Rice:
- Follow Traditional Fried Rice directions…
- Add 1 sliced bell pepper in with the onions.
- Top with a fried, runny egg. (optional)
How to Make Thai Fried Rice:
- Make the traditional fried rice, adding in chicken and shrimp (both are optional).
- Add 1 sliced red bell pepper, 1 cup pineapple chunks (I like to use frozen) with the peas and carrots, or in the place.
- Omit the sesame oil, and replace with sriracha and the juice of 1/2 lime.
- Top with unsalted cashews and chopped cilantro.
How to Make Vegan Fried Rice:
- Make the fried rice recipe, omitting the eggs and replacing with crumbled tofu or vegan eggs. (See recipe card below)
- Add 1 sliced bell pepper in with the onions, and double the peas and carrots.
How to Make Fried Rice in Pineapple:
- Cut a pineapple in half, down the middle (see photo in section above).
- Use a small pairing knife to cut around the edges, and then cut lengthwise and across as you would with an avocado. Then use a sharp spoon to scoop out, and finally cut into bitesized chunks.
- Make the traditional fried rice, adding in chicken and shrimp (both are optional).
- Add 1 sliced red bell pepper, 1 cup pineapple chunks (I like to use frozen) with the peas and carrots, or in the place.
- Omit the sesame oil, and replace with sriracha and the juice of 1/2 lime.
- Add the rice dish to the hollowed out pineapple.
- Top with unsalted cashews and chopped cilantro.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe can be made 10 different ways, so you never get bored! Try it as a side dish or a main dish. Use your leftover chicken and rice to toss together a 15 minute dinner… there’s a lot to love about this recipe!
Final Thoughts
Here at Lose Weight by Eating I have only one rule when re-creating an unhealthy dish… it must taste as good, or better than the original version.
Life is too short to eat bland food, so I love to take recipes like this one and create them in a healthy new way. Often I use smart swaps to modify the recipe’s calorie count and nutrition. And other times (like this one) I can simply cook it a little differently so I can omit some of the heavy calorie/fat ingredients.
I did that with the oil, it’s shocking how much oil a recipe will call for just to sweat onions… you don’t really need much and can actually omit all of the oil if you sprinkle the onions with salt (helps them leach out more moisture) and cover them to keep the liquid in the pan.
I also doubled the vegetables in this dish, that will help the equation of rice to vegetables be closer to 50/50 verses a 90/10. It will add servings and at only $1 per bag of frozen peas and carrots, it might just save you money too!
Next time you have a craving for some take out, or want to make your grandmother’s famous recipe that you know will through you off your diet, visit Lose Weight by Eating first, and see if I have a healthy version for you.
With 100’s of recipes on the website, and 100’s of recipes in my 4 cookbooks… I’m bound to have a healthy version of your favorite comfort food or take out meal!
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