Quick & Dirty Veggie Fried Rice

A super-speedy and satisfying vegetarian fried rice, perfect for using up leftover rice and whatever vegetables you have on hand. It's a flavorful, customizable meal that comes together in a flash.

Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 20 min
Total Time: 35 min
Servings: 4
Chinese

Ingredients

  • 4 cup Day-old cooked white rice (cold, leftover is best)
  • 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
  • 1 piece Yellow onion (diced)
  • 2 piece Carrots (peeled and finely diced)
  • 3 clove Garlic (minced)
  • 1 cup Frozen peas and corn mix
  • 4 tbsp Soy sauce
  • 1 tsp Sesame oil
  • 0.5 tsp Sugar
  • 0.25 tsp White pepper (or black pepper if unavailable)
  • 3 stalk Green onions (sliced, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. 1.

    If your day-old rice is clumpy, gently break it apart with your hands or a fork before you start cooking. This helps ensure an even texture.

    Time: 2 min
  2. 2.

    Heat the vegetable oil in a large wok or a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over high heat until shimmering.

    Time: 2 min
  3. 3.

    Add the diced onion and carrots to the hot oil. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the carrots start to soften and the onion becomes translucent.

    Time: 4 min
  4. 4.

    Add the minced garlic and frozen peas and corn. Stir-fry for another 2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant and the frozen vegetables are heated through.

    Time: 2 min
  5. 5.

    Add the cold cooked rice to the wok. Using the back of your spoon or spatula, break up any remaining clumps. Stir-fry constantly for 5-7 minutes, pressing the rice against the hot surface of the wok to encourage a slightly crispy texture. The rice should be hot and slightly dry.

    Time: 7 min
  6. 6.

    In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and white pepper. Pour this sauce evenly over the rice. Stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes, tossing everything together to ensure the rice is evenly coated and the sauce is absorbed.

    Time: 2 min
  7. 7.

    Remove from heat. Garnish with sliced green onions and serve immediately.

    Time: 1 min

Tips

  • 💡Using day-old, cold rice is crucial for good fried rice. Freshly cooked rice is too moist and will result in a sticky, clumpy dish.
  • 💡Don't overcrowd your wok or skillet! If you're doubling the recipe, it's better to cook in batches to maintain high heat and achieve that perfect stir-fry texture.
  • 💡Feel free to add other quick-cooking vegetables like diced bell peppers, chopped broccoli florets, or spinach during step 4.

Recipe from TheCookbook.ai

Created by Shannon Williams