How to Make the Best Fried Rice at Home

April 24, 2020


I was so excited have some of the leftover Easy Honey Garlic Salmon and rice last week. I knew immediately that I wanted to whip up some salmon fried rice.  I had almost forgotten how easy fried rice was to make since I hadn't made it in so long. 

We LOVE frozen fried rice bags from Trader Joe's but since we are quarantined and can't easily go out to get our beloved frozen rice, I decided to just make my own, like I did so many times before. And I have been making it once a week. 

We just love us some rice in my household.  Jasmine rice, of course, it's the very best - so fragrant, wonderful, the texture is perfect.  Whenever I make it, it comes out perfect every time using my no-fail rice/water ratio: 3 cups of water + 2 cups of rice. 

Let's talk fried rice, shall we? 

TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST FRIED RICE AT HOME

The key is to use cold leftover rice.  That means you have to plan ahead if you are going to make fried rice. You will need completely chilled cooked rice.  Fresh warm rice will not fry up well when it hits the hot pan and you will have sticky, soggy rice which is not ok.  Refrigerated leftover rice is ideal!

Add veggies! Fried rice HAS to have veggies - even if it's just peas and carrots.  And corn! Not only will veggies add some nice color to the dish, making it more appealing to eat, it also adds flavor and freshness.  I like to use white and green onions too.  Any veggies would work, as long as they are cut really really small to mix well with the rice. 

Use butter.  Trust me. Adding butter to your fried rice will definitely take it up several notches! It helps with the browning while cooking and also adds such a decadent flavor. Do not skip it. 

Cook using high heat.  This will help brown perfectly and fry the rice and veggies well.  It will also help prevent the rice from steaming in the hot pan and sticking together while cooking.

Sauce makes it better. Whether that's an oyster sauce or teriyaki sauce, a yummy flavorful sauce tastes wonderful in fried rice. I had leftover honey garlic sauce leftover with my salmon so I was able to use that but feel free to use your favorite sauce.

Soy Sauce is a must.  Or liquid aminos, if you prefer. If you are sensitive to salt, be sure and add the low sodium version. 

The sky is definitely the limit when it comes to homemade fried rice variations, so feel free to get creative and add your favorite ingredients. Chicken, pork, beef, shrimp, and any variation of vegetable you wish! Or even fruit. Pineapple fried rice? YES, PLEASE!

Here's the recipe for my delicious salmon fried rice!

Ingredients:
2 Tablespoons Oil
2 Eggs
1/2 Cup Fresh or Frozen Peas and Carrots
1/4 Cup Fresh or Frozen Corn Kernels
2 Green Onions, chopped
1/2 Yellow Onion, chopped
1-2 Cloves Crushed Garlic
4 Cups Leftover Fried Rice
3 Tablespoons Butter
3-5 Tablespoons Soy Sauce {or to taste}
3 Tablespoons Oyster or Teriyaki Sauce {or to taste}
1-2 fillets of Leftover Cooked Salmon 








{This started with some leftover salmon from my  Easy Honey Garlic Salmon recipe. I started by flaking the salmon and setting it aside.}



{I then gathered the veggies I had on hand to use.  Peas, carrots, green and yellow onion, leftover fresh corn. You could use any veggies you have here, peppers, broccoli, green beans, WHATEVER you have. As long as they are chopped small so that they blend well with the rice.} 



{In a large NON STICK frying pan or wok, add 1 tablespoon of oil and then 2 eggs.  Lightly scramble for about 3 minutes and then remove.} 


{Add the other tablespoon of oil and then add your veggies. Saute until they start to soften about 5 minutes.}


{Add the garlic and saute a minute more.}


{Add in the leftover rice and butter.}


{Mix together as the butter melts, breaking apart the leftover rice.  Mix very well to combine, frying up the rice and vegetables together, about 3 minutes.}


{Add in the scrambled eggs, and mix to combine.}


{Add in the soy sauce and oyster sauce/teriyaki sauce, if using. Continue to mix and fry.}


{Lastly, add in the salmon {or other protein of choice} and combine with the rice, veggies, egg and sauce.}


{Look how this comes together so beautifully.  This could not be easier, you literally just throw things into a hot frying pan and mix. :) Once you execute it once, making your own fried rice will be a game changer.}


Serve immediately, piping hot in a large bowl with a spoon. To me, rice tastes so much better when eaten with a big spoon. :)


And make no mistakes, I could eat this whole entire pan of delicious and flavorful goodness.

xoxo, thanks for reading and sharing! 





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