If you’ve ever yearned for that perfectly golden, aromatic rice you get at your favorite Chinese restaurant, get ready to fall in love with this Authentic Egg Fried Rice. It delivers fluffy, distinct grains of rice mingling with soft scrambled eggs, fresh green onions, and savory notes from soy sauce and sesame oil. Whether you serve it as a main or a side, this simple stir-fry turns pantry staples into something truly magical. Grab your wok and let’s get cooking—this might just become your new weeknight obsession.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You won’t believe how a handful of ordinary ingredients can transform into a dish that tastes anything but basic! Every component in Authentic Egg Fried Rice plays a role, from the savory pop of garlic to the golden eggs that bring richness. Here’s what you’ll need and why:
- Cooked jasmine rice: Use 3 cups of cold, day-old rice for the absolute best texture—freshly cooked rice will turn mushy.
- Large eggs: Three eggs add beautiful color, protein, and silkiness that ties everything together.
- Vegetable oil: Two tablespoons ensure everything fries up beautifully without sticking or burning.
- Green onions: Chopped green onions add a burst of freshness and a bit of bite right at the end.
- Garlic cloves: Minced garlic infuses the whole wok with a warm, inviting aroma.
- Soy sauce: A tablespoon (or more!) seasons and tints the rice with umami depth.
- Sesame oil: Just a teaspoon at the end brings irresistible fragrance and a nutty finish.
- Salt and white pepper: These round out the flavors and let you adjust the seasoning just how you like it.
- Optional peas or diced carrots: A generous half cup delivers pop of color and a sweet, tender bite if you want extra veggies.
How to Make Authentic Egg Fried Rice
Step 1: Prep and Beat the Eggs
Start by cracking your eggs into a small bowl, adding a pinch of salt, and whisking them thoroughly. This step ensures your eggs cook up tender and evenly seasoned—every bite should have a hint of that eggy richness. Having them ready at the outset makes the cooking process a breeze.
Step 2: Soft-Scramble the Eggs
Heat one tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large wok or sturdy skillet over medium-high heat. Pour in your beaten eggs and gently scramble them until they’re just set, still moist but not overly dry. Transfer them to a plate and keep them nearby—we’ll bring them back into the pan soon.
Step 3: Fragrant Garlic & Rice
Add your remaining tablespoon of oil to the wok. Toss in the minced garlic and stir for about 30 seconds, just until it’s fragrant but not brown. Quickly add your cold, day-old jasmine rice. Use your spatula to break up any little clumps and stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes, letting the rice get hot and a bit crisp around the edges.
Step 4: Bringing it Together – Authentic Egg Fried Rice Magic
Return your soft-scrambled eggs to the pan. Add the soy sauce, sesame oil, chopped green onions, and your optional peas or carrots. Mix and toss everything together so every grain of rice gets glossy and coated with flavor. Continue cooking for about 2 minutes until everything is heated through, and you can smell the harmony of those simple ingredients.
Step 5: Final Seasoning
Before serving, taste your fried rice and sprinkle in salt and white pepper to your liking. Some people love a lot of white pepper for depth, while others prefer just a dash. If you like, add an extra drizzle of soy sauce for a punch of color and savoriness!
How to Serve Authentic Egg Fried Rice
Garnishes
Top your finished rice with extra chopped green onions for a fresh, peppery crunch, or a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for extra flavor. If you like a touch of heat, a swirl of chili oil or a pinch of thinly sliced red chiles livens things up visually and taste-wise.
Side Dishes
Authentic Egg Fried Rice shines alongside crispy spring rolls, a hot bowl of egg drop soup, or even some simple steamed veggies. If you’re feeling adventurous, add sweet and sour tofu, or turn your meal into a full “takeout” night with a medley of dumplings and sautéed greens.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, press the hot rice into small bowls and invert onto plates for neat, round domes. Or, pile it family-style on a pretty platter, garnished with extra veggies and greens. At parties or gatherings, serve in individual cups so everyone gets their own little portion of homemade comfort.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftovers of Authentic Egg Fried Rice keep beautifully when stored in an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll stay fresh for up to three days, making it a fantastic choice for easy lunches or speedy dinners later in the week.
Freezing
If you’ve made a bigger batch, Authentic Egg Fried Rice can be frozen! Cool it completely, portion into freezer bags (flatten for easy stacking), and store up to one month. Just be sure to press out as much air as possible to avoid freezer burn.
Reheating
To reheat, sprinkle a few drops of water over your rice and cover loosely before microwaving—or toss gently in a hot skillet until steaming and revived. The little bit of moisture helps restore that freshly fried texture and flavor.
FAQs
Can I use freshly cooked rice instead of day-old rice?
Day-old rice is best because it’s drier and separates easily, but if you need to use fresh rice, spread it on a tray and let it cool for at least 30 minutes—it’ll help mimic that classic Authentic Egg Fried Rice texture.
What type Main Course or Side Dish
Regular light soy sauce works beautifully for Authentic Egg Fried Rice, offering salt and umami without overpowering the other flavors. If you have only dark soy sauce, use a little less since it’s stronger and more richly colored.
Can I add other proteins like shrimp or chicken?
Absolutely! Simply cook your protein first, set it aside, and add it back in with the eggs in Step 4. Leftover roast chicken or quickly seared shrimp transform this rice into a super-satisfying main course.
Is there a substitute for sesame oil?
While nothing quite replaces toasted sesame oil’s uniquely nutty aroma, you can skip it or substitute with a little splash of peanut oil for some depth if there’s an allergy or you’re out of stock.
How do I make this gluten-free?
Just be sure to use a certified gluten-free soy sauce or tamari—most other ingredients in Authentic Egg Fried Rice are already gluten-free, making this an easy meal for various diets!
Final Thoughts
Cooking Authentic Egg Fried Rice at home is a joy, and it’s one of those recipes you’ll make again and again with endless variations. Dive in, play with flavors, and share a bowl (or two!) with your favorite people. Happy stir-frying!
Print
Authentic Egg Fried Rice Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course or Side Dish
- Method: Stir-Fry
- Cuisine: Chinese
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Enjoy the flavors of this Authentic Egg Fried Rice recipe that brings together fluffy jasmine rice, scrambled eggs, and a savory blend of soy sauce and sesame oil. Perfect for a quick and satisfying meal!
Ingredients
Rice:
- 3 cups cooked jasmine rice (preferably cold, day-old)
Eggs:
- 3 large eggs
Vegetable Oil:
- 2 tablespoons
Green Onions:
- 2, chopped
Garlic:
- 2 cloves, minced
Soy Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon (or more to taste)
Sesame Oil:
- 1 teaspoon
Salt and White Pepper:
- To taste
Optional:
- ½ cup frozen peas or diced carrots
Instructions
- Beat the Eggs: In a small bowl, beat the eggs with a pinch of salt.
- Scramble Eggs: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beaten eggs and scramble until just set. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: Add the remaining oil to the wok. Sauté the garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir-Fry Rice: Add the cold rice and stir-fry, breaking up any clumps, until heated through and slightly crisped, about 3–4 minutes.
- Combine Ingredients: Return the eggs to the pan, then add soy sauce, sesame oil, green onions, and optional vegetables if using. Stir everything together and cook for another 2 minutes until well combined and heated through.
- Season and Serve: Season to taste with salt and white pepper. Serve hot, garnished with extra green onions if desired.
Notes
- Cold, day-old rice works best as it’s drier and fries up without becoming mushy.
- Use a carbon steel wok or nonstick pan for best results.
- You can add protein like shrimp, chicken, or tofu to make it a full meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
