Easy and scrumptious, this garlic fried rice transforms humble leftovers into an irresistible dish. With the proper stability of crispy edges and massive garlic taste, this recipe will shortly turn into a family favourite.
If there’s one dish that’s at all times in my again pocket for a fast meal, it’s garlic fried rice. This recipe takes one thing so simple as leftover rice and turns it right into a garlicky, crispy, completely satisfying dish. You’ll be able to whip it up as a aspect or make it the star of your meal. Both approach, it’s at all times a success.
The most effective half is it’s prepared in minutes, so it’s good for while you want one thing quick and scrumptious.
Why We Suppose You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredient Overview
- Cooked White Rice. Leftover rice is the star of this dish. Day-old rice works greatest as a result of it’s barely drier, which helps obtain these crispy bits all of us love. For those who don’t have leftover rice, you need to use freshly cooked rice – simply enable it to chill for about 20-Half-hour to let the moisture evaporate a bit. For those who want, you can even use brown rice or jasmine rice, although brown rice will likely be nuttier and chewier.
- Garlic. Recent garlic is essential to getting that daring, fragrant taste. Make sure you mince it finely so it cooks evenly with out burning. For those who’re out of contemporary garlic, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder can work, however contemporary garlic actually makes a giant distinction on this recipe.
- Soy Sauce. Soy sauce provides that deep, savory umami taste that brings every thing collectively. For those who want a gluten-free choice, tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce different works simply as effectively. Coconut aminos may also be used if you happen to’re avoiding soy, although the flavour will likely be barely sweeter.
- Sesame Oil. This oil provides the dish a wealthy, nutty taste and is normally added on the finish to maintain its aroma and taste sturdy. For those who don’t have sesame oil, you may skip it, however it actually enhances the flavour. A drizzle of olive oil with a pinch of sesame seeds generally is a workaround, although the style gained’t be as daring.
- Butter or Vegetable Oil (for cooking). Butter pairs fantastically with the garlic and egg (if utilizing). For those who want a extra impartial taste, you need to use vegetable oil to sauté the garlic and rice. You too can use canola or sunflower oil.
- Inexperienced Onions (elective, for garnish). Inexperienced onions add a contemporary chew that enhances the garlic and sesame flavors. For those who’re out of inexperienced onions, chopped cilantro or parsley can work as effectively.
- Sesame Seeds (elective, for garnish). A sprinkle of sesame seeds provides a little bit of crunch and nuttiness to the ultimate dish. For those who don’t have sesame seeds, be happy to skip them.
Suggestions for Success
- Use Leftover Rice. Day-old rice is good for fried rice as a result of it’s drier and fewer sticky, permitting the grains to separate and crisp up fantastically. For those who solely have contemporary rice, unfold it out on a baking sheet and let it cool for at the very least 20-Half-hour to take away extra moisture.
- Don’t Burn the Garlic. Garlic cooks quick! To keep away from burning it, sauté the garlic over medium warmth and stir continually. If it begins to brown too shortly, decrease the warmth a bit.
- Let the Rice Sit. The key to getting crispy, golden bits in your fried rice is letting it sit undisturbed within the pan for 1-2 minutes earlier than stirring. This enables the rice to fry correctly and develop that fantastic crispy texture. Stir sometimes, however don’t overdo it.
- Season to Style (However Don’t Overdo the Salt). Soy sauce is of course salty, so style your fried rice earlier than including any additional salt.
- Don’t Skimp on the Sesame Oil. Sesame oil provides the rice a definite nutty taste that takes it to the following stage. Including it towards the tip helps protect its taste and aroma.
- Customise. This recipe is a good base for no matter you may have readily available. Add a fried egg, hen, shrimp, or some sautéed greens like peas or carrots.
Storage and Reheating
Storing Leftovers. Let the rice cool fully earlier than transferring it to an hermetic container. Retailer it within the fridge for as much as 3 days. The rice will agency up a bit within the fridge, which is nice for reheating.
Freezing. To freeze, portion the cooled rice into freezer-safe luggage or containers, eradicating as a lot air as attainable. It can hold effectively within the freezer for as much as 2 months. If you’re able to eat, thaw the rice within the fridge in a single day earlier than reheating.
Reheating. For the most effective outcomes, reheat the rice in a skillet on medium warmth. Add a small splash of water or oil to assist revive the moisture and stop it from drying out. Stir sometimes and prepare dinner till heated via, about 5-7 minutes.
- Microwave. For those who’re in a rush, you may reheat the rice within the microwave. Add a splash of water, cowl loosely with a moist paper towel, and warmth in 30-second increments, stirring in between, till warmed via.
Pairing Ideas
Garlic fried rice is extremely versatile, making it the proper aspect for quite a lot of dishes. Listed below are a few of my favourite mixtures:
- Chinese language Pork Dumplings. The savory, garlicky rice pairs completely with these flavorful dumplings.
- Honey Sesame Hen. The candy, sticky glaze of honey sesame hen contrasts fantastically with the garlicky fried rice.
- Teriyaki Shrimp Stir Fry. This stir fry gives a scrumptious mixture of candy and savory flavors, and the garlic fried rice is the proper backdrop for absorbing the additional sauce. The crispy rice provides texture to the tender shrimp and veggies.
- Simple Orange Hen. The intense, citrusy sauce of the orange hen enhances the daring garlic taste within the fried rice. This pairing gives the proper stability of candy and savory, making for a crowd-pleasing mixture.
- 2 tablespoons butter or vegetable oil
- 3 garlic cloves minced [Note 2]
- 1 massive egg elective
- 2 cups cooked white rice leftover rice works greatest [Note 1]
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free [Note 3]
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon rice vinegar or lime juice [Note 4]
- 1-2 inexperienced onions chopped (elective, for garnish)
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds elective, for garnish
- Salt and pepper to style
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Warmth butter (or vegetable oil) over medium warmth in a big skillet or wok. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, stirring continually to forestall burning [Note 5]. For those who want aromatics like onions or ginger, sauté them now.
2 tablespoons butter, 3 garlic cloves
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Push the garlic to the aspect of the pan and crack an egg into the middle. Scramble till absolutely cooked, about 1 minute. Combine the egg with the garlic [Note 6].
1 massive egg
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Add the rice, utilizing your spatula to interrupt up any clumps. Fry over medium-high warmth for 3-4 minutes, stirring sometimes. Enable some grains to crisp by letting them sit undisturbed for 1 minute at a time [Note 7].
2 cups cooked white rice
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Drizzle the soy sauce and sesame oil evenly over the rice. Stir effectively to coat each grain. If utilizing rice vinegar or lime juice, stir it in now for a shiny, zesty contact.
1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, ½ teaspoon rice vinegar or lime juice
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Improve the warmth to medium-high. Fry the rice undisturbed for about 1 minute to develop golden, crispy edges. Stir as soon as to flip and crisp the opposite aspect.
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Style and modify with salt and pepper as wanted [Note 8]. Garnish with inexperienced onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve instantly.
1-2 inexperienced onions, 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, Salt and pepper
- Use leftover, chilled rice for greatest outcomes. If utilizing contemporary rice, let it cool for 20-Half-hour.
- For those who love garlic, be happy to make use of greater than 3 cloves. The extra garlic, the stronger the flavour – simply be sure you keep away from burning it.
- Use common soy sauce for full umami taste, or substitute with tamari for a gluten-free model. For those who want deeper taste, think about including a contact of oyster sauce.
- Rice vinegar or lime juice provides acidity to stability the richness of the oils and soy sauce. Use sparingly to keep away from overpowering the garlic.
- Garlic burns shortly and turns into bitter, so watch it carefully and stir usually. If it begins browning too quick, cut back the warmth.
- The scrambled egg provides taste and texture. Cooking it individually helps to maintain it mushy and fluffy within the ultimate dish.
- Letting the rice sit undisturbed for 1-2 minutes whereas frying provides you crispy bits.
- Soy sauce already provides saltiness, so style the rice earlier than including further salt.
Energy: 249kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 6g | Fats: 11g | Saturated Fats: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 3g | Monounsaturated Fats: 4g | Trans Fats: 0.2g | Ldl cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 391mg | Potassium: 100mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.4g | Vitamin A: 247IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 1mg
Servings: 3 servings
Energy: 249kcal
