About 10 Minute Simple Egg Fried Rice
If you’re on the hunt for a simple fried rice recipe, I promise it doesn’t get much easier than this! It only takes 10 minutes to make this classic Chinese side dish.
This recipe was born of necessity, seeing as how it’s been a bit of an impromptu “Chinese Food Week” over here at my house. Because, you see, after making delicious dishes like Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken and Teriyaki Chicken Casserole, I simply had to come up with a side dish to go along with them.
What can be more classic and appropriate than fried rice?
And, you guys, when I say simple, I mean it. If you can make minute rice, then you’re already halfway there to side dish glory.
Now, don’t get me wrong. We have a very nice rice cooker sitting on our counter that does a wonderful job of cooking rice.
But as nice as it is, it still takes 20 minutes to cook the rice alone, let alone anything else you want to do with it, and you know what? Sometimes that’s simply too long, especially when I’m trying to orchestrate the rest of our dinner.
And honestly, I think what it boils down to is that I’ve been thoroughly spoiled by years (and years and years) of the convenience of Minute Rice.
And really, why should there be a lot of fuss over such a low-key side dish?
I know there’s some difference in the quality, but when it’s at the end of the day and I need dinner ASAP, I’m just so happy to be eating rice that I don’t even notice.
I appreciate all rice because it all tastes amazing.
And being able to make fried rice at home?
Priceless!
All that being said, if you’d rather use a higher quality rice, this recipe could easily be made with it – it’ll just take a bit longer than 10 minutes. Outside of the rice, the measurements and the ingredients would be the same. And from there, it’s all a matter of what you have the taste or the time for.
But as for me?
I’m perfectly content to have this low-key side dish to any meal.
What goes in egg fried rice?
When it comes to fried rice, there are a couple key ingredients as well as a few no-so-obvious flavors that help accent the taste.
1 – Egg. This is a given in egg fried rice, but the quantity might surprise you. Usually, you only need one egg, two at the most, to achieve the classic fried rice ratio.
2 – Rice. Another given in fried rice, but the type of rice matters. Most traditional recipes use medium-to-long grain rice (like Jasmine rice), but for this recipe, Minute Rice is used. I’ll be the first to admit that Minute Rice is not the same quality as Jasmine rice, but the goal of this recipe is to be fast and easy, and if nothing else, that’s what Minute Rice is.
3 – Veggies. This is where you can get creative. I like to use a corn, carrot, and peas, because this is a common combination found in frozen foods. However, feel free to do whatever veggie combination sounds good to you!
4 – Soy Sauce. For such a small ingredient, the amount of soy sauce can really make or break a fried rice recipe. This recipe only uses a small about (two tablespoons). Also, I like to use low-sodium soy sauce so that I can control the saltiness.
5 – Garlic. I started adding this ingredient after a reader suggested it a few years ago, and ever since I took her advice, I can’t imagine making fried rice without it. It’s not a common ingredient in fried rice but it really kicks up the flavor. My fried rice didn’t start to taste “restaurant quality” until I added it.
Notes & tips for this simple fried rice recipe
- I know I’m probably partial, but I can’t stress it enough: I really feel like this should be the go-to recipe for anyone who wants to know how to make easy egg fried rice!
- As mentioned above, this recipe is designed to be made with Minute Rice. For those of you who already know how to make minute rice, I’m sure you understand how much of a time saver it is!
- All that being said, if you prefer traditional rice, we have a rice cooker similar to this rice cooker model and enjoy using it when we have the time.
- This is also a recipe you can easily adapt. Want to use different veggies? Want to use more egg? Go for it! You can even add meat, but be sure to adjust cooking times so that the meat is thoroughly cooked through (or use precooked meat).
More great Asian-inspired eats
More great side dishes
How do you make easy fried rice?
This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. If you’re looking for the full recipe measurements and instructions, scroll down to Recipe Details.
The key to this recipe is the Minute Rice. By the standard cooking instructions, Minute Rice is added to a pot of boiling water and then covered until the rice absorbs the water. The trick here is to add the soy sauce to the water so that the rice becomes absorbs the soy sauce and infused with the flavor.
Step 1 – As stated above, add water and soy sauce to a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Add Minute Rice, cover, then set aside for 5 minutes.
Step 2 – In a small skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic and veggies, then cook 3-5 minutes until tender.
Step 3 – Push the veggies to one side of the skillet and crack an egg in the available space. Use a spatula to break up the egg and mix it with the veggies. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
Step 4 – Pour finished Minute Rice into the skillet and toss it with the egg and veggies.
Step 5 – Serve and enjoy!
This recipe was originally published on October 29th, 2014. It received a TLC update with new photos on January 24th, 2017.
Recipe Details
10 Minute Simple Egg Fried Rice
Need a new go-to side dish for busy weeknights? Making fried rice at home is always a great staple, and this easy recipe comes together in just 10 minutes!
Ingredients
Instructions
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In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring water and soy sauce to a boil. When water bubbles, pour in uncooked rice and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes (per package directions).
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While rice finishes, heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, vegetables, and salt and pepper to taste. Sauté for 3-5 minutes or until garlic begins to turn golden brown.
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Crack egg directly into skillet and scramble with vegetables and garlic. When egg is cooked (roughly 2-3 minutes), pour the finished rice in the frying pan.
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Stir rice with egg, vegetables, and garlic until any excess water from the rice evaporates, about 2-3 minutes.
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Serve immediately.
U are missing ground ginger, mmmm. Good recipe, gonna have to add an extra cup of water for 10 min rice.. but thanks for the share!
Ground ginger would be amazing with this! 😀
Was wanting something different with our spatchcock chicken. Your recipe hits the spot. Will post a picture of dinner and tag it!!!
Ummm this is gud gonna try yo recipes
If you were to use a rice cooker would you put the soy sauce in with the rice and water
No. Absolutely not
I do every time. I use soup broth with the soy sauce and rice the my cooker. Perfect every time.
I put the soy sauce in the rice cooker with the rice, and loved it.
Really good!! I used sesame oil instead of vegetable oil! Thanks for sharing!
How many people does this feed?
2 people as a meal and 4 as a side!
Made it Jasmine rice and grilled boneless chicken breast, it was great.
Could I use thinly sliced steak in this? I haven’t made it yet, but plan to in the morning.
Excited to try this! How well would something like this be re-heated?
Use coconut water instead of plain water to cook the rice. Use fragrant jasmine rice instead o regular plain and blaaah minute rice. Use coconut oil in place of vegetable or sesame oil. Nicely complements and flavors all the ingredients. And don’t forget to garnish with cilantro….that’s what makes an authentic southeast Asian dish!
Super easy, super quick, but I don’t care for minute rice, just cooked basmati rice with soy sauce. After done, I put on a drizzle of toasted sesame oil. Perfect with Asian style pepper steak.
I used 2 eggs but this is super easy and so good!!
First I cooked zucchini with onions, next I did thin flank steak, I used Sam’s club grilled mesquite chicken breast(2), then I sautéed a few shrimp and set aside. I made the fried rice with sesame oil and 2 eggs. Once rice was finished I added my other ingredients that I set aside to make an all inclusive dinner. It was an hit for my family.
Hi I’m 13 and made this recipe for my dad and I. It was so good and easy. normally I don’t cook but was craving fried rice. I will definitely make again but I did add garlic powder and onion powder just for more flavor! Teriyaki sauce taste good if you cook it will the garlic And made my whole house smell good!😁
I used a can of condensed chicken broth, had to add double the rice to absorb the extra liquid, but I think it helped with the flavor!
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if you use leftover rice it’s important to put it in the fridge for a while so it’s cold before using in fried rice.
Just made this with frozen orange chicken, made the rice and cooked the chicken in the oven. Only thing I tweaked was added a tbs of ginger. Haven’t eaten yet because my chicken is in the oven as we speak but it smells amazing!
as a 4th stage kidney failure fella, I have a tough time making anything, but this was a real winner for me. Thank you so much
I was really upset when aunty hersha used the collinder to drain my rice
yessssss!!!!
I added shrimp and it came out great! Very easy to make.
I made it tonight for supper. It was quick and easy. My house still smells of the garlic I used.
Becky
This sounds amazing, can’t wait to try it!! What is the serving size?