Vegetable Fried Rice

Better-than-takeout vegetable fried rice with fluffy eggs, broccoli, peas, and carrots. A fast way to turn leftover rice into dinner.

  • Total25 min
  • Yield4 servings
  • LevelEasy
Placeholder image for Vegetable Fried Rice. A photo of the finished dish is coming soon.
Placeholder image. A photo of the finished dish is coming soon.

Not yet kitchen-tested This recipe is written from established cooking techniques and reviewed for accuracy, but our team hasn't cooked it from these exact instructions yet. How we test recipes

Fried rice is the best reason to cook extra rice. Rice that has been refrigerated overnight is drier and firmer, so the grains separate and toast in the pan instead of turning mushy.

Have everything chopped before you start. Once the pan is hot, the whole dish comes together in about 10 minutes.

Recipe

Vegetable Fried Rice

Better-than-takeout vegetable fried rice with fluffy eggs, broccoli, peas, and carrots. A fast way to turn leftover rice into dinner.

Vegetarian

Prep time
10 min
Cook time
15 min
Total time
25 min
Yield
4 servings
Difficulty
Easy
Course
Main Course
Cuisine
Chinese-American

Ingredients

Adjust servings

Scaling changes ingredient amounts only. Cooking times, pan sizes, and temperatures may need adjusting.

Instructions

  1. Prepare the rice. Break up any clumps of cold rice with your hands so the grains are mostly separate.

  2. Scramble the eggs. Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the oil, then the eggs. Stir gently for 30 to 60 seconds, until just set but still glossy. Transfer to a plate.

  3. Cook the vegetables. Add another 1 tablespoon oil to the pan. Add the onion and broccoli and stir-fry for about 3 minutes, until the onion is translucent and the broccoli is bright green. Add the garlic and ginger and cook 30 seconds, until fragrant.

  4. Toast the rice. Push the vegetables to the side and add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Add the rice, spread it out, and let it sit without stirring for 1 to 2 minutes so some grains toast lightly. Then toss everything together.

  5. Add the peas and carrots. Stir in the frozen peas and carrots and cook 2 to 3 minutes, until heated through.

  6. Season. Drizzle the soy sauce around the edges of the pan so it sizzles, then add the sesame oil and pepper. Toss well.

  7. Finish. Return the eggs to the pan, breaking them into pieces, and add the green onions. Toss for 30 seconds, taste, and add a little more soy sauce if needed.

Recipe Notes

Tips

  • No leftover rice? Spread freshly cooked rice on a baking sheet and refrigerate it uncovered for 30 to 60 minutes to dry it out.
  • Use your largest pan. A crowded pan steams the rice instead of frying it.
  • Add cooked chicken, shrimp, or cubed firm tofu with the peas and carrots for more protein.

Substitutions

  • Gluten-free: Use tamari labeled gluten-free instead of soy sauce.
  • Vegetables: Swap in diced bell pepper, corn, edamame, or shredded cabbage.

Allergens: Contains eggs, soy, and wheat (in most soy sauces).

Storage and Reheating

Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking for up to 3 to 4 days. Reheat in a skillet or microwave until steaming hot, at least 165°F.

Freezing

Freeze in airtight bags for up to 2 months. Reheat from frozen in a skillet with a splash of water.

Make Ahead

Cook and chill the rice up to 3 days ahead, and chop the vegetables the day before.

Troubleshooting

The rice is mushy.
The rice was too fresh and moist, or the pan was crowded. Use chilled rice and cook in batches if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use brown rice?

Yes. Day-old brown rice works well and adds a nutty flavor.

Allergens and Food Safety

Allergens: Contains eggs, soy, and wheat (in most soy sauces).

Food safety: Cool cooked rice quickly and refrigerate it within 2 hours. Rice left at room temperature can grow bacteria whose toxins aren’t destroyed by reheating.

Allergen notes are based on the listed ingredients. Always check product labels. See our Disclaimer.

Nutrition Information

We don't publish nutrition facts for this recipe yet. We'd rather share none than share numbers that haven't been calculated with a documented method. Learn more.