Fried rice is the ultimate weeknight hero: quick, budget-friendly, customizable, and full of flavor. Whether you’re using leftover rice or starting fresh, this easy fried rice recipe for busy days delivers restaurant-style taste with minimal effort.
Let’s get cooking!
🥕 Ingredients
You’ll need:
Base Ingredients
2 cups cooked rice (preferably chilled or day-old)
2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 small onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, etc.)
Seasoning & Flavor
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional but recommended)
Salt & pepper, to taste
2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Optional Mix-Ins
Cooked chicken
Shrimp
Ham
Tofu
Extra veggies
Chili flakes or sriracha
🔥 How to Make Easy Fried Rice
This easy fried rice recipe for busy days takes only a few steps:
1. Heat the Pan
Heat your wok or skillet over medium-high and add cooking oil.
2. Scramble the Eggs
Push the oil to one side, add beaten eggs, and scramble until cooked.
Remove and set aside.
3. Sauté Aromatics
Add the diced onion and garlic to the pan.
Cook 2–3 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden.
4. Add Vegetables
Stir in your mixed veggies.
Frozen vegetables work perfectly — no need to thaw!
5. Add Rice
Add the cooked rice and break up any clumps.
Stir well so the rice absorbs the flavors.
6. Season Everything
Pour in soy sauce and mix evenly.
Add sesame oil for that classic fried rice aroma.
7. Add Eggs Back In
Stir in the scrambled eggs and green onions.
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
8. Serve Hot
Enjoy your homemade fried rice immediately!
🌟 Why This Recipe Works
Ready in 15 minutes
Uses pantry and freezer staples
Perfect for leftover rice
Customizable to fit your taste
Healthy and budget-friendly
This truly is the ideal easy fried rice recipe for busy days!
🥡 Tips for the Best Fried Rice
Use Cold Rice
Day-old rice gives the best texture.
Warm rice becomes mushy.
Cook on High Heat
This gives the rice that signature smoky flavor.
Don’t Overload the Pan
Too many ingredients can make the rice steam instead of fry.
Use a Nonstick Pan or Wok
Makes cooking and cleanup easier.
Season Last
Taste and adjust so it doesn’t get overly salty.
🍗 Protein Variations
Chicken Fried Rice
Add diced, cooked chicken when you add the rice.
Shrimp Fried Rice
Sear shrimp first, remove, then add back in at the end.
Veggie Fried Rice
Skip meat and add mushrooms, broccoli, or bell peppers.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Pair your fried rice with:
Egg rolls
Sesame chicken
Stir-fried veggies
Kimchi
Grilled meats
Or enjoy it as a complete meal—it’s filling enough!
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Store
Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days.
Reheat
Use a skillet for best texture, or microwave in 30-second intervals.
🎉 Final Thoughts
This Easy fried rice recipe for busy days! proves that delicious meals don’t need to be complicated. With a few basic ingredients and simple steps, you can whip up a satisfying dish that tastes just as good as takeout—maybe even better!
If you’d like, I can also create:
🍽️ A printable recipe card
📦 A meal-prep version
🥢 A healthier low-sodium version
🔥 A spicy fried rice variation