Fried rice made with fresh rice almost always turns out clumpy or mushy, because fresh rice still holds too much surface moisture and steams instead of fries. Day old rice, dried out overnight in the refrigerator, is what actually gives you the separate, slightly crisp grains a good fried rice needs. Plan for it the night before and this becomes a twenty minute dinner.
Past that, this is one of the fastest things in the rotation. Shrimp cooks in two minutes, egg scrambles in one, and the rice itself only needs enough time in a hot pan to pick up a little color at the edges.
The Four Components
- Protein. Shrimp and egg together, giving the dish two textures from one pan.
- Starch. Cold, day old cooked rice, which is what keeps the grains separate.
- Vegetable. Frozen peas and carrots and scallions, added at the end so they stay bright.
- Sauce. Soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil, added sparingly so the rice does not turn soggy.
Shrimp Fried Rice
Serves four. Prep ten minutes, cook fifteen minutes, total about twenty five minutes.
Ingredients
Protein
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined, chopped into bite size pieces
- 3 eggs, beaten
Starch
- 4 cups cold, day old cooked rice, broken up
Vegetable
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
- 3 scallions, sliced, whites and greens separated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 3 tablespoons neutral oil, divided
Method
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet or wok over medium high heat. Add the eggs and scramble until just set, breaking them into small curds. Remove to a plate.
- Add another tablespoon of oil, then the shrimp. Cook 2 minutes, until just pink, and remove to the same plate.
- Add the remaining oil, the scallion whites, and garlic. Stir 20 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the cold rice, breaking up any clumps, and stir fry 4 to 5 minutes until it starts to pick up a little color at the edges.
- Push the rice to one side and add the frozen peas and carrots to the empty space. Cook 1 minute, then toss everything together.
- Return the egg and shrimp to the pan. Add the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil, and toss until evenly coated. Finish with the scallion greens.
Nutrition (per serving, estimated)
- Calories 420
- Fat 14 g
- Saturated fat 3 g
- Cholesterol 245 mg
- Sodium 980 mg
- Carbohydrates 48 g
- Fiber 3 g
- Sugar 3 g
- Protein 26 g
Get Ahead: A Timing Plan
- The night before: cook the rice and spread it on a tray or in a shallow container, uncovered, to dry out in the refrigerator overnight.
- Up to a day ahead: peel the shrimp and chop the scallions and garlic.
- Last five minutes: once the rice hits the pan, everything moves quickly. Have the sauces measured and ready.
Building the Meal Around It
Fried rice is a full meal on its own, but it also makes an excellent side to the beef and broccoli stir fry if you want a bigger spread. A simple cucumber salad on the side adds a cold, acidic contrast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the rice need to be a day old?
Freshly cooked rice holds too much surface moisture and clumps or turns mushy in the pan. Refrigerating it overnight, uncovered, dries the grains enough to fry properly instead of steaming.
Can I use chicken instead of shrimp?
Yes. Dice it small and cook it through before adding the egg, since it takes a little longer than shrimp.
How do I store and reheat leftover fried rice safely?
Refrigerate it within two hours of cooking and reheat it until steaming hot throughout. The FDA and CDC both flag cooked rice left at room temperature as a common source of Bacillus cereus, a bacteria that can survive reheating if the rice was not cooled and stored properly to begin with.
More Thirty Minute Meals
Looking for something else fast? Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry, Spicy Tuna Poke Bowl, and the full 30-Minute Meals collection.
Who Is Writing This
I'm Chef Alan. I have spent 35 years in professional kitchens, I have formal culinary education in New Hampshire, and I have been honored as a 6-Time 4-Diamond Chef. More about me here.
If a recipe is missing something you needed, or a step didn't make sense, tell me. Get in touch and I'll fix it.
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