I’ve been really mindful about not wasting food lately. Fried rice is one of those recipes that can use up a variety of leftovers in our fridge and makes the perfect lunches for my husband!
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There’s just a few pantry stables I use as the base recipe, and then I mix in whatever we have left. I really like fried rice because you can get as creative as you want! You can add your favorite protein, leave it out, and add a variety of vegetables that you have. You could even use cauliflower rice for a low-carb option. This Green Giant frozen cauliflower rice already comes with veggies in it so you can easily make yummy fried rice!
Again, we mainly make this recipe to use up leftovers or make an easy meal with pantry items. It’s in no way an “authentic” or fancy fried rice recipe.
Fried Rice Ingredients
The base ingredients are rice, eggs, soy sauce, and sesame seed oil.
Some people say that fried rice is best with day-old rice. So if you have some leftovers from takeout this is a great way to use them up! Occasionally I’ll have leftover rice from making Chickpea Tikka Masala so I’ll use that rice.
However, if I don’t have leftover rice and we still want fried rice I’ll make fresh rice and it’s still yummy!
Then I’ll throw in ham, turkey, bacon, or whatever protein I have that needs to be eaten.
My husband doesn’t like vegetables (sad face) and I can’t typically sneak them in here. But occasionally I’ll add some peas and carrots (Frozen, canned, or fresh) or any other vegetables I have that need to be eaten.
How To Make Fried Rice
I’ll start by getting my rice ready. If I have leftovers I will skip this step, if not I’ll start the rice in my rice cooker. Typically I’ll use about 2 cups of rice or whatever amount I have as leftovers.
When my rice is ready I’ll fry some eggs in a fry pan with a little bit of oil olive.
If I’m cooking bacon I’ll also do this at the same time. Often I’ll cook the bacon in the same pan and then crack the eggs and use the bacon grease to add flavor!
If I’m just using ham I’ll add it to the pan after the eggs are cooked just to help it heat up.
Then I’ll add my rice to the pan. Next, I’ll pour 3-4 tablespoons of soy sauce over the rice. I honestly just eyeball this and add more to taste. Then I’ll add about a tablespoon of sesame seed oil to the rice, again just eyeballing it.
If you’re adding vegetables add them next.
Then mix everything up and let it cook for about 5 mins until everything is cooked through and the rice has a good texture.
Eat right away or save it for lunch another day. It’s fantastic as leftovers.
What Have You Created?
Do you have a special ingredient? Or tried a new combo and loved it? Please let us know! We love getting creative with this easy pantry staple meal!
More Dinner Ideas
Looking for more dinner ideas? Check out some of our favorites.
- Crockpot Ranch Chicken Tacos
- Tikka Masala
- Parmesan Garlic Chicken Tenders
- Garlic Butter Chicken Nuggets
Check out more Easy Dinner Ideas
Fried Rice with Leftovers
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 2 cups Rice
- 2 Eggs
- 4 tbsp Soy Sauce more to taste
- 1 tbsp Sesame seed oil more to taste
Mix Ins
- 1/2 cup Protein (bacon, ham, turkey, chicken etc)
- 1/4 cup Vegetables (peas & carrots etc)
Instructions
- If you aren't using leftover rice start by making rice. I typcailly use about 2 cups of cooked rice but you can adjust that based on your leftovers or how much you want to make.
- When your rice is done, fry up two eggs in a frying pan.
- Add any cooked meat to the pan with the eggs.
- Next add your cooked rice to the pan.
- Add cooked vegetables to the pan.
- Then add soy sauce and sesame seed oil to the pan. Feel free to add more to taste.
- Mix together and cook for about 5 mins, stiring occasionally so nothing sticks to the bottom. Cook until it reaches the desired texture.
- Enjoy right away or store as leftovers, it tastes just as great reheated!