The trick is cold cooked rice and a hot pan. Use leftover rice from the day before.
Ingredients
Method
- Heat half the oil and scramble the eggs, then set aside.
- Add the rest of the oil and fry the rice over a high heat for 3 minutes.
- Add the peas and spring onion and stir through.
- Season with soy and white pepper, fold the egg back in and finish with sesame oil.
Notes
Why cold rice is the one rule to keep
Cold rice is the non-negotiable. Freshly cooked rice has too much moisture and steams in the pan instead of frying. Day-old rice from the fridge has dried out just enough to take on heat and colour.
What is egg fried rice?
Egg fried rice is the most basic Chinese fried rice and the base for many others. Cold cooked rice is fried in a hot wok with beaten egg, spring onion and a little seasoning, so each grain is separate and lightly coated.
It began as a way of using leftover rice in Chinese homes, and in the UK it is the standard side dish with takeaway meals.
Which rice, eggs and seasoning to use
- Rice: cooked long grain or jasmine rice, chilled overnight so it is dry.
- Eggs: about one egg per portion of rice.
- Seasoning: salt, white pepper and a little light soy. Too much soy makes the rice brown and wet.
- Oil: a neutral oil such as vegetable or groundnut.
Getting the pan hot and the grains separate
- Use a very hot wok or non-stick pan. The rice needs to fry, not steam.
- Break up any clumps in the cold rice before it goes in.
- Scramble the egg separately and fold it back in at the end so it stays in distinct pieces.
- Keep the soy light. This should taste clean and rice-forward, not salty.
Prawn, char siu and vegan versions
- Add shrimp: stir in cooked prawns with the peas.
- Char siu fried rice: fold in sliced char siu pork instead of peas.
- Vegan: leave out the egg or use a scrambled tofu instead.
Cooking rice ahead and reheating fried rice
Cook a big batch of rice the day before, cool it quickly and refrigerate. Fried rice is best eaten right away but keeps in the fridge for two days. Reheat in a hot pan with a drop of oil rather than the microwave.
Dishes to serve egg fried rice with
Serve as a side with crispy chilli beef, black bean sauce dishes or any saucy stir-fry. It also works as a quick standalone meal with a fried egg on top.
Rice types and soggy rice fixes
Can I use long-grain rice?
Yes. Jasmine or Thai fragrant rice is traditional, but long-grain works fine. Basmati dries out well in the fridge and fries cleanly.
Why is my fried rice clumping?
Either the rice was too warm and moist, or the pan was not hot enough. Make sure the rice is fridge-cold and your pan is properly hot before it goes in.
Can I use frozen rice?
Yes. Frozen cooked rice, defrosted or used from frozen in the pan, works as well as cold leftover rice.
