• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Veggie Desserts
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • Vegan Recipes
    • Vegan Cake and Desserts
    • Vegan Dinner
    • Vegan Breakfast
    • Vegan Guides
  • Cookbook
    • About My Cookbook
    • Buy Veggie Desserts + Cakes
  • About Me
    • About Me
    • Contact
    • Work With Me
    • Press
    • Newsletter
  • Subscribe
  • Instagram Posts
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Vegetarian Recipes
  • Vegan Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • About Me
  • Cookbook
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Vegetarian Recipes
  • Vegan Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • About Me
  • Cookbook
×
Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

Garlic Fried Rice

Published: Oct 2, 2023 · Modified: Sep 4, 2024 by Kate Hackworthy · 5 Comments

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
Bowl of rice, with text: Garlic Fried Rice.
Bowl of rice, ingredients on a table, and text: Garlic Fried Rice.

Budget-friendly and big on taste, Garlic Fried Rice is a tasty, easy, Asian-inspired side dish. It's packed with aromatic garlic, scrambled eggs and vibrant veggies, all sautéed to perfection and ready in under 15 minutes.

Looking down at a table, with a dish of garlic fried rice.

This Garlic Fried Rice is a glorious symphony of flavors, combining the earthy richness of garlic with the subtle sweetness of peas and carrots, all bound together by rice.

It's quick, easy, and affordable—a winning trifecta for any home cook.

Garlic Fried Rice is a recipe that's both easy on the wallet and a joy for your taste buds.

Whether you're in a hurry, want to get creative in the kitchen, or just need a comforting meal, this dish has got you covered.

It's a dish that never disappoints, and once you've tried it, you'll find yourself making it time and time again.

We make it often at our house! It's so tasty, the garlic adds a punch, and it's a great way to use up leftover rice.

Try serving it with Asian Tofu with Spicy Garlic Sauce or Vegan Crispy Duck (Cauliflower) and Pancakes. It's also great drizzled with a little Amai Sauce or Chili Garlic Oil.

Jump to:
  • Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • How to Make Garlic Fried Rice
  • Variations
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Storage
  • Rice Safety
  • Top tips
  • FAQ
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  1. Speedy Satisfaction: Garlic Fried Rice can be whipped up in under 20 minutes, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or whenever you're in a hurry.
  2. Budget-Friendly: With simple ingredients like garlic, eggs, and leftover rice, this recipe won't break the bank. It's proof that gourmet doesn't have to mean expensive.
  3. Versatile: You can customize this dish to your liking. Add your favorite protein, like chicken, shrimp, or tofu, to make it a hearty main course, or enjoy it as a delightful side dish.
  4. Reducing Food Waste: Got some leftover rice and veggies in the fridge? Garlic Fried Rice is a fantastic way to use them up and reduce food waste.

Ingredients

Ingredients on a table.
  • Cooked and Cooled Rice: Day-old rice is perfect for this recipe, and you can use basmati, long-grain, or jasmine rice. Just ensure it's cooled safely to prevent stickiness.
  • Garlic: Mince it for that rich, aromatic flavor.
  • Onion: Finely dice it to add a hint of sweetness and texture.
  • Vegetable Oil: Used for sautéing and imparting a light, savory taste.
  • Eggs: Scrambled eggs create delightful pockets of creaminess.
  • Frozen Peas and Carrots: Thawed to add color, nutrition, and a touch of sweetness.
  • Soy Sauce: For that essential umami kick.
  • Sesame Oil (Optional): Enhances the dish with a hint of nuttiness and depth.
  • Salt and Pepper: Season to taste.
  • Green Onions: For a fresh, vibrant garnish.

See the recipe card for quantities.

Ingredient Substitutions: Feel free to get creative! Swap out the peas and carrots for other veggies like bell peppers or broccoli. You can also use olive oil instead of vegetable oil for a slightly different flavor profile.

How to Make Garlic Fried Rice

Follow this step-by-step photo tutorial, then scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and method.

Leftover rice is best, but if making it fresh, ensure it is completely cold.

Cooking onion, carrot and garlic in a pan.

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the onion and carrot and sauté for 3 minutes until soft. Add the garlic and cook for a further minute.

Adding cooked cold rice to the pan.

Stir in the cooled rice. Break up any rice clumps and stir-fry for 3-5 minutes.

Adding the beaten egg to the pan.

Pour in the beaten eggs, and cook, stirring, until scrambled.

Finished garlic fried frice.

Drizzle soy sauce evenly over the rice and continue stir-frying for 2-3 minutes. Optionally, add sesame oil for extra flavor. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the peas and keep frying until the rice gets nice and crispy.

Stirring in seasonings and peas.

Remove from heat and garnish with thinly sliced green onions.

Variations

  1. Protein-Packed: Add your choice of protein—chicken, shrimp, tofu, or even leftover roast pork. Just cook it before adding it to the rice.
  2. Spicy Kick: If you like a little heat, toss in some crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha.
  3. Vegan Twist: Skip the eggs and use a plant-based substitute like silken tofu.
  4. Pineapple Paradise: Add diced pineapple for a sweet and tangy twist.

Serving Suggestions

  • On the Side: Serve it alongside your favorite Asian-inspired dishes, such as stir-fries or spring rolls.
  • As a Main Course: Enjoy a generous portion of Garlic Fried Rice as a standalone meal.
  • With Proteins: Pair it with grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu for a complete and filling dish.
Close up of a bowl of garlic fried rice.

Storage

Garlic Fried Rice is best enjoyed fresh off the stove, but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in a pan with a touch of oil to restore its delightful crispiness.

Rice Safety

Ensuring rice safety is crucial to prevent foodborne illnesses. One of the primary concerns with rice is bacterial contamination. Specifically the presence of bacteria that can produce toxins when rice is stored or handled improperly. To keep your rice dishes safe, it's essential to follow a few simple guidelines.

  • Store cooked rice in the refrigerator within two hours of cooking.
  • Facilitate even cooling by spreading rice in shallow containers or on a baking sheet.
  • Reheat rice dishes to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to eliminate bacteria.
  • Exercise caution when using leftover rice in recipes, ensuring thorough reheating.
  • Avoid leaving rice dishes at room temperature for extended periods to prevent bacterial growth.
  • Follow proper food handling and hygiene practices when preparing and serving rice to minimize the risk of contamination.

Top tips

  1. Chilled Rice Is Key: Using day-old, chilled rice ensures that it won't turn mushy when you stir-fry it. Freshly cooked rice tends to clump together and lose its individual grains.
  2. High Heat for Fluffiness: To achieve that classic fried rice texture, cook everything on high heat. This allows the rice to get crispy without becoming overly greasy.
  3. Don't Skip the Eggs: Scrambled eggs are a crucial component of this dish, providing a creamy contrast to the rice's texture and adding a rich, savory flavor.
  4. Uniform Stir-Frying: When stir-frying, make sure to evenly distribute the ingredients in the pan. This ensures that everything cooks consistently, and each bite is bursting with flavor.

FAQ

What type of rice is best for fried rice?

The best rice for fried rice is usually long-grain varieties like jasmine, basmati, or standard long-grain white rice. However, you can experiment with short-grain rice for a stickier texture or brown rice for a healthier twist.

How to safely cool cooked rice?

After cooking, spread the rice out on a baking sheet or in a shallow container to cool it quickly. Once it reaches room temperature, refrigerate it in an airtight container. Avoid leaving cooked rice at room temperature for extended periods to prevent bacterial growth.

Looking down at a table with a dish of garlic fried rice.
Collage of quick vegan dinner recipes.

Sign up for our free newsletter and never miss a recipe!

Plus, you'll get a free eBook: 15 Minute Vegan Dinners!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you love this recipe, please leave a five-star rating and review in the comments below! And if you make any modifications, let us know how it went so that we can all benefit from your experience. Happy cooking!

📖 Recipe

Bowl of garlic fried rice.

Garlic Fried Rice

Kate Hackworthy | Veggie Desserts
Budget-friendly and big on taste, Garlic Fried Rice is a tasty, Asian-inspired side dish. It's packed with rice, garlic, eggs and veggies.
5 from 6 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prevent your screen from going dark
SaveSaved!
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 15 minutes mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 4
Calories 301 kcal

Equipment

  • Wok

Ingredients
 

  • 2 cups cooked and cooled rice preferably day-old rice basmati, long grain or jasmine
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • ½ small onion finely diced
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs beaten
  • ½ cup frozen peas
  • ½ cup diced carrots
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • ½ teaspoon sesame oil optional
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Green onions thinly sliced (for garnish)

Instructions
 

  • Leftover rice is best, but if making it fresh, ensure it is completely cold.
  • Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the onion and carrot and sauté for 3 minutes until soft. Add the garlic and cook for a further minute.
  • Stir in the cooled rice. Break up any rice clumps and stir-fry for 3-5 minutes.
  • Pour in the beaten eggs, and cook, stirring, until scrambled.
  • Add in the soy sauce and continue stir-frying for 2-3 minutes. Optionally, add sesame oil for extra flavor. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Remove from heat and garnish with thinly sliced green onions.

Nutrition

Calories: 301kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 8gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 82mgSodium: 549mgPotassium: 230mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 2931IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 45mgIron: 1mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.

Tried this recipe?Mention @kateveggiedesserts or tag #veggiedesserts! I love seeing your recreations.

More Side Dish Recipes

  • Stack of naan breads on a plate.
    Easy Naan Bread Recipe (15 Min Yeast-Free Flatbread)
  • Looking down at a table with a serving dish of roasted beetroot and sweet potato salad with couscous.
    Roasted Beetroot Sweet Potato Salad
  • A wooden table with a bowl of Christmas couscous, next to a dish of pomegranate seeds and parsley.
    Christmas Couscous
  • A plate of roasted gorgonzola brussels sprouts.
    Gorgonzola Brussels Sprouts
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Email

Reader Interactions

Comments

    5 from 6 votes (1 rating without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Dannii

    October 25, 2023 at 10:50 am

    5 stars
    Anything with garlic is good with me and this was amazing. Just the right amount of garlic!

    Reply
  2. Kim

    October 06, 2023 at 1:59 pm

    5 stars
    Thanks so much for sharing! I made the fried rice to go with my orange chicken this week and it was perfect!

    Reply
  3. Chenee

    October 05, 2023 at 1:57 pm

    5 stars
    I haven't met a single plate of fried rice that I haven't fallen in love with! This dish was no exception.

    Reply
  4. Casey

    October 02, 2023 at 1:58 pm

    5 stars
    I love the extra garlicky flavor in this fried rice. So much better than takeout!

    Reply
  5. Tara

    October 02, 2023 at 1:55 pm

    5 stars
    Oh yum! Such a delicious use for leftovers and so easy too. I especially love the addition of all that garlic.

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Kate Hackworthy in the kitchen

Hi, I'm Kate, a journalist, author and multi-award-winning food blogger. Here you'll find vegetarian recipes and vegan recipes celebrating vegetables, from dinner to dessert! If you love vegetables, you've come to the right place. About Me

Collage of press logos that Veggie Desserts has appeared in, including The Guardian, Marie Claire, Vancouver Sun, The Globe and Mail, Seattle Times and The Sunday Telegraph.

Popular recipes

  • Stack of naan breads on a plate.
    Easy Naan Bread Recipe (15 Min Yeast-Free Flatbread)
  • Close up of a plate of red lentil dahl with rice and spinach.
    The BEST Easy Red Lentil Dahl
  • A jar of quick, easy and tasty raspberry compote, with a spoonful of it next to a blue and white tea towel.
    Quick Raspberry Compote Recipe
  • Bowl of stewed pears with a serving spoon and a cinnamon stick.
    Easy Stewed Pears Recipe

Vegetable Cake Recipes

  • A cake and a piece of cake sitting on top of a table.
    Apple Kale Cake with Apple Icing
  • Close up of cut loaf cake.
    Parsnip Loaf Cake
  • Cake on a cake stand with slices missing
    Vanilla Spinach Cake
  • A slice of lemon cucumber cake on a plate.
    Lemon and Cucumber Cake

My cookbook

Veggie Desserts and Cakes Cookbook cover.

Check out my Veggie Desserts Cookbook, full of tasty desserts with vegetables!

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About me
  • Contact
  • Work with me
  • Press
  • Veggie Desserts Cookbook

Newsletter

  • Sign Up for newsletter updates

Partner Sites

  • You Say Potatoes

Disclaimers

  • Disclosures & Affiliate Policies
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Accessibility Policy

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 Kate Hackworthy / Veggie Desserts

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

This recipe worked out perfectly!
The whole family loved this recipe!
Easy and tasty!
I'm sure we'll be making this recipe again and again!

Or write in your own words:

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.