17 Fried Rice Recipes

Leftover Rice Has Never Been Better

By
Lizz Schumer
Lizz Schumer
Lizz Schumer
A journalist, writer, and author, Lizz Schumer has 10+ years of experience covering food and drink for a wide variety of well-known print and online publications.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 04/22/20
Basic Recipe for Fried Rice

 The Spruce

If you have leftover rice in your refrigerator, you already have the beginnings of fried rice. This super easy dish can reinvigorate leftover veggies and meat, in addition to grains. And if you don't have anything hanging out in the fridge that you need to use up, fresh rice and frozen or canned vegetables and meat also work. Try adding these fried rice recipes to your repertoire, for a takeout favorite from your own kitchen.

  • 01 of 17

    Kimchi Fried Rice

    Kimchi fried rice recipe

    The Spruce

    This kimchi fried rice, also known as bokumbap or bokkeumbap in Korean, makes a simple and speedy meal using two Korean staples: rice and kimchi. Thinly sliced beef adds extra protein, and topping each bowl with a fried egg gives it a lovely textural contrast.

  • 02 of 17

    Basic Fried Rice with Egg

    Basic Recipe for Fried Rice

     The Spruce

    Start with this simple fried rice base, and then add other proteins, vegetables, and seasonings to customize it to your family's taste. If you do add more elements, increase the eggs to three, to keep it balanced.

  • 03 of 17

    Chaufa Rice

    Arroz Chaufa

    The Spruce

     

    This anything-goes fried rice comes from the Chinese-Peruvian fusion tradition, and you can really make it any way that suits your taste – or your refrigerator. Shredded pork, chicken, or even cut-up hot dogs add protein, and making rice the Peruvian way gives it just the right texture.

  • 04 of 17

    Easy Vegetable Fried Rice

    Fried Rice with vegetables and sesame on stone slate background
    Lisovskaya Natalia / Getty Images

    Fried rice with vegetables is an easy and versatile dish perfect not only for vegetarians or vegans. This basic version can be made with whatever vegetables you happen to have on hand-- the recipe suggests spinach, green beans, and tomatoes -- but any collection of veg will do!

    Continue to 5 of 17 below.
  • 05 of 17

    Spam Fried Rice

    spam fried rice on a plate

     The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

    Adding Spam to fried rice gives it a salty element that will really hit the spot. If you don't have Spam, try swapping in ham. Vegetable variations are also endless, so don't feel tied to the exact ingredients listed and feel free to add more veggies to your taste.

  • 06 of 17

    Thai Chicken Fried Rice

    Thai chicken fried rice

    The Spruce

     

    While Thai food fans disagree over whether this soy sauce-based fried rice recipe actually counts as authentically Thai, everyone agrees it tastes great. Several days old rice actually works best, but fresh rice will work too. Fish sauce, soy sauce, and a spritz of lime gives it a delightful depth of flavor.

  • 07 of 17

    Chinese Sausage Fried Rice

    Chinese Sausage Fried Rice

    Rick Helton/EyeEm/Getty Images

    If you haven't tried spiced Chinese sausage, give it a shot in this easy and satisfying fried rice. It gives it a distinctive flavor that other proteins just can't replicate. Swap out the vegetables for whatever you have in the fridge or freezer, for a versatile meal.

  • 08 of 17

    Vegetarian Pineapple Fried Rice

    Thai Vegetarian Pineapple Fried Rice

    The Spruce

    With sweet pineapple, currants, cashews, and plenty of veggies, this island-style fried rice creates a symphony of tastes and textures. It makes a great side or a lighter main, especially if you serve it in a festive hollowed-out pineapple.

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  • 09 of 17

    Yangchow Fried Rice with Shrimp

    yangchow fried rice
    bugking88 / Getty Images

    The absence of soy, oyster, or fish sauce differentiates this Yangchow fried rice from other variations. Don't let the rice brown when stir frying, or it might get too crunchy. Try this recipe if you don't have a lot of extra seasoning on hand, and experience the amazing flavor that comes from simple ingredients.

  • 10 of 17

    Mushroom Fried Rice

    Mushroom fried rice
    Philippe Desnerck/Getty Images

    Adding mushrooms to fried rice gives it an umami, almost meaty element without any animal products. Use shiitake, portobello, or other firm mushroom varieties, or mix it up by blending several types. This one lends itself to lots of veggies, so toss in whatever you have on hand.

  • 11 of 17

    Filipino Garlic Fried Rice with Crab Paste

    Fried rice with taba ng talangka
    @copy; Connie Veneracion

    For a different take on fried rice, try this Filipino version. The rice gets stir fried with lots of garlic and ginger until each grain of rice gets coated with pungent, glistening oil. Crab paste adds an extra umami element, while a hit of lime or other citrus juice balances it all out.

  • 12 of 17

    Fried Rice with Cashews

    Cashew and vegetable fried rice

     

    prabhjits/Getty Images

    Cashews give this traditional Chinese fried rice extra crunch and nutty flavor. Bell peppers, corn, peas, ginger, and soy sauce all round out the dish. Some chopped green onions and even some toasted sesame seeds would make a lovely topping, for extra flare.

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  • 13 of 17

    Vietnamese Fried Rice

    Vietnamese fried rice
    © Connie Veneracion

    With its milder flavor, Vietnamese fried rice has lots in common with the Chinese version, but still comes off as a totally different dish. Dried Chinese sausage, barbecued pork, and lemongrass differentiate this recipe from other fried rice you may have tried. Add it to your rotation, for a fun twist.

  • 14 of 17

    Leftovers Fried Rice

    Fried Rice Recipe

    The Spruce

    Clean out the fridge and freezer with this quick and simple fried rice even your teenagers can make. A bag of Asian vegetables goes naturally in this dish, but you can choose your own adventure with whatever else needs using up. Garnish with scallions, chopped peanuts, sesame seeds, or a blend.

  • 15 of 17

    Pork Fried Rice

    Pork Fried Rice

    The Spruce

    While this easy and traditional pork fried rice calls for Japanese rice, any white rice will work just fine. You may end up with a slightly different texture, depending on the length of the grain. Onion, carrot, and green pepper add color and taste, and using them this way will convince the kids to get their veggies in without complaint.

  • 16 of 17

    Cauliflower Fried Rice

    Cauliflower fried rice in a serving bowl.
    Anita Schecter

    If you follow a low-carb diet or just want to experiment with grain substitutes, try this delicious cauliflower fried rice. Stir frying works well with riced cauliflower because it cooks the grains quickly and over high heat, so it doesn't have a chance to turn mushy.

    Continue to 17 of 17 below.
  • 17 of 17

    Ground Beef Fried Rice

    ground beef fried rice
    Rhonda Parkinson

    Soy-marinated ground beef, fresh ginger, and curry powder give this simple fried rice an exciting Asian-inspired flavor. Use up leftover cold rice or cook up a fresh batch just for this recipe. It also comes together in under 30 minutes, for a quick weeknight dinner.