20 Easy Fried Rice Recipes You’ll Make on Repeat
Fried rice is one of those dishes that looks simple but can go in a lot of different directions. The core stays the same, chilled rice, high heat, and just enough oil to keep everything moving, but what gets added depends entirely on what you’re building. It can carry garlic or kimchi, smoked brisket or bacon, sweet pineapple or soy-heavy sauces. Some versions lean minimal and sharp with herbs or aromatics, others load in bold sauces or protein that holds up in a hot pan. The key to good fried rice is not clumping or soaking the grains, it’s about control, texture, and heat. These recipes deliver on all that without falling back on the same formula. You’ll find options that stick to classic builds and others that push into sweet, spicy, smoky, or herb-forward bowls. Every one of these is structured, fast-moving, and loaded with real flavor.
Basil Fried Rice
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Thai basil gets tossed in last so it stays fragrant and green, adding sharp contrast to the soy-based rice. The grains stay crisp and separate from the high heat. Vegetables and protein add bite without turning the dish soggy. The flavor is steady from start to finish.
Get the Recipe: Basil Fried Rice
Brisket Fried Rice
Leftover brisket is chopped and stir-fried with rice and vegetables until smoky and full. The meat holds texture and mixes well with soft grains. Every bite gets contrast from the fat and char. This is a heavier take that still holds shape.
Get the Recipe: Brisket Fried Rice
PF Chang’s Fried Rice – Copycat Recipe
This version uses scrambled egg, vegetables, chicken or shrimp, and sesame oil to match the restaurant profile. The rice is cooked until slightly crisp and golden. It balances salt and umami with clean separation. The flavor leans savory without being too heavy.
Get the Recipe: PF Chang’s Fried Rice – Copycat Recipe
Nigerian Fried Rice
Curry powder, diced vegetables, and liver or shrimp give this dish strong seasoning and color. The rice stays yellowed from the spices and keeps firm texture. The vegetables are chopped small for consistency. It’s bold without overcomplicating anything.
Get the Recipe: Nigerian Fried Rice
Spicy Egg Fried Rice
Scrambled eggs and chili paste stir into rice until everything’s coated but not wet. The heat builds without overwhelming. The egg stays soft while the rice holds firm. This one’s simple but doesn’t fall flat.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Egg Fried Rice
Ham Fried Rice
Cubes of ham cook down with peas, carrots, egg, and rice in soy sauce. The ham adds smoky salt and chew. Vegetables stay soft with a little bite. Every spoonful hits salty and clean.
Get the Recipe: Ham Fried Rice
Hawaiian Pineapple Fried Rice
Chunks of pineapple, ham, and rice stir-fry in a pan with soy sauce and a touch of curry. The fruit adds sweetness that cuts the salt. The grains stay distinct. It’s one of the few sweet-and-savory mixes that finishes tight.
Get the Recipe: Hawaiian Pineapple Fried Rice
Kimchi Fried Rice
Kimchi and its brine bring fermented heat and tang to every spoonful. The rice stays strong even with all the moisture. Egg and green onion can balance the sharp flavor. It finishes with crunch and heat in the same bite.
Get the Recipe: Kimchi Fried Rice
Filipino Fried Rice
Garlic oil coats rice that’s fried until the edges start to crisp. The grains hold shape and soak up the garlic without turning greasy. This version often uses cold rice for best texture. It’s minimal but not bland.
Get the Recipe: Filipino Fried Rice
Basil Fried Rice: Delicious Thai-Inspired Recipe
Fresh Thai basil leaves go in at the end, stirred with soy sauce, garlic, and chilies. The leaves wilt just enough to release their oils. Each bite has clean herb flavor without excess moisture. The rice stays lifted with no clumps.
Get the Recipe: Basil Fried Rice: Delicious Thai-Inspired Recipe
Thai Fried Rice
This version uses fish sauce, lime juice, egg, and vegetables with chilled jasmine rice. The rice cooks fast but stays structured. It’s light, salty, and carries sharp edges from garlic and sauce. The pieces never blend into mush.
Get the Recipe: Thai Fried Rice
Bacon Fried Rice
Bacon crisps in the pan first, then rice, egg, and vegetables go in to soak up the fat. The grains turn golden and pick up crunch in spots. The flavor leans into salt and smoke. It holds texture through every bite.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Fried Rice
Authentic Shrimp Fried Rice (Better Than Takeout!)
Shrimp are seared and then tossed with rice, peas, carrots, and egg over high heat. The shrimp stay firm, not rubbery. The rice holds up without sticking. It’s sharp, fast, and has real structure.
Get the Recipe: Authentic Shrimp Fried Rice (Better Than Takeout!)
Tofu Fried Rice
Cubes of tofu are pan-fried until golden and mixed into rice with vegetables and sauce. The tofu gives chew and contrast. The grains stay separate, and nothing turns soggy. It keeps a clean bite without getting lost.
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Spam Fried Rice
Spam is diced and crisped up, then folded into rice with egg and vegetables. The meat brings salt, fat, and bite. The grains hold shape despite the grease. Every bite is punchy without being sloppy.
Get the Recipe: Spam Fried Rice
Instant Pot Chicken Fried Rice
Precooked rice and chicken mix with vegetables and sauce, then finish in the Instant Pot for speed. A quick sauté at the end helps separate the grains. The flavor is clean and the texture stays tight. It’s built for ease, not shortcuts.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Fried Rice
Chicken Fried Rice
Chunks of chicken, scrambled egg, vegetables, and soy sauce mix in with high-heat fried rice. The grains finish golden with some crisp. Chicken holds up without drying out. The dish stays steady without any fluff.
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Garlic Fried Rice
Chopped garlic is fried until golden, then rice gets tossed in and cooked until the edges snap. The garlic flavors every part without overwhelming. No other seasoning is really needed. The finish is crisp and direct.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Fried Rice
Easy Tofu Fried Rice Recipe: For Busy Weeknights
Pan-seared tofu and cold rice stir-fry together with frozen vegetables and quick sauce. It’s fast but holds together well. Tofu keeps chew and soaks up flavor. The rice never turns mushy.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tofu Fried Rice Recipe: For Busy Weeknights
Hibachi Fried Rice
Butter, garlic, soy sauce, and scrambled egg get tossed with rice on high heat until slightly crisp. The texture holds and the flavor leans rich. This version sticks close to what you get at the grill. It’s structured and easy to plate.
Get the Recipe: Hibachi Fried Rice
