Fried rice is a popular recipe commonly found in Asian restaurants, but with my recipe you can have this as a fakeaway recipe in your home! Plus, I've added a secret ingredient which adds a refreshing twist (or not so secret as it's in the title).

What is fried rice?
Fried Rice a dish of cooked rice that has been stir-fried in a wok or frying pan. Typically, it's made with day old rice. It's an extremely versatile dish that can be customised to suit your taste and nutrition goals. It also makes an excellent meal prep recipe as it re-heats well. See more tips for fried rice meal prep.
fried rice ingredients
This 15 minute Fried Rice with Pineapple is highly versatile where you can mix-and-match the protein and vegetables to suit. You don't even have to add the Pineapple if that's not your scene! (I'm guessing you're not a pineapple on pizza person either!)
Best type of rice for fried rice
Chinese Fried Rice is commonly made with white long grain rice, but you could use any cooked, chilled rice - long grain, medium grain, short grain, jasmine, brown rice, basmati, even sushi rice.
Leftover rice is used for Fried Rice. It needs to be day-old rice as freshly cooked rice will be too wet and sticky. Once rice is cooked and placed in the fridge to cool, the rice dries out so the Fried Rice will have the right texture. If you aren't prepared the day before with your rice, don't worry! You can make this with fresh rice, it just won't taste as good.
Top tip? If you're short on time, use a packet microwave rice that you've tossed in the fridge. It's not exactly the same, but it comes close and is excellent for a single serve fried rice.
Fried Rice Sauce
Chinese cooking wine. This is the secret to a really great fried rice. This will be the secret ingredient that really amplifies your sauce!
Oyster sauce. Flavourful and delicious, this sauce gives a great depth of flavour to the fried rice.
Soy sauce. Any all-purpose soy sauce is fine (not sweet or dark). The soy sauce gives the Unami flavour everyone loves and gives the fried rice the colour that's popular in Asian restaurants.
Sesame oil (optional). I actually use this instead of olive oil to heat up the pan. It provides a nuttier flavour to the dish, but it is not necessary to use.
Sweet chilli (optional). This is not a typical addition to your fried rice dishes in restaurants, but when I didn't know the secret to the sauce, I would always just mix soy sauce and sweet chilli into my fried rice and got used to the flavour. I now add a bit in for a very slight spice.
fried rice vegetables
I typically use a basic bag of mixed frozen vegetables which include cubes of carrot, corn and peas. It makes this dish super easy and really affordable.
However, I do also make this with fresh vegetables that I have chopped myself as this gives me extra control of what vegetables I add in. For example, this particular recipe of fried rice using pineapple and capsicum in addition to the frozen vegetables which makes it extra delicious (but not necessary).
What to serve with fried rice?
Fried rice is not normally served with a large portion of protein, however you can definitely add what you want - chicken, prawns (shrimp), tofu or even beef. Fried rice is normally a side dish served alongside main dishes.
You can use it in lieu of plain rice for a variety of dishes including:



You can also check out my full range of Asian Fakeaway recipes.
How to make fried rice?
Saute flavour base. Start by sauteing diced onion with garlic until fragrant. If you want, you can also add in diced bacon for a smoky hint of flavour.
Add diced vegetables. I usually use frozen carrots, corn and peas for convenience, but any diced vegetables will work.
Add cooked cold rice and sauce. Mix it up with the vegetables.
Move rice to the side and scramble egg. This is a trick that is common in Thai dishes and keeps everything inn one pan. Have a look at my Pad Thai or Pad See Ew recipe where this is done too!
Heat the pan over high heat. This will help to prevent the rice from sticking. Don't overcrowd the pan. This will also help to prevent the rice from sticking.
Move the rice over to one side of the pan before pouring the whisked egg in. Cook like an omelette and break up once cooked.
Meal prep fried rice


Despite double cooking the rice, Fried Rice can be meal prepped. The flavours from the sauce sink into the rice after it is cooked and cooled. The tip to meal prepping fried rice is to re-heat properly.
Re-heating fried rice. If you have access to a pan or skillet when you are re-heating your fried rice, I would recommend doing it on high heat (similar to how you prepared it in the beginning). This will maintain the texture the best.
But, you can do it in the microwave as well. If this is a method you choose to use, place an ice cube in the middle of the rice or a sprinkle of water (this will prevent it from drying out completely). You may need to add a little bit more sauce following re-heat.
Can you freeze fried rice? You can freeze fried rice for up to 2 months. Here are my top tips:
- Allow the fried rice to cool completely before letting them cool completely.
- Divide into individual portions into containers or bags and fill as full as it can go (this will prevent freezer burn which will make the rice mushy).
- When wanting to eat, remove the fried rice from the freezer and allow it to thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Re-heat as above, preferably in a pan. Don't over-heat as this will make the rice dry and mushy.
Check out my Meal Prep for Beginners post for more basic information to help you get started with your meal preps.
If you're looking for a guide to Meal Prep, check out my Meal Prep Basics E-Book which is a curated guide to help you start or improve your meal preps.
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Recipe

Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe
Ingredients
Fried Rice
- 2 cups long-grain rice cooked & cooled (See Note 1)
- 1 small brown onion diced
- 2 teaspoon sesame oil (or extra virgin olive oil)
- 1 tablespoon crushed garlic
- 1 cup diced vegetables (See Note 2)
- 2 eggs whisked
- ¼ cup pineapple sliced
- 1 capsicum (optional)
- 200 g chicken (or protein of choice - optional) (See Note 3)
- ½ cup shallots sliced
Fried Rice Sauce
- 1 tbsp Chinese cooking wine
- 1 tbsp Oyster sauce
- 2 tbsp Soy sauce all purpose or light
- 1 tbsp Sweet chilli optional
- ½ teaspoon cracked pepper
Instructions
- Heat sesame oil in a wok or skillet over high heat until it begins smoking.
- Add garlic & onion and cook until fragrant stirring often (about 2 minutes)
- Add diced vegetables (these can still be frozen). Cook for 2 minutes until defrosted. If using capsicum and pineapple, add now.
- Add rice and sauce and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Shove the rice and ingredients to the side of the wok/skillet. If it appears dry, add a small amount of oil before pouring in the egg into the cleared space. Cook it through properly (approx. 3-5 minutes) and then mix back in with the rice & veggies.
- Serve with shallots.
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