Shrimp Fried Rice

Name: Shrimp Fried Rice
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided); 1 pound uncooked shrimp (peeled and deveined, tails removed); 1 bunch scallions (thinly sliced); 3 large cloves garlic (thinly sliced); 1 1 inch knob fresh ginger root, peeled and finely chopped; 4 cups cooked brown rice (day old rice is ideal); 4 large eggs (whisked); 1 cup shredded carrots; 1 cup frozen peas (thawed); Salt and pepper (to taste); ¼ cup soy sauce (or more to taste); 1 ½ teaspoons toasted sesame oil; Crushed red pepper (for serving)

Ingredients & substitutions

Shrimp: Peel and devein the shrimp before quickly cooking on each side. Small size shrimp works best for stir fry, but any size is fine.

Cooked brown rice: For best results, use cold leftover rice. When you refrigerate it, the rice becomes firm making it easier to separate and not become mushy.

Eggs: Eggs are a classic ingredient in fried rice and add a great texture as well as protein. Scramble them with the rice until cooked through.

Scallions: You’ll need both the green and white parts of the scallions. Save some of the prettier greens for garnish. In a pinch, you can also use yellow onions.

Vegetables: We use carrots, scallions and peas for the vegetables in this recipe, but you can easily add other veggies like mushrooms, corn or bell pepper.

Garlic and ginger: Use freshly minced garlic and ginger for the best flavor.

Soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a salty and tamari flavor, and is a key ingredients in Chinese cooking. If gluten-free, you can use Tamari or coconut aminos.

Olive oil & toasted sesame seed oil: Olive oil is used to cook the shrimp and vegetables and sesame oil is added for flavor. The olive oil can be replaced with avocado oil or your cooking oil for choice.

How to make shrimp fried rice

Cook the shrimp on both sides until pink and opaque.

Remove the shrimp and cook the scallions, garlic and ginger until soft and fragrant.

Add the rice and eggs to the skillet and cook until the eggs are cooked through.

Add the vegetables and seasonings.

Stir to combine.

Add the shrimp back to the skillet to warm through.

6 image collage to show how to make the recipe

Tips for making the recipe fried rice

Use day old rice. Whether you use white or brown rice, the day old rice is key to perfecting homemade fried rice the way restaurants make it. Cold rice separates more easily so it can cook rapidly to achieve that burnt smoky flavor that you get at restaurants.

Be careful not to overcook the shrimp. Shrimp cooks quickly and only needs a couple of minutes on each side. Over cooking it can lead to tough and chewy shrimp.

Make it spicier. We like to finish the dish with a garnish of chili flakes, but if you like things spicier, you can add a chopped red chili to the dish when you cook the garlic and ginger. You can also stir in some sriracha once it is cooked for an extra burst of flavor and spice.

Swap the protein. If you don’t have shrimp, or prefer to use a different protein, it’s easy to adapt this dish. You can use cubed, ground or shredded chicken, turkey or beef. To make this dish meat-free, marinated tofu works great.

Frequently asked questions

Can you use frozen shrimp?

You can use fresh or frozen shrimp for this recipe. If using frozen, make sure that the shrimp is fully defrosted and pat dry to remove excess moisture before cooking.

What’s the best rice to use?

We love this dish with brown rice, it not only adds some whole grains to your plate, but it also has a great nutty flavor which adds depth to the dish. You can use white rice if you prefer.

How long does it keep?

This shrimp fried rice will keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days. Let it cool and store in an airtight container to keep it fresh. Reheat it in a skillet or wok on a medium heat stirring occasionally, until the shrimp is heated through. If the shrimps aren’t added to the fried rice, it will keep well for up to 7 days.

Large pan of shrimp fried rice with green onions on the side

It’s so quick and easy to make this shrimp fried rice at home. You’ll notice that by controlling the ingredients in this homemade version, it ends up being a healthier alternative to takeout. The fresh flavors is this fried rice are so delicious but it’s also great or using up odds and ends you have in your fridge!

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