How to Cook Fried Rice 5 Different Ways

Fried rice is certainly a Chinese takeout staple, but you can easily make it yourself at home in just a few minutes. Wondering how to cook fried rice? There are 5 easy methods for making fried rice. While a wok is the most popular way to whip up this tasty Chinese dish, we detail other ways you can get this on the table for dinner tonight.

Top Fried Rice Tips

When it comes to these 5 methods for how to cook fried rice, all of them should begin with chilled, fully cooked rice. Fried rice is an awesome idea if you have leftover rice in your fridge. Using warm rice to make fried rice will give you soggy and unpleasant results, so make sure you’ve got cooked rice that is cold from the fridge before you start.

A fried rice recipe is traditionally made with leftover items, so whatever vegetables you have in your fridge can be used to make it your way. You can use carrots, peas, broccoli, spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, cauliflower, or your own favorites. If you only have frozen vegetables, those will work too and will add a colorful component to your fried rice.

How to Cook Fried Rice in a Wok

The wok is the most popular cooking vessel for making fried rice. If you don’t have a wok, you can see the next method to cook it on the stove.

For all wok users, you’ll heat oil or butter in the wok over medium-high heat. Scramble an egg in there, then remove it and set it on a plate to the side. You’ll then cook your onions and garlic along with whatever veggies you’re using (carrots, peas, etc.). Turn the heat up to high once the veggies soften, then add the rice along with soy sauce. After several minutes of frying the rice, you can add the egg back in and combine. Then it’s ready for a garnish of green onions and serving alongside your favorite main dish.

How to Cook Fried Rice on the Stove

No wok? No problem! Get a heavy-bottomed skillet and take the same steps as you would with the wok. You’ll cook the egg first, remove it, then cook the veggies until they soften. You’ll add your rice and any sauce (like soy sauce), followed by adding the egg back into the skillet, stirring it all together to combine well.

How to Cook Fried Rice in a Rice Cooker

If you want to take a less hands-on approach to making fried rice, turn to your rice cooker. This method for how to cook fried rice is a brilliant one that makes it super simple.

Add the rice with some broth, sauce (such as soy sauce), and butter. Swirl it together, then add your veggies and any cooked bits of meat (leftover rotisserie chicken, for example). Next, add a beaten egg on top of the liquid in the rice cooker. Set it to start or cook. When you hear that telltale beep that it’s finished, you can fluff it up with a fork, garnish, and serve.

How to Cook Fried Rice in an Air Fryer

Do you love using your air fryer to make everything else? Then you’ll be thrilled to know that you can learn how to cook fried rice in an air fryer! It may be the easiest way to make this dish. You’ll preheat the air fryer to 350°F and as it warms up, put everything for your fried rice recipe into an oven safe pan, such as a cake pan, that can fit inside your air fryer. Once the air fryer is preheated, pop the pan inside and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes of cooking time. You can then serve it with Mongolian beef, mapo tofu, or sweet and sour chicken.

How to Cook Fried Rice on a Blackstone Griddle

If you enjoy grilling during the summer months, your Blackstone griddle is a great place to whip up fried rice. It has that hibachi restaurant style that’s perfect for this dish. You’ll add butter to the griddle set on medium-high heat, followed by your chilled rice. You can then add your veggies and cook for about 2 minutes.

Move your vegetables over to make a clear area where you’ll add the eggs, scrambling them on the griddle surface. When they are cooked, you can scoot the vegetables and rice back into the center, add soy sauce, and continue cooking for about 4 more minutes. The fried rice will be ready when all the ingredients are heated through and the rice is a bit crispy.

While you’re busy with your Blackstone, you can also grill fresh meats to serve along with your fried rice to bring a hibachi meal to your home without spending a fortune on delivery.