Garlic Fried Rice Recipe

Close-up of garlic fried rice with scrambled eggs and green onions in a light green bowl, showing the texture of the rice and garnishes.

Simple and delicious, this garlic fried rice transforms humble leftovers into an irresistible dish. With the right balance of crispy edges and big garlic flavor, this recipe will quickly become a household favorite.

Prep Time5

Cook Time10

Total Time15

Servings: servings

Calories: 249kcal

Author: Sandra

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter or vegetable oil
3 garlic cloves minced [Note 2]
1 large egg optional
2 cups cooked white rice leftover rice works best [Note 1]
1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free [Note 3]
1 tablespoon sesame oil
½ teaspoon rice vinegar or lime juice [Note 4]
1-2 green onions chopped (optional, for garnish)
1 teaspoon sesame seeds optional, for garnish
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Heat butter (or vegetable oil) over medium heat in a large skillet or wok. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning [Note 5]. If you prefer aromatics like onions or ginger, sauté them now.
2 tablespoons butter, 3 garlic cloves
Push the garlic to the side of the pan and crack an egg into the center. Scramble until fully cooked, about 1 minute. Mix the egg with the garlic [Note 6].
1 large egg
Add the rice, using your spatula to break up any clumps. Fry over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Allow some grains to crisp by letting them sit undisturbed for 1 minute at a time [Note 7].
2 cups cooked white rice
Drizzle the soy sauce and sesame oil evenly over the rice. Stir well to coat every grain. If using rice vinegar or lime juice, stir it in now for a bright, zesty touch.
1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, ½ teaspoon rice vinegar or lime juice
Increase the heat to medium-high. Fry the rice undisturbed for about 1 minute to develop golden, crispy edges. Stir once to flip and crisp the other side.
Taste and adjust with salt and pepper as needed [Note 8]. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve immediately.
1-2 green onions, 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, Salt and pepper

Notes

Use leftover, chilled rice for best results. If using fresh rice, let it cool for 20-30 minutes.
If you love garlic, feel free to use more than 3 cloves. The more garlic, the stronger the flavor - just be sure to avoid burning it.
Use regular soy sauce for full umami flavor, or substitute with tamari for a gluten-free version. If you prefer deeper flavor, consider adding a touch of oyster sauce.
Rice vinegar or lime juice adds acidity to balance the richness of the oils and soy sauce. Use sparingly to avoid overpowering the garlic.
Garlic burns quickly and becomes bitter, so watch it closely and stir often. If it starts browning too fast, reduce the heat.
The scrambled egg adds flavor and texture. Cooking it separately helps to keep it soft and fluffy in the final dish.
Letting the rice sit undisturbed for 1-2 minutes while frying gives you crispy bits.
Soy sauce already adds saltiness, so taste the rice before adding additional salt.

Nutrition