Hey there! I’m super excited to share my favorite shrimp fried rice recipe that I’ve perfected over the years. Trust me, once you learn how to make this at home, you’ll never want takeout again! Let’s dive into making this delicious dish that’s way better (and cheaper!) than restaurant versions.
Essential Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Main Components:
- 1 pound fresh shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 3 cups cooked rice (cold!)
- 3 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
- 1 small white onion, chopped
- 2-3 green onions, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
For the Perfect Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
The Secret to Amazing Fried Rice
Here’s something most people don’t know – the key to perfect fried rice is using cold rice! I’ve learned this the hard way after many failed attempts Here’s what you can do
- Use day-old rice from the fridge (best option)
- OR make fresh rice and spread it on a baking sheet
- Pop it in the fridge for 30 minutes
- For super quick cooling, stick it in the freezer for 15 minutes
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
1. Prep Your Shrimp
- Season shrimp with salt and pepper
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat
- Cook shrimp for 3-5 minutes until pink
- Remove and set aside (we’ll add them back later!)
2. Cook the Veggies
- In the same pan, add onions, peas, and carrots
- Cook for about 3-5 minutes until veggies are tender
- Add minced garlic and cook for another minute
- Pro tip: Don’t overcook the veggies – we want them crisp-tender!
3. The Egg Magic
- Push veggies to one side of the pan
- Pour beaten eggs on the empty side
- Scramble them until just set
- Mix with the vegetables
4. Bringing It All Together
- Crank up the heat to medium-high
- Add cold rice to the pan
- Pour in soy sauce and sesame oil
- Add cooked shrimp back in
- Stir-fry everything together for 3-4 minutes
- Season with salt and pepper
- Top with green onions
Tips for Restaurant-Style Results
-
Rice Texture Matters
- Use long-grain rice for best results
- Avoid sticky or mushy rice
- Break up any clumps before adding to the pan
-
Protein Options
- Raw shrimp works better than pre-cooked
- If using frozen shrimp, thaw completely and pat dry
- You can substitute with chicken or tofu
-
Customization Ideas
- Add diced bell peppers
- Throw in some mushrooms
- Include water chestnuts for crunch
- Sprinkle with crushed red pepper flakes for heat
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Using warm rice (it gets mushy!)
❌ Overcrowding the pan
❌ Adding too much soy sauce
❌ Overcooking the shrimp
Storage and Reheating
This shrimp fried rice keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating:
- Use a skillet (not microwave!)
- Add a splash of oil
- Heat on medium while stirring
- Add a tiny bit of soy sauce if needed
Why This Recipe Works
I gotta tell ya, this recipe is seriously foolproof! Here’s why we love it:
- Ready in under 30 minutes
- Uses simple ingredients
- Perfect for leftover rice
- Customizable to your taste
- Cheaper than takeout
- Great for meal prep
Final Thoughts
Making shrimp fried rice at home might seem intimidating at first but trust me – once you try this recipe you’ll be amazed at how easy and delicious it is! The key is prepping everything before you start cooking cuz things move pretty fast once you get going.
Remember, practice makes perfect, and don’t be afraid to adjust the seasonings to your taste. Even if your first try isn’t restaurant-perfect, it’ll still taste amazing!
Would love to hear how your fried rice turns out! Drop a comment below if you try this recipe or have any questions. Happy cooking!
Note: Cooking times may vary depending on your stove and pan size. Always ensure shrimp is cooked through before serving.
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If prepared as per instructions, this is a very high sodium dish. Assuming four portions, it comes to around 1000 mg sodium per portion, and could be higher depending on how much you salt the shrimp and “adjust seasoning with more soy sauce as needed.” The Yum Yum sauce (not included in my tally) is also high in sodium–the instructions say to season it liberally with salt. If youre concerned about sodium, I would not salt the shrimp and start with a lower amount of (low sodium) soy sauce.
For me the difficult part was trying to get the shrimp to adequately fry the rice
Instead of frozen mixed vegetables try packaged coleslaw or broccoli slaw. They need a little more cook time, so add those earlier. Top with toasted slivered almonds.
This is adequate fried rice. Good for when I want fried rice but dont want takeout.
Consider serving on lettuce as a wrap or just to add crunch. Out of the park addition.
This is IT! The one that will make you happy to cook at home. Just perfect (sans yum yum sauce).Private comments are only visible to you.
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How to Make Shrimp Fried Rice EASY| Chinese Fried Rice Recipe| Better Than Take Out
FAQ
What ingredients do you need for shrimp fried rice?
To make shrimp fried rice, you’ll need cooked rice (preferably day-old), shrimp, eggs, soy sauce, and some vegetables like peas, carrots, and onions.
What is the secret ingredient in fried rice?
What are the main ingredients of fried rice?
Fried rice is a traditional Chinese preparation of cooked rice, vegetables, protein, soy sauce, and aromatics. The ingredients are stir-fried in a large pan or wok for even flavor distribution.
How do you make shrimp fried rice?
Oils: This shrimp fried rice recipe starts with a mix of olive oil and sesame oil. Shrimp: A pound of peeled and deveined shrimp should be enough to make four servings. Frozen vegetables: Frozen peas, frozen carrots, and frozen corn add color and nutrients. Garlic: Take the flavor up a notch with two cloves of garlic (or more, to taste).
What ingredients do you need to make shrimp fried rice?
These are the ingredients you’ll need to make this shrimp fried rice recipe: Oils: This shrimp fried rice recipe starts with a mix of olive oil and sesame oil. Shrimp: A pound of peeled and deveined shrimp should be enough to make four servings. Frozen vegetables: Frozen peas, frozen carrots, and frozen corn add color and nutrients.
How do you make shrimp fried rice taste better?
Vegetables: Add more veggies to your shrimp fried rice. Try diced peppers, sautéed mushrooms, or sliced zucchini. Use Butter: For an impeccable taste, substitute the oil for butter. It adds so much flavor and goodness! Sesame Oil: This is a must for the best authentic fried rice flavor! Keep in mind, it’s a finishing oil, not a frying oil.
How do you make a fried rice dish?
In high heat and splash of oil, saute the scallions and minced garlic. Once aromatic, add the shrimp and mix thoroughly. Add onion and carrots, and saute well. Add rice, then put soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and sesame seeds on top to break it up easily. Mix until the rice is broken up properly and the sauce is evenly spread out.
How do you marinate shrimps in fried rice?
Some soy sauce is also used to marinate the shrimps. Oyster sauce – The secondary flavoring added to fried rice to round out the flavor. We highly recommend it. If you don’t have oyster sauce, you could use more soy sauce, but the flavor will not be as complete. Oil – As need for cooking and for velveting the shrimps.
How long does shrimp fried rice take to cook?
Stir shrimp, rice, and green onions into the skillet. Drizzle evenly with soy sauce, season with salt and pepper, and stir to combine. Cook until shrimp is reheated through, about 2 minutes. Homemade shrimp fried rice is easy to make in one pan and ready in under 30 minutes for a takeaway favorite that’s sure to please the whole family!