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Indulge in a hassle-free weeknight dinner with this Easy Vegan Fried Rice recipe. It's better than take-out, ready in just 20 minutes, and easily customizable with your favorite add-ins!
This dish promises a hassle-free cooking experience and provides a healthier alternative to traditional take-out. Ready in just 20 minutes, you'll have a satisfying meal on the table in no time.
Customization is easy with this recipe. Add extra veggies, tofu, or your favorite plant-based protein. This dish is sure to become a staple in your meal rotation, offering endless possibilities.
Looking for more vegan Chinese-inspired recipes? Try out my Sweet and Sour Tofu, Sesame Tofu, and Kung Pao Tofu recipes for an authentic taste of Chinese cuisine with a plant-based twist.
Jump to:
- 🌟 Why you'll love this recipe
- 🧾 Ingredient notes
- 📋 Variations
- 🔪 Instructions
- 💭 Expert tips
- ❓Recipe FAQs
- 🍚 More vegan rice recipes
- 📖 Recipe
🌟 Why you'll love this recipe
- Vibrant Flavors: Get ready for an explosion of vibrant flavors that'll make your taste buds sing with joy with every bite!
- Easy Preparation: Enjoy the convenience of quick and effortless preparation, perfect for busy days.
- Versatile Ingredients: Embrace the versatility of simple ingredients that can be easily customized to suit your taste preferences.
- Healthy Twist: Indulge guilt-free with a wholesome, plant-based twist on traditional Chinese favorites.
- Restaurant-Quality Results: Delight in restaurant-quality results from the comfort of your own kitchen, impressing friends and family alike.
🧾 Ingredient notes
Cooked and chilled rice: For this recipe, I personally prefer using long-grain white rice as its texture and flavor complement the other ingredients well.
However, any type of rice, such as short-grain or brown rice, will also work.
This recipe is perfect for using up leftover rice as cooked and chilled rice works best. If you don't have leftover rice on hand, you can cook 1 cup (185 grams) specifically for this recipe.
Be sure to chill the rice before using it, as this will help maintain its texture and prevent it from becoming sticky when frying.
Oil: I prefer using canola or sunflower oil for this recipe due to their neutral flavor profile, which allows the other ingredients to shine.
However, feel free to use any type of oil you have on hand. Olive oil, vegetable oil, or coconut oil can also work well, depending on your preference and what's available in your pantry.
Onion: You can use any type of onion. Yellow onions, white onions, or red onions will all work well, depending on your preference or what you have available.
Corn kernels: I like using corn kernels for their quick and simple addition.
However, for a version closer to the original, you can add Tofu Scramble, which mimics the texture and flavor of eggs typically found in fried rice.
Soy sauce: Substitute soy sauce with tamari for a gluten-free version or with coconut aminos for a soy-free version.
Both tamari and coconut aminos offer similar savory flavors to soy sauce and work well as alternatives in this recipe.
Sesame oil: It brings a rich, nutty flavor to the dish, making it taste even better overall. If you can't find sesame oil, feel free to use any other oil you have, it'll still be delicious!
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
📋 Variations
- Sweet Sensation: For a sweeter twist, drizzle a tablespoon of maple syrup or agave nectar over the dish to add a delightful hint of sweetness.
- Soy-Ginger Twist: Add depth of flavor by grating ginger directly onto the rice, providing a warm and aromatic essence.
- Crunchy Veggies: Incorporate your favorite crunchy vegetables like bell peppers, snap peas, or water chestnuts into the fried rice for added texture and freshness.
- Nutty Crunch: Enhance texture and flavor by sprinkling toasted sesame seeds or crushed peanuts over the rice just before serving.
- Citrus Zing: Elevate the taste profile with a squeeze of fresh lime juice or a splash of rice vinegar over the finished dish for a tangy, citrusy kick.
🔪 Instructions
Step 1. This recipe works best with leftover rice. However, if you're making it from scratch, you can cook 1 cup (185 grams) of rice specifically for this recipe. Simply follow the package directions to cook the rice.
Step 2. Heat the oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, onion, carrot, and peas, and cook for about 5 minutes or until they begin to soften. Then, add the corn kernels and continue cooking for an additional 2 minutes.
Step 3. Add the rice, soy sauce, and sesame oil to the pan. Stir well and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the rice is heated through.
Step 4. Sprinkle the green onions over the rice and serve immediately.
💭 Expert tips
- Use Day-Old Rice: For optimal texture and flavor, use day-old rice. Leftover rice absorbs flavors better and prevents the dish from becoming mushy.
- Flash-Freeze Freshly Cooked Rice: No pre-made rice? No worries. Flash-freeze freshly cooked rice for 15 minutes to mimic day-old texture and enhance flavor absorption.
- Prep Ingredients in Advance: Chop everything beforehand to keep cooking smooth and prevent burning while searching for last-minute items.
- Break Up Your RiceBeforeCooking:Separate rice clumps with chopsticks or hands before adding to the pan to prevent smashing with a spatula.
- Utilize a Hot Pan: Ensure your pan is adequately heated before adding ingredients. This helps to achieve that sought-after sear and prevents ingredients from sticking.
❓Recipe FAQs
How long can vegan fried rice last in the fridge?
It can typically last for 3 to 4 days in the fridge when stored properly in an airtight container.
Make sure to let it cool completely before transferring it to the fridge to prevent condensation buildup, which can lead to sogginess.
To reheat it, heat a pan over medium heat. Add a splash of oil, then add the refrigerated fried rice. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating.
Once heated through, serve immediately. This method quickly warms up the rice while maintaining its delicious flavor and texture.
Can I freeze vegan fried rice?
Yes, you can freeze it for longer-term storage. Allow it to cool completely, portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags, and remove excess air to prevent freezer burn.
Label with the freezing date and store flat in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To reheat frozen vegan fried rice, simply thaw the desired portion in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, heat a pan with a bit of oil over medium-high heat.
Add the thawed fried rice to the pan and stir constantly until heated through. Avoid refreezing for the best quality.
What kind of rice is best for vegan fried rice?
The best rice for fried rice is long-grain rice, such as jasmine or basmati. These varieties have a firm texture and remain separate when cooked, making them ideal for fried rice dishes.
Additionally, using day-old or chilled rice helps to achieve the perfect texture and prevents the dish from becoming mushy.
Do I need to use leftover rice?
While using leftover rice is traditional and can enhance the texture of vegan fried rice, it's not strictly necessary. You can certainly use freshly cooked rice for your dish.
However, if you opt for freshly cooked rice, it's essential to ensure that it has cooled down completely before using it in the recipe.
This helps prevent the rice from becoming too sticky or clumpy during the frying process.
So, while leftover rice is preferred for its texture, you can still achieve delicious results with freshly cooked rice as long as you allow it to cool adequately beforehand.
Can I add more vegetables to vegan fried rice?
Absolutely! Adding more vegetables is a fantastic way to enhance the flavor, texture, and nutritional content.
You can customize the recipe to include your favorite vegetables, such as bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, snap peas, or even baby corn.
Feel free to experiment with different combinations to suit your taste preferences. Just make sure to chop the vegetables into small, uniform pieces for even cooking.
Additionally, you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly to ensure that all the vegetables are cooked to your desired level of doneness.
🍚 More vegan rice recipes
- Vegan Risotto
- Creamy Vegan Mushroom Risotto
- Spanish Rice and Beans
- Vegan Red Beans and Rice
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📖 Recipe
Easy Vegan Fried Rice
Indulge in a hassle-free weeknight dinner with this Easy Vegan Fried Rice recipe. It's better than take-out, ready in just 20 minutes, and easily customizable with your favorite add-ins!
4.88 from 8 votes
PRINT PIN RATE
Course: Main Dish, Side Dish
Cuisine: Chinese
Diet: Vegan
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Servings: 4
Author: Iosune
Ingredients
US Customary - Metric
- 3 cups cooked and chilled long-grain white rice, or 1 cup (185 grams) uncooked long-grain white rice
- 2 tablespoons oil, I used canola oil
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- ½ medium onion, diced
- 1 large carrot, peeled and diced
- ½ cup frozen peas
- ½ cup corn kernels, or ½ batch of tofu scramble for a protein-rich egg substitute
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced, optional
Instructions
This recipe works best with leftover rice. However, if you're making it from scratch, you can cook 1 cup (185 grams) of rice specifically for this recipe. Simply follow the package directions to cook the rice.
Heat the oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, onion, carrot, and peas, and cook for about 5 minutes or until they begin to soften. Then, add the corn kernels (or tofu scramble) and continue cooking for an additional 2 minutes.
Add the rice, soy sauce, and sesame oil to the pan. Stir well and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the rice is heated through.
Sprinkle the green onions over the rice and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use Day-Old Rice: For optimal texture and flavor, use day-old rice. Leftover rice absorbs flavors better and prevents the dish from becoming mushy.
- Flash-Freeze Freshly Cooked Rice: No pre-made rice? No worries. Flash-freeze freshly cooked rice for 15 minutes to mimic day-old texture and enhance flavor absorption.
- Prep Ingredients in Advance: Chop everything beforehand to keep cooking smooth and prevent burning while searching for last-minute items.
- Break Up Your RiceBeforeCooking:Separate rice clumps with chopsticks or hands before adding to the pan to prevent smashing with a spatula.
- Utilize a Hot Pan: Ensure your pan is adequately heated before adding ingredients. This helps to achieve that sought-after sear and prevents ingredients from sticking.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 271kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 561mg | Potassium: 232mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 3215IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg
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