Give this flavorful Shrimp fried rice recipe a try; it's made with fresh shrimp, eggs, and vegetables and seasoned with a savory soy sauce mixture that's delicious and satisfying. Ready in just 20 minutes. The perfect solution for a busy weekday dinner!🍤
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What is Shrimp Fried Rice?
Shrimp fried rice is a Chinese-style dish typically consisting of cooked white rice stir-fried with shrimp, vegetables such as peas, carrots, and onions, and seasonings such as soy sauce, sugar, and salt. It is often made with leftover rice and is a popular way to use leftovers. Shrimp fried rice can be served as a main dish or as a side dish with other Chinese or Asian-inspired dishes. It's a delicious and easy-to-prepare meal that's perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Note: The full ingredients list is provided in the recipe card below.
- Shrimp: The main protein in this recipe is shrimp, which is peeled, deveined, and thawed before cooking.
- Rice: The recipe calls for 3 cups of cooked, cold/day-old jasmine or Basmati rice. Using day-old rice helps to prevent the rice from getting too sticky or mushy.
- Oil: Avocado, canola, or peanut oil is used to cook the wok ingredients.
- Eggs: Three large eggs are lightly beaten with a small pinch of kosher salt and scrambled in the wok.
- Frozen Peas and Carrots Mix: This mixture adds color and texture to the dish and conveniently incorporates vegetables into the recipe.
- Onion: One chopped onion adds flavor and texture to the dish.
- Kosher Salt: This is used to season the dish to taste.
- Sugar: Two teaspoons of sugar are used to balance the flavors and add a touch of sweetness to the dish.
- Mushroom-Flavored Dark Soy Sauce or Dark Soy Sauce: Soy sauce adds saltiness and umami flavor to the dish.
- Reduced-Sodium Soy Sauce: This is another type of soy sauce used to add flavor without adding too much salt.
- Green Onion: Chopped green onion is added as a garnish to the dish and adds a fresh, oniony flavor.
Tools you'll need
How to Make Shrimp Fried Rice
Note: The full instructions are provided in the recipe card below.
Combine mushroom-flavored dark soy sauce, sugar, and salt in a small bowl. Stir to combine. Set aside. Heat a 14-inch wok or large, heavy skillet over high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of the oil and swirl to coat the wok. Add the shrimp and stir-fry just until pink, about 2 minutes. Remove shrimp and reserve. Add eggs to wok and scramble until set. Remove from pan, breaking into bite-sized pieces, and wipe wok clean.
Return the wok to heat, add 2 tablespoons of oil, and swirl to coat the wok. Reduce the heat to medium-high, add the onions, and stir-fry until the onion is half-cooked for about 1 minute. Add peas/ carrots, mix, and stir-fry until just tender but still crisp, about 2 minutes. Add the cold rice, spread it all over the wok, toss it to heat through, and then fry for 5 to 7 minutes. (Add a little more oil if the rice is sticking.) Add the reserved shrimp and eggs and stir fry to heat thoroughly for 1 to 2 minutes. Serve the Shrimp Fried Rice immediately on a large platter. Enjoy!
Substitutions
- Shrimp: If you don't like shrimp, you can use diced chicken, sliced beef, or cubed tofu instead.
- Rice: You can use any cooked rice for this recipe, including brown rice, wild rice, or even quinoa.
- Oil: Instead of avocado oil, canola oil, or peanut oil, you can use vegetable oil, grapeseed oil, or sesame oil.
- Eggs: If you're vegan or allergic to eggs, you can skip the eggs or use a vegan egg substitute, such as silken tofu or aquafaba.
- Frozen Peas and Carrots Mix: You can use frozen vegetables, such as mixed vegetables, corn, or green beans.
- Onion: You can use any type of onion, such as white onion, red onion, or shallots.
- Soy Sauce: You can use regular soy sauce, light soy sauce, or tamari instead of mushroom-flavored dark soy sauce or dark soy sauce.
- Green Onion: You can use chopped chives or scallions if you don't have green onion.
Variations
- Spicy Shrimp Fried Rice: Add some diced jalapeño peppers or red pepper flakes to the recipe for a spicy kick.
- Pineapple Shrimp Fried Rice: Add diced pineapple to the recipe for a sweet and tangy twist.
- Curry Shrimp Fried Rice: Add curry powder to the recipe for an Indian-inspired flavor.
- Cashew Shrimp Fried Rice: Add chopped cashews to the recipe for a crunchy texture.
- Bacon Shrimp Fried Rice: Add crumbled cooked bacon to the recipe for a smoky flavor.
- Mushroom Shrimp Fried Rice: Add sliced mushrooms to the recipe for an earthy flavor.
- Teriyaki Shrimp Fried Rice: Use teriyaki sauce instead of soy sauce for a sweet and savory flavor.
How to Serve
- Main Dish: Serve the shrimp fried rice in a large bowl or on a plate as a main course. Garnish with chopped green onions and sliced red chili peppers for added flavor and color.
- Side Dish: Serve the shrimp fried rice as a side dish with other Chinese or Asian-inspired dishes, such as stir-fried vegetables, dumplings, or spring rolls.
- Party Food: Shrimp fried rice can be served as party food or an appetizer. Serve it in small bowls or plates and garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds.
- Optional Sauces: You can also offer some additional soy or hot sauce on the side for those who like extra seasoning. Some people enjoy drizzling a little extra soy sauce or adding a dash of hot sauce to their fried rice.
How to Store & Re-Heat
To store: Transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate it promptly. The rice can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days. You can use the microwave or stovetop to reheat the shrimp fried rice.
To reheat:
- Microwave: Place the desired portion of the shrimp fried rice in a microwave-safe dish and microwave on high for 1-2 minutes or until the rice is heated.
- Stovetop: Heat a wok or skillet over medium-high heat and add some oil. Once the oil is hot, add the leftover rice and stir-fry for 3-5 minutes or until heated. Make sure to stir the rice frequently to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Avoid reheating the rice more than once, as it may lead to bacterial growth and cause food poisoning.
Make-Ahead
Prepare this Shrimp Fried Rice as a make-ahead dish by following the recipe instructions up to step 6. Once the rice is fried, allow it to cool, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate it. When you're ready to enjoy, simply reheat it in a wok or skillet, add the reserved shrimp and scrambled eggs, and stir-fry until heated. This make-ahead option provides a quick and convenient meal while maintaining its delicious flavors.
Tips for Making The Best Shrimp fried rice
- Use cold, cooked rice: Fried rice is best made with cooked rice chilled for at least a few hours or overnight. This helps to prevent the rice from getting too mushy or sticky when stir-fried.
- Use high heat: A hot wok or skillet is essential for making shrimp fried rice. Stir-frying the ingredients over high heat helps to cook them quickly and evenly, giving the dish a smoky flavor.
- Don't overcook the shrimp: Shrimp cook very quickly, so be careful not to overcook them. Once they turn pink, they're done.
- Prep all the ingredients before you start cooking: Fried rice comes together quickly, so make sure you have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start cooking.
- Use a non-stick pan: A non-stick pan or wok can help prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom and burning.
- Don't add too much sauce: Adding too much soy sauce or another seasoning can overpower the dish and make it salty. Start with a small amount and taste as you go.
- Add the eggs last: Scramble the eggs last so they don't get overcooked or become rubbery.
- Garnish with green onions: Chopped green onions add a fresh, oniony flavor and a pop of color to the dish.
- Use a good quality soy sauce: Your soy sauce will affect the dish's flavor, so use a good quality soy sauce for the best results.
- Experiment with different vegetables and seasonings: Fried rice is a versatile dish, so feel free to experiment with different vegetables and seasonings to make it your own.
FAQ
Can I use fresh rice instead of leftover rice for shrimp fried rice?
While leftover rice is preferable for making shrimp fried rice, you can also use freshly cooked rice. Spread it on a sheet pan and let it cool completely before making fried rice.
Can I use other seafood besides shrimp in this recipe?
You can use other seafood, such as scallops or crabmeat, instead of shrimp. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time as needed.
Can I use frozen shrimp instead of fresh shrimp?
Yes, frozen shrimp can be used in this recipe. Just make sure to thaw them completely before using them in the dish.
Can I use a different type of oil instead of the ones listed in the recipe?
You can use any neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable, grapeseed, or sesame, instead of avocado, canola, or peanut oil.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
You can make a vegan version of shrimp fried rice by using cubed tofu instead of shrimp and leaving out the eggs. You can also use a vegan egg substitute, such as silken tofu or aquafaba.
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Recipe
Easy Shrimp Fried Rice
Ingredients
- ½ pound shrimp , peeled, deveined, and thawed
- 3 cups cold/day-old jasmine or Basmati rice
- 4 tbsp. Avocado Oil , canola oil, or peanut oil
- 3 large eggs , lightly beaten with a small pinch of kosher salt
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots mix
- 1 onion , chopped
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt , to taste
- 2 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tbsp. Mushroom-flavored dark soy sauce or dark soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 1 small bunch of green onion , chopped
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine mushroom-flavored dark soy sauce, soy sauce, sugar, and salt. Stir to combine. Set aside
- Heat a 14-inch wok or large, heavy skillet over high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of the oil and swirl to coat the wok. Add the shrimp and stir-fry just until pink, about 2 minutes. Remove shrimp and reserve. Add eggs to wok and scramble until set. Remove from pan, breaking into bite-sized pieces, and wipe wok clean.
- Return the wok to heat, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil and swirl to coat the wok. Reduce the heat to medium-high, add the onions, and stir-fry until the onion is half-cooked for about 1 minute. Add peas/ carrots, mix and stir-fry until just tender but still crisp, about 2 minutes.
- Add the cold rice, quickly spread it all over the wok, toss it to heat through, and then fry for about 5 to 7 minutes. (Add a little more oil if the rice is sticking.) Add the reserved shrimp, eggs, and stir-fry to heat thoroughly, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve the Shrimp Fried Rice immediately on a large platter. Enjoy!
Notes
- Microwave: Place the desired portion of the shrimp fried rice in a microwave-safe dish and microwave on high for 1-2 minutes or until the rice is heated.
- Stovetop: Heat a wok or skillet over medium-high heat and add some oil. Once the oil is hot, add the leftover rice and stir-fry for 3-5 minutes or until heated. Make sure to stir the rice frequently to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Avoid reheating the rice more than once, as it may lead to bacterial growth and cause food poisoning.
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.