Shrimp Fried Rice

October 26, 2023 by Beth Pierce 55 Comments

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This Shrimp Fried Rice recipe comes together in less than thirty minutes and tastes so much better than takeout. Tasty tender shrimp are nestled in perfectly seasoned fried rice with carrots, peas, onions, and fluffy eggs. Enjoy this delicious dish anytime, and control the amount of sodium and fat in your fried rice.

This better-than-takeout shrimp fried rice is made with whole, seasoned shrimp and tender veggies

My family loves stir fry. Now, make it fried rice with tender shrimp, and we are in heaven. Stir fry is not difficult at all, and with a few tips, it can be mastered by anyone. This shrimp fried rice recipe moves fast, so it really needs your full attention. Now is not the time to fold laundry or call your bookie! You can prepare this fried rice in a wok or just a large, heavy skillet that can handle the heat.

Tasty tender shrimp are nestled in perfectly seasoned fried rice with carrots, peas, onions, and fluffy eggs.

There is one thing that really needs to be done one to two days in advance, and that is to cook your rice and store it in the fridge so it can get really cold and dry. Leftover Chinese takeout rice is perfect for this, and they always give you more than you need. When properly stored in an airtight container, cooked white rice can last for several days.

Make your own shrimp fried rice at home with this easy and flavorful fried rice recipe

How to make Shrimp Fried Rice

Start by prepping those shrimp. Peel them, remove the tails, and devein them. Dry them really well and sprinkle them on both sides with just a little bit of Chinese Five Spice. It adds a nice flavor and beautiful color to the cooked shrimp.

Now grab a large skillet and heat about 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and 1 teaspoon of sesame oil over medium-high heat. Once it is good and hot, add the shrimp and cook for about 1 1/2 minutes on each side. Remove to a plate, cover, and keep warm. Now, add a little more canola and sesame oil. Now add the chopped carrots and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring several times. Add the peas and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring once or twice. Finally, add the garlic, ginger, and green onions, cooking for 30 seconds. Push the veggies to the side of the pan, and add the eggs. Scramble the eggs and cook until light and fluffy. Remove all of that to a plate, and cover it to keep it warm.

Now add the cold rice to the pan in an even layer over medium-high heat. Drizzle as evenly as possible with soy sauce. Sprinkle with a little bit of fresh cracked pepper. Cook the rice undisturbed for about 1 1/2 minutes, then flip and cook for another 1 1/2 minutes. I work in three small batches with no more than 1 1/2 cups per batch. Place the cooked rice in a bowl as you finish it. Once finished, add everything back to the skillet and heat it up on low for just a minute or so. Don’t go too long, as you don’t want the shrimp overcooked.

This easy Shrimp Fried Rice is lightly seasoned with ginger and garlic and full of carrots, peas, green onions, and fresh shrimp. Make this delicious, better-than-takeout fried rice at home for a simple and delicious dinner!

Helpful recipe tips

Everything moves really fast with stir fry, so be prepared. Have everything you need close by and in some cooking order.
You don’t have to use Chinese Five Spice, but it is delicious.
For best results, use long-grain leftover rice that has been well chilled. Jasmine rice works very well for stir fry. Fresh rice has a lot of moisture in it, and it will stick and clump.
Don’t sweat perfection on this. Stir fry has room for slight errors in cooking time and is supposed to be fun.
The rice will crackle, sizzle, and pop when placed in the hot skillet and fried. That is precisely what it is supposed to do.
If you want to add different vegetables, try broccoli, bean sprouts, mushrooms, or zucchini.
This recipe also works well with other proteins like chicken or ham.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power.
To freeze, first cool completely. Then, spoon into a sturdy freezer container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the microwave at reduced power.

So what are you waiting for? I know you are going to love this homemade shrimp fried rice! Make you and your loved ones a really special wholesome dinner that you can feel good about. They will be singing your praises!

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