- Why is my rice sticking?
- Because you used fresh, warm rice. The starch in warm rice is still moist and sticky. Use day-old refrigerated rice!
Easy Vegetable Fried Rice
Fried rice is a textbook example of kitchen magic: how do you turn yesterday's dry rice into a feast? The secret is 'cold rice.' Only cooled, slightly dried-out grains can be fried to be fluffy without sticking together into a mushy lump. Quick, cheap, and versatile.
Ingredients
2
cups
Cooked rice (completely cold, day-old!)
1 1/2
cups
Mixed vegetables (carrot, peas, corn - frozen is fine)
3
tbsp
Soy sauce
2
tbsp
Vegetable oil (e.g., sesame or sunflower)
1
stalk
Scallion (optional)
Shopping List (0)
Equipment Needed
- Wok or large skillet
- Wooden spoon
Allergen Information
Soy
Wheat (if soy sauce contains it)
Instructions
1
✓
Heat the wok or skillet until smoking hot with half the oil. Toss in the vegetables and stir-fry until crisp-tender, about 2-3 minutes.
Tip: High heat is the secret to 'Wok Hei' (breath of the wok): giving veggies a seared, smoky flavor without turning them mushy.
2
✓
Push the vegetables to the side of the pan, add the remaining oil, and toss in the cold rice. Break up clumps with a wooden spoon and let it fry.
Tip: Don't stir constantly! Let the rice touch the hot metal to crisp up a bit (this adds texture).
3
✓
Once the rice is hot, mix it with the vegetables and drizzle with soy sauce.
Tip: Drizzle the soy sauce down the hot sides of the pan, not directly onto the rice, to caramelize the flavor slightly.
4
✓
Toss thoroughly for another minute, sprinkle with fresh scallions, and serve immediately.
Tip: The scallions add freshness and crunch at the end.
Recipe FAQ
Ingredients
- 2 cups Cooked rice (completely cold, day-old!)
- 1 1/2 cups Mixed vegetables (carrot, peas, corn - frozen is fine)
- 3 tbsp Soy sauce
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil (e.g., sesame or sunflower)
- 1 stalk Scallion (optional)