I am sure you will love to have a cozy takeout-style rice at home without spending hours. This easy vegetable fried rice recipe with egg is going to give that feel. It is a beginner-friendly, quick, and made for two people – a perfect choice for a quick lunch. Whenever I am in a situation of ‘what can I cook now?’, I go for this meal with my leftover rice. This easy vegetable fried rice recipe with egg is possible to make with simple ingredients that are already available in your kitchen.
Why You’ll Love this Easy Vegetable Fried Rice Recipe with Egg
Here are a few reasons that’s why you will love this recipe.
- Fast and easy: it takes only 22 minutes from prep to cook
- Made for two: a small batch, which is perfect for two
- Budget-friendly: basic ingredients and simple veggies, that’s why it’s a low-cost recipe
- Beginner-proof: it has no fancy cooking steps or equipment
The Secret to a Great Vegetable Fried Rice Recipe with Egg
If you want to know the biggest secret tip for making fried rice, it’s straightforward: use cold, cooked rice. Hot and fresh rice is steamy and soft; it turns your pan mushy. Cold rice fries up better and stays fluffy, because it’s drier.
If you have no leftover rice, no problem. Cook rice, spread it on a plate, and keep it in the fridge for 20-30 minutes. It’s a quick fix for rice that makes this easy vegetable fried rice recipe with egg recipe feel like a real deal.
Easy Vegetable Fried Rice Recipe with Egg
Equipment
- Large nonstick Skillet or Wok (12-inch is great)
- Spatula or wooden spoon
- Small bowl (for beating eggs)
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring cups
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Small plate (to hold cooked egg)
- Paper towel (optional, for wiping pan)
Ingredients
For the Rice:
- 2 cups Cooked Rice, cold (about 1 cup per person; day-old is best)
- 2 Large Eggs
- 1 cup Mixed Vegetables (frozen or fresh; peas, carrots, corn work great)
- 2 Green Onions, sliced (white and green parts)
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic paste)
- 2 tablespoons Neutral Oil (like canola or vegetable oil), divided
- 2 to 2½ tablespoons Soy Sauce (start with 2, add more if needed)
- ½ teaspoon Sesame Oil (optional but tasty)
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon Salt, only if needed (soy sauce is already salty)
Optional Add-ins
- ½ teaspoon Chili flakes or a small squeeze of hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon Butter (stir in at the end for extra cozy flavor)
Instructions
Get the rice ready
Make sure you break the cold rice up with your fingers so it is not in clumps. Cold rice is highly recommended; it makes the recipe quick and not mushy.
Mix the eggs
After cracking the eggs in a small bowl, add a pinch of pepper. Beat it with a fork until smooth. Keep it right next to the stove so that you can use it fast when you need it.
Scramble the eggs first
Take a large skillet and heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. Pour in the eggs and gently scramble. After cooking the eggs, slide them onto a plate. The step keeps them soft and tasty.
Cook the garlic and veggies
It's time to cook the garlic and veggies. Start with adding 1 tablespoon of oil to the pan. Toss in the white parts of the green onion and the garlic. After stirring them for 20-30 seconds, add the mixed vegetables and stir for another 2-3 minutes. If you are using frozen veggies, cook until they look bright and hot.Fry the rice
Add the rice to the pan, spread it out properly, and let it sit for 30 seconds. Then start stirring. Wait until the rice gets warm and slightly toasted.
Season and bring it together
Pour in the soy sauce around the edge of the pan. Don't add too much, as it can increase the saltiness. Then stir well. If you are using sesame oil, then add it now. Taste and add a pinch of salt only if needed.Add the egg and finish
Now add the scrambled eggs and break them into bite-sized pieces. Now add the green parts of the green onion and stir well, then cook for one more minute. It's time to serve and serve hot. This is your easy vegetable fried rice recipe with egg for two – filling, fast, and tasty.
Notes
More Lunch Recipes
Egg Tips That Make it Taste Better
Egg is the main thing that turns this recipe into a really satisfying meal. If you want the best texture in your easy vegetable fried rice recipe with egg, keep the egg fluffy and soft.
A simple trick that I always follow: never overdo the egg and cook gently. If you stop a little early, that’s better. Because the egg keeps cooking from the heat even after you move it around.
If you love eggs, you can:
- Add an extra egg
- Top it with a runny fried egg
- Or mix in more egg pieces at the end
Common Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
If you have any failed attempts to make fried rice, the mistake is one of these:
1) Using hot fresh rice
Hot, fresh rice is never an ideal option for fried rice. It gets sticky and too soft.
2) Pan not hot enough
The pan should be hot enough with a medium-high heat. In low heat, the rice steams instead of frying.
3) Too much soy sauce
Add soy sauce slowy. Remember, you can always add more, but you can’t take it out.
4) Overcrowding the pan
Too many vegetables or rice in a small pan can make it soggy.
These little fixes can make a big impact in taste of your easy vegetable fried rice recipe with egg.
Storage and Reheating Tips
If you have leftovers, store them in a covered container in the fridge. Fried rice reheats best in a pan because it brings back that fried texture. Add a tiny splash of water if it looks dry, then heat and stir until hot.
If you use the microwave, cover it and heat until steaming hot.
FAQ
What kind of rice is best for fried rice?
A day-old, cold cooked rice is the best option. Because it fries up better and it’s drier.
Can I use freshly cooked rice?
Yes, but you won’t get a great result with it. To get a good result, you need to cool it first. Spread it on a big plate and chill it for 30 mintutes on a fridge. Once it’s drier, you will get a fluffy result.
Why is my fried rice mushy?
There is only one reason behind mushy fried rice: moisture. You can moisture from warm rice, watery veggies, or a crowded pan.
How long does fried rice last in the fridge?
I would not keep it for more than 3 days using an airtight container. Don’t forget to reheat until steaming hot before serving again.
Is reheated fried rice safe?
If you store it right, then it’s definitely safe. You should not leave cooked rice out for hours. If you want to store it, do it fast.
How do I make it less salty?
To make it less salty, use low-sodium soy sauce. Always start with a small amount and then add more if you need. Extra garlic and green onion boost flavor without making it salty.
How can I add more protein easily?
To add more protein, add cooked chicken, tofu, shrimp, or even another egg. Keep the other steps the same and simple.
This easy vegetable fried rice recipe with egg is a kind of meal that you can make very quickly on a busy weekday. It’s fast and flexible. Don’t forget to share in Daily Life Recipe, how it tasted for you.
About the photos: The images in this post are AI-generated illustrations created to help visualize the recipe.