Easy fried rice with leftover recipe, my go-to for a quick and easy weeknight dinner that rivals takeout. Toss in tender pork or your favorite protein with healthy vegetables, and you have a simple stir-fry that’s perfect for the whole family.

Check out some of my best fried rice recipes: chicken pineapple fried rice, spicy tom yum fried rice, and vegetarian Thai fried rice recipe.

Why use day old rice for fried rice

Why should you use day old rice for fried rice?

Day-old rice is ideal for fried rice as it’s drier, firmer, and less sticky, which means it’s easy to stir-fry. Freshly steamed rice is too moist, the rice grains clump together and turn soggy when stir-fried.

I’ve whipped up countless variations of fried rice across Thai restaurants, and they all had one thing in common: leftover rice is always the go-to.

Chilled from the fridge, the rice grains are firm and separate easily, perfect for achieving that signature crisp and chewy texture.

If you do not have day old rice, you can still make fried rice with no leftover rice.

Spread out your hot, freshly cooked rice on a tray, allow it to cool down and then pop it into the fridge for a few hours uncovered. This is a trick you can use to make fried rice with no leftover rice.

In our Thai restaurant, we used to spread out freshly cooked jasmine rice and fat it for quick cooling and drying.

Drying out the rice is crucial for reducing moisture.

Why try this leftover fried rice recipe

• Perfect for meal prep. Thai fried rice with pork is perfect to make ahead of time. Make a big batch, store it in the fridge, and you’ve got lunches for several days.
• Budget-friendly. Use up your leftover rice to save costs. This recipe can be made with leftover vegetables and protein.
• Quick fried rice. This recipe comes together so quick and easy. It’s doable for any home cook.
• Super versatile. You can mix in whatever veggies or protein you have on hand. Clean out your fridge and add your leftovers!
• One pot recipe. You only need one pot, so there’s barely any cleanup to do!

Ingredients

For the exact measurements, please scroll down the recipe card at the end of this post.

• Pork – Choose pork tenderloin for a lean cut, or enjoy it with pork shoulder or butt. Whatever cut you prefer, just adjust the cooking time and slice it thinly.
• Leftover rice – Day-old jasmine rice is your best choice for this leftover pork fried rice recipe. If you use freshly cooked rice, you can chill it to ease the stir-frying.
• Light soy sauce – Seasons the dish to savory perfection.
• Dark soy sauce – In Southeast Asian cuisine, dark soy sauce is typically used to darken the color of dishes.
• Oyster sauce – Oyster sauce is often used in Thai cuisine for adding an umami and salty flavor.
• White sugar – A sprinkle of sugar is needed to balance out the salty flavor of the soy sauces.
• Carrot, onions, green onions – You can totally add your favorite vegetables. Make sure to dice them or slice them thinly to speed up the cooking time.
• Eggs – Egg fried rice has a rich, creamy texture to each bite. Additionally, eggs add lots of nutrition and protein.
• Garlic

You can find all ingredients at Asian grocery stores.

Step-by-step instructions

Tips for the best fried rice with leftover rice

• Avoid overcrowding your wok pan.
• Stir-fry over high heat. This ensures that the vegetables are cooked through quickly while still being crisp, and that the rice is heated through.
• Crispy fried rice. Let the rice rest on the bottom of your pan for a moment, to make it a bit brown and crispy.
• Prep ahead. Make sure all your ingredients are prepped and ready to toss in the pan, because you have to stir-fry at high pace.

Kitchen tools

• Cutting board & chef’s knife
• Non-stick wok and spatula
• Measuring spoons & cups

Variations

• Switch up the protein: Use chicken, beef, shrimp, or other protein. Make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
• Use other vegetables: Baby corn, bell peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms, pineapple chunks, spinach, bok choy, or others.
• Add nuts: Add cashews or peanuts for a nutty flavor and a crunchy texture.

How to serve

Serve your stir-fried rice for lunch or dinner and garnish it with greens, add chilies, or even pair it with a spicy Thai table condiment like prik nam pla.

Optional garnishes

• White pepper or black pepper
• Red chili flakes: Sprinkle with red chili flakes or add sliced chili peppers to add spice.
• Fresh herbs: Garnish with a generous amount of cilantro or chopped green onions.
• Lime juice: A squeeze of fresh lime juice before serving adds a zesty flavor.

How to store and reheat leftover rice

Let your fried rice cool down to room temperature. Transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Freezing instructions: Transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.

Reheating instructions: Reheat in the microwave or stir-fry until warm. If needed, add a splash of oil or water.

Frequently asked questions

More Asian rice recipes you’ll love

• Authentic Thai mango sticky rice recipe
• How to cook Thai sticky rice
• Khao man gai recipe – Thai chicken rice
• Khao tom – Thai rice soup recipe

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Print Recipe

Easy Fried Rice With Leftover Rice Recipe

Author: Praew Cooking Method: Stir-Frying Cuisine: Asian cuisines Courses: Dinner, Side Dish Recipe Keys: High Protein Low Fat Nut Free O One Pot

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 10 min Cook Time 10 min Total Time 20 mins

Servings: 3 Calories: 486

Description

Fried rice with leftover rice is a quick and easy weeknight dinner perfect for the family.

Ingredients

Servings

• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 clove garlic (chopped)
• 1 cup pork (thinly sliced)
• 2 eggs
• 3 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
• ¹⁄₂ tablespoon dark soy sauce
• ¹⁄₂ tablespoon white sugar
• 1 cup carrot (diced)
• 1 cup onion (diced)
• 3 cups rice (leftover rice)
• ¹⁄₂ cup green onions

Instructions

1. Mince the garlic and chop your green onions. Dice all vegetables into bite-sized pieces for even cooking.

2. Place a non-stick wok over high heat. Once hot, add oil followed by the garlic. Sauté until fragrant and golden.

3. Toss in your pork and stir-fry until it’s cooked.

4. Move everything to one side, crack the eggs into the open space and scramble them. Bring the pork back into the mix.

5. Stir in light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar. Coat each piece of pork with the sauce mix.

6. Add your chopped veggies and stir-fry for 1 minute for a crisp crunch, or 2 minutes for tender vegetables.

7. Add the rice. Use the back of your spatula to break up the grains. Stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 3

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Amount Per Serving

Calories 486kcal

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 15.5g24%

Saturated Fat 3.4g17%

Total Carbohydrate 52.8g18%

Dietary Fiber 2.8g12%

Sugars 8g

Protein 31.5g63%

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* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

• Use the nutrition card in this recipe as a guideline.
• Feel free to use your favorite protein or customize with your choice of vegetables.

Keywords: fried rice with leftover rice, leftover fried rice, pork fried rice recipe

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