Thai Shrimp Fried Rice Recipe (Khao Pad Goong)

Name: Thai Shrimp Fried Rice Recipe (Khao Pad Goong)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 2 tbsp or 30 ml oil; 6 medium shrimp (peeled, deveined); 2 cloves of garlic (minced); 40 g onion (diced); 190 g cooked jasmine rice (preferably chilled day-old rice); 1 egg; 40 g carrot (diced); 0.5 tbsp or 7 ml light soy sauce; 1 tsp or 4 g white sugar; a pinch of salt; 1 tsp or 4 g rosdee seasoning powder; a pinch of white pepper powder; 2 cherry tomatoes (halved); 1 stalk of green onion (finely chopped)

ByPraew March 15, 2025March 15, 2025

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This easy Thai shrimp fried rice recipe (khao pad goong) is a flavorful weeknight dinner ready in under 20 minutes. It’s healthy, high-protein, and easy to customize with any vegetables you have on hand. With image instructions for foolproof results!

Thai shrimp fried rice dish featuring juicy shrimp, stir-fried rice, and colorful vegetables with a side of lime.

Fried rice is one of those dishes you can make again and again without ever getting bored. My readers love this special pineapple version, the bold flavors of khao pad krapow with holy basil, and a delicious vegetarian option.

This recipe is a flavorful one-pan meal that’s perfect for busy nights. It’s quick, great for meal prep, and easy to customize—swap the shrimp for chicken, pork, or your favorite protein!

The key to restaurant-style fried rice

The key to making this stir-fry starts with the rice itself. Freshly cooked rice is too soft and sticky, so it’s best to use chilled leftover rice.

This makes cooking much easier since the rice grains separate effortlessly, ensuring each grain gets coated in that flavorful stir-fry sauce.

Close-up of khao pad goong (Thai shrimp fried rice) served in a blue and white patterned bowl with fresh lime and green onions.

Love this recipe? You’ll also enjoy pandan rice and green curry fried rice!

When it comes to vegetables, this recipe is super flexible. Carrots, onions, tomatoes, and green onions are classic choices, but you can also add bell peppers, peas, or even baby corn.

Just use whatever you have on hand, but be sure to chop everything evenly for consistent cooking!

If you want to swap the protein in this recipe, just follow the same cooking steps and adjust the stir-fry time based on the protein.

Thai fried rice with shrimp, egg, and vegetables, garnished with lime and green onions on a woven mat.

This Thai fried rice with shrimp was a customer favorite at my former Thai restaurant—simple, flavorful, and always a hit. Now, you can make the best homemade version right in your own kitchen!

Ingredient notes

Pick up all the ingredients at your nearest Asian grocery store or market. Scroll down to the recipe card for exact measurements!

A top-down view of ingredients for shrimp fried rice, including raw shrimp, cooked rice, diced vegetables, egg, light soy sauce, sugar, salt, white pepper, and rosdee seasoning powder, all arranged on a banana leaf.

Shrimp – Large shrimp varieties that work best for stir-frying include black tiger shrimp, white shrimp, and jumbo prawns.
Carrot, onion, tomato, green onions – These are my go-to vegetables, but you can swap in other veggies.
Cooked rice – I always use jasmine rice, but you can also use basmati, brown rice, or even cauliflower rice for a keto option.
Egg – Adds richness and helps bind the flavors together.
Rosdee seasoning powder – A Thai seasoning powder that enhances umami and brings out a savory depth. Get it on Amazon.
Light soy sauce – Provides saltiness and umami without overpowering the dish. Order it here.
White pepper
White sugar
Salt
Oil – Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point, like vegetable or canola oil.

How to make shrimp fried rice

Step 1: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and stir-fry until pink. Remove and set aside.

Sautéing shrimp in a wok with oil until pink and slightly curled.

Step 2: In the same wok, add chopped garlic and onions. Stir-fry until fragrant and slightly golden.

Stir-frying diced onions and garlic in hot oil inside a wok.

Step 3: Add the cooked rice, breaking up any clumps with the back of your spatula. Stir well to mix with the garlic and onions.

Cooked rice with onion and garlic in a wok.

Step 4: Push everything to one side of the wok. Add the remaining tablespoon of oil, crack in the egg, and let it sit briefly. Gently scramble, then mix it into the rice.

A three-step collage showing an egg being cracked into a wok, scrambled with onions, and mixed with rice.

Step 5: Add the diced carrot, soy sauce, sugar, salt, seasoning powder, and white pepper. Stir-fry until the carrot softens to your liking. Toss in the tomatoes and mix again.

Stir-frying rice with diced carrots, tomatoes, onions, and seasonings.

Step 6: Return the shrimp to the wok, add chopped green onions, and give everything a final toss. Serve khao pad goong with cucumber slices and a lime wedge on the side. Enjoy!

Combining shrimp with fried rice, vegetables, and seasonings in a wok for the final stir-fry.

How to store and reheat leftovers

Storage: Let the leftovers cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months for longer storage.
How to reheat fried rice: Use a pan over medium heat with a splash of oil and stir-fry until hot. For the microwave, add a few drops of water, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each.

Frequently asked questions

Is shrimp fried rice healthy?

Shrimp fried rice can be a healthy meal when made with balanced ingredients. Shrimp is high in protein and low in fat, while vegetables add fiber and nutrients. Using less oil and opting for brown or jasmine rice can make it even healthier.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

No, this recipe is not gluten-free because rosdee seasoning powder and soy sauce contain gluten. To make it gluten-free, use a gluten-free seasoning alternative and swap soy sauce for tamari or a certified gluten-free soy sauce.

More shrimp stir-fry recipes to try

Enjoyed this authentic Thai shrimp fried rice recipe? Show some love by leaving a star rating and a comment below! Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for more tasty recipes!

Praew

I owned my own Thai restaurant and have years of experience in various other Thai restaurants. I've been whipping up classic Thai dishes by my mother's and grandma's side since I was just a little girl. Now I'm sharing my deep-rooted passion with my authentic Thai recipes on this Thai food blog.

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