Flavorful Garlic Fried Rice Recipe Perfect for Beginners
A quick, beginner-friendly garlic fried rice recipe that’s packed with flavor and perfect as a side dish or a complete meal with added protein and veggies.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Southeast Asian
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups cooked white rice (preferably day-old, jasmine rice recommended)
- 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low-sodium optional)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or any neutral oil like canola or sunflower)
- 2 green onions, chopped
- Salt to taste
- Optional toppings: fried egg, chopped cilantro, crispy fried shallots
Instructions
- Mince the garlic finely and chop the green onions. Break up any clumps in day-old rice with a fork or your hands.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a wok or skillet over medium heat until shimmering.
- Add the minced garlic and stir constantly for 1-2 minutes until golden and fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Turn the heat up to medium-high and add the cooked rice to the pan. Stir to coat the rice evenly with the garlic oil.
- Drizzle 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and 1 teaspoon of sesame oil over the rice. Stir well to combine, ensuring every grain is coated in the sauce.
- Stir-fry the rice for 4-5 minutes, occasionally pressing down with your spatula to break up any stubborn clumps.
- Add the chopped green onions and stir for another minute.
- Top with optional toppings like a fried egg, cilantro, or crispy shallots before serving.
Notes
[‘Use day-old rice for the best texture.’, ‘Don’t overcrowd the pan to ensure proper stir-frying.’, ‘Watch the garlic closely to prevent burning.’, ‘Customize the flavor with fish sauce, oyster sauce, or additional spices.’, ‘Reheat leftovers in a skillet with a splash of water or oil to revive texture.’]
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 500
- Fat: 6
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 5
Keywords: garlic fried rice, easy fried rice, beginner-friendly recipe, quick rice dish, Southeast Asian cuisine