Garlic fried rice with lots of fresh garlic and bits of scrambled eggs. Super easy to make, extremely satisfying to eat!

Avoid mushy fried rice

Garlic fried rice is a great way to use up leftover rice.

In fact, it tastes better if the rice is not freshly cooked. It will have a firmer texture.

If you want fried rice and don’t have any already cooked rice in the fridge, make some fresh and spread it out on a cookie sheet to cool and dry.

Excess moisture will result in mushy fried rice and you don’t want that!

HIGH heat is also essential. You want it hot enough to fry, but without burning it.

This is why you have to constantly stir fry it – stir and flip so it doesn’t scorch on the bottom. It will cook fast.

This recipe for garlic rice is extremely simple and can be dressed up in a variety of ways.

Craving meat? Check out my recipe for Bacon Fried Rice or add your favorite protein to this recipe (options listed below).

This recipe makes enough for 1 or 2 servings depending on if it will be a meal or a side dish.

Double or triple as needed.

NOTE: we just got a Blackstone griddle and this is the perfect recipe for it!!

Garlic Rice Ingredients:

• Rice – cooked white rice or brown. Day old is best.
• Garlic – fresh garlic is best, but jarred minced garlic works too.
• Egg – scrambled eggs add protein and make this a filling dish on its own. You could also add a fried egg on top! I love it when the yolk mixes with the rice.
• Green onions – not just a garnish, but gives fresh flavor too.
• Soy sauce – regular soy sauce will do, but if you can get your hands on the thick, dark soy sauce it’s even better
• Sesame oil – this is actually my favorite ingredient. Use toasted sesame oil and it gives so much flavor!
• Cooking oil – you can’t have fried rice without oil to fry it. Use an oil that can withstand high heat such as vegetable, peanut, avocado, etc.

How to make fried rice:

1. Add garlic and oil to cold pan and heat on high just until it starts to sizzle and soften.
2. Add rice and stir fry for a few minutes to break up any clumps and get rid of mushiness.
3. Push the rice to the side and scramble up the eggs.
4. Add the seasonings and mix everything together. Stir fry for a few more minutes to seal in the flavors.

Fried Rice Mix-Ins:

Protein such as ham, chicken, steak, shrimp or tofu.

My husband loves to eat his with SPAM.

If you want to cook up fresh meat for this that’s fine, but I prefer fried rice as an opportunity to clean out the fridge.

Maybe you have some leftover Fried Pork Chops or rotisserie chicken? Cut into bits and add it to the rice!

Vegetables – use up leftovers in the fridge or toss in some frozen veggies. Favorites include carrots, onion, peas, sugar snaps and broccoli.

Hot sauce or chili flakes – some sriracha or chili garlic paste for those who like it spicy

Fried garlic – crispy garlic is so good! Plus, it really accentuates the garlic flavor. You can get it on Amazon or check the Asian aisle at your grocery.

After living in Okinawa, Japan for 5 years, we love foods with a Japanese twist like konbini egg salad sandwiches and Japanese coleslaw.

This recipe is based on Japanese-style garlic fried rice.

It’s often served in an individual cast iron skillet, sizzling hot with little crispy bits of rice.

To top things off authentically, add a pat of butter on the rice before serving and mix everything together!