This quick and easy Vegetable Fried Rice is a lifesaver on busy weeknights! Veggies and eggs are sautéed with flavorful rice for a classic combo that can’t be beat. My easy vegetable fried rice recipe calls for a simple list of ingredients and takes only 20 minutes to make!
I’m a huge fan of fried rice, as evidenced by my 15-minute chicken fried rice, easy steak fried rice, and several more! But this time, I thought I’d share a super simple, ridiculously easy recipe for egg fried rice and vegetables.
I’m especially in love with this recipe, because it uses an entire 12-ounce bag of frozen mixed vegetables, transforming them into fried rice bliss! I love the bonus of the extra fiber and nutrients that the frozen veggies bring to this one.
This recipe for fried rice with frozen vegetables works equally well as a side dish or served up by itself as a hearty, veggie-packed main dish. I love the flexibility!
Why I LOVE this recipe!
- One-pan prep – The beauty of fried rice is that it comes together in a single pan, giving you a break when it comes to mealtime clean-up.
- 20-minute recipe – When I need dinner on the table fast, this vegetable stir fry rice is a no-brainer. It’s fast and easy, ready in half the time it would take to order and pick up take-out.
- Versatile – Try it with different veggies or add some leftover meat or flavored tofu. And not only does this fried rice work for lunch and dinner, it can make a great breakfast (especially with a couple of fried eggs served over the top!)
- It’s delicious! – There’s a reason I crave this fried rice and vegetables recipe all the time … it’s just really, really good!
Recipe Notes
This easy Vegetable Fried Rice recipe is as simple as promised! Just a few ingredients and 20 minutes for a family friendly meal.
In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use for how to make Vegetable Fried Rice to get the absolute best and most delicious results.
Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.
Ingredients + Substitutions
- Butter – A little bit of fat is needed to sauté the onion and garlic; plus, it adds some welcome flavor to your fried rice and vegetables recipe.
- Onion – I call for common yellow onion, but white, or sweet onion will work fine, too.
- Garlic – I love the flavor that a bit of garlic adds to this vegetable fried rice recipe.
- Rice – You’ll start with cooked white rice. The best vegetable fried rice preparation starts with cold leftover rice.
- Frozen mixed vegetables – Grab a bag of your favorite mixed vegetables from the frozen section of the grocery store for the easiest fried rice vegetables. I like a mix of corn, carrots, peas, and green beans.
- Sesame oil – You’ll want to be sure you have regular, un-toasted sesame oil. Toasted sesame oil has very strong flavor and will overpower the other flavors in your stir fry rice and vegetables recipe.
- Eggs – A common ingredient in fried rice, eggs add traditional flavor and some protein.
- Soy sauce – If you prefer a gluten-free fried rice or one with less sodium, I recommend using Tamari sauce instead.
- Black pepper – For added flavor and a touch of heat.
- Toppings – I recommend topping your fried rice and vegetables recipe with sesame seeds, yum yum sauce, and/or chopped green onions.
Make sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full quantities and ingredients list.
Recipe Variations
If you love this recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!
- Cauliflower Vegetable Fried Rice– Add two cups small blanched cauliflower florets with the rice.
- Edamame Fried Rice– Increase the protein by adding one cup of shelled edamame, either from a fresh ready-to-serve pack or thawed from frozen, along with the rice.
- Mushroom & Vegetable Fried Rice– Sauté two cups sliced button mushrooms or cremini mushrooms with the onion and then continue with the recipe as directed.
Recipe Step by Step
I am going to highlight a few key steps in the recipe here, but make sure to jump down to the recipe card for comprehensive instructions on how to make Vegetable Fried Rice.
Set a skillet over medium-high heat. When warm, add the butter and the onion.
Cook until translucent, then add the garlic and stir to combine. Add the rice to the skillet.
Add the frozen mixed vegetables and soy sauce to the skillet, then stir to combine and continue cooking.
Push the vegetable and rice mixture off to the side.
Add the sesame oil to the empty portion of the skillet and crack the eggs over the oil. Cook the eggs until done.
Stir the egg into the rice and veggie mixture. Cook for a couple more minutes, then serve with garnishes.
Recipe Tips
- Use a large, non-stick skillet – This will help keep the eggs and rice moving and make clean-up a lot easier.
- Keep an eye on the heat level – I suggest starting at medium-high heat because you want to cook it fairly hot, but if at any point your ingredients start to burn or your butter starts to smoke, I suggest reducing the heat to medium.
- Resist the urge to add more butter or oil – The rice will only be able to soak up a small amount, after that, you’ll just have oily fried rice.
Recipe Short Cuts
If you need to make this recipe, but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!
- Make extra rice and save it– I like to plan ahead by making extra rice for a meal earlier in the week and refrigerating it for easy vegetable fried rice a couple of days later.
- Use pre-chopped onions and/or garlic– Shop the produce section of your local grocery store for pre-chopped veggies.
- Use frozen cooked rice– Some grocery stores carry frozen cooked rice, which is a terrific shortcut if you don’t have any leftover rice on hand. You can add the still-frozen rice right into the pan and proceed with the recipe as directed.
What to Serve with Easy Vegetable Fried Rice
Since this protein-based dinner has the delicious flavors of Asian cuisine, it will pair well with many of your favorite Asian-inspired dishes.
Choose one or several of these side dishes or main dishes to create a wholesome, well-rounded dinner. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.
Side Dish Ideas
Main Dish Ideas
- Asian Turkey Meatballs
- Honey Sesame Chicken
- Asian Style Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
- Asian Zing Wings
- Pepper Steak Stir Fry
Easy Vegetable Fried Rice Leftovers
If you have leftovers after making this recipe, then it is your lucky day! They save and reheat well, and can make the start of another delicious dish.
To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store:
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- in the freezer up to a month
Leftover Recipes
Here are a few ways to repurpose those leftovers and give them a delicious makeover!
- Breakfast Fried Rice & Eggs– For an easy breakfast the next day, warm leftover vegetable fried rice in a skillet then remove it and fry up a couple of eggs to serve over the top.
- Leftover Vegetable Stir-Fry Rice– Stir-fry your favorite protein such as chicken or shrimp with a little diced fresh ginger, then toss in the leftover fried rice. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until warmed through.
Recipe FAQ’s
What is the flavor enhancer in fried rice?
Sesame oil and soy sauce are common flavor enhancers in fried rice. Other ways to enhance the flavors are to add garlic, ginger, and/or crushed red chili flakes.
What are the main ingredients for Chinese fried rice?
Leftover rice, egg, soy sauce, and sesame oil are common ingredients in Chinese fried rice.
What type of rice is used in fried rice?
Long grain rices such as jasmine rice or basmati rice hold up the best in fried rice. Jasmine rice is most commonly used.
More EASY One-Dish Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night!
You can check out all of my easy one-dish recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.
Vegetable Fried Rice
Ingredients
For the Fried Rice
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 3 cups white rice, prepared, leftover is better
- 12 ounces mixed vegetables, frozen
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Add butter and onion to a skillet set over medium-high heat. Cook 3-5 minutes or until onion becomes translucent. Add the garlic and mix to combine.
- Add the rice and vegetables them pour the soy sauce into the skillet and stir to combine. Let cook 2-3 minutes, then push to one side and add the sesame oil and egg and cook until done.
- Stir the egg into the mixture and cook 1-2 more minutes, then remove from heat.
- Garnish with your choice of yum yum sauce, sesame seeds, or chopped green onion.
Recipe Notes
- Sesame seeds
- Yum Yum Sauce
- Spicy Mayo
- Green onions
- Frozen mixed vegetables: You can use frozen peas or frozen carrots, or another type of small frozen vegetables. Another popular combo is half a bag of frozen peas and half a bag of frozen corn.
- Soy sauce: Substitute Tamari for a gluten-free vegetable fried rice. This also helps cut down on the sodium if that’s a consideration for you.
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