We all have those days: you haven’t been to the store, and you have a house full of picky children. And it’s almost dinner time, so a big, complicated meal just isn’t in the cards. And another night of boxed Mac and cheese just might destroy your soul.

Turn to this easy recipe for basic fried rice in a cast iron skillet. It uses inexpensive ingredients you probably have on hand and can be customized to your taste.

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This basic fried rice is the perfect weeknight meal for our family. It’s crazy easy and budget-friendly, and my kids actually eat it! I love that it’s a blank canvas for whatever veggies are about to go bad in the fridge, or any leftover protein we might have. Sometimes I’ll throw in some chopped carrots or mushrooms with the onions, or toss in some leftover chicken at the end. It’s a great way to use up odds and ends and get a delicious meal on the table.

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Ingredients and Tools You’ll Need
How to Make Basic Fried Rice
Storing & Serving
More Easy Sides To Make
Printable Recipe

Ingredients and Tools You’ll Need

Leftover day-old rice is better for this recipe because it has less moisture. Make some extra rice with another meal, and then save the rest for this. You can also cook big quantities of rice, place them in freezer bags, and freeze them for when you need a quick side.

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Make more and freeze some for an easy side. Double or triple the recipe by making adjustments in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Equipment

any skillet will work, but we love cast iron

Ingredients

3 tablespoons of oil divided
2 eggs beaten
1 cup onion, finely diced
¾ cup frozen green peas
4 cups cooked rice (day-old rice is best as it has less moisture)
⅓ cup soy sauce
2 teaspoon Siracha optional

How to Make Basic Fried Rice

Step One: Cook the Eggs

Start by cooking the egg. Make sure you have a tablespoon of oil in your skillet, and heat it before you add the egg. Pour it in and cook for a minute or two, and scramble it. Remove it to a plate and chop it up.

Step Two: Cook The Onion

Now we cook the onion. Add another tablespoon of oil and sauté the diced onion until it’s translucent and browned.

Step Three: Add Rice

Add the last tablespoon of oil, and then the cooked rice. Keep stirring until the rice is coated in oil.

Step Four: Add Soy Sauce & Mix-Ins

Now we are adding the flavor! Pour in the soy sauce and stir. Just keep on stirring. Once the soy sauce and rice are well incorporated, add in the peas and scrambled egg (and any other cooked proteins you want). Fry for about 4 minutes.

Storing & Serving

Leftovers will keep well, tightly covered in the fridge, for 3-4 days.

The frozen spring rolls at Lidl are delicious if you need an affordable appetizer to serve with them!
Add cooked shrimp or chicken, and it’s a complete meal.
Stir-fried green beans add a delicious green veggie.

More Easy Sides To Make

Southwest cowboy rice salad is fresh, easy, and perfect for a hot summer day.
Make some cast iron skillet home fries and serve them as a side all day long.
A side of Brussels sprouts with bacon and cream is delicious and perfect to bring to a holiday dinner.
Crockpot cheesy bacon ranch potatoes couldn’t be easier!

Printable Recipe

Prep Time:20

Cook Time:10

Total Time:30

Equipment

any skillet will work, but we love cast iron

Ingredients

3 tablespoons of oil divided
2 eggs beaten
1 cup onion finely diced
¾ cup frozen green peas
4 cups cooked rice (day-old rice is best as it has less moisture)
⅓ cup soy sauce
2 teaspoon Siracha optional

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Instructions

Cook eggs. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the eggs and gently stir until scrambled, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the skillet to a plate, chop, and set aside for later.
Cook onion. Increase the heat to medium-high. Heat another tablespoon of oil in the now-empty skillet. Add the onion and stir until translucent, about 3 minutes.
Add rice. Add the last tablespoon of oil, and then the cooked rice. Keep stirring until the rice is coated in oil.
Add soy sauce + mix-ins. Add the soy sauce, frozen peas, and scrambled eggs. If you are adding a cooked protein, do so now. Stir fry for 4 minutes, until thoroughly heated and well combined. Serve hot.

Notes

There are many things that can be added to this recipe to make it your own. Try adding bell pepper with the onion or cooked shrimp or chicken with the peas.