Cast Iron Skillet Fried Rice

An easy recipe for the most basic fried rice. Uses inexpensive ingredients you probably have on hand, Can be totally customized to your taste.

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.

In this situation, a basic fried rice recipe is your hero. Have cooked chicken or shrimp on hand? Add it right into the rice at the end. Like spicy foods? Add some siracha. This recipe can be tweaked however you like. But it’s totally delicious just the way it is!

💡Frugal Tip

This recipe is very frugal just as it is! If you are looking to save even more on the ingredients, look at Aldi for their store brand soy sauce. It’s great!

Rice is sold at Costco in huge quantities. For a more manageable size, look at Aldi or Walmart.

🌟 To make ahead

Or just a little extra white rice every time you cook it and plan on making fried rice in the next couple days.

You can cook big quantities rice, place them in freezer bags, and freeze them. There is always something you can make with cooked rice for an easy side dish!

What else should I serve with fried rice?

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

Here are your ingredients

• Vegetable oil
• Eggs
• Cooked white rice
• Frozen peas
• Onions
• Soy sauce

❤️ Let’s make it together!

Start with cooking the egg. Make sure you have a tablespoon of oil in your skillet, and heat it before you add the egg. Pour it it and cook for a minute or two, and scramble it. If it cooks too quickly to scramble, just remove it to a plate and chop it up.

Now we cook the onion. Add a another tablespoon of oil and sauté the diced onion until its translucent and browned.

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

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 back in the peas and scrambled egg.

Keep stirring and you’re done!

Here’s the recipe!

Basic Fried Rice

Print Recipe

A simple and easy fried rice recipe that uses pantry ingredients.  Budget friendly and makes the whole family happy!

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons of oil divided
• 2 eggs beaten
• 1 cup onion finely diced
• 3/4 cup frozen green peas
• 4 cups cooked rice
• 1/3 cup soy sauce

Instructions

• 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 skillet to plate, chop and set aside for later.
• Increase 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 the remaining oil and the rice.  Stir until rice is throughly mixed with the other ingredients, about three minutes.
• Add the soy sauce, frozen peas, and scrambled eggs.  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:

bell pepper can be cooked with the onion

cooked shrimp or chicken can be added with the peas

try adding Siracha sauce at the end

Nutrition

Calories: 212kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 892mg | Potassium: 148mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 95IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Asian

Keyword: budget fried rice, simple fried rice recipe, what to make when no food is in the house

Servings: 5 cups

Calories: 212kcal

Author: Katie Shaw

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