We're big fans of chicken fried rice, but we have a new favorite - shrimp fried rice! This recipe cooks in just 15 minutes! With succulent shrimp, aromatic garlic, and scallions, combined with a simple sauce and fluffy rice, it's the perfect easy weeknight meal. Let's get cooking!
Shrimp fried rice has its roots in Chinese cuisine, where it evolved as a flavorful and convenient way to repurpose leftover rice and ingredients. Over time, it became a beloved staple not only in China but also in various Asian cuisines and eventually gained popularity worldwide for its delicious combination of tender shrimp, aromatic vegetables, and savory seasonings.
This was inspired by my Chinese Coconut Shrimp and pairs so well with my Air Fryer Shrimp Rangoons. For an Italian flare, try my Shrimp Fra Diavolo.
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🌟 Why You'll Love this Recipe
- Quick and Easy: With simple ingredients, this recipe offers a convenient way to whip up a delicious meal in no time.
- Versatile and Customizable: Shrimp fried rice is endlessly adaptable to tailor to your taste preferences by adding extra vegetables, spices, or protein.
- Satisfying and Flavorful: Packed with savory flavors, tender shrimp, and aromatic spices, this dish promises a fulfilling and mouthwatering dining experience that's sure to leave anyone craving more.
🥘 Ingredients
Each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating the rich and savory flavors of shrimp fried rice. From the umami depth of soy sauce and oyster sauce to the aromatic essence of garlic and scallions, each component contributes to the dish's complexity and balance, while staples like shrimp and rice provide satisfying textures and substantiality.
- Vegetable or Canola Oil (for frying and sautéing)
- Cooked Rice
- Jumbo Shrimp, Peeled and deveined
- Eggs, scrambled
- Minced Garlic
- Scallions, chopped (save some for garnish)
- Onion, diced
- Carrot, diced
- Soy Sauce
- Oyster Sauce
- Sesame Oil
- Sesame Seeds
- Salt and Pepper (to taste)
See recipe card for quantities.
🔪 Instructions
Step 1: Cook shrimp until orange in a wok.
Step 2: Sauté scallions and garlic until aromatic. Add shrimp and mix.
Step 3: Add onion and carrots, sauté until softened.
Step 4: Mix in rice, sauces, sesame oil, and seeds until evenly combined.
Step 5: Incorporate scrambled eggs and butter, season to taste.
Step 6: Serve hot, garnished with sesame seeds and scallions. Enjoy!
👩🏼🍳 Chef's Tip
- Ensure that your rice is cooked and cooled before using it in the dish. Using cold rice helps to prevent it from becoming mushy when stir-frying with the other ingredients, resulting in a perfect texture for your shrimp fried rice.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Gluten-Free - To make this recipe gluten-free, simply substitute gluten-free soy sauce and oyster sauce for their traditional counterparts.
- Spicy Shrimp Fried Rice: Add some heat to your dish by incorporating diced chili peppers or a splash of sriracha sauce during cooking, giving your shrimp fried rice a spicy kick that's sure to tantalize your taste buds.
- Thai-Inspired Shrimp Fried Rice: Infuse your dish with the vibrant flavors of Thai cuisine by using fish sauce, lime juice, and Thai basil instead of traditional soy sauce and scallions, creating a unique and aromatic twist on this classic dish.
🍴 Equipment
- Frying pan or wok
- Cooking utensils (spatula, spoon, etc.)
- Knife and cutting board
- Bowls for preparation
- Stove or cooking surface
💭 Recipe FAQs
The key to achieving the perfect texture for your rice is to use cooked rice that has been chilled in the refrigerator for at least a few hours or overnight. This allows the grains to firm up and separate, preventing them from becoming mushy during stir-frying. Additionally, try to avoid overcooking the rice initially, as overcooked rice can become sticky and clump together when fried.
Yes, it's recommended to scramble the eggs separately before adding them to the fried rice. This ensures that the eggs are evenly cooked and prevents them from becoming overcooked or rubbery when mixed with the other ingredients.
Of course! Shrimp fried rice is highly versatile, so feel free to use your favorite vegetables or whatever you have on hand. Common options include bell peppers, peas, carrots, and broccoli. Just make sure to chop them into small, uniform pieces for even cooking.
🥣 Storage & Reheating
Storage: Store any leftover shrimp fried rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing: To freeze shrimp fried rice, allow it to cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or resealable bag. Press out any excess air to prevent freezer burn. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
Reheating: To reheat shrimp fried rice, you can use a microwave or a skillet. If using a microwave, place the desired portion in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying out, and heat in 30-second intervals until warmed through, stirring in between. If using a skillet, add a small amount of oil to prevent sticking and reheat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
🍷 Wine Pairing
Its vibrant acidity and citrusy notes complement the savory flavors of the dish while providing a refreshing contrast. Additionally, the wine's light body and herbaceous undertones enhance the overall dining experience, making it a delightful choice for this flavorful meal.
👩🏼🍳 Top Tips
- Prep Ahead: Have all ingredients prepped before starting to cook for a smoother process.
- Chill the Rice: Use cold cooked rice to prevent it from turning mushy during stir-frying.
- High Heat, Quick Cooking: Cook over high heat, avoid overcrowding the pan, and keep ingredients moving constantly for that signature wok hei flavor and texture.
🌿 Related Recipes
🥗 Pairing Recommendations
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating & comment below to let me know how it came out. Thanks for visiting!
📋 Recipe
Shrimp Fried Rice
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Equipment
- Frying pan or wok
- Cooking utensils (spatula, etc.)
- Knife and cutting board
- Bowls for preparation
Ingredients
- Vegetable or Canola Oil for frying and sautéing
- 1 ½ cups cooked Rice
- 10 pieces Jumbo Shrimp Peeled and deveined
- 2 eggs scrambled
- ½ tablespoon Minced Garlic
- 2 stalks Scallions chopped (save ¼ for garnish)
- ¼ Large Onion diced
- ¼ Carrot diced
- ½ tablespoon Soy Sauce
- ½ tablespoon Oyster Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Sesame Oil
- Sesame Seeds
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the aromatics, vegetables, and scrambled eggs. Set aside.
- In shallow oil, fry the shrimp and season with salt and pepper on both sides until they are bright orange. Chop into preferred chunks and set aside.
- In a pan with high heat and a splash of oil, sauté the scallions and minced garlic until aromatic. Add the cooked shrimp and mix thoroughly.
- Add diced onion and carrots, and sauté well.
- Add cooked rice, then pour soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and sesame seeds on top. Mix until the rice is properly broken up and the sauce is evenly spread.
- Incorporate the scrambled eggs and butter, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Give it one last mix.
- Serve hot, garnished with sesame seeds and reserved chopped scallions. Enjoy!
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Notes
🌡️ Food safety
- Shrimp - Cook to a minimum temperature of 145 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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