This is how we make fried rice in our family. Don’t judge because if your family has a tradition of making fried rice it’s most likely very different, as it should be. My method is a quick and easy fried rice recipe that I make for my nephews. They love it and that’s all that matters. 🙂

Vietnamese fried rice

My Family Fried Rice Recipe: How is it different?

Well first of all, I’m super biased. The way Mom and Dad made fried rice has always been so flavorful and satisfying. It’s loaded with umami and when I eat other versions of fried rice, it leaves me so unsatisfied. Over the years I’ve tried so many different techniques, sauces and seasonigns but nothing comes close to the simplicity and flavor of what Mom and Dad fed us.

  • Fish Sauce: I will say this out loud without any hesitation. Our fried rice is so flavroful because of the drizzle of fish sauce. The meaty, umami and full flavor of this magical fish sauce is what makes our family recipe outstanding. Don’t be afraid of it and I even wrote about the magic of fish sauce.
  • Cooking the raw egg into the rice. Unlike so many other fried rice recipes that scramble the egg first, then add it later into the fried rice, we do the opposite. After the rice is hot, we add the raw egg to cook into the rice. This makes the rice more tender, flavorful and fluffy once you let the egg set into the rice. Yeah, it’s different but this is how our family has always made it and I stand by this technique.

Video: Best Fried Rice Recipe

Our Favorite Fish Sauce Brands:

This has been our house fish sauce for decades. Great stuff! We’ll use it to make our dipping sauces as well as marinades.

100% all-natural first press extra virgin Vietnamese fish sauce. One of the best artisan fish sauce producers.

Another good fish sauce. Clean flavors, good depth. It’s the one Diane’s mom most often uses for cooking.

Vietnamese fried rice

Fried Rice Recipe for My Nephews

For best texture and easiest cooking use day old rice that is firm and cold. The kernels won't stick to each other as much. If using a non-stick pan you can use less oil than in a cast iron or stainless steel pan.
Our family's style of making fried rice is to cook the eggs in with the fried rice instead of cooking it ahead of time. It allows the egg to help rehydrate the rice and carry across more flavor.
No ratings yet

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (loosely packed) day-old cooked rice (he rice kernels should be firm, separated and cold so that they won't stick together)
  • 2-3 Tablespoons cooking oil
  • 1 cup diced ham , kielbasa sausage, or spam 
  • 1/2 cup frozen vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, &/or broccoli) 
  • 1 Tablespoon fish sauce
  • 2 teaspoons soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 large eggs , beaten

Instructions 

  • Heat a large non-stick pan over medium heat. Add the 2-3 Tablespoons of oil then add the diced meat and cook for about 1-2 minutes until seared. 
    cooking ham
  • Add the day-old rice and gently break up any large clumps of rice. 
    adding rice
  • Add the frozen vegetables and stir and cook for about 2 minutes or until rice is hot. 
    adding frozen vegetables
  • Drizzle 1 Tablespoon fish sauce, 2 teaspoons soy sauce, and sprinkle 1 teaspoon of garlic powder evenly over the rice. Stir to evenly incorporate.
    drizzling fish sauce
  • Pour the beaten eggs evenly over all the rice. Let the egg set for about 30 seconds before stirring. This will allow the egg to set and become fluffy.
    raw egg over fried rice
  • Keep stirring about every 30-45 seconds until the egg is fully set into the rice. 
    stirring fried rice
  • Serve the fried rice warm and enjoy! If you want the fried rice a little saltier, drizzle some additional soy sauce on top. 
    cooked fried rice

Video

Nutrition Information per Serving

Calories: 251kcal, Carbohydrates: 27g, Protein: 12g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 0.04g, Cholesterol: 108mg, Sodium: 940mg, Potassium: 139mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 1291IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 31mg, Iron: 1mg

Storing Leftovers

If you even have any leftover then you can definitely store it in the fridge for about 2 days. Beyond that I would freeze it and enjoy it for another week or even next month. Don’t wait too long because once the rice gets freezer burn, the texture and flavor isn’t the same.

Check our more of our easy recipes: