Chinese shrimp fried rice is a classic Chinese takeout dish that is easy to recreate at home. With just a few simple ingredients like shrimp rice eggs, soy sauce, and vegetables, you can make restaurant-quality shrimp fried rice.
The beauty of this recipe is that it’s highly customizable to your taste and ingredients you have on hand. Follow the basic method below and experiment with different add-ins like chicken, pork, or extra veggies. The end result is a flavorful, aromatic, and satisfying one-pan meal.
Ingredients Needed
- Shrimp – Fresh or frozen shrimp works well. Thaw frozen shrimp if using.
- Cooked rice – Make sure it’s thoroughly cooled before frying. Day old rice works best.
- Eggs – Scrambled eggs add protein.
- Green onions – For flavor and crunch.
- Soy sauce – For salty umami flavor.
- Oil – For stir frying. Vegetable, canola, peanut, or sesame oil will work.
- Garlic – Minced or grated for flavor.
- Ginger – Grated for flavor (optional).
- Salt and pepper – For seasoning.
- Sesame oil – For added flavor (optional).
Vegetables (pick and choose)
- Carrots – Julienned or sliced into thin matchsticks.
- Peas – Thawed if frozen.
- Corn – Thawed if frozen.
- Bean sprouts
- Celery – Thinly sliced.
- Red bell pepper – Julienned or cut into strips.
- Snow peas, snap peas, broccoli
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these easy steps to make restaurant-quality shrimp fried rice at home.
1. Prepare the Ingredients
- Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat dry. Peel and devein if necessary. Season with salt and pepper.
- Beat 2 or 3 eggs in a bowl. Set aside.
- Drain cooked rice if necessary and spread out on a sheet tray to cool completely.
- Prep the vegetables. Slice, julienne, or dice the veggies into small pieces. Keep each one separate.
- Mince the garlic and grate the ginger if using.
- Slice the green onions, separating the green and white portions.
- Measure out the soy sauce.
2. Cook the Eggs
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Pour in the eggs and scramble until lightly cooked but still wet.
- Transfer eggs to a plate and set aside.
3. Cook the Shrimp
- Heat another tablespoon of oil in the wok over high heat.
- Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink.
- Remove shrimp from the wok and set aside with the eggs.
4. Stir Fry the Vegetables
- Add another drizzle of oil to the wok if needed.
- Add the hardest veggies first like carrots and celery. Stir fry for 1 minute.
- Add softer veggies like bean sprouts and peppers. Stir fry for another minute.
- Add the garlic and ginger and stir fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Add the Rice
- Give the veggies a toss to mix.
- Add the cooled rice to the wok.
- Use a metal spatula to break up any large clumps.
6. Mix Everything Together
- Push the rice out to the sides of the wok to clear a space in the center.
- Add a drizzle of oil, then add the eggs, shrimp and green onion whites.
- Stir to evenly mix throughout the rice until heated through, about 2-3 minutes.
7. Season and Finish
- Stir in the soy sauce and a pinch of sesame oil if desired.
- Taste and add more soy sauce if needed.
- Garnish with more green onions.
Tips for Making Perfect Shrimp Fried Rice
- Use day old, completely cooled rice. This prevents mushiness.
- Don’t overload the wok. Cook ingredients in batches if needed.
- Stir fry over high heat for best flavor.
- Add soy sauce at the end rather than stir frying it to avoid excessive saltiness.
- For more protein, add diced chicken, pork or extra shrimp.
- For vegetarian fried rice, use cubed firm tofu instead of shrimp.
- Customize with your favorite veggies like broccoli, mushrooms or zucchini.
- Garnish with extra green onions, sesame seeds or chili oil.
FAQs
Can I use fresh rice?
It’s best to use day old rice that has been chilled completely Freshly cooked rice may turn mushy when stir fried,
What if I don’t have all the veggies listed?
The veggies can be customized based on what you have on hand. Bell peppers, onion, broccoli and mushrooms also work well.
Do I need a wok to make this?
While a wok is ideal for stir frying a large non-stick skillet will also work. Use high heat and stir often.
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes, thawed frozen shrimp can be used. Make sure they are dried thoroughly to prevent splattering.
Can I use brown rice instead?
Yes, you can substitute brown rice. Just make sure it’s completely cooled before stir frying. The texture may be a bit chewier.
The Ideal Shrimp For Fried Rice
Generally, fresh catches of the day are best in terms quality. But often times, they can be expensive and not everyone lives close to a coastline. That’s why I’m all for grabbing a bag of wild frozen shrimp for this recipe.
Either way, look for medium-sized shrimp that are peeled, deveined, and with tails removed. The more they are pre-prepped, the easier (and faster) it will be to make this shrimp fried rice!.
How To Make Shrimp Fried Rice
This recipe moves quickly, so make sure to have all of your ingredients prepped and ready to go!
Prep and cook the shrimp. First, toss the shrimp with salt and pepper in a bowl. Then let’s get to cooking. Heat some avocado oil in your wok or skillet and add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, then 30 seconds on the other side. Transfer the shrimp to a plate.
Cook the veggies. If your pan is a bit dry, add another tablespoon of oil. Stir-fry the onion, white parts of the green onion, garlic, and ginger until fragrant. Then add the frozen carrots and peas, and stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes, until they’re warmed through.
Cook the eggs and stir-fry everything together. Set the vegetables aside and quickly scramble the eggs until they are soft. Then add the eggs to the vegetables and mix them together. Add the rice, shrimp, soy sauce and sesame oil to the pan, then stir-fry everything until well combined. Stir in the green onions for the final touch.