Unlocking the Secret to Perfect Shrimp Fried Rice
When you’re craving a flavorful, hearty meal that comes together quickly, shrimp fried rice is an excellent choice This versatile rice dish loaded with plump shrimp, scrambled eggs, and crisp veggies has become a go-to weeknight staple for many home cooks
But achieving the ideal texture and flavor in shrimp fried rice can be tricky. Overcooked rice turns to mush, under-seasoned rice is bland, and clumsy wok technique can lead to uneven cooking.
After making countless batches while tweaking my method, I’ve dialed in a foolproof recipe for homemade shrimp fried rice that’s better than takeout. Read on for my tips and step-by-step method to learn how to make flawless shrimp fried rice at home.
Shrimp Fried Rice Ingredients
To make great shrimp fried rice, you’ll need:
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Cooked, chilled white rice. Day-old rice works best, but you can also freeze rice in advance to use later. Short or medium grain jasmine or sushi rice are ideal choices, but any cooked white rice will do.
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Raw peeled shrimp, either thawed from frozen or fresh. Medium shrimp work perfectly.
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Eggs, scrambled with a splash of soy sauce or fish sauce.
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Thinly sliced protein like chicken, pork, ham, or sausage (optional).
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Diced vegetables like carrots, onions, peas, corn, etc. Frozen veggie mixes work well too.
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Minced garlic and ginger. These lay the flavor foundation.
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Soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and white pepper for seasoning.
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Green onion, lime wedges, and Sriracha for serving.
Keys to Perfecting Shrimp Fried Rice Texture:
Nailing the texture of shrimp fried rice relies on a few key steps:
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Use properly chilled, firm rice. Rice needs to be thoroughly chilled or it will turn mushy once cooked.
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Cook rice and other ingredients in batches. Crowding the wok steams rather than fries.
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Work quickly over very high heat. This helps rice crisp up instead of absorbing excess moisture.
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Don’t overmix once all ingredients are combined. You want separate, distinct grains of rice.
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Adjust sauce amounts based on preferences. Less sauce = drier, fluffier rice.
Step-By-Step Method for Shrimp Fried Rice:
Follow these steps for foolproof shrimp fried rice:
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Prep all ingredients – Cook, chill, and chop the rice. Thaw, peel, and chop shrimp. Prep and slice vegetables. Measure seasonings.
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Cook shrimp – Heat 1 Tbsp oil in wok over high heat. Add shrimp and cook 1-2 minutes until pink. Remove shrimp to a plate.
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Cook eggs – Add a bit more oil to wok if needed. Scramble eggs, remove from wok.
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Cook veggies – Add a bit more oil and stir fry veggies until tender-crisp. Remove veggies from wok.
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Cook rice – Add another Tbsp oil to the wok if needed. Fry chilled rice for 2-3 minutes, breaking up any clumps.
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Add shrimp and eggs back – Return cooked shrimp, veggies, and scrambled egg to the wok. Gently mix everything together.
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Season – Add your sauce mixture – soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, pepper, etc. Mix briefly to coat.
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Adjust seasoning and serve – Taste and adjust seasoning as desired. Serve shrimp fried rice immediately, garnished with green onions, lime wedges, etc.
Tips to Upgrade Your Shrimp Fried Rice:
Amp up the flavor and nutrition in your shrimp fried rice with any of these easy add-ins:
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Stir in a bag of mixed frozen vegetables like carrots, peas, corn, green beans, etc. This adds color and savings.
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Add diced pan-fried spam, sausage, ham or bacon. The salty savoriness enhances flavor.
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Mix in leftover cooked chicken, beef, or pork for extra protein and fullness.
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Top with a fried egg, either mixed in or kept runny on top. Egg yolk richness is amazing.
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Swirl in chili crisp oil or drizzle with chili oil and toasted sesame oil. This adds some heat.
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Garnish with chopped peanuts, cashews, or toasted sesame seeds for crunch.
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Add minced fresh herbs like cilantro, basil, or mint near the end for brightness.
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Swap regular soy sauce for mushroom or coconut aminos for a flavor twist.
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Stir in gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes) for subtle heat and color.
Make-Ahead & Storage Tips for Shrimp Fried Rice:
Shrimp fried rice is definitely best eaten freshly made. But you can prepare components in advance:
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Cook, chill, and chop rice up to 5 days ahead. Freeze rice in meal-sized portions.
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Chop raw veggies and store in bags or containers in the fridge for a few days.
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Measure out sauce ingredients in a jar or container to have on hand.
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Fully cooked, cooled shrimp fried rice will keep for 3 to 5 days in the fridge. Reheat portions in a skillet with a bit of oil.
Easy Variations to Change Up Your Shrimp Fried Rice Game:
Once you master the basics, try these fun ways to change up shrimp fried rice:
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Make it vegetarian by using extra veggies and tofu instead of shrimp.
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For pineapple fried rice, mix in diced pineapple and red bell pepper.
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Korean-style shrimp fried rice uses kimchi and gochujang paste for flavor.
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For egg fried rice, scramble extra eggs with the rice and skip the shrimp.
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Burrito bowls are easy – serve shrimp fried rice in bowls and top with avocado, salsa, etc.
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Add some heat by sautéing thinly sliced fresh chilies with the garlic and ginger.
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For an Italian twist, use arborio rice and season with parsley and Parm.
Shrimp Fried Rice Frequently Asked Questions:
If you’re new to making shrimp fried rice, you may be wondering:
Can I use freshly cooked rice?
For the best texture, shrimp fried rice needs to be made with chilled, firm rice. Freshly cooked rice is too soft. For faster chilling, spread rice on a sheet pan to cool.
Should I thaw shrimp before cooking?
Yes, shrimp needs to be fully thawed before adding to the wok to ensure even cooking. Thaw in the fridge overnight or in cold water for 30 minutes.
What if I can’t find short grain rice?
Any variety of white rice will work! Long grain jasmine and basmati rice are also commonly used. Just reduce sauce a bit since they absorb less.
Do I need a wok to make fried rice?
While a wok is ideal, you can make great shrimp fried rice in any large nonstick skillet or sauté pan. Use high heat and cook in batches.
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Brown rice tends to clump together and can overwhelm the other ingredients. Best to stick to chilled white rice varieties.
What protein can I use if I don’t eat shrimp?
Chicken, pork, or extra firm tofu all make great replacements for the shrimp!
I’m sold on making shrimp fried rice at home after learning the secrets to perfecting this takeout classic. With flavorful, properly chilled rice, hot wok technique, and crisp vegetables, you can easily achieve restaurant-quality results. Adjust the proteins and seasonings to suit your tastes. Enjoy this fast, tasty meal any night of the week!
Tips for the Best Shrimp Fried Rice
- Put in white pepper. White pepper is milder than black pepper, and it’s often used in Asian cooking and light desserts. It also coats the shrimp better when it’s finely ground.
- Use Old, Chilled Rice: For this recipe, don’t use warm, freshly cooked rice. Fried rice has wet grains that are easier to separate. If you mix freshly cooked rice with other things, it might get mushy and lumpy.
- Use Toasted Sesame Oil. You can make this recipe with just soy sauce if you don’t want to, but the oil will make it taste better. This recipe tastes just like Chinese takeout because it uses dark toasted sesame oil.
- Swap the veggies. You can change the vegetables if you don’t like them. You can add corn, cabbage, green beans, or even snow peas that have been diced. Whatever you heart desires really.
- Use a different protein. Shrimp isn’t your only option here. If you don’t want meat, you can cook up diced chicken, pork, ground beef, or big mushrooms.
The Best Homemade Shrimp Fried Rice Recipe
Let’s be real, it’s not a complete Chinese takeout dinner without a side of fried rice. I love making cauliflower fried rice because it’s low in carbs, but this shrimp fried rice is the best. It’s the perfect balance of diced veggies, scrambled eggs, rice, and juicy, wok-seared shrimp.
You can serve this as a side if you’ve got plenty of other dishes on the table. Yes, it’s that good, but a big bowl of shrimp fried rice is enough for me on its own. Once you get the urge to make Asian food at home, this recipe will always satisfy your hunger!
How to make Shrimp Fried Rice | The best Chinese fried rice with shrimp / prawn
How do you cook shrimp in fried rice?
If you are using smaller shrimp, or like larger shrimp in your fried rice, then you can skip this step. Coat the Shrimp with Starch: Add ½ teaspoon cornstarch to the shrimp and gently mix it by hand until everything is coated. Heat the Pan and Add Oil: Set a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, add a bit of oil to it.
How do you cook fried shrimp?
Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes or until no longer pink. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add white onion and peas and carrots and fry until tender. Slide the onion, peas and carrots to the side, and pour the beaten eggs onto the other side.
What ingredients do you need to make shrimp fried rice?
These are the ingredients you’ll need to make this shrimp fried rice recipe: Oils: This shrimp fried rice recipe starts with a mix of olive oil and sesame oil. Shrimp: A pound of peeled and deveined shrimp should be enough to make four servings. Frozen vegetables: Frozen peas, frozen carrots, and frozen corn add color and nutrients.
How do you cook a fried rice?
Using a spatula, scramble the eggs, once cooked mix the eggs with the vegetable mix. Rice: Add the rice and shrimp to the veggie and egg mixture. Finish: Pour the soy sauce and another Tablespoon of sesame oil on top. Stir and fry the rice and vegetable mixture until heated through and combined. Add chopped green onions if desired.