Easy Shrimp Fried Rice That Tastes Better Than Takeout: It only takes 20 minutes, only needs one skillet, and you’ll never go back to ordering takeout again!! Making it yourself tastes WAY BETTER!! It has more flavor, isn’t greasy, and is full of tender shrimp!!
Shrimp fried rice is a delicious and versatile rice dish that is popular in many Asian cuisines. But what exactly does shrimp fried rice contain? In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the ingredients that go into making this flavorful fried rice.
Overview of Shrimp Fried Rice
Shrimp fried rice is a stir fried dish made with cooked rice shrimp vegetables, and eggs. It comes together quickly, making it a convenient meal to whip up with leftover rice. The dish has its origins in Chinese cuisine but has become popular throughout Asia and beyond.
Some of the defining features of shrimp fried rice include
- Fluffy, tender grains of rice
- Succulent, perfectly cooked shrimp
- Scrambled eggs
- Crisp, colorful vegetables
- Aromatic seasonings like garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil
The ingredients can be adapted based on preference, but a classic shrimp fried rice contains the following core components.
The Main Ingredients
Cooked Rice
Precooked, cold rice is the base of shrimp fried rice. Using chilled, day-old rice is ideal as it prevents the rice from getting mushy when stir-fried. Freshly cooked rice can still be used, but it should be spread out on a baking sheet and chilled in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before using.
Most traditional recipes call for long grain white rice, but brown rice, jasmine rice, basmati rice, or fried rice blends can also be used. The variety of rice will impact the texture and flavor of the finished dish.
Shrimp
Shrimp are the star ingredient and namesake of the dish. Both fresh and frozen shrimp work well, as long as they are peeled and deveined. Opt for raw shrimp rather than precooked, which can turn rubbery when stir-fried. Large or jumbo shrimp provide the best texture, but smaller shrimp can also be used.
Eggs
Lightly beaten eggs are scrambled into the rice, adding protein and giving the grains a subtly egg-flavored coating. Some cooks prefer to leave the eggs out for a vegan version.
Vegetables
The vegetable additions depend on preference, but common choices are carrots, peas, corn, bell peppers, bean sprouts, broccoli, mushrooms, spinach, snap peas, cabbage, and onions. Frozen mixed vegetable blends work well for convenience. Vegetables provide fiber, vitamins, and bright colors.
Green Onions
Green onions are almost always used as a garnish, lending a punch of color and flavor. Other garnishes can include sesame seeds, sliced scallions, cilantro, lime wedges, and chili oil.
Garlic
Minced garlic adds aromatic flavor to the dish. Ginger is also commonly used.
Soy Sauce
A splash of soy sauce provides salty umami flavor. Low sodium soy sauce helps keep the sodium level in check. Other possible seasoning ingredients are rice vinegar, sesame oil, oyster sauce, fish sauce, chili-garlic sauce, hoisin sauce, and teriyaki sauce.
Oil
Peanut, vegetable, canola, and sesame oil are all good choices for stir-frying. Butter can also be used for extra richness.
Optional Mix-Ins
Beyond the core ingredients, there are many fun add-ins that can be stirred into shrimp fried rice. Some popular options include:
- Diced ham, bacon, chicken, or pork
- Kimchi
- Diced pineapple, mango, or pineapple juice
- Chopped macadamia nuts, cashews, or peanuts
- Snap peas, edamame, or water chestnuts
- Bean sprouts
- Jicama
- Leftover veggies like zucchini, spinach, and peppers
- Fried shallots or onions
- Furikake
- Scrambled tofu instead of eggs
The possibilities are endless when it comes to creative adaptations of shrimp fried rice! It’s an extremely versatile dish.
How to Prepare Shrimp Fried Rice
While ingredients may vary, the basic method for making shrimp fried rice is fairly standard:
- Cook the rice a day in advance and chill completely. Cook the raw shrimp just until opaque.
- Heat oil in a wok or large skillet. Stir fry the veggies until tender crisp. Push veggies to the side.
- Scramble eggs in the cleared space then mix with veggies.
- Add chilled rice and shrimp. Toss everything together.
- Season with soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and other desired flavorings.
- Cook briefly until heated through, then serve garnished with green onions.
Prepping the ingredients ahead makes the cooking process much faster. The rice, shrimp, vegetables, and aromatics like garlic and ginger can all be prepped in advance.
With the ingredients ready to go, shrimp fried rice comes together in a flash. The key is using high heat and tossing everything constantly to prevent burning.
Nutrition Profile
The nutrition of shrimp fried rice depends on the specific ingredients used, but in general it provides:
- Protein from the shrimp and eggs
- Fiber, vitamins, and minerals from the vegetables
- Carbohydrates from the rice
- Healthy fats from oils and ingredients like nuts or avocado
- Lots of flavor from garlic, soy sauce, sesame, and ginger
Shrimp fried rice makes a balanced meal containing carbs, protein, and produce. Serving it with a side salad provides extra vitamins and minerals. Cauliflower rice or brown rice can be subbed in for a lower carb version.
Overall, shrimp fried rice is highly nutritious as well as delicious. It can be a healthy component of a varied diet when made with whole food ingredients.
Tips for Making the Best Shrimp Fried Rice
Here are some top tips for making restaurant-quality shrimp fried rice at home:
- Use day old, completely chilled rice. This prevents mushiness.
- Choose raw shrimp for the best texture after stir-frying.
- Cook the shrimp just until opaque, then set aside. Overcooking will cause rubbery shrimp.
- Use a skillet or wok and high heat to properly fry the rice and veggies.
- Add soy sauce, sesame oil, and other flavorings at the end.
- Toss constantly to evenly distribute ingredients and prevent burning.
- Don’t forget the garnishes like green onion, cilantro, and lime wedges. They add fresh flavor.
- Add other proteins like ham or chicken for extra heartiness.
- Swap cauliflower rice for a low carb alternative.
- Let diners customize with condiments like sriracha.
With cold rice, hot wok, fresh ingredients, and bold flavors, you’re sure to have a hit on your hands. Shrimp fried rice is a filling and fast weeknight meal the whole family will devour.
Common Questions
Is shrimp fried rice gluten free?
Yes, traditional shrimp fried rice is gluten-free. Be sure to use gluten-free soy sauce and avoid prepackaged fried rice seasoning packets, which may contain gluten.
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Absolutely! Thaw frozen shrimp in the fridge overnight and pat dry well before stir-frying.
Is takeout shrimp fried rice healthy?
Takeout versions may be higher in calories, sodium, and MSG. Making it at home allows control over the ingredients.
Can I use leftover rice?
Definitely, day old leftover rice is ideal. Just chill it thoroughly first.
Can I prep the ingredients ahead of time?
Yes, washing and chopping the produce and shrimp ahead cuts down on the cooking time.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, shrimp fried rice combines fluffy rice, plump shrimp, scrambled eggs, crisp veggies, and umami flavor. The ingredients list is flexible, so you can get creative and add your favorite flavors. Prepping the ingredients in advance allows this tasty fried rice to come together in just 20-30 minutes. Keep the tips above in mind for best results! With a little practice, you can make restaurant-worthy shrimp fried rice at home any night of the week.
How to Make Shrimp Fried Rice
Making better-than-takeout fried rice with shrimp is quick and easy! Here are the basic recipe steps:
- The shrimp and oils should be put in a large nonstick skillet. Cook over medium-high heat for about 3 minutes, flipping the shrimp over halfway through.
- With a slotted spoon, take the shrimp out of the pot and put them on a plate.
- Put in the corn, peas, and carrots. Cook for about two minutes, stirring every now and then, until the vegetables start to soften.
- Add the garlic, ginger, and cook until fragrant.
- Move the veggies to one side of the pan and add the eggs to the other. Scramble the eggs.
- Add the shrimp, rice, and green onions to the pan. Evenly drizzle with soy sauce and stir to combine.
- Cook just until the shrimp are reheated.
If you don’t want to cook a lot of rice or don’t have any left over, use two pouches of ready-to-serve rice to save time. It works great! I don’t even thaw the frozen peas, carrots, and corn that are mixed in with the rice.
Feel free to add edamame, bean sprouts, mushrooms or whatever floats your fried rice boat.
I like fresh shrimp from the butcher because I think it tastes better, but if you need to save time, you can use frozen shrimp that has already been cooked. Just let it thaw and add it to the pan at the very end of the cooking time.
Since this homemade fried rice is made with shrimp, I recommend eating it immediately. Shrimp doesn’t reheat well in my opinion (it often becomes rubbery and dries out).
But if you have extras, you can keep them in the fridge for up to 5 days in a container that won’t let air in. Enjoy the fried rice cold, or reheat it in a lightly oiled skillet. Avoid the microwave if possible because that will turn the shrimp rubbery.
Shrimp Fried Rice Ingredients
For this easy homemade shrimp fried rice recipe, you’ll need:
- Sesame oil
- Vegetable oil
- Fresh shrimp
- Frozen peas and carrots
- Frozen corn
- Garlic
- Ground ginger
- Eggs
- Cooked rice
- Green onions
- Low-sodium soy sauce
- Salt and pepper
Note: Head down to the recipe card part of the post for a list of ingredients with amounts and full instructions.
