If you want the best Shrimp Fried Rice, you don’t have to order it from a restaurant. This recipe has crispy rice, egg, peas, carrots, and succulent shrimp. Plus, it has my secret ingredient that makes it taste like it came from a restaurant.
Shrimp fried rice is a classic and comforting one-pan meal that is quick and easy to make at home. It’s loaded with plump, juicy shrimp, tender rice, eggs, and vegetables sautéed in an umami-rich sauce. While shrimp fried rice is delicious all on its own, pairing it with complementary side dishes can take the meal to the next level.
When serving shrimp fried rice, you’ll want to find sides that add color, crunch, creaminess, acidity, or another texture to contrast with the soft, savory rice. The key is to pick dishes that don’t overwhelm the subtle flavors of the fried rice but rather enhance them. Here are 12 delicious ways to pair dishes and serve shrimp fried rice for a complete and balanced meal.
Best Vegetable Pairings for Shrimp Fried Rice
Sauteed Snow Peas
Snow peas sautéed in oil garlic and sesame oil make the perfect crunchy, fresh pairing for shrimp fried rice. Snow peas add fiber, vitamins, and a satisfying crispy texture that contrasts nicely with the tender rice grains. Toss them in the pan just until bright green to retain their crispness. The light, vegetal flavor won’t compete with the shrimp.
Stir Fried Bok Choy
For a super quick and easy veggie pairing, stir fry up some baby bok choy. The lightly cooked greens retain their crunch and add freshness, while the sauteed stems have a perfect crisp-tender bite. Toss chopped bok choy with minced garlic, salt, and pepper for a simple side dish that won’t distract from the shrimp fried rice.
Steamed Broccoli
Broccoli is a classic pairing with rice or stir fries. The bright green trees pair beautifully with shrimp fried rice. Steam florets just until tender and bright green, then toss with lemon juice and sesame seeds. The fresh, slightly bitter broccoli is the ideal balance for the rich, savory flavors of the fried rice.
Sauteed Bell Peppers
For a pop of color, saute red, yellow or orange bell peppers with sliced onions and garlic. Cook just until tender but still crisp. The sweet, slightly charred peppers make a great textural contrast and flavor complement to the rice. Add spices like red pepper flakes or cumin for more depth.
Best Starch and Grain Pairings
Fluffy Jasmine Rice
While shrimp fried rice is already loaded with rice, a bowl of simple steamed jasmine rice can be a nice accompaniment. The hot, fluffy rice soaks up any extra sauce and provides the perfect bland canvas for the flavorful fried rice. Cook up a pot of rice just before serving so it’s hot and perfect.
Garlic Bread
Crunchy, buttery garlic bread is a can’t-miss pairing for soaking up any leftover sauce or drippings from the shrimp fried rice For an easy shortcut, brush store-bought baguette halves or Texas toast with melted butter mixed with minced garlic, salt, Italian seasoning and parsley. Bake until golden brown
Corn on the Cob
Sweet summer corn on the cob makes the ultimate side dish for shrimp fried rice. Boil or grill corn cobs until tender, then slather with butter, lime juice, chili powder and cotija cheese for Mexican-inspired flavors. The natural corn sweetness perfectly balances the savory, salty flavors in the rice.
Fried Rice Noodles
For an fun twist on fried rice, try pan frying rice noodles with shrimp, eggs, peas, and carrots for contrasting flavors and textures. Rice noodles provide a springier, chewier texture compared to regular fried rice. Toss them in sauce and serve alongside the shrimp fried rice
Best Salad Pairings
Cucumber Salad
A cool, refreshing cucumber salad pairs nicely with hot shrimp fried rice. Simply toss thin sliced cucumbers with rice vinegar, sesame oil, red onion, and sesame seeds. The crisp cucumbers and acidic dressing cut through the rich flavors of the fried rice beautifully.
Crunchy Coleslaw
Creamy coleslaw adds a tasty crunch and acidity to balance out shrimp fried rice. Use a classic coleslaw recipe tossed with shredded cabbage, carrots, vinegar, mayo, salt, and pepper. You can even mix in shredded pineapple for a touch of sweetness. The tangy slaw cuts through the rice’s richness.
Asian Veggie Salad
For a fusion side, make an Asian veggie salad with cabbage, bell pepper, edamame, shredded carrot, peanuts, and chopped cilantro. Toss in a dressing of lime juice, sesame oil, rice vinegar, ginger, and garlic. The bright flavors and variety of textures pair wonderfully with shrimp fried rice.
Green Papaya Salad
Spicy Thai green papaya salad makes a fantastic pairing with shrimp fried rice. Toss shredded green papaya and carrots with lime, fish sauce, chili pepper, and peanuts. The intense flavors won’t compete with the rice but will add crunchy texture, tangy citrus, and spicy heat.
More Fun Pairings for Shrimp Fried Rice
Egg Rolls
It wouldn’t be a Chinese takeout-style meal without egg rolls! Keep it simple by using store-bought egg rolls and frying or baking until crispy. Homemade are even better if you have time. The crispy egg roll wrappers contrast the soft, steaming rice.
Miso Soup
A small bowl of miso soup makes a tasty starter before shrimp fried rice. The savory broth and soft tofu provide a comforting contrast in textures. Opt for a lighter miso soup without too many mix-ins so it doesn’t compete with the rice flavors.
Shrimp Tempura
For extra shrimp action, fry up some shrimp tempura to serve alongside the fried rice. The ultra crispy, light tempura batter lets the plump shrimp shine. Mix tempura shrimp with veggies for fun flavors and textures. Offer dipping sauces on the side.
Edamame
Boiled edamame pods make for easy protein-packed accompaniment. Provide small bowls for shelling the addictive green soybeans. The saltiness complements the seasoned fried rice. Or try using shelled edamame beans tossed in sesame oil and spices.
No matter what combination of sides you choose, serving shrimp fried rice family-style with an array of delicious pairings is sure to please a crowd. Mix and match different textures, flavors and colors to find your favorite complements to this versatile one-pan meal. With fluffy rice, plump shrimp, and fresh vegetables and sides, you can’t go wrong!
What to Serve with Shrimp Fried Rice
- Defrost Frozen Shrimp. If you are using frozen shrimp, let them thaw in the fridge the night before. If you forgot (guilty!), you can put a sealed bag of shrimp in a bowl of cold water for 20 to 30 minutes until they are defrosted. If you want to speed up the defrosting process, don’t use hot or warm water. This will mess up the shrimp because the outside will start to cook. ).
- Use Leftover Rice. You must use COLD rice that you have already cooked for great fried rice. You can use any kind of rice you like. I like long-grain brown rice, but most people like white rice like Jasmine and Basmati.
- Make Sure the Pan Is Hot. When cooking shrimp fried rice, keep an eye on how hot the pan is. It’s important to keep the pan hot, or you might steam the food instead of frying it.
- Know When the Shrimp Are Done. When making shrimp fried rice over medium-high heat, the shrimp cook very quickly. When shrimp are pink and no longer see-through, they are done cooking.
- Avoid Overcooking the Scrambled Eggs. Do not overcook the egg. Gently scramble them until they are just barely set.
How to Make Shrimp Fried Rice
- Shrimp. This, Shrimp Tacos, Garlic Butter Shrimp, Honey Walnut Shrimp, and other healthy shrimp recipes are all quick and easy ways to make dinner. I like to use frozen shrimp that has already been peeled because it’s easier to prepare and cheaper than fresh shrimp. Also, most shrimp in the grocery store was frozen before it was sold as “fresh.” You can choose to leave the tails on or take them off before cooking.
- Cornstarch. One way to make shrimp crispy is to coat them in cornstarch before cooking.
- Oil. A HOT wok is important for making great fried rice, so don’t use olive oil. Instead, use a cooking oil with a high smoke point. I recommend canola oil, grapeseed oil, or peanut oil.
- Green Onion. The white and green parts of the onion will both add color, a hint of onion flavor, and a little bite.
- Butter. The secret ingredient in Chinese fried rice is butter. You only need a little.
- Eggs. First, the egg is cooked slowly while the rice fries. At the end, it is stirred back in. To make fried rice without eggs, just leave them out of the recipe. For a similar texture, try adding Air Fryer Tofu.
- Rice. Do not use freshly cooked rice!
- Soy Sauce. A must-have in authentic Chinese shrimp fried rice. I suggest low-sodium soy sauce so the rice doesn’t get too salty and you can better manage its taste.
- Sesame Oil. A little of this powerful ingredient goes a long way. Sesame oil makes the soy sauce warmer and more interesting.
- Vegetables. If you want to make shrimp fried rice quickly during the week, use frozen mixed vegetables. They don’t even need to be thawed before cooking! I used a mix of carrots and peas, but you can use any mix of fresh and/or frozen vegetables you like.