This Fried Jasmine Rice is my favorite way to use up leftover steamed jasmine rice from the day before. It’s quick, easy, and incredibly versatile. A splash of Chinese chili oil (Lao Gan Ma) adds a tasty kick that makes it even better.
Why you will love this Fried Jasmine Rice
We all have our favorite ways to tackle a fridge full of leftovers. For me, it’s a toss-up between spring rolls and fried rice.
While a platter of rice paper rolls is perfect for sharing with family, fried rice is my go-to solo meal.
Some of my favorites are Kimchi Fried Rice, Yangzhou Fried Rice and SPAM Fried Rice. This jasmine fried rice is a versatile recipe that you can adapt to whatever you have on hand.
Ingredients
Steamed Jasmine Rice: One-day-old chilled rice works best for fried rice.
Protein: Sausages, ham, cooked chicken, cooked shrimp, char siu pork, canned tuna—anything you have. Today, I used German sausage, but sometimes I use Chả Lụa (Vietnamese pork sausage).
Canned/Cooked Vegetables (Optional): I used canned carrots and green peas. You can also use canned corn, baby corn, cooked edamame, chopped onions or bean sprouts.
Seasonings: Soy sauce, fish sauce, chicken powder—use whatever you have on hand.
Spicy (Optional): Chinese chili oil (I used Lao Gan Ma today) or Vietnamese lemongrass chili oil.
Garlic: Garlic is always a must-have for fried rice. If you have fried garlic on hand, add it—it really makes a difference.
Instructions
Prepare the ingredients: Dice the protein and cooked vegetables. If you’re using canned vegetables, drain them first. Tose the rice with cooking oil (for every 3 cups of cooked rice, I use 1/2 tablespoon of cooking oil ).
Fry the rice:
- In a skillet, heat some cooking oil and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant. Fry the sausages, ham, or Chả Lụa until they turn crispy. Add the cooked rice and cook on medium-high heat. Add other protein you’re using. Season with soy sauce, fish sauce, or chicken powder, and chili oil to taste.
- Add the canned vegetables or bean sprouts if using. Toss everything together and cook until the rice dries out and crisps up.
Serve: Give the fried rice a final seasoning to taste and enjoy!
Helpful Tips
Cook in small batches: Only prepare one or two portions at a time to ensure even cooking.
Quick options: When I’m in a hurry, I use my microwave jasmine rice or Instant Pot jasmine rice recipes. If I’m planning ahead, I make extra rice specifically for fried rice.
Cook on high heat: This ensures the rice and veggies fry and brown properly, avoiding the rice steaming in the pan instead of frying.
Season lightly: Since soy sauce, fish sauce, and chicken powder can vary in sodium content, start with less and adjust to taste at the end.
Easy Fried Rice Variations
For a more elevated experience, try these international fried rice variations:
Char Siu Fried Rice: Fried Rice with Chinese BBQ pork.
Cơm Chiên: Vietnamese Fried Rice
Cơm Đỏ: Vietnamese Red Fried Rice
Thai Pineapple Fried Rice
Thai Tom Yum Fried Rice
Korean Bulgogi Fried Rice
More Asian Rice Recipes
(Vietnamese Sticky Rice with Chinese Sausages)
Simple Jasmine Fried Rice (Quick & Easy)
Ingredients
- 3 cup steamed Jasmine rice (one-day-old chilled rice works best)
- ½ tbsp cooking oil (to mix with rice)
- ½ cup diced sausages (ham, cooked chicken…)
- ½ cup canned/cooked veggies (drained)
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- Soy sauce (fish sauce, chicken powder) (to your taste)
- Chili oil (optional) (to your taste)
- 1 tbsp cooking oil
Instructions
- Cut the protein and veggies into small pieces.
- Toss the jasmine rice with cooking oil.
- In a skillet, heat some cooking oil and sauté minced garlic until it turns fragrant. Optionally, fry the sausages, ham, or Chả Lụa until crispy.
- Add the cooked rice and fry it over medium-high heat. Add any other proteins you have. Season with soy sauce, fish sauce, chicken powder, and chili oil to taste.
- Add the diced veggies or bean sprouts, if using. Toss everything together and cook until the rice dries out and crisps up.
- Season the fried rice to taste, and enjoy!
