Better Than Takeout Fried Rice

Queue the music - “This is my meal, I call it girl dinner. GIRRRRLLL DINNERRR”

Back when I lived on my own, this was my go-to meal whenever I didn’t feel like cooking. It’s technically a side dish, but honestly, it hits all the right notes: quick, tasty, and satisfying. The best part? You only need a handful of ingredients, and it comes together in minutes.

Don’t worry if you don’t have fresh vegetables on hand, frozen veggies work just as well. This is one of those dishes you can throw together without stress, and it always feels a little cozy and indulgent.

Whether you call it a lazy night dinner, a snack turned meal, a side dish, or the ultimate girl dinner, this recipe is proof that simple really can be delicious.

Fried rice with peas and carrots in a pan with a wooden spoon, garnished with chopped green onions.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups day old rice (cold rice works best)

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 1 large egg (lightly beaten)

  • ½ cup frozen peas (no need to thaw)

  • ½ cup chopped carrots (fresh or frozen)

  • 1 green onion (sliced, both white and green parts)

  • 1 garlic clove (minced)

  • 2 ½ tablespoons soy sauce

  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil (I typically measure with the heart, so feel free to add more or less depending on preference!)

Fried rice with peas and carrots in a pan

Instructions

  1. Let’s chop up our veggies. Peel and chop your carrots into square chunks, finely chop your garlic clove, and if you’re lazy like me grab a pair of scissors and “snip” up your green onion. Set ‘em to the side for later!

  2. In a large pan, heat 1 tbsp of olive oil, then stir in your carrots, garlic, and peas. Cooking for about 2-3 minutes until your carrots are tender and garlic becomes fragrant.

  3. Push your veggies to the side of the pan and drizzle in about a tbsp more of olive oil into the empty space.

  4. Take your egg and crack it in a small bowl, season with salt and pepper, and then whisk. Once fully combined, pour it into the empty space on your pan.

  5. Scramble your egg, once it's cooked to your liking add in your rice. Stir to combine all ingredients.

  6. While your rice starts to heat up, let’s add in our soy sauce and sesame oil. Give your rice another good mixing, at this point your rice should have a brown color to it.

  7. Once fully heated, you’re ready to enjoy!

  8. Plate your rice and garnish with green onion.

Equipment

Buy on Walmart

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