Beginner-Friendly Egg Fried Rice
pan chinese cuisine
This is a home-style fried rice designed for beginners, using day-old rice mixed with egg before frying. The recipe makes two servings; the author notes scallions are the preferred garnish but lettuce works well when scallions aren't on hand.
Marisol VegaFirst-gen Mexican American mom of three trying to finally write down my abuela's recipes before I forget them. Slow-cooked pozole Sunday regular here. Ask me about mole shortcuts!Questions & feedback
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Nutrition & allergens
Contains:EggSoyWheat
Some ingredients are not yet allergen-surveyed; this label is not exhaustive.
Per serving (2 servings)
- Energy (kcal)
- Unknown
- Protein (g)
- Unknown
- Fat (g)
- Unknown
- Carbs (g)
- Unknown
- Sodium (mg)
- Unknown
Estimated from verified ingredient data for the original formula — not lab values, and one dish is not a full meal.
egg鸡蛋
6.0 piece
2.0 piece
lettuce生菜
6.0 slice
jing mi fan粳米饭
12.7 oz
salt盐
to taste
to taste
Techniques you'll use
- Stir-frying ↗
Cook small pieces in stages, then bring them together while their textures are distinct.
- Day-old rice pan-frying ↗
Toss chilled rice over high heat so every grain fries separately.
Steps
- 1
Step 1
Prep the ingredients: chop the lettuce, dice the ham sausage, and beat two of the eggs — they don't need to be fully beaten.
✅ Done when: The lettuce is chopped, the ham is diced, and the two eggs are lightly beaten.
- 2
Step 2
Crack the remaining egg into the leftover rice.
✅ Done when: The raw egg sits on top of the rice, ready to be mixed in.
- 3
Step 3
Put on a disposable glove and squeeze the egg and rice together until evenly combined, so every grain of rice is coated in egg.
✅ Done when: The rice grains are evenly coated with egg with no streaks of unmixed egg remaining.
Heat a generous amount of oil in the pan and let it get very hot, then add the beaten egg and stir-fry quickly, breaking it into small pieces.
✅ Done when: The egg is cooked through and broken into small curds.
Remove the cooked egg from the pan. Add more oil, then add the diced ham sausage and stir-fry for a few moments (it may sizzle and pop).
✅ Done when: The ham pieces are heated through and lightly sizzling.
Add the day-old rice and stir-fry it with the ham. Use the spatula to press and break up any clumps of rice. Keep stir-frying for a while — drying out the moisture makes it taste better.
✅ Done when: The rice has no clumps left and is drier and looser in texture.
Season with salt and light soy sauce and continue to stir-fry until evenly mixed.
✅ Done when: The seasoning is evenly distributed and the rice is uniformly colored.
Add the cooked egg back to the pan and continue stir-frying.
✅ Done when: The egg pieces are evenly distributed through the rice.
Add the chopped lettuce and stir-fry. The author recommends chopped scallions here instead of lettuce, but lettuce also tastes good.
✅ Done when: The lettuce is wilted and evenly mixed into the rice.
- 10
Step 10
It's even better with scallions added. The dish is ready to serve.
✅ Done when: The fried rice is fully combined and hot, ready to plate.