Making this Panda Express fried rice recipe is so simple, yet so tasty and hearty! Better than takeout and pairs well with most dishes - not just Chinese-inspired foods.
All you need is a handful of ingredients, including eggs, cooked rice, oil, scallions or green onions, and frozen mixed vegetables.
Note that you can also use canned mixed vegetables if that's what you have on hand - just make sure to drain the liquid before adding.
What You'll Need
2 eggs (large)
¼ teaspoon salt, more to taste
¼ teaspoon black pepper, more to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil (or oil of choice)
1 tablespoon sesame oil (don't substitute - adds flavor)
1 cup mixed vegetables, frozen or canned (I used peas and carrots) (if using canned, drain before adding)
3 cups cooked rice
â…“ cup green onions (or scallions)
1 tablespoon soy sauce (more to taste)
Making an Easy Fried Rice
First, you will cook your rice. Follow the package directions on the rice you use. The rice varieties I use typically take about 45 minutes, so allow for this time when making this recipe.
I used a short grain brown rice (Lundberg brand) for this recipe. It has a nice nutty flavor that's not overpowering, but not bland either.
Other Lundberg rice varieties I love include their Volcano rice and Jubilee rice.
You can use whatever rice you have on hand, as this recipe is very adaptable and forgiving. More short-grain rice varieties can be found on Amazon.
When the rice is almost done, you will heat a non-stick or heavy skillet to low-medium heat. I like to use my Lodge cast iron skillet.
While pan is heating, you will beat the eggs with added salt and pepper in a small bowl until well blended.
The oils will be added to the hot pan next. Don't skimp on using the sesame oil, as it will add some great flavor.
If you don't have it and can't get any, you can just substitute another oil (just be aware that the flavor won't be as rich).
You could also consider adding a bit of extra soy sauce to make up for the lack of sesame oil.
Note that you can get sesame oil on Amazon here.
You will then scramble the eggs until firm but still soft. Add peas and carrots, stir, and cover for 5 minutes.
Final step is to add the cooked rice, scallions, and soy sauce to the egg and vegetable mixture and stir to incorporate.
Cover to heat through for a few minutes, making sure that the mixture isn't too hot that it will stick to the pan bottom.
Uncover, serve hot, and enjoy this Panda Express Fried Rice with all your favorite main entrees!
Goes with practically anything but can also be eaten all by itself for a light lunch or dinner.
Pairs well with my Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken and my Panda Express Mushroom Chicken recipes.
📋 Recipe
Panda Express Fried Rice
Ingredients
- 2 eggs (large)
- ¼ teaspoon salt, more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper, more to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (or oil of choice)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil (don't substitute - adds flavor)
- 1 cup mixed vegetables, frozen or canned (I used peas and carrots) (if using canned, drain before adding)
- 3 cups cooked rice
- â…“ cup green onions (or scallions)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (more to taste)
Instructions
- Heat a non-stick or heavy skillet (I like cast iron) to low-medium heat (about 3-4).
- While pan is heating, beat the eggs with added salt and pepper in a small bowl until well blended.
- Add oils to hot pan and coat bottom of pan.
- Add eggs to the pan and scramble (stirring and moving around the pan as the egg cooks).
- When eggs are firm but still soft, reduce heat to low (1-2). Add peas and carrots, stir, and cover for 5 minutes.
- Add cooked rice, scallions, and soy sauce to the egg and vegetable mixture and stir to incorporate. Cover to heat through for a few minutes, making sure that the mixture isn't too hot that it will stick to the pan bottom.
- Uncover and serve hot.
Nutrition
Don't Forget to Pin For Later!
David Micetic
Hi Sally. As you said, you like to ad-lib your recipes, so I'm hoping you ca forgive me for not following your recipe exactly, but instead using it a a guide, a base if you will. I woke up at 12:30 am, so running to the store wasn't an option. I had some leftover rice in the fridge to find a use for, and I love fried rice. I didn't have peas & carrots, but I had some steamed broccoli, so there was my veggie, and I had some leftover shrimp scampi. Again, 12:30am, I wasn't going out in search of peas & carrots. I used some of the scampi oil with olive oil for the eggs, and cut the shrimp into 3/4 inch slices. Thank you for making my first attempt at fried rice a success.
Sally
David - I love that you felt free to ad-lib my recipe - I would always encourage this! Thank you so much for letting me know how you changed it up - sounds delicious!
Toni
This is so good!! Perfect for a quick meal!
Sally
Thanks Toni - we love it too!
Nart at Cooking with Nart
Looks delicious! I love a good simple yet delicious fried rice for dinner when I'm busy during the week!
Sally
It is so quick and easy, Nart! Give it a go!
Farah
I love fried rice and never knew it was so easy! So going to try this and your Panda express kung pao chicken recipe- perfect pairing!
Sally
Thanks Farah! I couldn't agree more - they are perfect together!
veenaazmanov
Such dishes are always my family favorite. Love that it is tasty and healthy too with all the veggies and flavors.
Sally
Yes Veena - total win!
Anjali
I love fried rice and this recipe totally felt like recreating one of my favorite takeout dishes at home! So good!
Sally
Thanks Anjali! We agree - so easy and so good!