The Best Garlic Fried Rice
You will not be able to resist this garlic fried rice with crisp, pan-fried savory rice and fragrant fresh garlic simmered in oil. You can easily add your protein of choice to this recipe to make it a full meal!
What you’ll love about this recipe:
This is may be my favorite rice recipe so far…thanks to that garlic. If you don’t know me, I’m a garlic lover (check out my 40 Clove Garlic Pasta!). I love that buttery, savory, and slightly sweet flavor garlic gets when it’s cooked. This garlic rice will NOT disappoint!
If you love fried rice, you need to try my popular Mango Fried Rice with juicy, vibrant mango pieces!
Ingredients
Ingredient notes:
- Day-old rice: I highly recommend using day-old rice Jasmine rice for this recipe because it’s less mushy and wet. Day old rice kernels are dryer and will fry better to create a tastier fried rice.
- Fresh garlic: This will add SO much flavor to this recipe! You need about 12 cloves, but feel free to adjust to your liking. I love garlic, so I tend to add more – hence why I have so many garlic recipes – like my Garlic Lemon Herb Potatoes…yum!
- Neutral oil: A neutral oil works best for this recipe such as canola, vegetable, or grapeseed so that the oil flavor does not overpower the recipe.
See recipe card for full ingredient list and quantities.
How to Make Garlic Fried Rice
Step 1: In a large wok or pan, heat neutral oil over MEDIUM heat and add chopped garlic. Cook for a few minutes until the garlic is golden brown.
Step 2: Add your diced green onions and cook for 1 minute until softened and fragrant.
▶︎At this point you can remove a small portion of garlic/green onion for garnish topping, if desired.
Step 3: Add in your day-old rice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil and pinch of salt. Stir until fully combined. Turn heat up to HIGH.
Cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally (let the bottom rest for a minute so it can crisp up). You should notice some of the rice starting to brown slightly.
Step 5: Serve your fried rice warm with optional garnish. I like to add some of the pre-cooked garlic and onion but you could also add fresh cilantro, green onion, red pepper flakes, and more.
Serve your garlic fried rice with some delicious tofu to add more protein!
–Crispy Asian Tofu (Air Fryer)
–Sticky Tofu
–Lemon Pepper Tofu
❓Recipe FAQs
Add in extra veggies (like chopped carrots, mushrooms, spinach, etc) or a bag of frozen mixed veggies. I also love to add in chickpeas, white beans, or tofu for some extra protein. Add some spice with the addition of sriracha or chili garlic paste.
While day-old rice is typically preferred for fried rice as it tends to have a drier texture, you can use freshly cooked rice for garlic fried rice. Just ensure it’s cooled slightly before using to prevent it from becoming mushy. You can also spread freshly cooked rice on a baking sheet and let it cool in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to remove excess moisture before using it for fried rice.
To store leftover garlic fried rice, let it cool completely at room temperature. Then transfer it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When reheating, you can use a microwave or skillet until heated through. Make sure to stir it occasionally to ensure even heating.
You can also freeze it. Frozen fried rice can last for up to 1-2 months in the freezer.
The best type of rice for fried rice is long-grain rice, such as jasmine rice or basmati rice. These varieties have a firm texture and remain separate when cooked, making them ideal for fried rice. I personally love the flavor of jasmine rice for this recipe.
Pro Tips
- Make the BEST rice: The best fried rice starts with properly cooked rice. Cook your Jasmine rice the day before, if possible. Not sure how to cook the best rice? Check out this post on how to cook jasmine rice!
- Finish with a pop of color and flavor: Garnish the fried rice with chopped green onions, cilantro, or toasted sesame seeds for a pop of freshness and flavor. I love to save a little bit of the crisp garlic and onion for topping too.
- Cook at the proper temp: Make sure to cook over HIGH HEAT for the crispiest fried rice.
- Add some fixings: Make this recipe more like a “stir fry” with the addition of pan-fried veggies and/or a protein.
Craving more? Try out this bulgur and vermicelli pilaf from Plant-Based Folk!
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The Best Garlic Fried Rice
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Equipment
- 1 large pan (non-stick)
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp neutral oil such as grapeseed, avocado, canola, or vegetable
- 12 cloves roughly chopped garlic*
- 1/4 cup diced green onions (white + light green part) plus more for garnish
- 4 cups day-old cooked jasmine rice*
- 1 tbsp soy sauce add more to taste
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- In a large wok or pan, heat neutral oil over MEDIUM heat and add chopped garlic. Cook for a few minutes until the garlic starts to turn golden.2 tbsp neutral oil, 12 cloves roughly chopped garlic*
- Add in your diced green onions to the garlic and cook for 1 minute until softened and fragrant.*At this point you can remove a small portion of garlic/green onion for garnish topping, if desired.1/4 cup diced green onions (white + light green part)
- Add in your day-old rice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil and pinch of salt. Stir until fully combined. Turn heat up to HIGH.4 cups day-old cooked jasmine rice*, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp rice vinegar, pinch of salt, 1 tsp sesame oil
- Cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally (let the bottom rest for a minute so it can crisp up). You should notice some of the rice starting to brown.Once your rice is done cooking, taste and add a dash more soy sauce, if you prefer.
- Serve warm by itself or as a side. Top with garnish: I like to add some of the pan-fried garlic and onion but you could also add fresh cilantro, green onion, red pepper flakes, and more.
Notes
- I like to roughly chop my garlic instead of minced so you can enjoy some small pieces of garlic throughout the fried rice. If you prefer, you can mince your garlic into smaller pieces.
- Use day-old rice that is slightly dry to get a “crispier” fried rice.
- Try to avoid stirring your rice too much as it cooks. It needs at least a few minutes, untouched, for the bottom to start to get golden brown and crispy.
- Cook with HIGH heat when browning the rice.
- Add more protein to this dish by adding in some air-fried tofu cubes, asian tofu, chickpeas, white beans, or whatever protein you like!
You had me at garlic, it’s absolutely delicious and so easy to make!
This is Yummy garlic fried rice! Love the flavor, family loved it too
Thanks for your review Katie!
This was a huge hit served with grilled chicken!
New Favorite! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!
I had some leftover rice that needed re-purposing, this recipe was perfect! Simple ingredients that added a ton of flavor – thanks!
Yes! This recipe is perfect for that leftover rice 🙂
Easy and flavorful, this is my go to when I don’t know what to make. This garlic fried rice makes a great base for bowls too
So easy to make, thanks for the recipe
Just made this recipe and wow, it’s insanely good!!
Thanks Gigi! So happy you liked it!