Our Favorite Fried Rice and Mango

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This flavorful mango fried rice is a delicious dinner you can make in less than 20 minutes. It’s filled with juicy mangos and a savory fried rice with vegetables and chickpeas.

This mango fried rice is a fan-favorite for good reason! It’s popular amongst thousands on my social media (over 100k+ views!) because it’s extremely easy and quick. It takes less than 20 minutes, while other recipes take 30+ minutes. It has a simple ingredient list with items you can find at your local grocery store. It’s also vegan and veg friendly while a lot of other recipes are not. I will give you the ultimate tips for perfect crispy fried rice: the best type of rice to use, the ideal stovetop temp, and the perfect balance of seasoning. Trust me…this mango rice is the best way to enjoy fried rice!

Ingredients to Make Rice With Mango

• Jasmine rice: Day old or leftover rice is perfect for this recipe. Jasmine rice is a long grain rice with a nutty flavor. Simply make your jasmine rice the night before and store in the fridge in an air tight container until you’re ready to make your meal.
• Mango: A fresh, ripe mango adds a juicy sweetness that balances the savory fried rice. Your mango is ready to eat when it gives off a slightly sweet aroma, the skin gives a little when pressed softly, and the color turns from green to orange or red to rosy (depends on the variety of mango you have). FYI you can try pineapple fried rice too for a another fun flavor!
• Soy sauce: You can substitute with tamari for a gluten-free version.
• Chickpeas: This adds some protein and texture to our dish. You can omit if you don’t have chickpeas. Try out some tofu or another white bean instead.
• Green Onion: Adds a crisp, slightly sweet flavor to the dish. They are less pungent than normal onions. You could substitute for a regular onion or scallion if desired.

Like it spicy? Add in some red pepper flakes!

Want more protein? Add in some cubes of tofu. Fried rice is a great pairing with tofu (see 30+ other sides to serve with tofu!)

How to Make Mango Rice

1. In a large pan or wok, begin heating sesame oil over MEDIUM heat. Meanwhile, dice all your veggies if you haven’t already.

2. Add in onion, garlic, ginger, red pepper, pinch of salt saute for 5 minutes until onion is translucent.

3. Turn up to HIGH. Add in rice, chickpeas, green onion, and soy sauce and rice vinegar and stir to combine.

4. Cook for 3 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 as you are turning it.

4. Turn heat to MEDIUM. Add in diced mango and stir to combine. Let cook for one more minute.

5. Serve your mango fried rice on a large plate or bowl with fresh lime juice on top and a sprinkle of more green onion or a dash of salt if desired.

Mango Rice Recipe Variations

Swap:

• Swap out soy sauce with teriyaki sauce for a new flavor
• For a gluten-free version use tamari or coconut aminos
• If you don’t have sesame oil use olive oil.

Add:

• Add in other veggies: green beans, green peas, snow peas, baby corn
• Add in your favorite protein: tofu, plant-based chicken, or another bean
• For an extra crunch on top sprinkle peanuts or cashews
• Add fresh cilantro or thai basil leaves mixed in or on top.
• Like it spicy? Add some hot sauce or red pepper flakes

Instant Pot vs. Stovetop Jasmine Rice

You can make your rice over in the Instant Pot or in a medium size pot over the stove.

Start by rinsing 1 cup of rice in a fine mesh strainer.

For the Instant Pot, simply add your rice with 1 cup water. Add in a sprinkle of salt and give it a stir. Pressure cook for 4 minutes with a 10 minute natural release.

For the stovetop, cook jasmine rice at a 1 1/4 cup water to 1 cup rice.

This recipe here creates the perfect jasmine rice every time!

Mango Rice Recipe Tips

• Use the largest pan you have. A large wok is often the best pan because of its wide surface area, but you do not need to have a wok to make good fried rice. A large heavy bottomed pan will allow more surface area for frying. An overcrowded pan won’t create good fried rice.
• Use chilled day old rice. We’ve already discussed the benefits of day old rice, but also make sure your rice is cold before frying.
• Don’t rush it. As your rice is frying, avoid over stirring so that the rice has time to caramelize on the bottom of the pan.
• The perfect fried rice starts with the perfectly cooked jasmine rice. Follow this recipe here if you still need to make jasmine rice for this recipe.
• If your rice is not a day old- Don’t worry! Just simply take your cooked rice and lay it out on a baking pan evenly. Place in the fridge for 15 minutes.
• Remember these tips as you are cooking: use the largest pan you have, cook on high heat, and stir/toss intermittently.

How to Prevent Soggy Fried Rice

If your fried rice comes out soggy it means you probably used too much water when cooking it and/or are not using day old rice. To make the perfect jasmine rice on the you need an accurate water to rice ratio.

How to serve Mango Rice

My husband and I love to enjoy this recipe as a main meal. It has some protein from the chickpeas and feels filling and satisfying.

You can top your finished fried rice with fresh lime juice or diced cilantro for a pop of color. For a little crunch, roasted cashews would be delicious! And when you want a little spice, top it with some red chili flakes.

You could also serve mango fried rice as a side dish amongst crispy air fried tofu, edamame, fresh vegan spring rolls, or a side of veggies like roasted broccoli & zucchini.

How to Store Mango and Rice

• Let your mango fried rice cool completely before storing.
• Store in an air tight container in the fridge. Store for 5-7 days.
• Reheat in a pan or the microwave. Add in 1 tbsp of water if rice is too dry.

Other Easy Recipes

Try out of one these other easy 15 minute meals!

▶︎ If you love this mango fried rice, you need to check out these seasoned rice recipes (with 18+ delish recipe ideas!), this incredible Dominican rice or my personal favorite Garlic Fried Rice!

▶︎Looking for more quick recipes? Check out this list of 43+ lazy vegan lunches and dinners!