Best Ever Weeknight Shrimp Fried Rice Even I Was Impressed

Learn how to make shrimp fried rice BETTER than takeout This easy shrimp and rice dinner is ready in 35 mins Weeknight win Get my tips now ... Global Fusion
Recipe Introduction
Quick Hook
Fancy a fakeaway that's actually better than the real deal? Ever wondered how to make shrimp fried rice that tastes amazing? Well, this recipe is your answer.
It’s packed with flavour and surprisingly easy.
Brief Overview
Fried rice is a staple across East Asia. This version, my homemade shrimp fried rice , brings that comforting taste to your kitchen.
It’s an easy cooking recipe , ready in about 35 minutes, and serves four hungry people.
Main Benefits
One of the best things? It’s a great source of protein thanks to the shrimp fried rice ingredients . This shrimp fried rice recipe easy is perfect for a weeknight shrimp fried rice dinner.
What makes it special? Simple, fresh ingredients.
Best Ever Weeknight Shrimp Fried Rice Even I Was Impressed Recipe Card

Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts
Let's Talk Shrimp and Rice
Are you ready to dive in? Honestly, making your own fried rice is a game-changer. It’s so much fresher and tastier than what you get from a takeaway.
This recipe uses plump shrimp, perfectly cooked rice, and a knockout sauce.
The Tale of the Rice
The secret to great fried rice is using day-old rice. Seriously, don't skip this step. Freshly cooked rice is too moist.
Day-old rice fries up beautifully. This will prevent your fried rice from becoming a gloppy mess. I learned that the hard way.
Quick Prep, Big Flavor
You can make this even easier by prepping your ingredients in advance. That means chopping your veggies and mixing your sauce beforehand.
Trust me, it makes a world of difference when you're in the middle of cooking. Think of it like this: "Mise en place," baby!
What's in the Sauce
The sauce is what brings it all together. Soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, sesame oil, and ground ginger create a flavour explosion.
You can always adjust it to your liking. More soy sauce for saltiness, brown sugar for sweetness, or rice vinegar for tang.
So, grab your ingredients and let's get started. This best shrimp fried rice recipe will become one of your go-to shrimp recipes easy . Trust me on this one.

Ingredients & Equipment: The Secret Sauce to Shrimp Recipes Easy
Alright, before we dive headfirst into how to make shrimp fried rice, let's talk about the gear. I always say having the right tools is half the battle! It's essential when you plan your easy cooking recipes .
Honestly, the ingredient list might seem long, but trust me, it's mostly stuff you probably already have hanging around! This is the best shrimp fried rice recipe , I promise.
Main Ingredients: The Nitty-Gritty
First things first, the shrimp fried rice ingredients . Here's the breakdown, American and metric styles:
For the Shrimp:
- 1 pound (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined. Quality check: Look for firm, plump shrimp that smell fresh, not fishy. I prefer leaving the tails on – it's just prettier, you know?
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5ml) sesame oil
For the Rice (the star of the show!):
- 4 cups (about 900g) cooked and cooled long-grain rice, preferably day-old. Super important! Day-old rice is drier and won't get all mushy.
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) vegetable oil
- 1 small onion, diced (about 1/2 cup / 75g)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup (150g) frozen peas and carrots mix, thawed
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 scallions, thinly sliced, for garnish
For the Sauce (the magic touch!):
- 3 tablespoons (45ml) soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) oyster sauce.
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5ml) ground ginger
Seasoning Notes: Spice Up Your Life
Soy sauce is key; it brings the saltiness. Oyster sauce? That adds that unami flavor, really making this the weeknight shrimp fried rice of champions! Brown sugar brings a touch of sweetness.
Rice vinegar balances everything out with a tang. Ground ginger, well, that is the perfect warmth to this dish. No ground ginger? Fresh ginger is a great alternative!
Equipment Needed: Keep It Simple
- Large wok or large skillet: You need space to toss everything around. A wok is ideal, but a big skillet works just fine.
- Small bowls: For marinating the shrimp and mixing the sauce.
- Spatula: To stir-fry like a boss!
That’s it! This recipe is all about using what you got and making it great. Once, I even had to use a potato masher to break up the rice! It worked! The easy cooking recipes are the best!.
Let's Talk Fried Rice: Shrimp Edition!
Right then, let's dive into how to make shrimp fried rice! Honestly, it's way easier than you think and tastes a million times better than that stuff you get delivered.
We're aiming for something that rivals your favourite takeaway but without all the dodgy ingredients, you know? Plus, homemade just hits different.
This easy cooking recipe is a game-changer.
Prep Power: Your Secret Weapon
First things first, mise en place . Sounds fancy, doesn't it? It just means getting everything chopped, measured, and ready to go.
Trust me, this is key for easy shrimp and rice dinner . Dice that onion (carefully now!), mince the garlic, and thaw your frozen peas and carrots.
Having all the shrimp fried rice ingredients laid out is half the battle. And please, don't forget to wash your hands.
Food hygiene is not a joke.
The Shrimp Fried Dance: Step by Step
Alright, let's get cooking! This shrimp fried rice recipe easy will blow your mind.
- Shrimp Time: Marinate the shrimp with soy sauce, cornstarch, and sesame oil. About 2 minutes, done.
- Sauce Boss: Whisk together your sauce. Soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, sesame oil, and ginger.
- Cook the Shrimp: Heat some oil in a wok. Cook those bad boys until pink, about 2- 3 minutes per side .
- Veggie Fiesta: Sauté the onion and garlic. Add peas and carrots and cook for another minute.
- Egg-cellent Scramble: Scramble those eggs. Push the veg to the side and do your thing.
- Rice to the Occasion: Add the rice and break it up with a spatula. I am always impressed when I look at the best shrimp fried rice recipe , and it is all because of how they handle the rice!
- Combine and Conquer: Add the shrimp back in, pour in the sauce, and stir-fry until everything's coated.
- Garnish and Glory: Garnish with scallions and serve immediately. BOOM.
Pro Tips from Yours Truly
Honestly, the best tip I can give you is to use day-old rice. It makes ALL the difference. It's drier, so it fries up beautifully.
Also, don't be shy with the heat! You want a nice, hot wok. Finally, don't overcrowd the pan, or you'll end up steaming instead of frying.
Nobody wants soggy weeknight shrimp fried rice .
Did you know? Fried rice dates back to the Sui Dynasty in China (589-618 AD). Bet they didn't have Deliveroo back then! Want inspiration and food videos cooking ? There are tons online! Shrimp recipes easy to find also are abundant.
I am always looking for interesting food recipes !
Recipe Notes for the Best Shrimp Fried Rice Recipe
Right then, before you get all excited learning how to make shrimp fried rice – and trust me, you should be excited – let's chew over some extra tidbits to make your homemade shrimp fried rice truly shine.
Think of these as your secret weapons, yeah?
Serving Suggestions: More Than Just a Plate
Honestly, presentation matters. A simple trick? Use a bowl to mold the shrimp fried rice recipe easy into a nice dome on the plate.
Garnish with extra scallions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Boom! Instant restaurant vibes. Complementary sides? Try some crispy spring rolls or a light cucumber salad to balance the richness.
Fancy a drink? A crisp lager or even just some green tea works wonders with these interesting food recipes .
Storing the Shrimp Goodness
Leftovers? If you're lucky enough to have some (we usually don't, 'cause it's that good!), shove it in an airtight container.
It'll keep in the fridge for up to 3 days . For longer storage, freezing is an option, but the texture might change a tad.
Reheat it in the microwave or, even better, in a wok with a splash of water to rehydrate. It'll taste amazing!
Variations: Get Your Freak On!
Feeling adventurous? Chuck in some pineapple for a sweet and savory twist. Got dietary needs? Swap the soy sauce for tamari (gluten-free, innit?).
For a shrimp recipes easy adaptation, try using cauliflower rice instead of regular rice for a low-carb option. Seriously, experiment! Use seasonal greens! Easy Cooking Recipes can be really versatile.
Nutrition Basics – Not Just Tasty, But Alright!
Alright, let's keep it real simple. Each serving clocks in at roughly 450 calories, packs about 35g of protein, 15g of fat, and 45g of carbs.
But, more importantly, easy shrimp and rice dinner like this gives you a good dose of protein from the shrimp and some sneaky veggies.
Plus, the ginger in the sauce has awesome anti-inflammatory properties. Think of it as a hug in a bowl for your insides!
So, there you have it! Weeknight shrimp fried rice is totally possible! With these extra tips, you're all set to create the best shrimp fried rice recipe .
Don’t be scared to mess about and make it your own. Honestly, even if it's a bit pants the first time, you'll get there.
Cooking should be fun, so crank up the tunes, get stuck in, and enjoy the process! Maybe even film it for some Food Videos Cooking !

Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my shrimp fried rice always mushy? I want that proper "takeaway" texture!
Mushy fried rice is usually down to the rice being too wet. The secret weapon is day-old rice (or even older!), as it's drier and fries up much better. Freshly cooked rice contains too much moisture. Also, avoid overcrowding the wok or pan. Doing it in batches helps.
What kind of rice is best when I want to make shrimp fried rice? I always seem to get it wrong.
Long-grain rice, like Uncle Ben's, is generally the best choice for fried rice. It cooks up fluffy and separate, which is exactly what you want. Avoid short-grain rice, which can become sticky. Make sure the rice is cold and slightly dried out. Day-old rice is a game-changer, think of it like aging a fine wine!
How to make shrimp fried rice without it tasting bland? My attempts are always a bit "meh."
The key to flavour is a good sauce and high heat. Don't be shy with the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil in the sauce! Make sure you're cooking in a wok or large skillet over high heat to develop that smoky flavour. Also, marinate the shrimp beforehand, it will help make it taste better.
Can I substitute any of the ingredients in this shrimp fried rice recipe? I'm not a huge fan of peas.
Absolutely! Fried rice is very forgiving. If you're not keen on peas, try swapping them out for other veggies like diced bell peppers, broccoli florets, or sliced mushrooms. You can also swap out the shrimp for chicken, pork, or tofu, just make sure to adjust cooking times accordingly. It's all about making it your own, like customising your favourite curry!
How long does shrimp fried rice last in the fridge? Is it safe to eat the next day?
Shrimp fried rice will typically last for 3-4 days in the refrigerator, provided it's stored properly in an airtight container. Ensure it's cooled down completely before refrigerating. When reheating, make sure it's heated through to a safe internal temperature to avoid any nasty surprises, a bit like ensuring your Sunday roast is piping hot!