Veg Fried Rice (Vegetable) Veg Fried Rice is a very tasty fried rice dish made with a mixture of fresh vegetables like green onions, herbs and spices.
Simply put, this is one of our favorite Chinese-style dishes. Not only is vegetable fried rice surprisingly easy to make, it’s an all-natural vegetarian dish that’s just as delicious to eat.
You can also make vegetable fried rice gluten-free by removing the soy sauce or using tamari.
Read more about Vegetable Fried Rice
And while Chinese fried rice is a healthy option, it comes in a variety of interesting flavors. The salty, umami and salty soy sauce is balanced by the spice of the star anise, while the green onion adds the freshness you’ll love.
Otherwise, I’ve kept the ingredient list pretty simple to let each element shine – vegetables really do play a major role here!
Mixed Vegetable Fried Rice can be used as a filling lunch, but pairs well with hearty and flavorful main courses.
This recipe can compete with even the best takeout options and I am sure you will enjoy making it often as part of your Indo-Chinese meals.
Frying on high flame in a cast iron pan or wok imparts a mild smoky flavor and aroma to the dish. Even if the stovetop in your home kitchen can’t compete with the heat and temperature of a stovetop in a Chinese restaurant, you can still make great homemade fried rice.
I’m not adding Ajinomoto, but you can if it’s convenient for you. The umami and smoky flavor in my fried rice recipe comes from frying on high heat and adding mushrooms and toasted sesame oil to the dish.
Restaurants don’t usually add soy sauce to fried rice, but I like to add it for the umami taste. If you don’t like soy sauce, feel free to leave it out.
How to make Veg Fried Rice
Prepare and cook the rice
1. A great vegetable fried rice recipe starts with well-cooked white rice. To do this, first soak 1 cup of basmati rice (190-200 grams) in water for 30 minutes. Then pour the water and keep the rice aside.
Tip: If you don’t have basmati rice, you can opt for good quality old long grain rice.like Jasmine rice .
2. In a large saucepan, add 4-4.5 cups of water, ½ teaspoon of salt and 2-3 drops of sesame oil (or any vegetable oil) and place it on the stove on high flame.
3. when the water comes to a full boiled.Add the soaked and drained basmati rice.Cook the rice, uncovered, over medium to medium-high heat.
4. Cook the rice until al dente or almost cooked. At this point, it is important not to overcook the rice to make the best Chinese fried rice recipes.
Overcooking or even fully cooking the rice will cause the rice grains to break while frying.
5. Immediately drain the rice in a colander and let it cool completely to room temperature. Chilling the rice for 30 minutes also helps. Simply cover the cooked rice and place it in the refrigerator.
6. You can also rinse the rice with water to prevent the rice from cooking. Gently stir the cooked rice grains with your hands while rinsing to make sure each grain is cool.Then drain the water well.Cover the cooked rice and let it cool.
Prepare the Vegetables
7. While the rice is cooling, finely chop the vegetables. Since French beans are firmer than other mixed vegetables, I recommend chopping them very finely.
You also have the option of blanching them before adding them or starting to cook this recipe before adding the rest of the vegetables.
For my fried rice recipe, you will need cup of the following ingredients to finely chopped:
• Scallions (not pictured below)
• Carrots
• Beans
• Bell peppers (capsicum, color of your choice – green, red or yellow)
Plus about 1 cup of chopped mushrooms for the best umami flavor.
I also like to add 1 tablespoon finely chopped celery for a really authentic Chinese dish. Add ¼ to ½ cup chopped cabbage if you have it.
Vegetables (Veg Fried Rice (Vegetable)
8. Now it’s time to saute the veggies. Start by heating 3 tablespoons of your favorite vegetable oil in a wok or deep frying pan. Add 1 star anise and fry for a few seconds until the oil starts to smell fragrant.
If you don’t have star anise, skip this and move on to step 12.
Tip: When frying, use a good, sturdy, heavy wok, skillet or wok to prevent the delicate fresh vegetables from sticking or burning when frying over medium-high heat. Use oil that has a neutral taste and aroma.
9. Then add 1 teaspoon of finely chopped garlic and ½ teaspoon of finely chopped ginger. Cook for just a minute as you don’t want the garlic to brown or burn.Add chopped green onion and fry over medium-low heat for a minute or two.
10. Next add the finely chopped French beans – or add them before the onions if you want a softer bean texture. Continue to saute the onion and French beans over medium to medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes.
11. Now add the rest of the finely chopped vegetables, including the mushrooms and celery. Turn up the heat to high to ensure all the ingredients are cooked through.
12. Stir constantly while sauteing so the vegetables are cooked through and don’t burn – for about 4-6 minutes.You want the vegetables to be cooked through and browned, but still have a nice crunch.
Add the spices
13. When the vegetables are ready, add 1 tablespoon of soy sauce. Stir and mix well.
Tip: You can add less (1-2 tablespoons) or more (about 2-3 tablespoons) soy sauce if you like. I recommend using natural soy sauce or tamari.
Note. If you don’t like or prefer soy sauce, don’t add it to your recipe.
14. Taste the dish and then add ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper and as much salt as you like.Chinese fried rice will already be a little salty because of the soy sauce, so you don’t need to add much salt.
15. Stir well to combine the flavors.
Cook the Veg Fried Rice (Vegetable)
16. Now you’re ready to make the vegetable fried rice by putting everything together. Add the cooked and cooled rice to the wok or skillet with the vegetables, about 1 cup at a time.
17. Lower the heat to medium to medium-high. Using a spoon or spatula, carefully stir the cooked rice into the vegetable mixture.
18. Keeping the heat on medium to medium-high, continue to gently stir and fry the vegetables and rice for a few minutes.
19. Now you have the option of adding 1 tablespoon of rice wine or rice vinegar (or other mild vinegar) if you like. This gives the fried rice a wonderful hint of sourness, which is optional but very nice.
20. Finally, add freshly chopped green onions. You can either sprinkle it on top as a garnish or mix it with the fried rice.
21.Serve the vegetable fried rice hot for a light but satisfying meal, or enjoy it as a side dish with other favorite Chinese dishes.