Easy Shrimp Fried Rice Recipe at home

Shrimp fried rice is an easy weeknight dinner that will have everyone asking for seconds. In just 25 minutes, boring leftover rice becomes a flavorful dish loaded with plump shrimp, colorful vegetables, fluffy eggs, and a savory Asian-inspired sauce.

Whether you use fresh or frozen shrimp, have rice already prepared, or need to quickly whip some up, this simple stir fry comes together in just a few steps. The secret is in the method – cooking components separately and then combining them for maximum flavor.

Follow our easy-peasy recipe for the best restaurant-quality shrimp fried rice you’ve ever tasted, conveniently made at home.

Main Ingredients in This Quick & Easy Shrimp Fried Rice

This fast weeknight shrimp fried rice comes together with just a handful of kitchen staples. Here’s what goes into this flavorful one-pan meal:

• Protein: Raw, peeled shrimp cook up fast and add lots of flavor. Feel free to swap in chicken, pork, or tofu!

• Veggies: Frozen peas and carrots make this budget-friendly. 

• Eggs: Scrambled eggs provide protein and give the rice a fluffy texture.

• Grains: Day-old or fresh-cooked rice soaks up the sauce. Use any variety you have on hand!

• Flavor Boosts: Toasted sesame oil and soy sauce lend an authentic Chinese restaurant flavor. Customize the taste with chili sauce or garlic!

With just a few basic ingredients, you can make this easy, delicious shrimp fried rice any night of the week. Adapt it to use up leftovers and enjoy!

Get Organized and Prep the Ingredients

Having your ingredients prepped ahead makes cooking this dish a breeze. Thaw shrimp if frozen, chop veggies, beat eggs, and measure everything out before heating the pan.

1. Cook the Protein and Vegetables

First, sear the shrimp just until opaque. Then stir-fry the veggies, like onions, peas, and carrots, until tender-crisp.

2. Scramble the Eggs and Toss Everything Together

Push veggies to the side, scramble eggs, then combine with rice, shrimp, and sauce.

With some simple prep and quick stove-top cooking, you can whip up this easy shrimp fried rice any night of the week.

Easy Shrimp Fried Rice Recipe at home

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 3 cups cold, cooked rice (preferably day-old rice)
• 1 tablespoon oil (vegetable, canola, or peanut oil)
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 carrot, peeled and diced
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon grated ginger
• 2 green onions, sliced (white and green parts separated)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

This easy weeknight shrimp fried rice comes together with just a handful of simple ingredients you likely have on hand. Day-old rice yields the best texture, but freshly cooked rice works too. Customize with your favorite vegetables and proteins!

Instructions: Step By Step

1. Prepare the Ingredients

Thaw shrimp if frozen. Chop onions and carrots, and separate green onion whites and greens. Beat the eggs in a small bowl. Prepare cold, cooked rice.

2. Cook the Shrimp

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. 

Add shrimp and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp to a plate.

3. Cook the Vegetables

Add a little more oil to the pan if needed. Add onion, garlic, ginger and carrot. Cook for 2 minutes until tender. Add the peas and cook for 1 more minute.

4. Cook the Eggs

Push the veggies to the side of the pan. Add eggs and scramble until set but still soft.

5. Combine Everything

Add rice, soy sauce, sesame oil, and green onion whites. Stir fry for 2-3 minutes until heated through. Add the shrimp back to the pan and mix.

6. Finish and Serve

Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in green onion greens. Taste and add more soy sauce if desired. Serve warm.

Tips For The Best Shrimp Fried Rice

• Use day-old, cold rice – Freshly cooked rice is too sticky and moist for fried rice. Chilled, dried-out rice makes the best texture.

• Cut the vegetables small – Uniformly sized pieces of carrot, onion, bell pepper, etc. will cook quickly and mix nicely with the rice.

• Cook the ingredients separately – Sautéing the shrimp, eggs, and vegetables in batches leads to the best flavor.

• Season simply – A small amount of soy sauce, sesame oil, and garlic are all you need. Let the ingredients shine.

• Stir gently – Toss everything together at the end, being careful not to break up the rice grains. Use a fork or chopsticks.

• Customize it – Swap out vegetables, add chicken or beef instead of shrimp, sprinkle with cashews, etc. Make this recipe your own!

• Serve with sriracha – This versatile hot sauce adds the perfect kick. Provide at the table for folks to shake on.

Serving Suggestions

Here are some serving suggestions for the Easy Shrimp Fried Rice recipe:

• Serve shrimp fried rice on its own or over a bed of fresh spinach or lettuce for added color and nutrition.

• Top with sliced avocado and a squeeze of lime juice for creaminess and a touch of citrus flavor.

• Sprinkle shredded cheese like cheddar or pepper jack over the top for bonus richness.

• Add some crunch with chow mein noodles, toasted almonds or cashews, sesame seeds, or crispy wonton strips.

• Spoon shrimp fried rice into red or green bell peppers that have been roasted until tender and carved into bowls.

• Garnish with chopped green onions, cilantro, or parsley, and serve with fortune cookies for an Asian-inspired meal.

• For some heat, provide sriracha hot chili sauce, chili garlic paste, or kimchi on the side.

• Round out the plate with fresh orange slices, eggrolls, potstickers, or crab rangoon for sweetness, crunch, and extra flavor.

• For a complete meal, serve shrimp fried rice alongside chicken lettuce wraps, veggie spring rolls, or miso soup.

Storage and Meal Prep Tips

Here are some storage and meal prep tips for this Easy Shrimp Fried Rice recipe:

• Let fried rice fully cool before storing. Hot fried rice continues to steam and can get mushy.

• Transfer cooled shrimp fried rice to airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheating as needed.

• Portion out shrimp fried rice into individual meal containers and freeze for quick lunches or dinners. Thaw for 12 hours in the fridge before reheating.

• Leave carryover veggies like carrot and onion in larger pieces and roast until just tender. Save to toss into fried rice throughout the week.

• Double the rice next time you make some. Save half in the fridge to transform into shrimp fried rice or congee another day.

• Make a large batch of shrimp fried rice on purpose. Freeze individual portions for busy nights and easy home-cooked lunches.

• Mix up your veg base with each batch – use frozen mixed veggies, leftover roasted broccoli or squash, etc. to keep it interesting.

• Prep and freeze raw shrimp with shells removed. Thaw the day before making shrimp fried rice for fresh flavor without the hassle.

• Swap shrimp for diced chicken thighs or steak to change it up. Dress it up with water chestnuts, kimchi, or a fried egg on top!

Conclusion

Whipping up shrimp fried rice at home has never been simpler. With a few easy-to-find ingredients, leftovers in the fridge, and 25 stress-free minutes, you can enjoy a flavorful restaurant-worthy meal any night of the week.

Graduating from bland takeout, this protein-packed stir fry loaded with plump shrimp, fluffy eggs, crisp vegetables, and chilled rice is sure to become a regular in your dinner rotation. For best results, follow our visual step-by-step cooking method.

If customized versions sound more your family’s speed, improvise away with meats, veggies, and spice blends. However you shrimp fry, we hope this quick, budget-friendly recipe earns a permanent place on your table.

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