Better than takeout, this Easy Shrimp Fried Rice recipe is ready in just 20 minutes. The perfect solution for a busy weekday dinner, my kids beg for this every single day.

Easy Shrimp Fried Rice

Can you believe how fast the year is flying by?  I don’t know about you but I’m looking forward to the end of school….and no more homework.  I have a little guy in Kindergarten who has homework every single night and the frustration of getting it done in a reasonable amount of time is totally getting old.  What should take us about 5 minutes to complete takes up to an hour some nights and then I’m always tempted to call my local Chinese restaurant to order take out. It IS the easy way out when you feel like getting dinner on the table is never going to happen.

But, would you believe, you can have this easy Shrimp Fried Rice on the table in less time that it would take for the delivery guy to show up?

cooking Easy Shrimp Fried Rice

This Easy Shrimp Fried Rice recipe is a staple in our weekly meal plan.  I always make sure I have some sort of quick cooking rice for those days when we don’t have any leftover rice on hand.

This recipe is best when made with leftover rice because it’s had time to dry out making it easier to crisp up….and those crispy bits are the best part.  If you don’t have leftover rice then simply allow your freshly cooked rice to cool enough where it’s no longer steaming….this helps keep it from getting mushy when you mix everything together.

Easy, classic recipe for Shrimp Fried Rice

The rest of the dish can be modified to work with what you have on hand.  We always have a bag of frozen peas, fresh matchstick cut carrots, green onions, frozen shrimp and onions.  They’re pretty much a staple in most fried rice recipes, as well, but you can really add whatever you’d like.  Sometime we like to toss in some fresh pineapple right at the end, it’s leaning more towards a Thai fried rice but it is REALLY quite amazing. Try it!

porEasy Shrimp Fried Rice in a serving bowl

Can I turn this shrimp fried rice into another kind of fried rice?

Absolutely!  Swap out the shrimp with beef, pork or chicken to create a new fried rice.  Or simple add some fresh Asian vegetables to create a Vegetable Fried Rice.

Here are a few stir-fry recipes you may enjoy:

4.10 from 10 votes

Easy Shrimp Fried Rice

The best classic recipe for Easy Shrimp Fried Rice!
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
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Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil, divided
  • 16 ounces medium peeled and de-veined shrimp
  • 1 cup diced onion
  • 1 cup finely diced carrot
  • 2 medium garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon peeled and minced fresh ginger
  • 3 cups cooked white rice
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil
  • chopped green onions, for garnish (if desired)

Instructions 

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large non-stick skillet or wok over high heat. Add the shrimp to the pan and season with salt and pepper. Cook the shrimp until pink and no longer translucent. Transfer the cooked shrimp to a plate and keep warm. Set aside.
  • Add the remaining oil to the pan and stir in the onions. Cook the onions until softened, approximately 3 minutes. Stir in the carrots and cook for an additional 3 minutes or until softened. Add the garlic and ginger, cooking until fragrant.
  • Stir in the white rice and cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until the rice is crisp.
  • Push the rice to the sided of the pan making a well in the middle. Crack the egg in the middle of the pan and stir to scramble. Cook the egg and then begin to stir into the rice mixture.
  • Add the peas, soy sauce, rice vinegar and sesame oil to the rice stirring to combine. Cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the shrimp and cook for an additional minute to warm through.
  • Serve immediately topped with chopped green onions, if desired.

Notes

  • If you are preparing this recipe as GLUTEN FREE, just be sure to use a brand of soy sauce that is known to be GF.
  • Turn this into another kind of fried rice by swapping out the shrimp for another protein like chicken, pork or beef.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 211kcal, Carbohydrates: 22g, Protein: 15g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 169mg, Sodium: 729mg, Potassium: 193mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 2780IU, Vitamin C: 8.6mg, Calcium: 107mg, Iron: 1.8mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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4.10 from 10 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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10 Comments

  1. Robin says:

    5 stars
    The absolute best easy recipe for fried rice.

  2. Lilia says:

    5 stars
    Best fried rice recipe .. I just added one more egg and sriracha

  3. Liberty Simpson says:

    5 stars
    Easy fast and delicious

  4. Christine Butler says:

    This recipe couldn’t be easier or tastier!! My adult daughter agrees.

  5. Robin Gilbert says:

    5 stars
    Easiest recipe for fried rice that I’ve seen in my 62 years!!! Fabulous

  6. Nicole Hosch says:

    Do I have to use sesame seed oil, my child is allergic to sesame seeds.

    1. Lori Lange says:

      It does provide some flavor, but you can sub canola or vegetable if you need to.

  7. Kristina says:

    5 stars
    This was absolutely amazing, we did slight modifications but the recipe itself was GREAT! My picky eaters all approved!

  8. Cindy says:

    Have you tried this with riced cauliflower? 

  9. chef henry osapati says:

    it looks so yummy. i will have to try it tomorrow for my dinner and get back to you
    Thanks for sharing