You know those nights when you just NEED something delicious, but the thought of a huge production in the kitchen makes you want to order takeout? Yeah, me too! That’s where this Flavorful Shrimp Fried Rice Simple And Tasty recipe comes to the rescue. Seriously, it’s my go-to when I’m craving that amazing restaurant taste without all the fuss. I remember first making this on a super busy weeknight; I was skeptical, thinking it wouldn’t be as good as my favorite place, but wow, was I wrong! It’s so quick, so satisfying, and tastes like pure comfort. You won’t believe how fast you can whip up something this good!
Why You’ll Love This Flavorful Shrimp Fried Rice
This recipe is seriously a weeknight warrior! Here’s why you’ll be making it again and again:
- Super Speedy: Ready in about 20 minutes, start to finish! Perfect for those “I’m starving, NOW” moments.
- So Easy to Make: Even if you burnt toast this morning, you can totally nail this. It’s foolproof!
- Totally Customizable: Don’t have shrimp? Got extra veggies? This recipe is your blank canvas.
- Incredible Flavor: Despite how simple it is, the combination of savory soy sauce, fragrant sesame oil, and tender shrimp is just *chef’s kiss*.
Gather Your Ingredients for Flavorful Shrimp Fried Rice
Okay, for this amazing Flavorful Shrimp Fried Rice, you don’t need a super long grocery list. Most of this stuff you probably already have in your pantry or fridge! Here’s what you’ll want to grab:
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (or any neutral oil you have on hand)
- 1 cup cooked rice. Trust me, day-old rice is your best friend here – it’s drier and won’t get mushy.
- 1/2 cup cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined. You can use frozen, just make sure they’re thawed!
- 1/4 cup yellow onion, finely chopped. Sometimes I use red onion if that’s what I’ve got, it works too!
- 1/4 cup frozen peas and carrots mix. Super easy, no chopping involved!
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce. Use your favorite kind, regular or low-sodium works!
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil. This little bottle packs a punch of flavor, don’t skip it!
Simple And Tasty Steps for Flavorful Shrimp Fried Rice
Alright, let’s get cooking! Making this Flavorful Shrimp Fried Rice is honestly one of the easiest things you can do in the kitchen. No fancy techniques needed, I promise!
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Heat things up! Grab your favorite skillet – a wok is awesome if you have one, but any good non-stick or cast-iron skillet will do. Pop in that tablespoon of vegetable oil and let it get nice and hot over medium heat. You want it shimmery! This is super important for getting that nice sear and preventing sticking.
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Rice in! Now, carefully add your cooked rice to the hot skillet. If you used day-old rice, it’ll break up easily. If it’s a bit clumpy, just gently break it apart as it heats up. Let it sizzle for a couple of minutes, stirring occasionally. This helps dry it out a bit more, which is key for good fried rice. Don’t worry if some bits get a little crispy – that’s flavor!
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Add the goodies! Toss in your cooked shrimp, the chopped onion, and those frozen peas and carrots. Give everything a good stir to combine it with the rice. Now, you’re going to stir-fry this mixture for about 5 minutes. Keep everything moving in the pan to ensure it all heats through evenly and nothing burns. You’ll start to smell how amazing this is becoming!
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The flavor finish! This is where the magic really happens. Drizzle in your tablespoon of soy sauce and that teaspoon of fragrant sesame oil. Stir everything together really well, making sure every grain of rice and every piece of shrimp gets coated. Taste it! Need a little more salt? Add a tiny bit more soy sauce. Want it a bit richer? A touch more sesame oil, but be careful, it’s strong!
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Serve it up hot! That’s it! Your delicious, Simple And Tasty Flavorful Shrimp Fried Rice is ready to go. Spoon it into bowls and enjoy it right away. It’s fantastic on its own, or you can serve it with some extra veggies on the side. For a deep dive into more amazing stir-fry techniques, check out this awesome fried rice guide!
Tips for the Best Flavorful Shrimp Fried Rice
Okay, so you’ve got the recipe down, but want to take your Flavorful Shrimp Fried Rice from ‘good’ to ‘OMG, I can’t stop eating this’? Here are my little secrets that make a HUGE difference:
- Day-Old Rice is King: Seriously, don’t skip this if you can help it! Freshly cooked rice is too moist, and you’ll end up with mushy fried rice. Day-old rice has dried out a bit in the fridge, which means it stays super fluffy and separate in the pan. If you absolutely must use fresh rice, spread it out on a baking sheet for about 15-20 minutes to let it cool and dry out a bit before you start cooking. It makes all the difference.
- Get Your Pan HOT: Don’t be shy with the heat! You want that skillet or wok good and hot before you add anything. That sizzle is what gives you those delicious slightly charred bits and stops everything from getting greasy and soggy. For more stir-fry ideas, check out this amazing stir-fried shrimp recipe!
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: This is a big one, especially if you’re making a double batch. If you pile too much stuff into the pan at once, it lowers the temperature and causes everything to steam instead of fry. Cook in batches if you need to, especially if you’re using a smaller skillet. Better to have two perfect batches than one sad, soggy one!
- The Soy Sauce & Sesame Oil Secret: I like to add my soy sauce and sesame oil towards the end of cooking. This way, the soy sauce gets a chance to caramelize a little bit without burning, and the delicate aroma of the sesame oil isn’t cooked off too early. It keeps that wonderful fragrance alive in your finished dish, making your Flavorful Shrimp Fried Rice Simple And Tasty experience even better. For another fantastic fried rice with fruit, you’ve gotta try this chicken pineapple version!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Your Fried Rice
Sometimes you just gotta work with what you have, right? That’s totally fine with this recipe! The shrimp is fantastic, but if you don’t have any on hand or want to try something different, cooked chicken, pork, or even firm tofu would be absolutely delicious thrown in there. Just make sure whatever protein you use is already cooked. And remember that day-old rice I keep raving about? If you’re in a pinch and only have fresh rice, spread it out on a baking sheet in a thin layer for about 15-20 minutes to help it dry out a bit before tossing it into the pan. For extra veggies, feel free to chop up some bell peppers, broccoli florets, or even some mushrooms! They cook up super fast in the wok. If you’re looking for more veggie ideas, check out these stuffed bell peppers for inspiration!
Serving and Storage for Your Flavorful Shrimp Fried Rice
This Flavorful Shrimp Fried Rice is so good, it’s perfect as a main dish all on its own – a complete meal in one bowl! But it also makes a fantastic side dish for things like grilled chicken or a nice piece of fish. If you happen to have any leftovers (which I highly doubt will happen!), just let it cool down completely before popping it into an airtight container. It’ll keep nicely in the fridge for about 2-3 days. To reheat, I like to use the skillet again over medium heat with a tiny splash of water or soy sauce to wake it all up – microwave works but can sometimes make it a little soft.
Frequently Asked Questions about Simple And Tasty Shrimp Fried Rice
Got questions about making the best Flavorful Shrimp Fried Rice Simple And Tasty? I’ve got you covered!
Can I use freshly cooked rice for this shrimp fried rice recipe?
While day-old, cold rice is definitely best because it’s drier and won’t get mushy, you *can* use fresh rice in a pinch! Just spread it out on a baking sheet for about 15-20 minutes to let it cool and dry out a bit before you add it to the pan. It helps a lot!
What other vegetables can I add to this simple and tasty fried rice?
Oh, the veggie possibilities are endless for this simple and tasty fried rice! Besides peas and carrots, try adding some chopped broccoli florets, diced bell peppers (any color works!), snap peas, corn, or even some thinly sliced mushrooms. Just make sure they’re cut small so they cook quickly!
How can I make this flavorful shrimp fried rice recipe spicier?
Want to kick up the heat in your flavorful shrimp fried rice recipe? Easy! You can add a pinch of red pepper flakes right along with the onions, or stir in a swirl of sriracha or chili garlic sauce at the very end with the soy sauce. A few slices of fresh jalapeño or Thai chili thrown in during the stir-fry stage also work wonders!
Nutritional Information
Just so you know, these numbers are an estimate, since the exact amounts can change based on the specific brands of ingredients you use and how much soy sauce you decide to pour in! But generally, for one serving of this deliciousness, you’re looking at around:
- Calories: 350
- Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Protein: 20g
- Sodium: 800mg
It’s a pretty balanced meal, especially for how quick it is to whip up!
Print
Flavorful Shrimp Fried Rice
- Total Time: 20 min
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple and tasty shrimp fried rice recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1/2 cup cooked shrimp
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 1/4 cup frozen peas and carrots
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Instructions
- Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add cooked rice, cooked shrimp, chopped onion, and frozen peas and carrots to the skillet.
- Stir-fry for 5 minutes, or until heated through.
- Stir in soy sauce and sesame oil.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- For best results, use day-old rice.
- You can add other vegetables like bell peppers or broccoli.
- Adjust soy sauce to your taste.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stir-fry
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
Keywords: shrimp fried rice, easy fried rice, quick fried rice, asian rice, stir fry