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Easy Flavorful Cheap Egg Fried Rice Recipe for Budget Meals

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A quick, easy, and budget-friendly egg fried rice recipe that uses simple pantry staples to create a flavorful and comforting meal perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups cooked white rice (preferably day-old)
  • 3 large eggs, beaten
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or any neutral oil like canola or sunflower)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • Pinch of white pepper (optional)
  • ½ cup frozen peas (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare your ingredients: If your rice is freshly cooked, spread it out on a tray and chill for at least 30 minutes to dry out slightly. Beat the eggs in a bowl until smooth. Mince garlic and slice green onions. If using, thaw frozen peas by rinsing under warm water and draining.
  2. Heat the wok or skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Let it heat until shimmering but not smoking, about 1-2 minutes.
  3. Add the rice to the pan in an even layer. Let it sit undisturbed for 1 minute, then stir and break up any clumps. Continue stirring for about 3-4 minutes until the rice is hot and slightly toasted.
  4. Push rice aside to one side of the pan. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the empty side, then pour in the beaten eggs.
  5. Let the eggs sit for 10 seconds, then gently scramble with your spatula until just set but still soft. Combine the eggs with the rice, mixing gently but thoroughly.
  6. Add minced garlic and peas (if using). Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and peas are heated through.
  7. Drizzle soy sauce evenly over the rice and stir well. Sprinkle in white pepper and toss in green onions. Stir quickly and remove from heat.
  8. Drizzle sesame oil over the rice and give one last gentle mix to add nutty aroma.
  9. Serve immediately, garnished with extra green onions if desired.

Notes

Use day-old rice or refrigerate freshly cooked rice for at least 30 minutes to prevent mushiness. Use high heat and keep ingredients moving to avoid sogginess. Do not overcook eggs; they should be soft and just set. If you don’t have sesame oil, toasted sunflower or peanut oil can be used or omitted. For gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.

Nutrition

Keywords: egg fried rice, budget meals, quick dinner, easy recipe, cheap meals, simple ingredients, comfort food

Find it online: https://freshforkful.com/easy-flavorful-cheap-egg-fried-rice-recipe-for-budget-meals/