If you are craving a dish that brings together savory beef and perfectly seasoned rice with vibrant veggies, then this Beef Fried Rice Recipe will quickly become your new go-to comfort meal. It balances tender seared steak with fluffy, flavorful rice that’s packed with just the right hint of soy, garlic, and ginger. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a dish to impress friends, this recipe beautifully combines simplicity and rich taste in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients may be straightforward, but they each play an essential role in creating the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and color for this dish. From the juicy steak to the crisp vegetables and savory sauces, every component is carefully chosen to complement one another.
- 1 cup uncooked white long grain rice: The foundation for fluffy, non-sticky fried rice when properly cooked and cooled.
- 2 cups chicken broth: Adds rich flavor to the rice while cooking, making it more savory than water.
- ¼ cup soy sauce: Provides a salty, umami kick that seasons the rice beautifully.
- ¼ cup beef broth: Deepens the savory notes and helps marry the beef flavors in the sauce.
- 1 tablespoon honey: Adds a subtle sweetness that balances the saltiness and heat in the sauce.
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce: Gives the dish a gentle spicy warmth without overpowering.
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil (optional): Infuses an aromatic nuttiness for an authentic touch.
- 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger: Adds a hint of warmth and brightness to the sauce.
- ¾ lb. strip steak (or skirt, flank, or sirloin steak): The star protein, thinly sliced for quick cooking and tenderness.
- Salt and pepper, to taste: Essential for seasoning the beef and vegetables.
- 1 tablespoon butter: Creates rich, creamy scrambled eggs that add softness to the dish.
- 2 eggs, whisked well: Adds protein and a silky texture amidst the rice and beef.
- 1-2 tablespoons peanut oil (or olive/canola oil): For high-heat cooking and a subtle nutty flavor.
- ½ cup dry white wine: Deglazes the pan and lifts all those delicious browned bits into the sauce.
- 3 cloves garlic, minced: Provides a fragrant base that enhances the overall flavor.
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced: Adds sweetness and texture once softened.
- ¾ cup frozen peas: Delivers pops of bright green color and a hint of natural sweetness.
- ¾ cup frozen carrots: Brings color and subtle earthiness that contrasts nicely with the savory beef.
- 3-4 green onions, diced: Lends fresh, crisp onion flavor as a vibrant finishing touch.
How to Make Beef Fried Rice Recipe
Step 1: Cook and Chill the Rice
Begin by boiling chicken broth to infuse the rice with savory flavor as it cooks. Once the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed, spreading it on a tray and chilling it in the fridge ensures each grain will fry up perfectly, giving you that coveted slightly crisp texture rather than a mushy mess.
Step 2: Prepare the Sauce and Marinate the Beef
Mixing soy sauce, beef broth, honey, hot sauce, sesame oil, and ground ginger creates a beautifully balanced marinade and sauce base. Tenderizing the steak before slicing and marinating helps the beef soak up these rich flavors and stay juicy during cooking.
Step 3: Scramble the Eggs
Cooking the eggs gently in butter until just set gives them a creamy texture that you’ll want to mix through the rice later. Setting them aside prevents overcooking when the rest of the stir-frying happens.
Step 4: Sear the Beef
Using peanut oil in a hot pan locks in the beef’s juices and creates a flavorful crust. Seasoning and searing for a few minutes on each side ensures you get tender, caramelized strips that add hearty satisfaction to the dish.
Step 5: Build the Vegetable Base
Lowering the heat and adding white wine to deglaze your pan lifts all of the delicious brown bits stuck to the skillet. Then gently cook diced onions and garlic to soften and release sweetness before stirring in peas and carrots for a quick burst of color and crunch.
Step 6: Fry the Rice
Adding cold rice and the remaining sauce at this stage turns your pan into the heart of the dish. Tossing continuously on medium-high heat allows the rice to soak up the flavors evenly while getting the coveted little golden flecks. This is where your Beef Fried Rice Recipe truly shines.
Step 7: Combine and Finish
Gently folding the seared beef, scrambled eggs, and fresh green onions into the rice brings the whole dish together with wonderful texture and vibrant flavor. Heating everything just until warmed through means every bite is deliciously balanced and ready to serve immediately.
How to Serve Beef Fried Rice Recipe
Garnishes
Freshly diced green onions add a crisp, sharp contrast to the warm, savory rice. For extra pop, you can sprinkle toasted sesame seeds or a drizzle of extra soy sauce or sriracha to suit your heat preference.
Side Dishes
This dish is a satisfying meal on its own, but you can complement it with light Asian-inspired sides like a refreshing cucumber salad, crunchy spring rolls, or a simple miso soup. These balance the richness and add variety to your meal experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving your Beef Fried Rice Recipe in individual pineapple bowls or wrapped inside crisp lettuce cups for a fun and festive presentation. You can also top with a fried egg for an indulgent finish that elevates the dish even more.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftover beef fried rice in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen over time, making it a quick and satisfying meal to reheat later.
Freezing
You can freeze leftover fried rice in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. It’s best to freeze without the scrambled eggs, adding fresh ones when reheating to keep the texture bright and tender.
Reheating
Reheat your Beef Fried Rice Recipe in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent drying out. Stir frequently until heated through, or microwave with a damp paper towel loosely covering the container for best texture.
FAQs
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Absolutely! Brown rice will give a nuttier flavor and chewier texture. Just be sure to cook it fully before frying, as it takes longer to soften.
What cut of beef works best for this recipe?
Strip steak, flank, skirt, or sirloin are excellent options because they remain tender when sliced thin and cooked quickly. Avoid tougher cuts that require slow cooking.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian or replace beef?
Definitely! Swap beef for tofu, tempeh, or even diced mushrooms for a delicious vegetarian twist, adjusting the broth and sauce accordingly for flavor.
Is it necessary to refrigerate the rice before frying?
Yes, cooling the rice overnight or for several hours helps to dry it out slightly and prevents it from clumping when fried, achieving a better texture overall.
How spicy is this Beef Fried Rice Recipe?
The hot sauce adds a gentle kick without taking center stage, so you can adjust the amount to your preference for a milder or spicier dish.
Final Thoughts
Once you try this Beef Fried Rice Recipe, you’ll see why it’s a beloved classic that never fails to satisfy. Each bite offers a perfect harmony of tender beef, savory rice, and fresh vegetables that feels both comforting and exciting. I encourage you to make this recipe your own and enjoy the incredible flavors it brings to your table any day of the week!
Print
Delicious Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 4.4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Description
A flavorful Beef Fried Rice recipe featuring tender marinated steak, scrambled eggs, and a medley of vegetables all tossed in a savory soy-beef sauce. Perfect as a satisfying and comforting meal for four, this dish balances rich beef, aromatic garlic and onions, and the crisp texture of chilled rice for an authentic homemade fried rice experience.
Ingredients
Rice
- 1 cup uncooked white long grain rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
Sauce & Marinade
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon honey (can substitute brown sugar)
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
- 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
Beef
- ¾ lb. strip steak (or skirt, flank, or sirloin steak)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Other Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 eggs, whisked well
- 1–2 tablespoons peanut oil (can substitute olive or canola oil)
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- ¾ cup frozen peas
- ¾ cup frozen carrots
- 3–4 green onions, diced
Instructions
- Cook the rice: Add 2 cups chicken broth to a medium pot and bring to a boil. Stir in the rice ensuring it is submerged. Return to a boil, cover, reduce heat to medium-low to maintain a gentle simmer, and cook for 15 minutes. Check if liquid is absorbed; if not, cook an additional 5 minutes. Spread the cooked rice onto a tray and refrigerate until completely cooled to ensure crispiness when fried. You can store it overnight for even better texture.
- Prepare the sauce and marinate the beef: In a bowl, combine soy sauce, beef broth, honey, hot sauce, sesame oil, and ground ginger. Place the beef under plastic wrap and pound with a meat tenderizer to soften. Trim excess fat and slice thinly against the grain into 1.5-inch strips. Toss the beef with 2 tablespoons of the sauce and set aside to marinate briefly.
- Scramble the eggs: Heat butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add whisked eggs and gently scramble until just cooked through but still moist. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Sear the beef: Heat peanut oil in a wide skillet over medium-high heat. Season marinated beef with salt and pepper and sear each side for 3-4 minutes until cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Deglaze and cook vegetables: Lower heat to medium and pour in white wine. Scrape the skillet bottom with a spatula to loosen browned bits, then reduce the liquid by half, about 3-4 minutes. Add diced onions and garlic, cooking for 2-3 minutes until softened. Stir in frozen peas and carrots and cook for 1 minute.
- Fry the rice: Add chilled rice and the remaining sauce to the skillet. Turn heat to medium-high and continuously toss for about 3 minutes until rice is evenly coated with sauce and has a light browned color, with most sauce liquid absorbed.
- Combine all ingredients: Lower heat to medium, add beef, scrambled eggs, and green onions. Toss everything together to evenly distribute ingredients and heat through. Remove from heat and serve immediately.
Notes
- Chilling the rice before frying is key to achieving a crispy texture and preventing sogginess.
- You can substitute peanut oil with olive or canola oil based on preference.
- Pounding the beef tenderizes it, ensuring a more tender final dish.
- For a sweeter variation, substitute honey with brown sugar.
- Leftover fried rice tastes great and reheats well in a skillet or microwave.
