Chinese Shrimp Fried Rice in Under 30 Minutes!
In one of the latest installments of my Made in Under 30 Minutes series, this Chinese Shrimp Fried Rice is a favorite Asian recipe that will be ready quicker than you can order Chinese takeout! Bursting with flavor, this rice base is packed with incredible flavor. My cooking tips for this dish will ensure a Shrimp Fried Rice to rival your favorite takeout location!
Whether you’re looking to make a quick and easy dinner for two or a vat of food for a big get-together, you’re in the right place. This Chinese Shrimp Fried Rice is a sweet yet savory bowl of goodness, and anyone can make it. All you need to do is follow my recipe and tips closely!
Shrimp Preparation Tips
The shrimp is the star of this fried rice dish, so take care to select fresh shrimp from the grocery store. Bad seafood can easily turn a delicious meal into a nightmare for consumers! Follow the tips below to properly choose and prepare your seafood:
- When choosing your fresh shrimp at the store, make sure they don’t smell off or look limp, soft, slimy. If they are falling apart, don’t buy them! When in doubt, opt for frozen shrimp instead! These will be fresher despite having been frozen.
- Be sure to devein the shrimp, otherwise it can cause you harm.
- Wash the shrimp with cold water instead of hot.
- If you have prepped the shrimp in brine (a mixture of salt, water, and lemon juice), all you need to do to prep them is pat them dry with a paper towel. Then season and cook! The brine is not necessary, but if you love flavorful shrimp, it soaks them in flavor! I also find the brine helps to remove the “fishy” taste.
- If frozen, do NOT thaw shrimp in the microwave or on the counter at room temperature. The best way to thaw frozen shrimp placing them in a colander. I typically do it 20 minutes before I’m ready to cook.
Tips for Cooking
Now that you know how to handle your shrimp, try out these tips for an excellent fried rice base. If you follow these tips too, your fresh, juicy shrimp will be complemented by a salty, hearty rice mixture to rival the best traditional fried rice dishes around!
- Use day-old white rice if possible. If do not have day-old white rice, you can cook your rice on the same day and stick in the fridge until it is cold. The rice can become sticky from this quick fix, but it is a great alternative if you are trying to make this recipe the same day!
- If you have a wok instead of a pan, I highly recommend using the wok! It will mix everything beautifully and yield a more flavorful mix. But a pan works great if not!
- If you are using a wok, toss your mix a lot and with great vigor! You arm will hurt a bit but this will maximize flavor.
- If you want to feel like a true chef, you can take the time to separate the egg yolks and whites, fry the rice with the yolks first, then add in the whites for excellent flavor and texture. But the dish will be excellent even without this hack!
Chinese Shrimp Fried Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup Day-old white rice (1 cup uncooked for measurement)
- 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp
- 1 cup frozen mixed veggies
- 1/4 chopped onion
- 2 tbsp avocado, peanut, or canola oil
- 3 eggs
- 2 tbsp Light soy sauce
- 2 tbsp Dark soy sauce
- 1/2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp White pepper
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 1/2 bunch scallions
Instructions
- Season the peeled and deveined shrimp with white pepper, corn starch, soy sauce, and rice cooking wine.
- In a wok or pan, add 1 tbsp oil, saute 3 eggs until almost cooked through then set aside. Add in the shrimp and cook 3-4 minutes until opaque then set aside.
- Add 1 more tbsp oil to the wok and add in minced garlic, chopped onions, and mixed frozen veggies. Stir until veggies are softened. Then add in day-old white rice and start breaking the rice down. Once broken down add light soy sauce and dark soy sauce for color and 1 tsp sesame oil.
- Once it’s almost done, at the last-minute throw in bean sprouts and scallions and saute until slightly softened. You don’t want soggy bean sprouts 🙂
