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Fried Brown Rice, thewoksoflife.com
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5 from 8 votes

Fried Brown Rice

Fried Brown Rice is a healthy alternative to your favorite takeout options. You can easily serve up more fiber, but with all the same great flavor!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Rice
Cuisine: Chinese
Servings: 4
Calories: 495kcal
Author: Bill

Ingredients

  • 4 cups cooked brown rice
  • 8 ounces beef, chicken or pork (225g, cut into small 1/2-inch pieces; if using shrimp, use 70-90 size peeled shrimp)
  • 1 tablespoon water (plus 2 teaspoons hot water, divided)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dark mushroom soy sauce (or regular dark soy sauce)
  • 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon MSG (totally optional)
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil (divided)
  • 2 eggs (beaten)
  • 1 medium onion (about 165g, chopped)
  • 3/4 cup carrots (chopped, fresh or frozen)
  • 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
  • 1 cup frozen peas (135g)
  • 1 scallion (chopped)

Instructions

Steam the brown rice

  • Brown rice is easy to cook. We have detailed instructions in our post on How to Make Perfect Brown Rice, either on the stove, or in any rice cooker. 
  • If you are making brown rice fresh the same day, let the cooked rice cool completely before using it. It’s best to transfer the rice from the pot to a sheet pan and fluff it with a fork, so it can dry out and cool simultaneously.
  • Day-old brown rice also works nicely, as cold rice clumps are drier and easily broken apart in the wok. Simply take the brown rice out of the refrigerator, wet your hands with a little water, and break up any clumps so you have individual rice grains. Rinse your hands with a little more water if rice sticks to your hands.

Marinate the meat

  • If using beef, chicken, or pork, add 1 tablespoon water, 1¼ teaspoons dark mushroom soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon vegetable oil to the meat. Mix until all the liquid is absorbed by the meat to tenderize and add moisture. If you’re using shrimp, just omit the dark mushroom soy sauce.
  • Next, mix in 1 teaspoon cornstarch and set aside. We made a version with beef, but you can pick any meat of your choosing or go vegetarian with a vegetable fried brown rice.

Prepare sauce

  • Mixing your sauce ahead of time is much easier than adding everything individually to a hot wok. In a small bowl, mix 2 teaspoons hot water and ¼ teaspoon granulated sugar until dissolved. Stir in ⅛ teaspoon ground white pepper, ½ teaspoon sesame oil, 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce, 1 tablespoon light soy sauce, and ½ teaspoon MSG if using. Set aside.

Scramble eggs

  • Heat the wok until just smoking. Spread two tablespoons of vegetable oil evenly around the wok, and add the beaten eggs. Turn the heat down and stir the eggs until scrambled. Transfer back to the same bowl, and set aside.

Sear meat

  • Heat the wok until smoking. Add one tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add the marinated meat to the wok. Spread it out in one single layer, and sear for 30 seconds on each side. Scoop it back into the bowl and set aside.

Stir-fry everything together

  • With the heat on high, add the chopped onions to the wok (there should be some oil remaining from searing the meat). Cook until translucent. If using fresh carrots, add them at the same time you add the onions. If using frozen carrots, add them after the onions turn translucent.Continue stir frying until the carrots are heated through.
  • Add the cooked brown rice. Your heat should be really high at this point to prevent sticking. Use your metal wok spatula to stir-fry the rice, scraping from the bottom of the wok to prevent sticking. This is an essential technique for fried rice.
  • Once the brown rice is warmed (after 1 to 2 minutes of stir-frying), pour the prepared sauce evenly over the rice. Stir fry for another 1-2 minutes to evenly distribute the sauce.
  • Add in the seared meat. Spread 1 tablespoon of Shaoxing wine around the perimeter of the wok, and give everything a quick stir. 
  • Next, stir in the scrambled eggs. Then, stir in the frozen peas until heated through. Toss in the chopped scallions and stir fry for another 15 seconds. Use a clean spoon to taste the rice, and re-season with more soy sauce or salt if needed.
  • Plate and serve immediately.

Notes

Nutrition facts were calculated using beef, but this recipe can also be made with chicken, pork, or shrimp. Nutrition will vary based on the protein you decide to use!

Nutrition

Calories: 495kcal | Carbohydrates: 58g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 116mg | Sodium: 544mg | Potassium: 593mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 4435IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 3mg