Panda Express Fried Rice Recipe
User Reviews
4.8
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Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
10 mins
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Total Time
15 mins
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Servings
2 servings
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Calories
551 kcal
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Course
Side Dish, Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Panda Express Fried Rice Recipe
Description
This fried rice recipe mimics Panda Express by stir-frying long grain rice with vegetables including green onions, carrots, and green peas. Eggs are scrambled directly in the pan with the vegetables, adding protein and richness. The rice is seasoned with soy sauce, vinegar, and optionally sesame oil, lending a mix of savory, tangy, and nutty notes.
Using slightly undercooked or leftover chilled rice helps keep the grains separate and prevents mushiness during stir-frying. The oil provides a non-stick surface and toastiness, while high heat cooking in a wok or suitable pan encourages a slightly crispy texture on some rice grains.
This fried rice pairs well as a side dish with various Asian entrees or can be served alone as a quick meal. The notes suggest mild vinegar types and appropriate oils to maintain balanced flavor without overpowering the dish.
Ingredients
- 1 cup long grain rice uncooked, *see Notes
- 1-2 Tablespoons neutral cooking oil generic cooking oil
- 2 green onions aka spring onion
- ½ cup carrot cut into matchsticks
- 2 egg
- ½ cup green peas
- 2 Tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 Tablespoon vinegar
- ½ Tablespoon sesame oil [optional]
Instructions
- For the rice, either cook it halfway through so that the rice grains are semi/almost cooked or, even better, use leftover rice which was kept in the fridge. Leftover fridge rice tends to get a bit hard in the fridge, and that's what we want. It's easy to stir-fry the rice that way, or it will get mushy.
- Heat up a pan or wok with oil.
- Add the sliced green onion bulbs and stir-fry for a minute or two until the onion bulbs have turned soft.
- Then add the carrot pieces and stir-fry for a minute as well.
- Break the eggs into a small bowl and scramble eggs.
- Push the carrot and onion slices to the side of the pan so that we can cook the egg. Pour the egg into the pan and let it cook. Then break the eggs into pieces.
- Mix the whole content of the pan.
- Add in the green peas. I use cooked soft green peas. Mix everything well.
- Now you can add the cooked rice.
- Stir-fry and mix the rice with the other ingredients on high heat. Use two wooden frying spatulas for that purpose, or Chinese cooking chopsticks.
- Pour the soy sauce and vinegar over the fried rice. Mix and stir-fry again for a minute.
- Pour the sesame oil over the panda express fried rice for extra Chinese food flavors
- Mix everything well, garnish with the sliced green onion stalks.
Notes
- Use long grain rice such as Basmati for optimal texture.
- Choose rice vinegar or mild white vinegar to complement flavors without acidity overpowering the dish.
- Sesame oil is optional, adding traditional Chinese flavor.
- For crispy fried rice, use a non-stick pan free of PFOA and BPA or a stainless steel wok.
- Leftover rice that’s been refrigerated works best to prevent mushy texture during stir-fry.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 2servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 551 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 551kcal | 28% |
| Carbohydrates | 84g | 28% |
| Protein | 16g | 32% |
| Fat | 15g | 23% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 163mg | 54% |
| Sodium | 1098mg | 46% |
| Potassium | 429mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 5980IU | 120% |
| Vitamin C | 18.6mg | 21% |
| Calcium | 79mg | 8% |
| Iron | 2.8mg | 16% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
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