Garlic Fried Rice
Equipment
Ingredients
Fried Rice
- 2 cups day-old rice
- 20 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Garnishes
- Crispy garlic
- Scallions
Instructions
- Finely mince a bunch of garlic. Heat a generous amount of oil in a pan and add three-quarters of the minced garlic, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
- Once the garlic turns golden brown and crispy, strain it out and set it aside.
- In the remaining garlic oil, add the last quarter of the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute. Add the day-old rice, soy sauce, salt, pepper, and your crispy garlic. Stir-fry until the rice is evenly coated and there’s no liquid left in the pan.
- Serve the rice and optionally garnish with extra crispy garlic and scallions
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Why This Garlic Fried Rice Is Above Average
This Garlic Fried Rice stands out for two reasons. The first is because this uses 20 cloves of finely minced garlic. The second is because it’s so simple to make! I wanted to make something similar to the famous San Francisco Garlic Noodles because they stand out amongst a dinner spread as a side dish but also can be eaten as the base for a simple weeknight dinner. Every time I serve this Garlic Fried Rice, the dish is always comes back empty, which is the best feeling ever!
Why There Are Two Steps To Cook Garlic
There’s two reasons why we fry the garlic until they’re crispy and golden. It’s because it creates texture within the fried rice, which makes the eating experience way better. The second reason is because it infuses the oil that we cook even more garlic in which ends up infusing the rice with that rich buttery flavor. These two steps create a Garlic Fried Rice that truly promises the flavors in its name.
Ingredients You’ll Need To Make Garlic Fried Rice
Fried Rice
- 2 cups day-old rice
- 20 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Garnishes
- Crispy garlic
- Sliced scallions
How to Make Garlic Fried Rice
Mince all your garlic. Heat a generous amount of oil in a nonstick pan or wok. Add about ¾ of the garlic and stir constantly for 2–3 minutes until golden and crispy.
Strain the crispy garlic and set aside.
In the same pan with the garlic-infused oil, sauté the remaining garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the day-old rice, soy sauce, salt, pepper, and crispy garlic. Stir-fry until the rice is fully coated, evenly seasoned, and the pan looks dry.
Serve and optionally garnish with scallions and extra crispy garlic.
Tips & Variations
Use Day-Old Rice!!!
Cold, dry rice fries better and keeps its texture. You risk having mushy rice if you use fresh rice.
Don’t Skimp on Oil!
A good amount of oil helps infuse the garlic flavor and gives the rice its signature garlicky flavor.
The Best Protein To Add:
I personally love to add some bacon or a fried egg on top for some extra protein! But I also love to eat it just as a side dish.
Try Butter:
For even more richness, replace some of the oil with butter in step 3.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use pre-minced garlic or garlic paste?
I personally wouldn’t. The texture and flavor of freshly minced garlic, especially for those crispy bits, truly makes a huge difference.
What type of rice should I use?
Jasmine is my go-to for its fragrance and texture, but any medium or long grain rice works. Short grain is fine too if you like it a little stickier.
Can I prep this ahead of time?
Yes! You can fry the garlic ahead and store it in an airtight container. Then just stir-fry the rice right before serving to preserve the crunch!
What’s the best oil for frying the garlic?
Neutral oils like canola, vegetable, or grapeseed work best.
Try These Next
- Craving another side dish for your dinner party? Try my Gochujang Mac and Cheese!
- Want something with a little more richness? Try out my Garlic Butter Fried Rice!
- Looking for another crowd-pleasing side? Don’t miss my Gochujang Alfredo!
