This easy Beef Fried Rice is ready in under 30 minutes and so delicious! It’s a great way to reinvent leftover rice into a filling and satisfying meal that the whole family will love. With just a few simple ingredients, you’ll find yourself making this recipe all the time!
I love leftovers, so fried rice is a recipe I make all the time! You can take leftovers, and make them into a completely different meal that is satisfying and flavorful. If you are in the mood for more fried rice recipes, you’ve got to try this Hawaiian Fried Rice, this classic and Easy Fried Rice, and this Bacon Fried Rice.
Ground Beef Fried Rice
If you know me at all, you know I’m a sucker for good takeout! Of course, I also love making my family delicious and easy meals, and this beef fried rice is the best of both worlds. I usually plan to make it the night after we eat something else that I needed to make rice for, like a Korean ground beef and rice bowl, or a salmon rice bowl. Grab that leftover rice and give it new life with just a few simple steps!
First of all, in any stir fry, you can really throw in whatever you feel like. I usually stick mostly to this recipe, but sometimes I’ll throw in garlic, ginger, broccoli, and whatever strikes me in the moment. I have also used plenty of different kinds of rice, like jasmine rice and even cauliflower rice (try this cauliflower fried rice recipe). This recipe is super versatile and really flavorful, so you can change it to fit your tastebuds perfectly!
Ingredients
Oh how I love the simple ingredients in this beef fried rice! You could actually switch up the meat in this recipe, you don’t have to stick with just beef! Try chicken, ground pork, or even shrimp for a whole new recipe. This recipe is so much better than Chinese takeout and all you need is 30 minutes! You can find the measurements below in the recipe card.
- Sesame Oil: To season the veggies and beef.
- Ground Beef: You can use whatever kind of ground beef you prefer. You could also use different cuts of beef as well, like beef mince or sirloin steak! Any tender cut of beef would work.
- Onion Powder: For extra savory flavor on the beef.
- Kosher Salt: A high quality salt makes all the difference.
- Black Pepper: I love using freshly cracked black pepper for the most flavor.
- Rice: This is day old rice that is already cooked. You can use whatever method you want, I share some ideas in the tip box below, or just use your leftovers from another meal.
- White Onion: Sweet and savory at the same time, you’ll want little bites of onion in your rice.
- Peas and Carrots: Frozen is easiest and will work great for this recipe. You could use fresh if you prefer.
- Soy Sauce: You can’t forget soy sauce! It’s a classic flavor in fried rice. You can use dark soy sauce if you want to instead.
- Eggs: You will lightly beat them and scramble them in the wok. They are so good!
- Green Onions: This is optional for garnish.
Beef Fried Rice Recipe
You will need just one pot for this beef fried rice recipe. I love meals where I don’t have to do tons of dishes afterward! This recipe is simple and so flavorful, and you can eat it on it’s own, or with a few simple side dishes. It will seriously only take 30 minutes, so let’s get cooking!
- Cook Ground Beef: Preheat a large skillet or wok to medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, ground beef, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until no longer pink. Drain any leftover oil from the meat. Remove from the wok and set aside.
- Cook Veggies: Returning to the same wok, add the remaining 2 tablespoons sesame oil, onion, peas, and carrots. Cook until tender.
- Scramble Eggs: Slide the onion, peas, and carrots to the side, and pour the beaten eggs onto the other side of the skillet. Using a spatula, scramble the eggs. Once cooked, mix the eggs with the vegetable mix.
- Add Rice to Veggies and Egg: Add the cooked rice to the veggie and egg mixture. Pour the soy sauce on top. Stir and fry the rice and veggie mixture until warmed through and combined.
- Add Beef: Add the cooked ground beef back to the rice and veggie mixture and stir to combine.
- Season and Garnish: Season with additional salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with chopped green onion if desired.
Tips for Making Beef Fried Rice
I love sharing my tips along with the recipes because it gives you an inside look into my kitchen. If this is your first time making this dish, make sure to read these tips and your beef fried rice will be perfect!
- How to Cook the Rice: The easiest way to cook the rice if you ask me is in your instant pot! I love instant pot rice because you just set it and forget it. You can also cook the rice over the stove in a pot, or in a rice cooker. I prefer to make fried rice with day-old rice, but you could use fresh rice if you want to.
- Variations: There are SO many variations to this recipe. You can switch out the meat, the veggies, and the seasonings based on what you have in your fridge or freezer. Try vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, and cabbage.
- Side Dish Ideas: If you know you won’t be totally satisfied with just this fried rice for dinner, try making these fun and easy cream cheese wontons or egg rolls to go along with it! It will give you the takeout experience in your own home. If you want to keep things healthier, try this Asian ramen salad.
Storing Leftovers
Beef fried rice makes the best leftovers because it reheats so easily in the microwave! The flavors will be just as good the next day, making this a great choice for a packed lunch.
- In the Refrigerator: Store your leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave covered with a wet paper towel to keep the rice soft and moist.
More Asian Inspired Dishes
Dinner
Cashew Chicken (Way Better than Takeout!)
Side Dishes
Better than Takeout Shrimp Fried Rice
Dinner
Skinny Slow Cooker Kung Pao Chicken
Dinner
Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken
Ground Beef Fried Rice
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons sesame oil, divided
- 3/4 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 3 cups rice, cooked
- 1/2 white onion, chopped
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots thawed
- 2-3 tablespoons soy sauce more or less to taste
- 2 eggs lightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons green onions chopped, optional
Instructions
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Preheat a large skillet or wok to medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, ground beef, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until no longer pink. Drain any leftover oil from the meat. Remove from the wok and set aside.
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Returning to the same wok, add the remaining 2 tablespoons sesame oil, onion, peas, and carrots. Cook until tender.
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Slide the onion, peas, and carrots to the side, and pour the beaten eggs onto the other side of the skillet. Using a spatula, scramble the eggs. Once cooked, mix the eggs with the vegetable mix.
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Add the cooked rice to the veggie and egg mixture. Pour the soy sauce on top. Stir and fry the rice and veggie mixture until warmed through and combined.
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Add the cooked ground beef back to the rice and veggie mixture and stir to combine.
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Season with additional salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with chopped green onion if desired.
