This is the kind of shrimp fried rice that makes an easy dinner feel like takeout at home. Juicy shrimp, fluffy eggs, vegetables, and savory seasoned rice all come together in one skillet, ready in just 25 minutes for a fast, satisfying weeknight meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Faster than delivery. Ready in just 25 minutes from start to finish.
- A complete meal in one skillet. Protein, vegetables, and rice all cooked together.
- That classic fried rice flavor. Soy sauce, oyster sauce, and Chinese five spice bring familiar, savory depth.
- Simple, everyday ingredients. No special trip to the store required.
Ingredients
- 1 cup rice
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- ½ package frozen peas and carrots
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ½ cup soy sauce
- 1 tsp Chinese five spice
- ½ tbsp oyster sauce
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp canola oil
- Green onions, for garnish
How to Make Shrimp Fried Rice
1. Cook the shrimp. Heat the canola oil in a wok or large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the shrimp and cook for about 2 minutes. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
2. Cook the vegetables. Add the frozen peas and carrots to the same skillet. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
3. Fry the rice. Add the rice and stir-fry for about 30 seconds. Pour in the soy sauce and oyster sauce, then add the Chinese five spice and salt. Toss until the rice is evenly seasoned.
4. Scramble the eggs. Push the shrimp fried rice mixture toward the sides to create an opening in the center. Pour in the beaten eggs and let them begin to set for 2 to 3 minutes. Scramble the eggs, then mix them into the rice.
5. Finish with shrimp. Return the shrimp to the skillet and toss everything together. Continue cooking just until the shrimp are fully cooked and the fried rice is hot.
6. Serve hot. Garnish the shrimp fried rice with green onions and serve immediately.
Tips for the Best Shrimp Fried Rice
- Use day-old rice if possible. Cold, previously cooked rice fries up better than fresh rice, which can turn mushy or clump together.
- Don’t overcook the shrimp in the first step. A quick 2 minutes is enough since they’ll finish cooking again at the end.
- Cook over medium-high heat for the best texture. This helps achieve that classic fried rice sear instead of steaming the ingredients.
- Have everything prepped before you start. This dish moves quickly, so having the rice, shrimp, and vegetables ready makes the process smooth.
What to Serve with Shrimp Fried Rice
This dish is a complete meal on its own, but egg rolls or a simple cucumber salad make great additions if you want to round out the spread.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different protein?
Yes, chicken, pork, or tofu can be swapped in for the shrimp using the same cooking method.
Can I use fresh peas and carrots instead of frozen?
Yes, just make sure they’re cut small and cook them slightly longer if starting raw, since frozen vegetables are often partially cooked already.
Can I make this ahead of time?
This dish is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be reheated in a skillet over medium heat to help restore some of the texture.
Shrimp Fried Rice
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat the canola oil in a wok or large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the shrimp and cook for about 2 minutes. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Add the frozen peas and carrots to the same skillet. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add the rice and stir-fry for about 30 seconds. Pour in the soy sauce and oyster sauce, then add the Chinese five spice and salt. Toss until the rice is evenly seasoned.
- Push the shrimp fried rice mixture toward the sides to create an opening in the center. Pour in the beaten eggs and let them begin to set for 2 to 3 minutes. Scramble the eggs, then mix them into the rice.
- Return the shrimp to the skillet and toss everything together. Continue cooking just until the shrimp are fully cooked and the fried rice is hot.
- Garnish the shrimp fried rice with green onions and serve immediately.
