Shrimp Fried Rice Recipe

Shrimp fried rice is a popular dish known for its simplicity, affordability and delicious taste. If you love shrimp and rice, then this recipe will be a hit in your home. Not only is it easy to make, but it can also be customized to suit your preferences. In this article, we will go through the process of making shrimp fried rice from scratch using basic ingredients.

Ingredients

1 pound of uncooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
3 cups of cooked white rice
1 small onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon of grated ginger
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup of frozen peas and carrots
2 eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons of soy sauce (or more, to taste)
1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
Salt and black pepper to taste

Note: The above ingredients are based on four servings. Adjust the serving sizes as needed.

Preparing the Shrimp

Clean and devein the shrimp before cooking. Once cleaned, season them with salt and black pepper to taste. Heat a pan over medium-high heat with vegetable oil. Add the shrimp and sauté for three to five minutes until cooked through. Set aside once done.

Cooking Rice

The key to perfect fried rice is well-cooked rice that’s not mushy or sticky. Use leftover rice that’s been cooled in your refrigerator or freshly cooked white rice that has been cooled and fluffed. Cooking the rice correctly requires the right ratio of water to rice and proper fluffing to prevent clumps. In a medium saucepan, start by washing 2 cups of rice thoroughly to remove excess starch.

Drain the water and add fresh water covering the rice completely with a two-finger gap from the top of the pot.
Bring the water to boil, uncovered, over high heat, and stir occasionally until you see holes forming on top of the rice and notice most of the water has disappeared, giving you an even layer of rice.
Lower heat to low simmer, cover with lid and cook for 20 minutes until fluffy.
Remove from pot from heat, let it stand covered for another few minutes before fluffing it with a fork.

Note: For every one cup of white rice used in this recipe, use one and a half cups of water.

Preparing Vegetables

Finely chop the onion, garlic, ginger, red bell pepper and frozen peas & carrots into small pieces. Heat up oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat for a minute. Sauté garlic and ginger until fragrant then add chopped vegetables. Season them with a pinch of salt and black pepper or soy sauce to taste. Stir occasionally until cooked but still crisp which should take approximately five to eight minutes. Once cooked, set aside.

Cooking the Rice

In another wide non-stick pan or wok over medium-high heat add two tablespoons of oil then place cold cooked fluffed rice into pan stir fry till edges are slightly toasted but are not burned about 5-8 minutes. Season with black pepper and salt stirring seasoning evenly.

Create space in the center of your pan or wok once the rice is ready add the beaten eggs. Let them cook for a few seconds before stirring to scramble them around. Once cooked, mix everything together.

Combining Shrimp with Fried Rice

Add the cooked shrimp to the stir-fried vegetables to combine all ingredients into your fried rice pan or wok, quickly stirring and frying everything together for another two to three minutes. Taste test your recipe and adjust seasoning before serving.

Tips for Perfect Shrimp Fried Rice Recipe

Use cold leftover white rice. Fresh hot rice often will turn out too sticky.
Clean and devein your shrimp properly as this is crucial in ensuring they’re free from any sandiness or grittiness.
Avoid using too much oil when cooking to prevent a greasy dish.
If possible, cook at a high heat so that the dish cooks quickly and everything’s evenly heated well.
For those who prefer spicy food, add some heat by adding diced small Thai bird chili into ginger garlic sauté or adding red pepper flakes to the stir fry mix.

Serving Shrimp Fried Rice

To make it look appetizing, garnish it with thinly sliced green onions or fresh cilantro.

Conclusion

In conclusion, making shrimp fried rice is a straightforward process that can easily be customized to suit your taste buds. By following these simple steps, you can enjoy deliciously cooked shrimp fired rice in no time.

Remember to always consider the nutritional value of every meal you serve and ensure you’re using safe and fresh ingredients when cooking.

Give this recipe a try, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how quick and easy it is to prepare.

7 FAQs about Shrimp Fried Rice Recipe

Q1: What ingredients do I need for shrimp fried rice recipe?

A: You will need rice, shrimp, vegetables (like carrots, peas, and onions), eggs, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger.

Q2: Do I need to use a specific type of rice for this recipe?

A: Traditionally, jasmine rice is used but you can also use basmati or long-grain white rice.

Q3: Is it important to use fresh shrimp or can I use frozen?

A: You can use either fresh or frozen shrimp. If using frozen, make sure to defrost properly before cooking.

Q4: How do I prevent the rice from getting mushy?

A: Use cold cooked rice instead of freshly cooked rice and let it cool down completely before stir-frying. This helps prevent the rice from becoming sticky and mushy during cooking.

Q5: Can I customize this recipe with other proteins instead of shrimp?

A: Yes! You can use chicken, beef, or tofu as an alternative to shrimp.

Q6: Can I add more vegetables to this recipe?

A: Absolutely! You can add any vegetables that you like such as bell peppers, broccoli, mushrooms, or zucchini. Just make sure to adjust the cooking times accordingly.

Q7: Is this recipe gluten-free?

A: It can be easily made gluten-free by using gluten-free soy sauce or tamari instead of regular soy sauce.

Remember to preheat your wok or skillet before adding oil and stir-frying the rice.
Make sure to stir-fry the shrimp until it turns pink and opaque.
You can garnish with sliced green onions or chopped cilantro for added flavor.
If you don’t have sesame oil, you can substitute it with vegetable oil or canola oil.

Now that you know the basics of making delicious shrimp fried rice, go ahead and give it a try!

shrimp fried rice recipe