Try this classic Indian Chinese-style veg fried rice recipe that is much better than your favorite eatery. Using extra rice, this dish comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for active weeknights or last-minute cravings.
About This Recipe:
Indo-Chinese veg fried rice is a combination dish that combines elements of Indian and Chinese cuisines. It ordinarily consists of cooked basmati rice stir-fried with a variety of vegetables, and aromatics like ginger and garlic, and flavored with soy sauce and other seasonings. This dish is known for its strong flavors, vibrant colors, and healthy textures.
It is regularly served as a standalone main course or as a side dish nearby other Indo-Chinese dishes such as veg Manchurian, chili paneer, or vegetable hakka noodles.
Ingredient Notes:
Veg fried rice recipe ingredients in bowls and spoons with labels.
Basmati Rice: Cook the rice until it’s soft and each grain is separate. Leftover rice works perfectly for this recipe.
Oil: Always use oil that has a high smoke point as we are cooking on medium-high heat. e.g. peanut oil, safflower oil, avocado oil, etc.
Ginger, and Garlic: I usually smash these into using a wet jar of my spice grinder. Or you can mince them using a knife.
Veggies: I have utilized onion, carrot, cabbage, green pepper, and green beans. Check out the varieties segment below for more ideas.
I prefer to use fresh veggies as they allow the best crisp texture.
You can use frozen veggies if short on time. But keep in mind that frozen veggies may turn out soft and stay crunchy like fresh ones.
Soy sauce: Includes a savory umami flavor. I’ve used regular soy sauce, but you can pick for dark or light soy sauce according to your preference.
Vinegar: I have utilized white vinegar here. Any other vinegar like rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar, chili vinegar, etc works too.
Spring Onion Greens: Use the green portion of spring onions as a garnish for a fresh touch.
How To Make Veg Fried Rice?
Prep:
For the best results, cook the basmati rice a day before or a few hours ahead. You can follow any of the two methods
– Cook basmati rice in instant pot
– Cook basmati rice on the stovetop
If you’re using extra rice from the fridge, make sure to bring it to room temperature before using it.
If you’re cooking the rice fresh, spread it out on a large plate or plate to cool down quickly. This step guarantees that the rice keeps up its surface and doesn’t clump together when included to the fried rice later on.
Make Vegetable Fried Rice Recipe:
1, 2) Warm oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add minced ginger and garlic, and saute for approximately a minute until fragrant.
3, 4) Add diced onion and cook for another minute until translucent.
5, 6) Next, include the remaining vegetables (cabbage, green pepper, carrot, green beans). Add salt and cook for 4-5 minutes until they are tender-crisp (not soft or totally tender soft).
7, 8, 9, 10) Season with black pepper, soy sauce, and vinegar. Blend to combine.
11, 12) Add the cooked rice and spring onion greens to the pan. Toss everything together and cook for 2 minutes or until warmed through.
Expert Tips:
Leftover or Cooled Rice: Use day-old rice or let crisply cooked rice cool totally to prevent it from becoming soft when stir-fried.
Same Size Veggies: Make sure to dice all the veggies into even-sized pieces so they cook at the same time.
Medium-High Heat: Continuously mix fresh veggies and toss rice on medium-high heat to guarantee that the veggies and rice get nicely cooked without getting to bemushy or overly dry.
Smokey Flavor:
Ensure the wok or pan is hot sometime recently add the ingredients to accomplish that signature smoky flavor.
Using a cast iron pan (if the wok is not available) adds a tasty smoky flavor and helps achieve the perfect surface by equally distributing heat all through the rice and vegetables.
Avoid Soft Rice: Continuously tenderly blend and toss it rather than vigorously mixing it.
Serving Ideas:
Indian Chinese combination: Combine Veg Fried Rice with Manchurian (eg. veg Manchurian, gobi manchurian, paneer Manchurian, mushroom Manchurian) or chili paneer for an authentic Indo-Chinese experience.
Grilled paneer/tofu: Serve nearby grilled tofu or paneer for a protein-packed vegetarian meal.