Description
This beef fried rice recipe is a savory and satisfying dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Featuring tender ground beef, colorful vegetables, scrambled eggs, and a flavorful blend of soy and oyster sauces, this dish combines classic Asian flavors with simple ingredients. Using day-old rice ensures a perfect texture, and caramelizing the beef imparts a rich depth of flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 2 tsp light soy sauce
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp Chinese cooking wine
- 1/2 tsp white sugar
- 1/8 tsp white pepper (substitute black pepper if unavailable)
Main Ingredients
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 eggs, lightly whisked
- 2 tbsp oil (peanut, vegetable, canola, or other neutral oil)
- 1/2 onion, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 250g (8 oz) lean beef mince / ground beef
- 2 cups frozen diced carrots, peas, corn (use frozen directly; fresh diced vegetables can be substituted)
- 3 cups day-old cooked rice (equivalent to 1 cup uncooked rice)
- 1/2 cup finely sliced green onions (from 1–2 stems)
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, combine dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, Chinese cooking wine, white sugar, and white pepper. Mix well and set aside.
- Scramble the eggs: Heat the sesame oil in a large wok or non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Add the lightly whisked eggs and gently stir to make soft scrambled eggs. Once cooked, transfer them to a plate and set aside.
- Cook the beef: In the same wok or pan, heat the neutral oil over high heat. Add the finely diced onion and minced garlic, cooking for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the lean ground beef and break it up as it cooks. Continue cooking for around 2 minutes until the beef is no longer pink. Pour in 2 tablespoons of the prepared sauce and cook for an additional 1 minute to enhance the flavor.
- Add vegetables and caramelize beef: Add the frozen diced vegetables directly to the pan. Cook for about 2 minutes, allowing the beef to caramelize and develop rich flavor. This step is crucial for authentic taste, so do not rush it.
- Add rice and remaining sauce: Incorporate the day-old cooked rice along with the remaining sauce into the pan. Toss everything together and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently so the sauce evenly coats the rice and the grains begin to caramelize slightly.
- Combine eggs and green onions: Return the scrambled eggs to the pan along with the finely sliced green onions. Toss gently to combine well. Once heated through and well mixed, remove from heat and serve immediately in bowls. Enjoy your flavorful beef fried rice!
Notes
- Use day-old rice to prevent clumping and achieve the perfect fried rice texture.
- Dark soy sauce adds deep color and flavor; light soy sauce adds saltiness and brightness.
- Chinese cooking wine is essential for authentic aroma; dry sherry can be a substitute.
- Lean beef is preferred to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
- You can swap frozen vegetables with fresh diced carrots, peas, and corn if preferred.
- Caramelizing the beef properly is key for flavor, so cook it until it develops a slight crust.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Stir-fry
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
Keywords: beef fried rice, Chinese fried rice, ground beef recipe, quick dinner, stir-fry rice
