This homemade Panda Express copycat fried rice recipe is light, fluffy, and packed with scrambled eggs and fresh vegetables. With cooked rice on hand, it’s ready in just 15 minutes and tastes just as good as the original—or even better.
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Making this Panda Express fried rice at home is both quick and versatile. It’s incredibly delicious and perfect for busy days or last-minute meals. It’s a great way to use up leftover rice and any stir-fry vegetables lying in the fridge. Plus, it only requires one pan, making cleanup a breeze!
Whether you serve it as a main or a side, this fried rice will always be a hit.
I love pairing it with my Panda Express inspired black pepper chicken. The flavors blend beautifully, creating a well-rounded and satisfying meal that everyone loves.
Ingredients You’ll need
Rice: Using cold, pre-cooked rice is essential. Freshly cooked rice tends to be too soft, making the fried rice mushy. Cold rice holds its shape better, allowing it to soak up the sauces without getting soggy.
Eggs: For fried rice, eggs are a key ingredient that add flavor, texture, and richness. They are typically scrambled and mixed into the rice towards the end of cooking, giving the dish a fluffy, savory finish. You can use whole eggs, or just egg whites if you prefer a lighter version.
Vegetables: For vegetables, I’m adding cabbage and carrots for a nice mix of color and crunch. These are classic choices that blend well.
You can also use other vegetables if you like! Bell peppers, peas, or even broccoli can be great additions.
Oil: A neutral oil, like vegetable, sunflower, or canola, works best.
Regular soy sauce: Adds that classic savory umami flavor and a touch of color.
Oyster sauce: Adds depth and a subtle sweetness that complements the dish
Toasted sesame oil: This finishing touch brings a warm, nutty aroma. It’s quite potent, so just a little goes a long way.
Salt and freshly ground black pepper: for seasoning.
Green onion: It’s best added towards the end to keep its vibrant green color and crisp texture.
Additions and Substitutions
Flavor boost: Add a little chicken broth powder to take your fried rice to the next level, enhancing its flavor and giving it that extra boost.
Additional protein: Add shrimp, chicken, or any other proteins of choice. Just be sure to cook them first before mixing them in.
Vegetable Variety: Broccoli, bell peppers, green peas, and mushrooms are all great additions to enhance flavor and texture.
Spice It Up: Add some chili flakes, chili oil, or a dash of sriracha for extra heat.
Richness: Substitute oil with butter for a richer, creamier flavor.
Add some crunch: top with toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions for extra texture and flavor.
Instructions Step By Step
- Prep the ingredients: Chop up all the vegetables and gently break apart any clumps in the rice for even cooking. This recipe comes together fast, so keep all your ingredients within reach to ensure a smooth cooking process!
- Cook the eggs: Crack the eggs into a bowl and set aside. Heat a pan with 1 tablespoon of oil, swirling to coat the surface.
- Pour in the eggs, season with salt and crushed black pepper, and cook, stirring gently until scrambled to your liking. Once done transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Stir-Fry the veggies: Heat the same pan over high heat, then add the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil. Once the oil is hot, add the onion and stir continuously for a few seconds.
- Next, toss in the diced veggies and stir for about a minute, aiming for a vibrant color and a slight crispness.
- Toss in the rice: Add the rice and keep stirring and tossing continuously for about 1-2 minutes.
- Mix in the egg and sauces: Add the scrambled egg, soy sauce, oyster sauce, toasted sesame oil, crushed pepper, and salt. Stir until all the flavors are well combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Finish with green onions: Add the green onions and turn off the flame. Give everything a good mix and serve immediately.
Important Tips
For the best results, keep these tips in mind:
Ensure your pan or wok is large enough to accommodate the rice and all other ingredients.
Stir continuously over high heat to achieve that fluffy, smoke-infused fried rice. The goal is to keep the pan hot throughout the cooking process. At the same time, keep an eye on it so nothing sticks to the bottom and burns.
When cooking the eggs, make sure not to overcook them; they should be soft and tender.
If adding extra proteins, cook them separately before mixing with the rice.
Be cautious with salt, as the sauces already contain some.
Taste and adjust the seasoning at the end for the perfect balance.
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If you try the recipe, please take a moment to leave a comment and rating. I love hearing from you and it also helps other readers who are thinking of making the recipe.
Recipe
Panda Express Copycat Fried Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup white long- or medium-grain rice cooked and cold
- 4 eggs
- 3 tablespoons oil
- ½ medium onion finely chopped
- ½ cup cabbage finely shredded
- ½ cup carrots finely diced
- 1 tablespoon regular soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 green onion stalks sliced
Instructions
Prep the ingredients
- Chop up all the vegetables and gently break apart any clumps in the rice for even cooking. This recipe comes together fast, so keep all your ingredients within reach to ensure a smooth cooking process!
Cook the eggs
- Crack the eggs into a bowl and set aside. Heat a pan with 1 tablespoon of oil, swirling to coat the surface.
- Pour in the eggs, season with salt and crushed black pepper, and cook, stirring gently until scrambled to your liking. Once done transfer to a plate and set aside.
Stir-Fry the veggies
- Heat the same pan over high heat, then add the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil. Once the oil is hot, add the onion and stir continuously for a few seconds.
Toss in the rice
- Next, toss in the diced veggies and stir for about a minute, aiming for a vibrant color and a slight crispness.
- Add the rice and keep stirring and tossing continuously for about 1-2 minutes.
Mix in the egg and sauces
- Add the scrambled egg, soy sauce, oyster sauce, toasted sesame oil, crushed pepper, and salt. Stir until all the flavors are well combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Finish with green onions
- Add the green onions and turn off the flame. Give everything a good mix and serve immediately.
Notes
- For the best results, keep these tips in mind:
- Ensure your pan or wok is large enough to accommodate the rice and all other ingredients.
- Stir continuously over high heat to achieve that fluffy, smoke-infused fried rice. The goal is to keep the pan hot throughout the cooking process. At the same time, keep an eye on it so nothing sticks to the bottom and burns.
- When cooking the eggs, make sure not to overcook them; they should be soft and tender.
- If adding extra proteins, cook them separately before mixing with the rice.
- Be cautious with salt, as the sauces already contain some.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning at the end for the perfect balance.
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