Chinese Garlic Fried Rice Recipe

This Chinese style fried rice recipe is made for garlic lovers. In my opinion, there’s no such thing as too much garlic, and this fried rice is no exception. 

The fried rice is not only exploding with flavors of garlic but it’s seasoned with chicken bouillon and Shaoxing wine for the signature restaurant quality taste. Made with only eight simple ingredients and only 20 minutes of preparation time, this is the perfect quick upgrade to your leftover rice.

This is one of my all-time favorite fried rice recipes. And once you try it, I’m sure you’ll love it too! If you’re looking for a complete meal to pair with the fried rice, here are some of my recommendations:

• Air fryer salt and pepper tofu
• Chinese tea eggs
• Char siu (Chinese pork BBQ)
• Steamed Chilean Sea Bass
• Crispy Fried Rangoons with sweet chili dip

Why you’ll love this recipe

In general, fried rice is very easy to make, and that’s exactly what you can expect from this dish. This recipe includes frying minced garlic which does two things: first, it gives you crispy garlic bits that are mixed into the rice so you get crunchy bits in every bite. Second, to amplify the garlic flavor even more, we make a garlic-infused oil by frying the garlic. Imagine all the grains of rice coated in that delectable aromatic garlic oil, combined with seasoning ingredients like soy sauce, chicken bouillon, and Shaoxing wine. It’s simple, easy, rich, and flavorful. As a garlic and rice lover like me, that sounds like a meal that I can have every single day. 

Now most of the ingredients used in this recipe are pantry staples and easily accessible locally or online. If you want to make this taste restaurant quality, I highly recommend using Shaoxing wine, which is a type of rice wine that’s commonly used in Chinese cooking. You can get it from your local Asian grocery or on Amazon. Just a touch is all you’ll need but it’ll make all the difference. If you’re wondering what you can use Shaoxing wine for, here are some recipe ideas:

• Cantonese-style Ginger Scallion Lobster
• Ginger Scallion Noodles
• Chinese Tomato Egg Stir Fry

If you’re looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal that is delicious on its own with a fried egg on top and even better with other dishes on the side, give this recipe a try! This is one of my go-to recipes when I want something simple yet elevated using leftover rice. You can also customize this based on what you have and the flavors that you enjoy! For example, you can toss in vegetables like carrots, peas, and zucchini or proteins like chicken, pork, or beef to make it heartier. 

Lastly, you can make this ahead of time which is perfect for meal prep. You can even make a big batch of this fried rice and store it in freezer-safe portion containers, for quick and convenient meals. When you’re ready to serve, microwave for two minutes on high and you’ll have yourself a flavorful fried rice in no time!

Chinese Garlic Fried Rice Ingredients and Substitutions

Day-old rice: When it comes to fried rice, cold day-old rice that’s been in the fridge is the best because it’s drier than fresh rice. This means that it is ready to absorb all of those wonderful flavors from the oil and seasonings and will prevent the rice from clumping together. I prefer using day-old long-grain or medium grain rice. They are not too moist and mushy.

Garlic: Loads of fresh garlic go into this recipe, making this really aromatic and flavorful. I used one whole garlic head but feel free to add as much as you like! 

Scallions: Adds a touch of freshness and a light oniony flavor, as well as a beautiful pop of green color to make the fried rice even more appetizing. 

Chicken bouillon powder: For extra umami and savory flavor! This is another secret ingredient that my mom has been using to make it taste like the restaurant. I like to use the brand Lee Kum Kee. 

Soy sauce: For color and a deeper umami flavor. I always use the Pearl River Bridge brand. 

Shaoxing wine: Another star ingredient in Chinese cuisine, Shaoxing wine adds that rich, deep, and complex flavor to the fried rice. If you have dietary restrictions, you can skip this. 

Ground white pepper: For a hint of pepperiness. This can be substituted with ground black pepper. 

Neutral oil: For frying. I always use avocado oil, but any neutral-tasting oil like corn, sunflower seed, grapeseed, canola, and vegetable oil are all good options, too.

How to prepare Chinese Garlic Fried Rice

Step 1: Mince garlic and scallions

Start by mincing the garlic and chopping the scallions. Be sure to keep the white and green parts separated.

Step 2: Fry the garlic 

Add oil and minced garlic to a cold pan or wok. Turn the heat to low and fry the garlic until light brown, making sure to consistently stir to prevent burning. This takes about 5 to 7 minutes. Strain the garlic oil then set the fried garlic aside.

Step 3: Saute the scallions

Pour the infused garlic oil into the pan or wok over medium heat. Toss in the white part of the scallions and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until fragrant.

Step 4: Add the rice

Add the cold day-old rice and break up the rice with a spatula to get rid of any clumps. Toss the rice so it’s well coated in the infused oil.

Step 5: Season the rice

Season the rice with chicken bouillon powder, soy sauce, and Shaoxing wine. Mix everything together until well combined.

Step 6: Add the garlic 

Add the fried garlic and ground white pepper. Give it one last toss then transfer to a serving plate.

Step 7: Garnish and serve 

Garnish with the green part of the scallions and serve!

Preparation Tips for Chinese Garlic Fried Rice

Here are some helpful tips for making the most delicious Chinese garlic fried rice every time:

• If you have time, break up the rice before adding it to the pan. You want all the rice grains to separate so that each one gets coated with the oil and seasonings. This is not an essential step but it will help you save time. 
• To make the garlic chopping easier, you might want to use a vegetable chopper. If you don’t like the smell of garlic in your hands, you can always wear disposable gloves.
• Keep an eye on the garlic while it is frying. Make sure the heat is one low, and stir it often. It could go from golden brown to burnt in a second, so watch out! Once you remove the garlic from the oil, the residual heat will continue cooking it. So you want to remove it from the heat when it is just about light brown and not too dark.
• Use a wok if you have one. Its wide, rounded bottom gives the rice a large surface area to stick on to and to fry. It’s also easier to stir the rice in a wok. Otherwise, use any wide and shallow pan, preferably with a heavy bottom to make your fried rice. These types of pans conduct heat evenly, making sure to give your fried rice even cooking.
• High heat is the key! It dries out the rice and helps it to fry beautifully. Make sure that the pan is hot enough and that enough oil is coating the bottom of it to prevent the rice from sticking. Also, it might help to use a wide cooking spatula for stirring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of rice is best for Chinese garlic fried rice?

The best type of rice to use will always be day-old cold rice. I prefer medium grain or long grain because these varieties of rice are not as moist as short grain. They’re easy to fluff up without clumping together. But feel free to use any leftover white rice that you have.

What makes Chinese fried rice different?

Chinese fried rice gets its signature flavor from the Shaoxing wine, a type of rice wine that’s widely used in Chinese cooking. All you’ll need to do is pick up a bottle of the wine! If you have dietary restrictions, you can skip Shaoxing wine. 

How can I make my garlic fried rice more flavorful?

To make your garlic fried rice more flavorful, you can add other ingredients like Chinese sausage (lap cheong), bacon, Chinese roast pork (char siu), or shrimp. If you are a fan of spicy food, I think you’ll enjoy it with some chili oil on top!

How to store leftover fried rice?

To store the leftover fried rice, cool it to room temperature first. Then place it in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. If stored in the freezer, transfer it to a freezer-safe container or Ziploc bag and it can be stored for up to a month. 

How to reheat leftover fried rice?

To reheat leftover fried rice, pop it in the microwave for two minutes or until it is warmed all the way through. You can also reheat it over the stovetop in a pan over medium heat. 

Looking for more easy and delicious fried rice recipes?

Chinese Shrimp Fried Rice — Another Chinese fried rice recipe, this simple shrimp fried rice features juicy shrimp, onion, carrots, and eggs, and is seasoned with soy sauce, sesame oil, and Shaoxing wine. This recipe is a complete and filling meal and it comes together in just 30 minutes, so it’s perfect for those busy nights when you want to enjoy a home-cooked meal without spending much time!

Spam Fried Rice — If you love Spam, this is the fried rice recipe for you. Spam is sauteed for added texture and flavor and then combined with potatoes, scallions, eggs, and rice. This is filling and hearty and will satisfy your hunger at any time. 

Lap Cheong Fried Rice — Treat yourself to a quick and delicious Cantonese-style fried rice with a classic ingredient – Chinese sausage or ‘lap cheong’. The rice is seasoned with the umami and savory flavors of soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and oyster sauce for the ultimate flavor bomb.

Cup Ramen Noodles Fried Rice — If you love ramen and fried rice, then you’ll definitely love this recipe! We’re marrying the two comfort foods into one with this dish. The ramen fried rice is flavorful with a fun contrast of texture from the soft, fluffy rice and the crispy ramen. I added canned corn and eggs for more fiber and protein.

Pineapple Fried Rice — This Thai-inspired fried rice tastes just as festive as it looks! It features succulent shrimp, juicy pineapples, cashews, scallions, eggs, and a touch of curry powder for an extra depth of flavor. It’s the perfect balance of savory and sweet! Great for special occasions or when you want to treat yourself and your family to something delicious and special. 

Char Siu Fried Rice — This char siu fried rice recipe is exactly what you’re looking for when you need something quick, delicious, and filling. Fried rice is a great dish to make when you have extra rice and leftovers in your fridge so nothing goes to waste. The best part is that it only takes 25 minutes to prepare, so get ready to add this to your repertoire because I guarantee that you’ll want to make this on repeat!