Vegetarian Chao Fan (Chinese Fried Rice)

Elevate your weeknight meals with this irresistible Vegetarian Chao Fan (Chinese Fried Rice), a plant-based twist on a beloved Chinese classic. Bursting with vibrant colors and flavors, this dish combines fluffy jasmine or basmati rice with an array of fresh vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, and peas, all stir-fried to perfection in a savory blend of soy sauce and sesame oil. The secret to achieving the ideal texture lies in using cooled, day-old rice, which absorbs the flavors beautifully and ensures a non-sticky consistency. Ready in just 30 minutes, this quick and easy recipe is perfect for busy dinners or as a flavorful side dish for your favorite Asian-inspired meals. Garnished with fragrant spring onions, this delicious fried rice is sure to be a hit at your table!

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups basmati or jasmine rice
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 carrot, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 0.5 cup frozen peas
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 spring onions, chopped
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Cook the rice according to package instructions. Once done, spread it out on a baking sheet to cool and dry slightly. This helps create the perfect texture for fried rice.

Step 2

In a large wok or skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.

Step 3

Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet, and sauté for about 2 minutes until fragrant and translucent.

Step 4

Toss in the diced carrots and bell pepper, and continue to stir-fry for about 5 minutes until they start to soften.

Step 5

Add the frozen peas to the skillet and cook for another 2 minutes until they are heated through.

Step 6

Add the cooked rice to the skillet, breaking up any clumps with a spatula, and mix thoroughly with the vegetables.

Step 7

Drizzle the soy sauce and dark soy sauce over the rice and vegetables, stirring continuously to coat them evenly.

Step 8

Add a splash of sesame oil for extra flavor, then sprinkle the chopped spring onions over the rice.

Step 9

Season with salt and black pepper, and stir everything together for another 2-3 minutes until well mixed and heated through.

Step 10

Remove from heat and serve hot, garnished with extra spring onions if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(971.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1190.4

Total Fat 56.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 8.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 31.1g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4082.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 148.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 14.5g	0%
Total Sugars 19.5g
Protein 28.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 171.9mg	0%
Iron 4.8mg	0%
Potassium 1425.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 41.6%

Protein: 9.4%

Carbs: 49.0%