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December 10, 2024
If you love seafood and Asian cuisine, then shrimp fried rice is a dish you must try. With its combination of fluffy rice, succulent shrimp, and an array of vegetables and spices, shrimp fried rice is a flavorful and satisfying meal.
To make shrimp fried rice, you’ll need a few key ingredients. Begin by gathering shrimp, cooked rice, vegetables such as onions, carrots, peas, and corn, and seasonings like soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. You can also add other ingredients like scrambled eggs or diced chicken to enhance the flavor.
The first step is to prepare the shrimp. Peel and devein them, removing the shells and dark veins. Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel. Heat some oil in a large skillet or wok and cook the shrimp until they turn pink, usually for about 2-3 minutes on each side. Once cooked, remove the shrimp from the skillet.
In the same skillet, add more oil and stir-fry the vegetables until they become tender. Common vegetables used in shrimp fried rice are onions, carrots, peas, and corn, but you can also add other veggies like bell peppers or broccoli to suit your taste. Add minced garlic and grated ginger for extra flavor.
Next, push the vegetables to the side and add the cooked rice to the skillet. Break up any clumps of rice with a spatula and mix it well with the vegetables. Reduce the heat and pour in the soy sauce, stirring everything together to evenly coat the rice and vegetables. Add the cooked shrimp back to the skillet, and if you’re using scrambled eggs or diced chicken, add them at this stage as well, stirring until everything is heated through.
Once everything is well combined and heated, your shrimp fried rice is ready to be served. Garnish with some green onions or cilantro, and you have a delicious and satisfying meal that can be enjoyed on its own or as a side dish.
Preparing the Ingredients
Before you start cooking, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients for shrimp fried rice:
- 2 cups of cooked rice
- 1 pound of shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 carrot, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup of peas
- 3 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons of oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon of sesame oil
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Once you have gathered all the ingredients, begin by preparing the shrimp. Rinse the shrimp under cold water, then pat them dry with a paper towel. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper, and set them aside.
Next, prepare the vegetables. Dice the onion, carrot, and bell pepper into small, even-sized pieces. Mince the garlic cloves, and set the vegetables aside.
In a small bowl, beat the eggs together with a pinch of salt. Set the beaten eggs aside.
Lastly, have the cooked rice ready. Use leftover cooked rice from the previous day, or cook fresh rice and let it cool before using it for shrimp fried rice.
Cooking the Rice
Before you can start making shrimp fried rice, you need to cook the rice. Here’s how:
Step 1: Rinse the Rice
Measure out the desired amount of rice and place it in a fine-mesh strainer. Rinse the rice under cold running water, stirring gently with your hand, until the water runs clear. This will help remove any excess starch from the rice and prevent it from becoming too sticky when cooked.
Step 2: Soak the Rice
After rinsing, transfer the rice to a bowl and cover it with enough water to submerge it completely. Let the rice soak for at least 30 minutes. Soaking the rice helps to soften the grains and allows for more even cooking.
Step 3: Cook the Rice
Drain the soaked rice and transfer it to a saucepan. Add the appropriate amount of water (usually a 1:2 ratio of rice to water) and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, and allow the rice to simmer for about 15-20 minutes. Avoid opening the lid during this time, as it will release steam and affect the cooking process.
After 15-20 minutes, turn off the heat and let the rice sit, covered, for an additional 5 minutes to allow for any remaining moisture to be absorbed. This resting period will also help to make the rice fluffier and easier to separate.
Once the rice is cooked, remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork or a rice paddle. Your cooked rice is now ready to be used in making shrimp fried rice!
Preparing the Shrimp
Before you can cook shrimp fried rice, you need to prepare the shrimp. Follow these steps to prepare fresh shrimp:
1. Clean and devein the shrimp
Start by rinsing the shrimp under cold water to remove any dirt or grit. Then, use a sharp knife to carefully cut along the back of the shrimp to expose the vein. Use the tip of the knife or your fingers to remove the vein.
2. Peel the shrimp
If the shrimp still have their shells on, you’ll need to peel them. Start by gently pulling off the legs and then carefully peel away the shell, starting from the underside of the shrimp. Leave the last segment of the shell and the tail intact for presentation if desired.
3. Rinse and pat dry
Once the shrimp are cleaned and deveined, rinse them again under cold water to remove any remaining debris. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels to ensure they are dry before cooking.
Sautéing the Vegetables
After preparing the ingredients, the next step is to sauté the vegetables. This process helps to enhance their flavors and create a delicious base for the shrimp fried rice.
Step 1: Heat the Oil
In a large skillet or wok, heat some vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Make sure the oil is hot before adding the vegetables.
Step 2: Add the Aromatics
Add the chopped garlic, ginger, and sliced onion to the hot oil. Sauté them for a minute or until they become fragrant.
Note: You can also add other aromatics like bell peppers or green onions to enhance the flavor.
Step 3: Cook the Vegetables
Add the diced carrots, peas, and any other vegetables you prefer to the skillet. Stir-fry them for a few minutes until they are slightly tender but still crisp. Avoid overcooking the vegetables as they may become mushy.
Step 4: Season the Vegetables
Season the vegetables with salt, pepper, and any other seasoning of your choice. This will add flavor to the vegetables and improve the overall taste of the shrimp fried rice.
Tip: You can also add a splash of soy sauce or oyster sauce for a umami kick.
At this point, the sautéed vegetables are ready to be combined with the cooked shrimp and rice in the next steps of the recipe.
Stir-Frying the Rice
Once you have all your ingredients ready, it’s time to stir-fry the rice. Follow these steps to achieve the perfect shrimp fried rice:
- Heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil and swirl to coat the bottom.
- Add the beaten eggs to the hot wok or skillet and scramble them until they are lightly cooked. Remove the scrambled eggs from the wok and set them aside.
- Next, add the diced onions, garlic, and ginger to the wok or skillet. Stir-fry for about 1-2 minutes or until the onions are translucent and aromatic.
- Add the shrimp to the wok or skillet and stir-fry until they turn pink and are cooked through. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
- Push the shrimp and vegetables to one side of the wok or skillet, making room for the cooked rice.
- Add the cooked rice to the empty side of the wok or skillet. Use a spatula to break up any clumps and evenly distribute the rice.
- Pour the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil over the rice. Mix everything together, ensuring that the rice is well-coated with the sauces.
- Add the cooked scrambled eggs back into the wok or skillet, along with the frozen peas and carrots. Stir-fry for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the peas and carrots are heated through.
- Finally, taste the shrimp fried rice and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can add more soy sauce, salt, or pepper according to your preference.
Once everything is well combined and heated through, remove the shrimp fried rice from heat and serve hot. Garnish with chopped green onions or cilantro, if desired. Enjoy!
Combining and Seasoning the Dish
Once the rice and shrimp are cooked and set aside, it’s time to combine all the ingredients to make the delicious shrimp fried rice. Here’s how you do it:
- Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add some cooking oil and swirl it around to coat the bottom of the pan.
- Add diced onion to the hot skillet and stir-fry for about 2 minutes until it becomes translucent and slightly browned.
- Next, add minced garlic and grated ginger to the skillet. Stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Push the onions, garlic, and ginger to one side of the skillet and crack two eggs into the cleared space. Scramble the eggs with a spatula until they are fully cooked and then mix them into the onion mixture.
- Add the cooked rice to the skillet and break up any clumps using the spatula. Stir-fry the rice for about 2 minutes until heated through.
- Now, it’s time to add the cooked shrimp to the skillet. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until the shrimp is heated through.
- Season the dish with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil. Start with about 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and 1 tablespoon each of oyster sauce and sesame oil. Adjust the seasoning to taste and continue stirring the ingredients to evenly distribute the flavors.
- Add the frozen peas and carrot mix to the skillet and stir-fry for an additional 2 minutes until the vegetables are heated through and tender.
- Finish the dish by adding chopped scallions and stirring everything together for a final minute.
Now, your shrimp fried rice is ready to enjoy! Serve it hot and garnish with additional scallions, if desired.
Questions and answers
What ingredients do I need to cook shrimp fried rice?
To cook shrimp fried rice, you will need the following ingredients: cooked rice, shrimp, vegetables (such as peas, carrots, and onions), garlic, ginger, soy sauce, eggs, oil, and salt.
What type of shrimp should I use for shrimp fried rice?
You can use any type of shrimp for shrimp fried rice, such as fresh or frozen shrimp. It is recommended to use medium-sized shrimp, peeled and deveined.
Can I substitute the shrimp with chicken or tofu?
Yes, you can substitute the shrimp with chicken or tofu if you prefer. Simply cook the chicken or tofu separately and then add it to the fried rice along with the vegetables and sauce.
How long does it take to cook shrimp fried rice?
The cooking time for shrimp fried rice may vary, but it typically takes around 25-30 minutes. It depends on factors such as the heat of your stove and the amount of rice and vegetables you are using.