Easy & Delicious Broccoli and Egg Fried Rice: Your Ultimate Guide to a Quick, Healthy, and Flavorful Meal
Craving a dish that’s both incredibly easy to whip up and bursting with flavor? Look no further than this delightful Broccoli and Egg Fried Rice. It’s a culinary marvel that perfectly combines the subtle sweetness of gently cooked broccoli, savory strips of egg, and bright, sweet peas with fluffy leftover rice. This versatile recipe is an ideal solution for a quick and satisfying evening meal or a wholesome lunch, and it truly shines as a delicious way to transform day-old rice into a fresh, new creation. Say goodbye to food waste and hello to a culinary masterpiece!
Delicious Fried Rice with Egg and Broccoli: A Fast and Healthy Solution
Do you ever find yourself facing the universal kitchen dilemma: how much rice is *exactly* enough for dinner? It’s a common challenge! One night the pan is scraped clean, the next, you have a mountain of delicious but leftover rice. This is where this incredibly quick and versatile fried rice recipe becomes your culinary superhero. Not only does it brilliantly tackle the leftover rice challenge, but it also offers a fantastic opportunity to meal prep; simply cook a double batch of rice in advance, and you’ll save precious cooking time and energy during busy weeknights.
Transforming ordinary leftover rice into an extraordinary dish is the magic of stir-frying. This cooking method not only infuses the rice with incredible flavor but also gives it a delightful creamy bite with a perfectly appealing, slightly crunchy texture. When combined with the tender cooked egg, crisp broccoli florets, and sweet peas, it creates a symphony of textures and tastes. By expertly seasoning the dish with aromatic garlic, savory hoisin sauce, and umami-rich soy sauce, you effortlessly craft a masterpiece of flavor. The best part? This delightful and healthy meal can be on your table in under fifteen minutes! It’s an unbeatable option for a wholesome and satisfying dinner, proving that fast food can indeed be good food. Give it a try and taste the difference!
This fantastic recipe is thoughtfully adapted from the acclaimed cookbook “Too Good to Share” by Sam Stern, ensuring a trusted and delicious culinary experience.
Essential Ingredients for Your Easy Broccoli and Egg Fried Rice
To embark on the journey of preparing this wonderfully Easy Broccoli and Egg Fried Rice, you’ll need a selection of fresh and flavorful ingredients. The precise quantities for each component can be conveniently found in the comprehensive recipe card located at the very bottom of this blog post. Let’s delve into what makes each ingredient special:
- Broccoli: This verdant green vegetable is a nutritional powerhouse, offering a mild, slightly sweet cabbage-like flavor that is less intense than cauliflower. It’s incredibly versatile, perfect for boiling, steaming, or, as in this recipe, stir-frying. You have the flexibility to use either fresh or frozen broccoli florets. If using frozen, there’s no need to pre-cook; simply add them directly to the pan, as they’ll thaw and cook perfectly during the stir-fry process, retaining their vibrant color and texture.
- Sesame Oil: Opt for dark brown roasted sesame oil, which boasts an intensely nutty and aromatic flavor. Just a small amount is enough to impart that distinctive, authentic Eastern cuisine fragrance and taste, elevating the entire dish. It’s often added at the end of cooking to preserve its delicate flavor.
- Garlic: An indispensable flavor foundation in virtually all Eastern cuisines, garlic brings a pungent, aromatic depth to the fried rice. It forms the savory backbone, creating a welcoming aroma as it’s stir-fried.
- Hoisin Sauce: This is a thick, dark, and wonderfully rich Chinese sauce known for its unique sweet-savory profile. It’s typically crafted from a blend of fermented soybeans, garlic, vinegar, and sometimes honey or sugar, adding a glaze-like quality and complex flavor to the vegetables.
- Spring Onion: Also known as scallions, these slender green onions add a fresh, vibrant, and slightly pungent kick to the eggs and overall dish. They provide a beautiful color contrast and a refreshing bite.
- Eggs: Serving as a primary protein source in this meal, eggs add richness and texture. When cooked into delicate strips or scrambled pieces, they integrate beautifully with the rice and vegetables, contributing to the dish’s hearty and satisfying nature.
- Peas: These small, round, and wonderfully sweet green vegetables offer a delightful pop of freshness and a slight crunch. Both frozen and fresh peas work excellently. If you’re using fresh peas, it’s advisable to boil them for about 5 minutes beforehand to ensure they are tender enough when added to the stir-fry. Frozen peas can be added directly.
- Cooked Rice: The foundation of any great fried rice! For optimal results, it is highly recommended to use day-old, chilled cooked rice. This is because cooled rice loses moisture, making it less sticky and prone to clumping, which allows it to fry up beautifully with distinct grains. White rice (like jasmine or basmati), brown rice, or even pandan rice are all excellent choices for creating perfectly textured fried rice. Aim for 1 ¼ to 1 ½ cups (approximately 200 to 250 grams) per person to ensure a satisfying portion.
- Soy Sauce: A cornerstone of Asian cooking, soy sauce provides the essential salty, umami depth that ties all the flavors together. For the best results, use a good quality Japanese soy sauce or a light soy sauce, both widely available at Asian supermarkets. These varieties are known for their balanced saltiness and rich flavor, enhancing the overall profile of your fried rice.
How to Prepare Flavorful Fried Rice with Egg and Garlic Broccoli
Get ready to cook a delicious meal in minutes! Below, you’ll find a concise, printable recipe card with a clear step-by-step description to guide you through making this fantastic fried rice. This method ensures maximum flavor and perfect texture with minimal fuss.
- Begin by heating a tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add the minced or squeezed garlic and stir-fry for just thirty seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Introduce the cooked (or frozen) broccoli florets and hoisin sauce to the pan, and continue to stir-fry for two to three minutes until the broccoli is tender-crisp. Turn off the heat and stir in the aromatic sesame oil. Promptly remove the garlic-infused broccoli from the pan and set it aside to prevent overcooking.
- Add another tablespoon of vegetable oil to the same pan. Once shimmering, add the peas and stir-fry for approximately 3 minutes until they are bright green and tender. Next, pour in your beaten eggs mixed with spring onions. Immediately add the cooked, day-old rice to the pan. Using a wooden spatula or fork, gently stir and break up the rice and egg mixture, ensuring the egg scrambles into delicate, loose pieces and combines well with the rice.
- Return the flavorful broccoli back into the pan with the rice, eggs, and peas. Drizzle the soy sauce evenly over the entire mixture.
- Thoroughly mix all the ingredients together, ensuring everything is well combined and coated with the sauces. Continue to fry for another 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the entire dish is piping hot and fragrant. Serve immediately to enjoy the best texture and flavor.
PRO TIP: This delightful fried rice makes a superb standalone meal, but it truly shines when paired with complementary dishes. Consider serving it alongside a succulent spicy fried beef steak for an extra protein boost, or balance the flavors with a refreshing and zesty Asian cucumber salad. These additions can transform your meal into a more elaborate and satisfying feast.
Expert Tips, Smart Substitutions, and Exciting Variations for Your Fried Rice
Elevate your Broccoli and Egg Fried Rice with these handy tips and creative variations. Whether you’re looking to tweak the flavors, add more nutrition, or simply make the most of your pantry, these suggestions will ensure your fried rice is always a hit.
- The Secret to Perfect Fried Rice: Day-Old Rice: This is arguably the most crucial tip! Always ensure the cooked rice you use for frying is at least a day old and has been stored covered in the refrigerator. Day-old rice is drier and firmer, meaning it won’t clump together or become mushy when stir-fried, allowing each grain to achieve that desirable fluffy, slightly crunchy texture.
- Boost Your Protein: If you’re planning this dish as a main course and want to enhance its protein content, the possibilities are endless! Consider adding cooked chicken cubes (breast or thigh), succulent shrimp, firm tofu cubes, or even thinly sliced pork. Simply stir-fry your chosen protein first until cooked through, then remove it from the pan and add it back in during the final stages of cooking to ensure it’s heated evenly with the rice and vegetables.
- Vegetable Power-Up: The beauty of fried rice lies in its versatility. While broccoli and green peas are delicious, feel free to replace or supplement them with other vegetables. Diced carrots, thinly sliced bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange), sweet corn kernels, sliced mushrooms, or even chopped bok choy would make excellent additions, adding more color, nutrients, and texture.
- Sweet & Savory Teriyaki Twist: For a delightful change of pace, swap out the traditional soy sauce for teriyaki sauce. Teriyaki will infuse your fried rice with a richer, sweeter, and more complex umami flavor, thanks to its blend of soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and sake. It creates a slightly glossy finish and a depth of flavor that’s incredibly satisfying.
- Spice It Up: If you enjoy a bit of heat in your meal, it’s easy to add a spicy kick! Stir in ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes along with the garlic for a subtle warmth, or mix in ½ teaspoon of sambal oelek (an Indonesian chili paste) at the end of cooking for a more pronounced spicy flavor. Adjust the amount to your personal preference for heat.
- Storage and Reheating: This fried rice is excellent for meal prep! Allow any leftover fried rice to cool quickly before storing it.
- Refrigerator: Transfer the cooled fried rice to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to two days.
- Freezer: For longer storage, you can freeze the rice in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to two months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Reheating: For best results, reheat individual portions in the microwave until steaming hot. Alternatively, you can stir-fry it in a frying pan or wok over medium-high heat with a splash of oil until thoroughly heated through, ensuring it regains some of its original texture.
Did you try your hand at making this delicious and easy recipe? Don’t forget to tag #byandreajanssen via Instagram! I absolutely love seeing your culinary creations and frequently share the most beautiful photos from my followers. If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a rating on the recipe card below! Your valuable feedback is incredibly helpful to other home cooks and provides immense encouragement to me.
Looking for more culinary inspiration?
- You can explore a variety of video recipes on my dedicated YouTube channel.
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📖 Recipe
RECIPE CARD
Andréa
Pin Recipe
5 minutes
10 minutes
15 minutes
Dinner, Lunch, Side Dish
Asian
4
persons
279
kcal
Prevent your screen from going dark
Ingredients
-
1
small head
broccoli,
only the florets -
1
tablespoon
vegetable oil -
2
cloves
garlic,
squeezed -
2
tablespoons
hoisin sauce -
1
tablespoon
sesame oil -
2
eggs,
size s -
1
spring onion,
sliced into thin rings -
1
tablespoon
vegetable oil -
½
cup
peas,
frozen -
1¼
cup
cooked white rice -
1
tablespoon
dark soy sauce
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
US Customary
Instructions
-
Boil or steam your broccoli al dente in 4 to 5 minutes.1 small head broccoli -
Heat the oil in the pan and fry the garlic for 30 seconds.1 tablespoon vegetable oil,
2 cloves garlic -
Add the (drained) broccoli and hoisin sauce to the pan and stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes. Turn off the heat.2 tablespoons hoisin sauce -
Add the sesame oil, mix, remove the broccoli from the pan and set-aside.1 tablespoon sesame oil -
Beat the eggs with the spring onions.1 spring onion,
2 eggs -
Heat some oil in the pan, add the peas and stir-fry for 3 minutes, then add the egg and rice while you stir with a fork, so the egg stays loose.1 tablespoon vegetable oil,
½ cup peas,
1¼ cup cooked white rice -
Add the broccoli to the dish, and then pour some dark soy sauce on top and heat until everything is hot.1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
Notes
2. Peas: Either frozen peas or fresh peas can be used. Boil fresh peas for 5 minutes before adding, to make sure they’re done.
3. Cooked rice:
- White rice, brown rice, pandan, or basmati rice are great for making fried rice. You need 1 ¼ to 1 ½ cup (200 to 250 grams) per person.
- Ensure the rice you use for baking is already a day old, and keep it covered in the fridge. That makes it less sticky.
4. Soy sauce: Use Japanese soy sauce or light soy sauce (available at the Asian supermarket). These are salty soy sauces.
5. Variations:
- Extra protein: If you want this as a main course, and you would like to add a little more protein, you can think of chicken cubes, shrimp, or tofu cubes.
- Vegetables: You can replace or supplement the broccoli and green peas with cubes of carrot, bell pepper, and corn.
- Teriyaki: Replace the soy sauce with teriyaki sauce for a sweet and rich taste.
- Spicy: Do you like spicy food? Then add ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes or mix in ½ teaspoon of sambal.
6. Storage
Let the easy broccoli and fried rice cool quickly before storing.
- Refrigerator: Cover the fried rice in the fridge for up to two days.
- Freezer: You can store the rice in a freezer box or bag for up to two months. Let thaw in the refrigerator.
- Reheat: Heat in the microwave. Or fry in the frying pan or wok until hot.
Nutrition
Calories:
279
kcal
Carbohydrates:
32
g
Protein:
10
g
Fat:
14
g
Saturated Fat:
3
g
Polyunsaturated Fat:
6
g
Monounsaturated Fat:
4
g
Trans Fat:
0.1
g
Cholesterol:
82
mg
Sodium:
470
mg
Fiber:
6
g
Sugar:
6
g
Vitamin A:
1237
IU
Vitamin C:
144
mg
Iron:
2
mg
fried rice recipe
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More Asian-Inspired Recipes to Explore
If you’re loving the flavors of this Broccoli and Egg Fried Rice, you’re in for a treat! Discover more delectable dishes from Asian cuisine that are easy to make and packed with authentic tastes. Expand your culinary repertoire with these enticing options:
- Sweet and Sour Pork (Koe Loe Yuk)
- Asian-Style Chicken Noodle Soup
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