Fried Rice Recipe (Vegetarian + Gluten Free + Dairy Free) - Bananas about Life (2024)

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Fried Rice Recipe (Vegetarian + Gluten Free + Dairy Free) - Bananas about Life (1)

My family makes a version of this fried rice recipe every week as it’s one of our favorite meals! It’s also really easy to make and use any left over rice or veggies you have before grocery day. So, with my love and devotion to fried rice, I decided to make a new post for this vegetarian version of my very popular recipe for Healthy Fried Rice with Shrimp. Here it is with a few slight changes from the original and no shrimp for our vegetarian friends!

It’s addictively perfect in every way and so versatile for lots of different seasons, occasions and meals. I hope you love this fried rice recipe and it can become a weekly staple in your home just like it has in mine.

Fried Rice Recipe

This healthy fried rice recipe is not only delicious and simple! It’s also vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free, soy free and nut free.

Fried Rice Recipe (Vegetarian + Gluten Free + Dairy Free) - Bananas about Life (2)

More Healthy Dinner Options:

There are so many great dinner recipes on my blog, if you’re interested! Here are just a few that you might want to check out.

  1. Pesto Pasta Recipe (Gluten Free + Dairy Free Option).
  2. Easy Thai Curry Recipe (Gluten Free + Vegan).
  3. Healthy Stir Fry Orange Chicken (Gluten Free + Dairy Free).
  4. Fish Tacos with Tzatziki Sauce (Paleo + Gluten Free + Dairy Free).
Fried Rice Recipe (Vegetarian + Gluten Free + Dairy Free) - Bananas about Life (3)

Fried Rice Recipe Ingredients:

Coconut oil: This is the oil we’re using to fry the rice and veggies. It has a really delicious, sweet flavor the makes this rice taste so good. You can also use butter, ghee or avocado oil but those will all change the flavor of the finished dish quite a bit.

Eggs: I love having scrambled eggs in my fried rice. If you don’t just skip that step and leave them out.

Sea salt: Of course, sea salt is so important to bring all the flavors out perfectly. Feel free to adjust the amount of sea salt to your preferred level.

Garlic: Fresh garlic adds so much flavor and it’s packed with nutrients.

Onion: A yellow onion is what I used for this fried rice but, you could always substitute a shallot or leek, instead.

Carrots: Chopped carrots add a nice, crunchy texture to the rice that I like. But, you can replace the carrots with green peas or corn if you like.

Green onion: It’s nice to add in a rainbow of different colors for a larger range of nutrients and it’s beautiful as well.

Cooked rice: I like to use white jasmine rice but you can use short or long grain if you like, as well as brown rice.

Coconut aminos: This sauce tastes very similar to soy sauce and can be used interchangeably. You can also substitute tamari for a gluten free soy sauce for non soy-free option.

Honey: This ingredient brings a little sweetness that’s so tasty. Another option could be coconut sugar or cane sugar instead.

Fried Rice Recipe (Vegetarian + Gluten Free + Dairy Free) - Bananas about Life (4)

Fried Rice Recipe Tips:

This fried rice is fairly adaptable according to what you prefer and what you have on hand. Simply use any rice you enjoy or even cooked quinoa if you want.

I kept this recipe vegetarian but, feel free to add any protein you choose along side or on top of the rice.

This is the perfect recipe to make when you have any leftover rice from 1-2 days before! I love to make extra rice so I can have leftovers for the next day and it makes this meal even faster.

To make this recipe vegan, leave out the step with the scrambled eggs and substitute coconut sugar for honey.

If you don’t have coconut aminos, you can use tamari if you don’t need the recipe to be soy-free. You can also use organic soy sauce if you don’t need the recipe to be gluten free or soy free.

If you want to lower the sugar in this recipe, you can adjust the amount of honey in this recipe or leave it out, if you prefer.

Fried Rice Recipe (Vegetarian + Gluten Free + Dairy Free) - Bananas about Life (5)

Keyword: fried rice recipe

Author: Adrianne from Bananasaboutlife.com

Serves: 5

Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon coconut oil (to grease your pan)
  • 4 eggs
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 3 Tablespoons coconut oil (or sub avocado oil or butter)
  • 3-4 cloves garlic (finely minced)
  • 1/2 yellow onion (diced)
  • 2 medium carrots (diced)
  • 3 green onion with chives (thinly sliced)
  • 4 cups cooked rice (I use jasmine rice but any kind works)
  • 1/4 cup coconut aminos (sub tamari or organic soy sauce)
  • 1 Tablespoon honey (or coconut sugar)
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions:

  1. If you don’t already have cooked rice, cook it now according to the package instructions. Using 2 cups of dry rice will yield over 4 cups of cooked rice, with a little bit left over.
  2. Place a large fry pan over medium heat.
  3. To scramble your eggs, crack them into a small bowl and whisk them until the whites and yolks have combined. Add 1 teaspoon of oil to your pan and spread into a thin layer over the entire bottom, then add your whisked eggs. Sprinkle salt over the top and use a turner to stir the eggs until they’re cooked through to your liking. Then, transfer them to a plate and move them to the side.
  4. To your hot pan, add 3 tablespoons coconut oil, garlic, onion and carrots. Allow these to cook, stirring occasionally, until the garlic is fragrant and then add in your green onion.
  5. When the carrots are soft or cooked to your liking, add your cooked rice and stir until it’s well combined with the veggies. Fry in the pan, stirring occasionally, for 5-10 minutes so the flavors have time to cook together.
  6. Turn off the heat and add in your scrambled eggs, as well as the coconut aminos, honey and sea salt. Stir until all the ingredients are mixed together. Serve with your choice of protein.
Fried Rice Recipe (Vegetarian + Gluten Free + Dairy Free) - Bananas about Life (6)

More Healthy Recipes:

If you would like to try out even more healthy recipes, feel free to take a look at these ones.

  1. Honey Lime Chicken Marinade (Gluten Free + Dairy Free).
  2. Healthy Baked Crispy Potatoes (Gluten Free + Vegan).
  3. Vegan “Sushi” Rolls with Sesame Ginger Sauce (Gluten Free).
Thank You For Visiting

This post is a recipe for healthy fried rice which is vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free, soy free and nut free. If you enjoyed this post and recipe, feel free to check out the other recipes on my website. I’m so grateful for any support you may give me and my new business through comments, sharing recipes or just visiting this website. Thank you for visiting and I hope the rest of your day is amazing!

Fried Rice Recipe (Vegetarian + Gluten Free + Dairy Free) - Bananas about Life (7)

Print Pin

Fried Rice

This fried rice is so flavorful and addicting! It's as enjoyable as your favorite restaurant version but made with whole food ingredients at home! Made gluten free, dairy free, soy free and can be easily adapted. Enjoy!

Course Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine Chinese

Keyword Fried rice, Fried rice recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Servings 5

Author Adrianne

Ingredients

Scrambled Eggs

  • 1 teaspoon coconut oil
  • 4 eggs
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt

Fried Rice

  • 3 Tablespoons coconut oil or sub avocado oil or butter
  • 3-4 cloves garlic finely minced
  • 1/2 yellow onion diced
  • 2 medium carrots diced
  • 3 green onion with chives thinly sliced
  • 4 cups cooked rice I use jasmine rice but any kind works
  • 1/4 cup coconut aminos sub tamari or organic soy sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon honey or coconut sugar
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

  • If you don’t already have cooked rice, cook it now according to the package instructions. Using 2 cups of dry rice will yield over 4 cups of cooked rice, with a little bit left over.

  • Place a large fry pan over medium heat.

  • To scramble your eggs, crack them into a small bowl and whisk until the whites and yolks have combined. Add 1 teaspoon of oil to your pan and spread into a thin layer over the entire bottom, then add your whisked eggs. Sprinkle salt over the top and use a turner to stir the eggs until they’re cooked through to your liking. Then, transfer them to a plate and move them to the side.

  • To your hot pan, add 3 tablespoons coconut oil, garlic, onion and carrots. Allow these to cook, stirring occasionally, until the garlic is fragrant and then add in your green onion.

  • When the carrots are soft or cooked to your liking, add your cooked rice and stir until it’s well combined with the veggies. Fry in the pan, stirring occasionally, for 5-10 minutes so the flavors have time to cook together.

  • Turn off the heat and add in your scrambled eggs, as well as the coconut aminos, honey and sea salt. Stir until all the ingredients are mixed together. Serve with your choice of protein.

Fried Rice Recipe (Vegetarian + Gluten Free + Dairy Free) - Bananas about Life (2024)

FAQs

How do you make fried rice taste better? ›

To give your dish that signature fried rice taste, you'll need to drizzle in sesame oil and soy sauce, but feel free to use as much or as little as you wish. You can even mix in things like garlic powder, ginger root, or Sriracha sauce and chili pepper for a bit of a kick.

Which vinegar is used for fried rice? ›

Season With Soy Sauce, Rice Vinegar, and Sesame Oil

While not every recipe calls for this fried rice trifecta, many of our favorites do. Why? Soy sauce is the salt element, rice vinegar gives the dish a touch of brightness, and sesame oil lends an utterly delicious, toasty note.

Is sesame oil necessary for fried rice? ›

You can also use day-old brown rice, however it will create a less-authentic taste and texture, even though it's still delicious. Sesame oil. I do not recommend omitting or substituting the sesame oil in this recipe. It is key to the authentic flavor of this dish.

What vegetables go well with fried rice? ›

Stir-fried vegetables: This is a classic side dish that goes well with fried rice. You can use any type of vegetables that you like, but some good options include broccoli, carrots, snap peas, and onions.

What is the secret ingredient in Chinese fried rice? ›

Here's what goes in Fried Rice Sauce: Chinese cooking wine or Mirin (secret ingredient!) – this is the secret to a really great fried rice that truly stacks up to your favourite Chinese restaurant.

Can I use apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar for fried rice? ›

You may skip this easily from the recipe or use apple cider. Avoid white vinegar as it is too acidic in taste. If using apple cider, use it in combination with ½ teaspoon sugar as it recreates the same sweet flavour & taste of rice vinegar.

Can I use synthetic vinegar instead of rice vinegar? ›

Distilled white vinegar

Manufacturers distill vinegar to produce a colorless solution of acetic acid and water. People use distilled white vinegar in food and for household cleaning tasks. Distilled white vinegar may not have the same flavor as rice vinegar but can be a practical last-minute substitute.

What gives restaurant fried rice its flavor? ›

The three main flavorings in most Chinese foods seem to be soy sauce, ginger and sesame oil. First you need cold rice. Then toss it with some soy sauce and let it sit in the fridge. This allows it to absorb some of the sauce and gives it a nice color.

Which oil is best for fried rice? ›

Oils suitable for stir-frying are vegetable oil such as peanut and palm oil. They have a high smoking point suitable for stir-frying and a neutral taste that will not affect the flavor of the fried rice. Olive oil and butter are not suitable for cooking oriental fried rice.

What is the best side dish for fried rice? ›

What to Serve with Fried Rice: 30+ Best Side Dishes
  • Air Fryer Frozen Dumplings (Potstickers) ...
  • Air Fryer Frozen Egg Rolls. ...
  • Salt and Pepper Air Fryer Tofu. ...
  • Chinese Broccoli (Gai Lan) by The Forked Spoon. ...
  • Garlic Bok Choy by This Wife Cooks. ...
  • Sticky Tofu by Zardyplants. ...
  • Sweet Chili Edamame by Peas and Crayons.
Aug 1, 2022

What goes good on fried rice? ›

Top the fried rice with up to 2 of the following.
  • Chopped cashews or peanuts.
  • Chili oil.
  • Fresh cilantro.
  • Lime juice.
  • Sliced scallions.
  • Toasted sesame oil.

What is the best rice for fried rice? ›

The fine, long grains of jasmine rice with its delicate flavour are perfect for fried rice. Precook the rice at least 30 minutes, but preferably one day, before making fried rice and keep it uncovered in the fridge.

How do you make fried rice taste like restaurant? ›

Read on to find out about the best ways to get your fried rice to taste the way it does at your favorite restaurant.
  1. Use day-old or leftover rice. ...
  2. Medium-grain rice is best. ...
  3. Turn the heat up. ...
  4. Fry your rice in oil with a high smoke point. ...
  5. Cook your aromatics first. ...
  6. Add a dash of cornstarch. ...
  7. Get creative with your ingredients.
Sep 24, 2023

Why is my fried rice always bland? ›

you might need to adjust the temperature higher. -throw in the rice and stir so it gets coated with oil. this helps keep the grains from sticking too much. -move the contents to the side of the pan.

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