Egg Fried Rice with Prawns
Why this recipe works
- Fast cooking: Using cooked, cooled rice keeps the wok time short and makes the dish practical for a quick dinner.
- Separate grains, tender prawns: High-heat stir-frying helps the rice stay distinct while the prawns cook quickly enough to remain juicy.
- Aromatic seasoning: Garlic, spring onion, light soy sauce, sesame oil and white pepper give the rice savoury depth without a heavy sauce.
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Ingredient notes
- Use cooled rice: Freshly cooked rice is usually too moist for fried rice. Cooled rice is drier, easier to separate and less likely to turn claggy in the wok.
- Separate the spring onions: Cook the white parts with the garlic for aroma, then add the green parts at the end so they stay fresh and bright.
- Watch the prawns: Raw peeled prawns are ideal because they cook directly in the wok and signal doneness clearly as they turn fully pink and opaque.
Common mistakes
- Letting the wok cool down: If the pan loses heat, the rice steams instead of frying. Keep the wok hot and move quickly once the ingredients go in.
- Adding clumped rice: Break up any firm clumps before cooking so the grains season evenly and do not form dense patches in the finished dish.
- Overcooking the prawns: Prawns cook very quickly; once they are pink and opaque, avoid prolonged frying or they can become firm and rubbery.
Make-ahead tips
- Cook the rice ahead: The rice can be cooked in advance, cooled quickly and refrigerated until needed, which improves texture and speeds up cooking.
- Reheat in a hot pan: Leftovers are best reheated in a hot wok or frying pan with a small splash of water, then stir-fried until piping hot throughout.
- Best freshly cooked: The dish has its best texture straight from the wok, when the rice is hot, separate and lightly glossy.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- If your rice is clumped, break it up with your fingers so the grains separate. Beat the eggs in a bowl. Thinly slice the spring onions, keeping the white and green parts separate, and finely chop the garlic.
- Heat the wok over high heat until very hot, then add 1 tbsp vegetable oil. Pour in the eggs and scramble quickly until just set, then tip onto a plate.
- Add the remaining 1 tbsp vegetable oil to the hot wok. Add the prawns and stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes until they start to turn pink, then add the garlic and the white parts of the spring onions and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the rice and stir-fry over high heat for 2 to 3 minutes, tossing and pressing out any remaining clumps. Add the frozen peas and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until hot through.
- Return the scrambled egg to the wok and toss to combine. Drizzle in the light soy sauce around the sides of the wok, then add the toasted sesame oil and white pepper and stir-fry for 30 to 60 seconds until the rice is evenly seasoned and fragrant.
- Stir through the green parts of the spring onions and serve straight away. The prawns should be opaque and fully pink, and the rice should be hot and separate.
Recipe notes
Tips
- For the best texture, use cooked rice that has been cooled so it is drier and less likely to clump in the wok.
- Keep the heat high and work quickly; if the wok cools down, the rice can steam rather than fry.
- If serving anyone who is pregnant, elderly, or immunocompromised, make sure the eggs are fully set and the prawns are cooked through.
Substitutions
- Replace light soy sauce with dark soy sauce for a deeper colour and slightly sweeter flavour; start with 1 tbsp and add more to taste.
- Replace frozen peas with frozen edamame for a firmer bite and a slightly nuttier flavour.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 2 days
- Cool quickly, then refrigerate in a sealed container. Reheat in a hot wok or frying pan with a small splash of water and stir-fry until piping hot throughout.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 2 servings
- Total time: 25min (20min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Chinese
-
Allergens:
Crustaceans Eggs Soybeans
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Misen Carbon Steel Nonstick Frying Pan 12 Inch
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Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowls with Lids
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All-Clad Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Saucepan
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KitchenAid Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
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