Better Than Takeout Shrimp Garlic Fried Rice

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This shrimp garlic fried rice is loaded with juicy shrimp, garlicky flavor, and fluffy rice tossed with veggies—quick, flavorful, and perfect for busy weeknights.

Better Than Takeout Shrimp Garlic Fried Rice

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If you’re a garlic lover, then you need to try this easy Garlic Fried Rice. It’s infused with garlicky goodness in every bite. Truly better than takeout! Made with fluffy day-old rice, fried garlic, green onions, and carrots, this fried rice is seasoned with soy sauce and finished with a rich garlic oil for that takeout-style flavor right at home. It’s the perfect dish to make when you need something quick and delicious.

I was craving fried rice the other day but didn’t have my usual ingredients like eggs and onion, so I had to get creative. That’s when I remembered Filipino garlic fried rice (sinangag) and knew I had to try my own version. The best part? It’s a total throw-together meal made with pantry staples, but still so flavorful.

This recipe is quick and simple, so make sure to prep everything ahead—once you start cooking, it moves fast.

Why you’ll love this Garlic Fried Rice?

  • Extremely easy: Prep takes longer than the actual cooking, so you can have dinner on the table in under 30 minutes.
  • Customizable: Make it with your favorite proteins and veggies — this garlic fried rice works with whatever you have on hand.
  • Packed with flavor: If you love garlic, this dish is bursting with flavor.

How to make Garlic Fried Rice?

  1. Start with a cold wok. Turn the heat to medium and add neutral oil. After a minute, add minced garlic. Stir constantly until light golden, then remove the garlic, reserving the oil.
  2. Pour the garlic oil back in, add the white parts of the green onions, and sauté 2 minutes.
  3. Add shrimp (or your protein of choice). Cook until pink, flip, then remove.
  4. Toss in carrots (optional) and more green onions. Add day-old jasmine rice and break it up.
  5. Season with chicken bouillon, pepper, and a pinch of sugar. Drizzle soy sauce around the edges of the pan and stir vigorously to coat. Add oyster sauce (optional).
  6. Stir in half the fried garlic, remaining green onions, and the shrimp. Toss well, taste, and adjust with more soy sauce if needed.

Plate, top with the remaining garlic, and serve with chili garlic oil or Sriracha.

Ingredients for Fried Garlic Fried Rice

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Shrimp: optional, you can make without or choose your favorite protein.
  • Garlic: a lot of it! minced
  • Day old rice: I prefer using Jasmine rice.
  • Green onions:
  • Soy Sauce: Here’s my favorite soy sauce brand
  • Oyster Sauce: Optional
  • Sesame oil: this gives that classic takeout flavor.
  • Oil: any neutral oil will work
  • Pepper: traditionally white pepper is used but black pepper will also work
  • Chicken Bouillon: This adds delicious flavor.

Tips for the best Fried Rice

  • Use day old rice. If you have to make it same day, place it in the freezer before cooking.
  • Use a good wok instead of a skillet — it gives your fried rice that classic, slightly charred flavor.
  • Slowly add in the sauce to not make sure the rice doesn’t get too saucy.
  • Remove the garlic as soon as it turns golden. It will continue to cook as it cools.
  • Use any protein you like—or keep it veggie-friendly.

Serving options

Here are some ideas to serve alongside the Spicy Thai Basil Fried Rice:

More Recipes To Try

If you make my Shrimp Garlic Fried Rice, please be sure to leave a comment, and or tag me on Instagram @cookwithci. I would love to see your recreations and hear your thoughts.

Shrimp Garlic Fried Rice

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Asian
Servings 2

Equipment

  • Wok

Ingredients
  

  • 6-8 cloves garlic minced
  • Day old rice
  • 1/4 cup neutral oil
  • 1-2 tbsp soy sauce use more if needed
  • 1 tbsp Oyster sauce optional
  • 1/2 tsp chicken bouillon
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 carrot diced
  • 2 stalks green onions diced
  • 1 tsp sesame oil optional

Instructions
 

  • In a cold wok over medium heat add in oil. Allow it to heat for 1 minute then add in minced garlic. Stir continuously until it turns light golden, about 3 minutes. Strain into a glass jar reserving the infused oil and garlic chips for later.
  • In a bowl, season the shrimp with garlic powder, black pepper and soy sauce.
  • Heat a wok over medium heat and add the infused garlic oil. Once hot, add the white parts of the green onions and the shrimp. Cook the shrimp for about 2 minutes per side, then remove from the wok and set aside
  • Next, add in the diced carrots and the green parts of the green onions. Sauté for about 3 minutes, then stir in the day-old rice. Let the rice heat through for a few minutes to get that charred flavor, before adding chicken bouillon, black pepper, soy sauce, half of the fried garlic, and more green onions. Mix vigorously, then add the shrimp back in. Toss everything together until well combined.
  • Finish with the remaining fried garlic, green onions, a drizzle of sesame oil, and a splash of chili oil. Enjoy!
Keyword Asian recipes, Fried Rice, Garlic

Did you make it? 

Tag @cookwithci on Instagram and hashtag #CookwithCi

I’m Ci,

Welcome to CookWithCi, where I share my love for cooking. Here you’ll find a variety of delicious and fun recipes. From comfort classics to simple delights. I hope you are inspired to get creative in the kitchen. xoxo!

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