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This single serving fried rice is made with brown or white rice and comes together in about 20 minutes. You can use fresh or frozen vegetables, making this quick, flavorful dish an easy option for lunch or dinner.
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“We love your recipes. The fried rice was delicious.”
– Suzanne
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick to Make: Ready in about 20 minutes using basic pantry ingredients.
- Flexible Ingredients: Works well with a variety of vegetables and proteins you already enjoy.
- Budget Conscious: A smart way to turn cooked rice into a satisfying meal.
- Easy to Scale: Double the ingredients to make fried rice for two or more.
Fried rice is one of those dishes that proves how much flavor you can get from a few simple ingredients. The rice develops light, golden edges as it cooks, the egg adds richness, and the vegetables bring just the right balance of color and texture in every bite.
I usually reach for brown rice, like you see in the photos, but white rice works beautifully too. This is the kind of recipe I come back to when I want something warm, filling, and familiar without spending much time in the kitchen.
Enjoy on its own or serve with cashew chicken for one, single serving beef and broccoli, a single salmon rice bowl, or pork stir fry for one for a complete meal.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this easy fried rice recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Salted Butter: Adds richness and enhances flavor.
- Onions and Garlic: These build flavor in the dish, so don’t skip them.
- Cooked Rice: Cold or day-old rice works best for fried rice because it stays firm and doesn’t get mushy. White, brown, or jasmine rice all work well. Leftover rice can also be used to make rice pudding for one.
- Egg: One large egg adds protein and gives the dish that classic fried rice taste.
- Vegetables: Use a mix of fresh, frozen or canned vegetables like peas, carrots, and corn for color and texture. Leftover vegetables can also be added to chicken tortilla soup for one or single serving vegetable soup.
- Soy Sauce, Salt, and Black Pepper: These season the dish. Use low-sodium soy sauce if you prefer less salt.
Tip: No leftover rice? No problem.
You can easily make a fresh batch using our quick rice recipes:
Just be sure to let the rice cool before adding it to the pan, this helps prevent it from becoming mushy.
Recipe Variations
Fried rice is easy to customize with different flavors and add-ins. Here are a few ideas:
- Kimchi: Stir in chopped kimchi and a little gochujang for heat and bold flavor.
- Hawaiian: Add pineapple chunks and diced ham for a sweet and savory mix.
- Breakfast Style: Use breakfast sausage and extra eggs add top with hot sauce if you’d like.
- Curry: Mix in curry powder and vegetables like bell peppers and carrots for a warm, spiced option.
How To Make Fried Rice
See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and, if using fresh vegetables, add them at the same time. Cook until the vegetables begin to soften, about 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Stir in the cooked rice and heat for about 30 seconds.
- Push the rice to the edges of the skillet to create an open space in the center. Crack the egg into the skillet and scramble it until mostly set, then stir it into the rice.
- If using frozen vegetables, add them now and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, just until heated through. Finish by seasoning with soy sauce, salt, and black pepper.
Want to add protein? Try our single serving shrimp fried rice or single serving chicken fried rice, both follow a similar method.
Expert Tips
- Keep Frozen Vegetables on Hand: They’re perfect for small households, easy to portion and won’t spoil quickly.
- Use Fresh If You Prefer: Swap in fresh vegetables like broccoli or finely chopped carrots if that’s what you have.
- Customize It: Add cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu to make the dish more filling and suited to your taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Day old rice works best because it is drier and fries more evenly. This recipe works well with brown or white rice.
Yes. Fresh vegetables should be finely chopped and cooked with the onions so they soften before the egg is added.
Fried rice is best enjoyed right after cooking, but it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated gently.
RELATED: Comfort Food Recipes For One
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this easy fried rice recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
If you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see!
Fried Rice For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ tablespoon salted butter
- ½ cup chopped onions
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ¾ cup cooked brown rice or cooked white rice
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup finely chopped vegetables -fresh or frozen
- 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
- salt to taste (optional)
- pepper to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and, if using fresh vegetables, add them now. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened.
- Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring frequently.
- Stir in the cooked rice and heat for about 30 seconds. Push the rice to the edges of the skillet to create space in the center.
- Crack the egg into the center of the skillet and scramble until nearly set, then stir it into the rice.
- If using frozen vegetables, add them now and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring, until heated through.
- Stir in the soy sauce. Taste and season with salt and black pepper as needed.
Notes
- Keep Frozen Vegetables on Hand: They’re perfect for small households—easy to portion and won’t spoil quickly.
- Use Fresh If You Prefer: Swap in fresh vegetables like broccoli or finely chopped carrots if that’s what you have.
- Customize It: Add cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu to make the dish more filling and suited to your taste.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
I can’t cook without a recipe so this was perfect for me! I made fresh jasmine rice in microwave, and while it was cooking, I prepped fresh carrot, celery, yellow bell pepper, and frozen peas, plus a little leftover pork loin roast. Followed your instructions and voila. DONE!! It went so fast!! Definitely enough food for 2-3 meals (for me). Thank you for sharing your recipe!! ❤️
I’m so glad this worked well for you. I love hearing how smoothly it came together, and I’m happy the instructions were helpful.
It tasted good but I felt it needed something extra – perhaps some minced ginger. But serving size was just right.