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This single serving Shrimp Fried Rice is a quick and flavorful dish made with tender shrimp, vegetables, and leftover rice, all stir-fried in one pan. Ready in just 10 minutes, it’s an easy meal that’s both satisfying and delicious.
Looking for more single serving shrimp dishes? Try our Shrimp Etouffee, Shrimp and Grits, tangy BBQ Shrimp, Pad Thai, and fresh Shrimp Tacos.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Ready in minutes with simple steps.
- Full of Flavor: A delicious mix of ingredients in every bite.
- Great Use for Leftover Rice: Day-old rice fries up best for the perfect texture.
- Customizable: Swap ingredients based on what you have.
- Easily Doubles: Want to make fried rice for two? Just double the ingredients.
- Balanced Meal: Packed with protein and vegetables for a satisfying dish.
I love this shrimp fried rice because it’s quick, flavorful, and made in just one pan. It’s my go-to when I have leftover rice in the fridge and want something easy but satisfying. Tender shrimp, colorful vegetables, and perfectly fried rice come together for a meal that’s both comforting and balanced. It’s a simple dish that feels special every time.
Ingredients
What Kind of Rice Works Best for Fried Rice?
For the best texture, use day-old or two-day-old rice. The reduced moisture helps it fry up crispier. Long-grain white rice is a common choice, but short-grain or brown rice also work—just ensure they’re fully cooked. You can also use leftover quinoa or cauliflower rice for a different take on fried rice.
- Vegetables: This recipe includes onions, garlic, carrots, and peas. Both fresh and frozen work well. These same vegetables can be used in Beef Stew, Cottage Pie, and Chicken Pot Pie.
- Rice: Leftover rice fries up best for a crisp texture. See the tip above for details on the best types to use. For a low-carb option, try cauliflower rice.
- Egg: Adds flavor and a soft texture to the fried rice. Cooking the egg first and then mixing it in helps spread it evenly throughout the dish.
- Shrimp: Use medium shrimp, fresh or frozen. Individually frozen, peel-on shrimp are often the best choice for freshness and value. If buying fresh shrimp, make sure they don’t have a strong ammonia smell or feel slimy. If using frozen shrimp, thaw them in the fridge before cooking. If you have extra, try them in Shrimp Fettuccine, Cioppino, or Baked Shrimp.
- Soy sauce: Essential for the signature fried rice flavor. Use tamari for a gluten-free alternative.
- Salt: Enhances the dish’s overall taste.
- Olive oil: Extra virgin olive oil adds richness, but light olive oil can be used instead.
If you have any ingredients leftover from this single serve shrimp fried rice recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
Recipe Variations
Shrimp fried rice is easy to adjust based on what you have or what you like. Try these simple swaps:
- Vegetarian: Leave out the shrimp and use tofu or tempeh instead.
- Tropical: Add diced pineapple and cashews for sweetness and crunch.
- Spicy: Stir in Thai red chilies or a little Sriracha for heat.
- More Vegetables: Toss in bell peppers, zucchini, or baby corn for extra texture.
- Different Proteins: Use diced chicken, thinly sliced beef, or even leftover pork instead of shrimp.
How To Make Shrimp Fried Rice
These photos and instructions help you visualize how to make a single serving of shrimp fried rice. See the recipe below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Heat oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes until tender.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring frequently.
- Add shrimp and cook for 1 to 2 minutes on one side. Flip and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until fully cooked.
How to Peel and Devein Shrimp
To remove the shell, pull off the legs, crack the shell from underneath, and peel it away. Pinch the tail and pull it off. To devein, make a small cut along the back and lift out the dark vein with a knife tip.
- Add rice and stir for 30 seconds to heat through.
- Push the rice, shrimp, and vegetables to the sides of the pan. Add more oil if needed, then pour the beaten egg into the center. Stir constantly until the egg is nearly set.
- Mix everything together.
- Add peas and soy sauce. Stir for 30 seconds.
- Transfer to a bowl and serve hot.
Expert Tips
- Read the Recipe First: Take a moment to go through the full post, including the Ingredient Notes and step-by-step photos. This helps ensure your shrimp fried rice turns out just right.
- Use Chilled Rice: Warm, freshly cooked rice won’t crisp up properly. For the best texture, use cold, leftover rice.
- Add Crunch: For extra texture, top your fried rice with toasted nuts, chopped lettuce, or bean sprouts.
Serving Suggestions
While shrimp fried rice is a complete meal in itself, pairing it with other dishes can elevate your meal:
Frequently Asked Questions
Leftover rice works best because it’s drier and fries up better. If using fresh rice, spread it out on a baking sheet and let it cool in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
Heat it in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of oil, stirring until warmed through. You can also microwave it in short intervals, stirring in between.
Yes! Brown rice, jasmine rice, or even cauliflower rice work well. Just make sure they’re pre-cooked and chilled.
Yes! Just use a larger pan to prevent overcrowding and allow the rice to fry properly.
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 shrimp 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.
Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!
Shrimp Fried Rice For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup chopped onions
- ¼ cup chopped carrots (about 1 small carrot)
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 clove garlic -minced
- 6 to 8 medium shrimp (2 ounces), peeled and deveined
- ¾ cup cooked rice
- 1 large egg -lightly beaten
- ½ cup peas (frozen and thawed or canned)
- 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
Instructions
- Heat oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes until tender.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring frequently.
- Add shrimp and cook for 1 to 2 minutes on one side. Flip and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until fully cooked.
- Add rice and stir for 30 seconds to heat through.
- Push the rice, shrimp, and vegetables to the sides of the pan. Add more oil if needed, then pour the beaten egg into the center. Stir constantly until the egg is nearly set.
- Mix everything together.
- Add peas and soy sauce. Stir for 30 seconds.
- Transfer to a bowl and serve hot.
Notes
- Read the Recipe First: Take a moment to go through the full post, including the Ingredient Notes and step-by-step photos. This helps ensure your shrimp fried rice turns out just right.
- Use Chilled Rice: Warm, freshly cooked rice won’t crisp up properly. For the best texture, use cold, leftover rice.
- Add Crunch: For extra texture, top your fried rice with toasted nuts, chopped lettuce, or bean sprouts.
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 made it. Very good.
Great recipe and it was so easy to make. The only change I made was to add a little more soy sauce.
I might try substituting asparagus for the peas next time. Easy to put together. I will be making this again real soon.
This was so good! The only thing I would do differently next time I make it is cut the green peas to 1/4 cup. This was very flavorful and simple to make.
Can I use coliflower rice ?
Yes.
Good recipe.