Copycat Panda Express Fried Rice Recipe

Copycat Panda Express Fried Rice Recipe

Panda Express has an extensive menu of delicious American-Chinese recipes that we just can’t resist copying. One example is Panda Express Fried Rice. It’s a side dish that we’ve all come to love and order very frequently at this Chinese restaurant. But as we all know, you can only get them when you order an entree in the menu. So why not just make a bigger batch at home? Here’s a copycat Panda Express Fried Rice recipe that you can quickly whip up in your own kitchen!

Tip: The key to making the perfect fried rice, especially if you’re not using frozen vegetables that easily thaw, is to cook all the ingredients separately before mixing them together.

What we love about fried rice is, though there’s usually a recommended measurement, you don’t exactly need to follow them. You can add a variety of ingredients that you like and it will still taste good. The only thing you need to pay attention to is the type of fried rice to use. Additionally, take note of the key preparations before making it, such as using cold rice instead of newly cooked ones. You want to go easy on the sauces as you want rice with just enough moisture but still dry.

The Panda Express Fried Rice Recipe consists of frozen vegetables and eggs. Then, it’s seasoned with soy sauce and sesame oil. That’s about it. It’s quick, it’s fulfilling, and its delicious! If you haven’t checked out our Easy Orange Chicken Recipe yet, quickly head over to the page as they pair well with fried rice.

How To Make Copycat Panda Express Fried Rice Recipe

Instead of taking a trip to Panda Express, enjoy a copycat recipe of their fried rice that's quick and easy to make!

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Total: 25 mins
Serves:

Ingredients

  • 1 cup long grain rice, cooked & chilled
  • 2 eggs, large, beaten
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables , corn, carrots, & peas
  • ½ cup yellow onion, diced
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • ¼ tsp sesame oil
  • salt and pepper , to taste
  • 1 green onion, chopped

Instructions

  1. Pour just enough water into your chilled cooked rice to separate the grains. Set aside.

  2. In a deep skillet with hot oil, saute your onions & mixed vegetables briefly.

  3. Add cooked rice & soy sauce and continue sauteing.

  4. Make a well on the center & add your beaten eggs. Briefly scramble your eggs.

  5. Season with salt and pepper. Adjust accordingly.

  6. Finish your fried rice with sesame oil.

  7. Place in a large serving bowl and garnish with green onions. If you wish, top with a sunny-side-up egg.

Recipe Notes

Prepare the rice the night before so that the rice grains will dry out properly. If you have no time to prepare ahead, you can cook the rice several hours ahead, air it to remove extra moisture, and refrigerate it for a few hours prior to cooking.

Nutrition

  • Sugar: 1g
  • :
  • Calcium: 27mg
  • Calories: 203kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 31g
  • Cholesterol: 55mg
  • Fat: 6g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Iron: 1mg
  • Potassium: 152mg
  • Protein: 6g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Sodium: 373mg
  • Vitamin A: 1639IU
  • Vitamin C: 5mg
Nutrition Disclaimer
Want to share your experience making this Copycat Panda Express Fried Rice Recipe or have any tips to perfect it? Join the discussion in the Recipe Sharing forum section!

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Commonly Asked Questions

How do you keep fried rice from getting mushy?

Newly cooked warm rice have a lot of moisture. Which is why it tends to make fried rice turn out mushy. To prevent this, make sure that you’ve let the rice cool for a couple of hours (to overnight) before sauteing. This is because cold rice firms up and are less likely to stick together. 

What type of rice is best for fried rice?

Chinese restaurants use medium to long grain rice to make fried rice, as short grains tend to be sticky and tend to clump together. You want to look for fluffy and sturdy grains, like a Jasmine or Basmati rice when cooking fried rice.

Can I cook Panda Express Fried Rice without a wok?

Absolutely! While you have some serious advantages using a wok, you can still achieve the same results with just a regular pan. When it comes to stir-frying recipes like fried rice, the only thing to remember is to find the biggest pan available. This is because you will be stirring the ingredients continuously and you don’t want your carrots and peas flying around everywhere with a small pan. The last thing is to make sure that the pan heats up pretty well before you add the ingredients, to cook it thoroughly.

panda express fried rice recipe

Conclusion

Being able to make some fried rice at home, especially one that tastes like Panda Express Fried Rice proves to be cheaper than dialling for takeout. Make a batch during weeknight dinners and enjoy it on its own or even with a delicious orange chicken recipe.
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