Flavorful Indian Fried Rice

Fried rice is one of my favorite things to make whenever I crave something hearty yet simple to prepare. Although I love my gochujang fried rice. kimchi fried rice, and Thai vegetable fried rice, this Indian fried rice is my recent obsession. It is savory, spicy, and will leave your taste buds tingling! 

💚Why you will love this recipe 

• Healthy, filling, and full of nutritious veggies 
• Effortless and easy to make 
• Ready in 15 minutes 
• Incredibly flavorful and delicious! 

🍚The best rice for frying

Here are some helpful tips on how to prevent your fried rice from turning mushy and clumpy:

• Use medium or long grain rice - Basmati, brown rice, and Jasmine rice are some varieties that are perfect for frying as they fluff up perfectly without turning mushy.
• Rinse rice thoroughly before cooking - This helps remove excess starch on the rice that causes it to clump together more. I usually rinse my rice at least 3 times or until the water is no longer cloudy.
• Cooking rice -I suggest following the cooking instructions on the package when preparing rice, as the water ratio and cooking time can vary depending on the type of rice. If the rice turns out overly soft, it's likely that too much water was added. Make a note of this and use less water next time.
• Drying them - Typically, fried rice recipes suggest using day-old rice, but freshly cooked rice is also a suitable option! The key is to spread it out on a large plate immediately after cooking and pop them into the freezer for 10-15 minutes to dry them out.
• Breaking them up - If using refrigerated rice, remember to break clumps of rice using your hands before adding it to the pan.

🥕What you will need 

📃Ingredients notes and substitutions 

• Rice - I am using brown rice here, but you could use other rice like Jasmine or basmati rice.
  • It is recommended that you use rice that has been refrigerated overnight, but freshly cooked ones will work too! The tip is to spread it out on a large plate and let the rice cool completely before using. 
• Curry leaves - Optional, but highly recommended! You can find it in most Asian markets. You could also try buying your curry leaves online through Amazon. 

🔪How to make 

Here is a quick overview of the steps involved in making Indian fried rice. The full detailed recipe will be in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

Heat a large non-stick pan or cast-iron skillet. Start by sauteing onion until translucent, then adding garlic and curry leaves.

Next, add all spices to a pan and fry until fragrant. Stir in carrot and bell pepper, and cook until softened. 

Lastly, add rice into the pan along with the peas. Stir until everything is well incorporated. Serve and enjoy while hot! 

✔Helpful tips 

• Do use a large enough pan to make your fried rice. This ensures that all ingredients are cooked properly. You could also use a non-stick or cast-iron wok if you have one. 
• Prep all ingredients ahead of time, and keep them near you. Frying rice is a quick process and requires constant stirring! 
• Make sure to drain your veggies thoroughly before adding them to the pan. Excess moisture might cause your fried rice to turn soggy. 
• To make this recipe spice-free and kid-friendly, omit chili powder. 
• Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for 3-4 days. You might have to add a splash of water when reheating your Indian fried rice. 

✨Variations/add-ins 

Veggies - Feel free to substitute the veg used in this recipe with any others you have on hand! Corn kernels, shredded cabbage, parboiled broccoli or cauliflower, and frozen veggie mix are excellent for this Indian fried rice. 

Protein - To make this a more filling dish, add a source of plant protein like scrambled tofu or curry tofu scramble, tofu cubes, seitan chunks, or veggie mince. Alternatively, animal protein like eggs and chicken can also be added if not vegan. 

Spicier - If you love spice, increase the amount of chili powder used, or add a generous pinch of chili flakes towards the end of cooking. 

Other spices - This recipe is incredibly versatile, so be creative and add whatever sounds good! Garam masala, black pepper, and black mustard seeds are some examples of spices that goes well. 

🍛How to serve 

• Curries and stews - Some of my go-to include vegetable Madras curry, Chinese curry, and Jamaican chickpea curry. 
• Asian main dishes - I recommend pairing this Indian fried rice with tofu sisig, Hunan tofu, or soya chunks masala for a heartier meal. 
• Indian condiments - Dollop a generous amount of raita or chutney to bump up the flavor profile of this recipe! 
• Toppings - I love topping mine with chopped peanuts, cilantro, green onion, or a generous drizzle of sriracha.

❔Commonly asked questions 

🍚More recipes using leftover rice

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