You need to give this amazing tom yum fried rice a try! It is packed with flavors, delicious and fiery. This version is incredibly easy to make and is ready in 15 minutes.
Ever wonder what you can do with tom yum paste? I am here to tell you that they work well in fried rice! This super quick and easy-to-make tom yum fried rice is the perfect quick meal on busy weeknights.
Like my green curry fried rice and broccoli rice casserole, this dish is a great way to use up leftover cooked rice! But if you do not have any on hand, no worries, as instructions on using freshly cooked rice will also be provided below. 😉
💚Why you will love this recipe
- An irresistibly delicious and flavorful dish that is a crowd-pleaser
- Using instant paste instead of making it from scratch saves tons of time and effort
- Highly customizable, and you can modify it according to taste preference and dietary restrictions
- A great way to use up leftover rice
🍚What you will need
📃Ingredients notes and substitutions
- Rice - I am using cooked brown rice to bump up the nutrient content, but feel free to use other varieties like Jasmine or basmati rice.
- Bird’s eye chilies - Desseed it to make this dish less spicy, or leave it on if you like yours to be fiery!
- Kaffir lime leaves - Optional but highly recommended. You can find it in most Asian groceries. Alternatively, you can order kaffir lime leaves online.
- Tom yum paste - Use vegan tom yum paste to keep this dish plant-based.
🔪How to make
Start by heating a cast iron skillet/non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Stir in garlic, chilies, and kaffir lime leaves, sauteing until fragrant. Add carrot and stir-fry until slightly softened.
Toss in peas and rice along with tom yum paste. Stir to mix and fry until everything is hot.
Remove from heat, and mix in green onion and soy sauce. Optionally, squeeze on some lime juice. Serve and enjoy your tom yum fried rice while warm!
✔Helpful tips
- Use day-old refrigerated rice for the best result. If using freshly cooked rice, spread them out on a large plate or baking sheet and let them cool down to room temperature before using.
- If your refrigerated rice is clumpy, separate individual grains using wet hands or a spoon.
- Do use a large enough pan or wok to make this recipe. I recommend going with non-stick or cast iron as you will need less oil to prevent ingredients from sticking.
- Prep all ingredients ahead of time and keep them near you, as frying rice is a relatively quick process.
- Leftover tom yum fried rice can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Check out this post on how to make tom yum paste if you are interested in making your own. To keep it vegan, omit the shrimp paste.
✨Variations
Add a source of protein - You could pan fry some tofu or seitan chunks beforehand and add them to your fried rice. Vegan chicken strips and egg alternatives like JustEgg or tofu scramble will work too. If not vegan, feel free to add some animal protein like shrimp, chicken cubes, or eggs.
Vegetables - Veggies used in this recipe can be easily substituted with whatever you have on hand. Chinese broccoli, tomatoes, broccoli florets, and frozen veg mix will all work in this recipe.
Lower carb - Substitute part of or all rice with cauliflower or broccoli rice.
Oil-free - Use ¼ cup of water or broth in place of oil to saute your aromatics, adding more if ingredients start sticking to the pan.
❔Commonly asked questions
If you really can't find tom yum paste, the next best alternative is red curry paste. You might want to add some lime or lemon juice to give it that distinctive zing that most tom yum paste have.
Please take note that most tom yum paste is not vegan, as shrimp paste and/or fish sauce are often added. Do turn and read the ingredient label to ensure that it does not contain any animal products.
If you can't find any in-store, you can try getting them off online retailers like Amazon (I Love this Mekhala brand ones ).
As fresh kaffir lime leaves are sometimes hard to get, you can opt to use the dried ones. I recommend rehydrating them in some hot water, then finely chopping them before using.
The best solution to keep your fried rice from clumping together is to use day-old leftover steamed rice. Excess moisture in rice will dry up after sitting in the fridge for a while, yielding firmer rice that can be separated from each other easily.
If using freshly cooked rice, make sure to spread them out and let them cool down completely before using.
🍽More vegan fried rice recipe
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📖 Recipe
Tom Yum Fried Rice
Ingredients
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 kaffir lime leaves roughly chopped
- 2 Thai red chili sliced
- 1 medium carrot diced
- 3 cup cooked rice preferably refrigerated overnight (see notes)*
- ½ cup frozen green peas
- 1-2 tablespoon tom yum paste
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
- 1 stalk green onion chopped
- lime juice to serve
Instructions
- Heat up a tablespoon of oil in a cast iron skillet or non-stick pan on medium high heat. Start by sauteing garlic, chili and kaffir lime leaves for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.3 cloves garlic, 2 Thai red chili, 2 kaffir lime leaves
- Add in the carrot next. Cook until they have slightly softened, for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently.1 medium carrot
- Now, add in rice, peas and tom yum paste. Saute for 2-3 minutes, or until everything is thoroughly heated.3 cup cooked rice, ½ cup frozen green peas, 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- Stir in soy sauce and chopped green onions. Optionally, squeeze on some lime juice before serving. Enjoy!1 stalk green onion, lime juice
Notes
- If your refrigerated rice is clumpy, separate individual grains using wet hands or a spoon.
- Do use a large enough pan or wok to make this recipe. I recommend going with non-stick or cast iron as you will need less oil to prevent ingredients from sticking.
- Prep all ingredients ahead of time and keep them near you, as frying rice is a relatively quick process.
- Leftover tom yum fried rice can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Check out this post on how to make tom yum paste if you are interested in making your own. To keep it vegan, omit the shrimp paste.
Nutrition
Nutrition info calculated is just a rough estimate and is provided as a courtesy. Bear in mind that value will vary based on variables like specific brand or type of product used. To obtain the most accurate representation, it is highly recommended that you calculate it on your own with the actual amount and type of ingredient used.
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