Shrimp Fried Rice is one of my go-to 30-minute meals and my family can’t get enough of it. Shrimp and rice loaded with veggies and egg is a protein-packed and easy dinner. Fried Rice is the best way to use leftover Cooked Rice.

We love recreating Asian takeout dishes like Chow Mein, General Tso’s Chicken, and of course saucy Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry. Making fried rice is probably the easiest homemade takeout dish.

Shrimp Fried Rice Recipe in skillet with spoon

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Shrimp Fried Rice Recipe

Even though fried rice is easy to make, there are some things to know before you start to avoid gummy and sticky rice. I learned how to make (non-sticky) fried rice years ago from one of my favorite bloggers, Jaden of steamykitchen.com.

Once you have a great basic recipe for fried rice, you can easily change up the protein depending on what you have in the refrigerator or what leftovers you have from dinner the night before. That’s how we came up with our popular Chicken Fried Rice Recipe.

Shrimp Fried Rice Video Tutorial

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Secrets for the Best Fried Rice

Here is our best advice for making perfect (non-sticky) fried rice:

  • Ingredients prepped ahead: The cooking process moves fast, so be sure to have everything prepped and ready before you start the stove
  • Chilled rice: Start with cold cooked rice. Leftover rice is best. Avoid fresh, warm rice or it will become sticky and gooey when it hits the pan.
  • High heat: Fried rice is supposed to cook quickly over high heat so give your pan a chance to heat up. Also, give the ingredients time to sizzle and resist the urge to stir constantly.
  • Follow the process: Add ingredients to the pan separately and in the order listed. Adding everything at once will cool the pan too quickly and your fried rice will fail.
  • Add sauces to taste: Add soy sauce and sesame oil to your taste preference. Depending on how your rice was cooked (with or without salt) or if you use low sodium soy sauce, you will likely need to adjust soy sauce and sesame oil.
Best shrimp fried rice up close with shrimp, carrots, peas and egg

Ingredients for Shrimp Fried Rice

  • Rice: cooked and chilled rice works best (more on that below)
  • Shrimp: use 20-24 count or 26-30 count RAW peeled and deveined shrimp.
  • Cornstarch – makes the shrimp slightly crisp when stir-fried like in our Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos.
  • Vegetables: we use a bag of frozen peas and carrots that we thaw according to package instructions.
  • Eggs: large eggs add more protein and great texture and color to this dish
  • Green onion – light and dark green parts, plus more to garnish
  • Soy Sauce – use regular, low sodium or even coconut aminos then add them to taste since they will have varying amounts of salt in them.
  • Sesame oil – DO NOT SKIP the sesame oil which makes it taste like authentic Chinese fried rice. Use pure sesame oil, not toasted.
Ingredients for shrimp and rice

How to Make Shrimp Fried Rice

From the time the shrimp hits the skillet, it takes about 10 minutes on the stove so you want everything measured out, prepped, and ready to add to the skillet.

  1. Marinate shrimp – toss shrimp together with cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Rest for 10 minutes at room temperature.
  2. Heat the skillet – preheat over medium/high heat then add cooking oil and shrimp. Cook 1 minute per side. Transfer shrimp to a plate and reduce heat to medium.
  3. Add beaten eggs – pour eggs into the hot skillet and scramble with your spatula until no longer runny. Transfer to the same plate as the shrimp.
  4. Wipe down the skillet with a paper towel then increase to medium/high heat, add oil and chives, and saute for 30 seconds.
  5. Spread rice into the skillet and sizzle for 1-2 minutes without stirring. Flip and sizzle another 1-2 minutes.
  6. Add Sauces & Veggies – drizzle in Soy sauce and sesame oil to taste then stir in vegetables.
  7. Add cooked shrimp and eggs back to the pan and stir to combine and add more soy sauce to taste.
How to make shrimp fried rice step by step

How to Cook Rice for Fried Rice

Leftover chilled white rice is best, but If you don’t have leftover white rice, you can make it ahead, but be sure to rinse the rice until water runs clear prior to cooking to remove the extra starch.

Cook White Rice on the Stovetop then cool to room temperature, spread the rice into a casserole dish or baking sheet, and refrigerate until chilled. This will help dry out the rice so it doesn’t turn gummy on the skillet. We love Jasmine rice, but medium or long grain rice will work.

Common Questions

What is the best rice for fried rice?

We love Jasmine rice, but medium or long grain rice will work. You can even use leftover brown rice for healthier fried rice.

Is fried rice gluten-free?

Rice is gluten-free, so you really just need to make sure your soy sauce is gluten-free like this Tamari soy sauce.

Can I make soy-free fried rice?

Instead of soy sauce, try using Coconut Aminos, but you need a little more since it contains less salt.

Can I substitute the shrimp?

You can leave out the shrimp altogether to make it vegetarian like our Pineapple Fried Rice, or substitute it with whatever protein you have such as ham, bacon (like this Bacon Mango Fried Rice) beef, or chicken for Chicken Fried Rice.

Fried rice recipe with shrimp and rice

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More Asian Recipes to try

Shrimp Fried Rice Recipe

4.89 from 254 votes
Shrimp fried rice in skillet with spatula
Shrimp Fried Rice is one of my go-to 30-minute dinners and my family can't get enough of it. Shrimp and Rice is the best way to use leftover white rice.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 6 people
  • 1 lb 26-30 count uncooked shrimp , (peeled and deveined)
  • 1 tsp corn starch
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 Tbsp LIGHT olive oil, or canola
  • 4 large eggs, beaten
  • 1/4 cup green onion, finely chopped
  • 5 cups leftover chilled white rice , (rinse rice before cooking)
  • 12 oz frozen carrots and peas, thawed
  • 2 Tbsp soy sauce or coconut aminos , or added to taste
  • 1 1/2 tsp sesame oil

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, mix the shrimp, cornstarch, salt and pepper. Let marinate at room temperature for 10 minutes.
  • Heat a large non-stick skillet on medium/high heat. When a bead of water sizzles and evaporates, swirl in 2 Tbsp of cooking oil and add shrimp to the hot skillet and spread them out in a single layer. Cook 1 minute per side, or until cooked through and opaque. Remove to a bowl.
  • Over medium heat, add beaten eggs to the same skillet. Break up the eggs with a spatula and cook until no longer runny. Remove to a bowl.
  • Wipe down the skillet with a paper towel and return to medium/high heat. Add 1 Tbsp oil and onions and cook green onion until fragrant, 30 seconds.
  • Stir in rice then spread it evenly over the pan and cook for 1 to 2 minutes without disturbing it then stir and sauté another 1 to 2 minutes. Rice should sizzle.
  • Drizzle 2 Tbsp soy sauce (or add to taste) over rice and stir well. Add sesame oil and thawed vegetables and mix well.
  • Add cooked shrimp and cooked eggs back to the pan and mix well. Continue to cook until the rice is hot and sizzles, stirring frequently. Add more soy sauce to taste, if desired.

Nutrition Per Serving

396kcal Calories44g Carbs25g Protein12g Fat2g Saturated Fat299mg Cholesterol1108mg Sodium281mg Potassium2g Fiber5585IU Vitamin A10.2mg Vitamin C158mg Calcium3.3mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Shrimp Fried Rice Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
396
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
12
g
18
%
Saturated Fat
 
2
g
13
%
Cholesterol
 
299
mg
100
%
Sodium
 
1108
mg
48
%
Potassium
 
281
mg
8
%
Carbohydrates
 
44
g
15
%
Fiber
 
2
g
8
%
Protein
 
25
g
50
%
Vitamin A
 
5585
IU
112
%
Vitamin C
 
10.2
mg
12
%
Calcium
 
158
mg
16
%
Iron
 
3.3
mg
18
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
Keyword: shrimp and rice, shrimp fried rice
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $$
Calories: 396
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

This recipe was first published in 2014 and republished in 2022. We have added a video, new photos (see original photo below), and more tips for making the Best Shrimp Fried Rice.

Chinese fried rice recipe
4.89 from 254 votes (98 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Karen
    February 29, 2020

    Loved it! Didn’t have frozen veggies on hand, so I diced 3 small carrots and a zucchini… stir fired them before and added in the recipe.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 29, 2020

      I’m so glad you enjoyed that Karen!

      Reply

  • Dave Chapman
    February 28, 2020

    I’m looking forward to cooking this, a bit scared that I don’t get it right as I love fried rice. I’m adding bacon as my sister used to do this insane fried rice and I wanted the recipe before she passed. I promise to post pics – thank you for sharing your recipes Natasha! You are a legend! 😁❤️

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      February 28, 2020

      I would love to see the pictures and assing bacon sounds like a good plan!

      Reply

  • CB
    February 20, 2020

    Hi, can you tell me if you used fresh shrimp or can we use frozen shrimp and thaw it out first?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 20, 2020

      Hi SB, you sure can. I recommend thawing it first.

      Reply

  • Simona
    February 13, 2020

    Hi Natasha…I absolutely love your recipes…I’ve tried many already and I’m not going to stop!…your recipes are everything I’m looking for: incredible tasty, fast, practical…do I need to add anything else?!…..thank you for inspiring, helping us get delicious meals…thank you Natasha!…

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 13, 2020

      You’re welcome Simona! Thank you for that wonderful feedback!

      Reply

      • Sue
        February 21, 2020

        I love your shrimp fried rice and would like to make a big pot for a friend. Suggestions? Freeze it or just bag it? How to reheat?

        Reply

        • Natashas Kitchen
          February 21, 2020

          That’s so nice of you Sue! It does refrigerate pretty well so you can reheat leftovers on the skillet the following day. Freezing it in an airtight container may work as well until you are ready to try it again.

          Reply

  • Kathy
    February 7, 2020

    Fantastic recipe. I omit the sesame oil though. Not a fan. But I have made this multiple times and it has become a favorite meal. So much fresher and better than take out. Thank you!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      February 7, 2020

      Thanks for your wonderful feedback and review Kathy!

      Reply

  • Melissa
    February 5, 2020

    Can I use chicken instead of shrimp and if so what should I season the chicken with ?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 5, 2020

      Hi Melissa, I bet it would be good with chicken too. I should give it a whirl. Here’s what one of our readers wrote about making it with chicken: “I just made some chicken fried rice based on your recipe and it’s really good! I used brown rice and didn’t coat the chicken with cornstarch but everything else was pretty much the same. Thank you so much! It’s the first time I ever made fried rice without a seasoning packet. I didn’t know I could! lol”

      Reply

  • Jean
    January 30, 2020

    This looks delicious!
    I love your metric conversion feature (we don’t use really use cup measures in the UK).
    I’m going to try this out over the weekend as a treat.
    Wish me luck 😊🤞🏻

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      January 30, 2020

      It sounds like a good plan Jean. Would love to hear how it goes. 👍

      Reply

  • Sharon
    January 29, 2020

    Could yu cut this recipe in half?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 29, 2020

      Hi Sharon! You sure can! I hope you love this recipe!

      Reply

  • Kim
    January 25, 2020

    Made Shrimp fried rice for dinner. It was delicious. My rice was kind of sticky even though I rinsed it and let it sit open in the refrigerator but that’s ok because it makes it easier for my handicapped husband to eat. I probably ate WAY too much. In fact, I’m going back for more right now!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 25, 2020

      I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Kim! Thank you for sharing that great review with me!

      Reply

  • JHoward
    January 15, 2020

    We’re doing a more low carb thing and I made this with riced cauliflower, treated it as the rice in the recipe, no other changes. It turned out very good!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 15, 2020

      I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for that amazing review!

      Reply

  • Tiffany Quick
    January 12, 2020

    Can I used already cooked shrimp from the store?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 13, 2020

      Hi Tiffany, I always try to avoid using cooked shrimp in recipes that call for uncooked because you can’t really make the shrimp take on any flavor without overcooking them. I think you could still make it work but omit the cornstarch on the shrimp and you won’t need to do the marinating. I would still flash heat them until warmed through but no longer than that because re-cooking cooked shrimp will make them rubbery. I hope you love the recipe!

      Reply

  • Donna
    December 31, 2019

    Can i make less rice and keep everything else the same?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 31, 2019

      Hi Donna, I’m sure that would work! If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe

      Reply

  • FRAN
    December 23, 2019

    I have a question about the rice. The recipe calls for 5 cups of rice but 5 cups was way too much, it made the pan almost overflow. Also it does not look like 5 cups of rice in the video, looks more like 1-2 cups. What am I not seeing?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 23, 2019

      Hi Fran, we used 5 cups of cold rice. Leftover rice is best. It may look like not much in the photos but the glass measure cups you see is actually a stand mixer bowl. We did use a large pan also. I hope that helps.

      Reply

  • Natalie Rosenthal
    December 8, 2019

    I made this recipe as written and it came out delicious. The first time I left out the green onions. Don’t do that. It made a huge difference in the flavor.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 9, 2019

      I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us!

      Reply

      • Lisa
        December 30, 2019

        Can you use minute rice?

        Reply

        • Natashas Kitchen
          December 30, 2019

          Hi Lisa, I haven’t tested that to advise. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe

          Reply

  • April
    December 3, 2019

    I love this recipe! I used brown rice and it was delicious! This is also a very friendly Weight Watchers recipe so I will continue to make this recipe. Who doesn’t like one bowl meals? Lol!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 3, 2019

      Those are some of my favorites! I’m happy to hear you’re liking this recipe, April!

      Reply

  • Vanessa Garza
    December 2, 2019

    Super yummy and super easy to make! Thanks so much for this easy week night recipe! Definitely going to be making this again, thanks Natasha!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 2, 2019

      You’re welcome, Vaness! I’m glad you enjoyed it & it sounds like you found a new favorite! That’s so great

      Reply

  • D
    November 30, 2019

    Great! Easy! Told my son, “I know you love Carl’s Junior, buy $15 for a double burger and 2 fries is robbery.” Carl’s J once every 6 weeks… This could easily be 8-10 meals (lunch or dinner) a month. I could vary recipe with snow peas and even broccoli 🥦. Very good! Thank you!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      November 30, 2019

      Ha ha! I know what you mean! I love your ideas for changing things up with different veggies.

      Reply

  • Althea
    November 23, 2019

    I’ve made variations of this dish for years, and never knew why the end results were not as good as I expected! So Natasha gave us the secret, saute everything separately, WOW – amaaaazing. I added some mushrooms and air-fried peppers which I make each week for salads/sandwiches etc. I also once air-fried the shrimp with herbs first to give it a crust. This is a very economical yet tasty dish. The variations are endless.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      November 23, 2019

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for the wonderful review!

      Reply

  • Esther Nyarko
    November 20, 2019

    Thank you Natasha! I have become a great chef by watching you on Facebook and following every instruction and cooking for my family.
    I don’t like Social media, but since I saw you, I have been going on Facebook looking for you.
    My own daughter told me that my cooking has changed, and wanted to know what happened?
    At first I didn’t want to share the secret but then I did
    I advised her to watch you as well on Facebook.
    Thank you

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      November 20, 2019

      Awww that’s the best! Thank you so much for sharing that with me. I’m all smiles!

      Reply

  • Edna Toner
    November 16, 2019

    I am going to try this recipe this evening but I would like to add garlic, ginger & chilli flakes to give xtra flavour. Should I cook the prawns with garlic & ginger at the beginning then all chilli flakes towards the end of cooking them??

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      November 16, 2019

      Hi Edna, I haven’t tested that but I think it could work. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe.

      Reply

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