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Garlic fried rice is one of the most common Filipino rice dishes. It combines leftover rice with crispy fried garlic, all seasoned with spices to create something simple that is super flavorful!
Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: This delicious side dish only takes about 15 minutes to make. Crush the minced garlic, add the remaining rice, add the spices, and you’re done!
- Flavorful: There’s something so satisfying about simple ingredients. They really are the best!
- Multipurpose: Garlic fried rice goes well with almost any food. I love making it with jalapeño chicken, Beijing beef, or cashew chicken.
Ingredients You Need To Make Filipino Fried Garlic Rice
This recipe only uses a few simple ingredients that you already have at home. Not sure what to do with leftover rice? This recipe is all you need! This is the perfect side to any meal. Scroll to the bottom of the post for exact measurements.
- garlic cloves: The star of the dish! Fresh is best, but you can use minced meat if that’s what you have.
- Vegetable oil: Helps fry and soften the garlic and adds moisture to the rice.
- Rice: You can make rice for this recipe, but leftovers work best because they don’t stick.
- Onion Powder: Adds a savory flavor that complements the garlic.
- Salt and pepper: Improves the taste of food.
- Green Onions: For decoration and pops of color.
How to Make Garlic Fried Rice
Gather your ingredients, heat a frying pan, and let the magic begin. You’ll love how quickly and easily you make this delicious side dish. Your kids will love it and might even eat it as a substitute for your main course!
- Add: In a large frying pan or non-stick skillet, add oil and heat over medium-high heat, then add minced garlic.
- Crisp: Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Stirring: Add the cooked and cooled rice, then stir the rice into the oil and garlic.
- Cook and Serve: Season with onion powder, salt and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes so that the rice becomes crispy. Stir the rice and continue cooking for about 5 minutes to get the fried rice texture. Garnish with sliced spring onions and serve warm.
Tips and Variations on Garlic Fried Rice
Whether you prefer a simple, classic version or want to add vegetables, protein, or sauce, there are ways to customize the dish to suit your tastes.
- Garlic: Fresh is a MUST! Cut or mince the garlic to your desired size. I like larger pieces because there’s lots of garlic crunch! Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Rice: The key to fried rice is using it cooked and cooled rice! Leftover rice or day-old rice helps keep your fried rice from getting mushy.
- Butter: Add flavor and use butter instead of oil. Sometimes I use half butter and half oil and it tastes great!
- Add Eggs: Scramble eggs into rice for added protein! Filipino garlic fried rice traditionally doesn’t contain eggs, but feel free to add eggs like my easy fried rice recipe.
- Season with Soy Sauce: Add a tablespoon of soy sauce for added umami flavor!
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Garlic fried rice is delicious for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Traditionally served in the Philippines for breakfast with eggs on top. Save this rice for breakfast and give it a try.
- In the Refrigerator: Transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- To Reheat: Reheat one serving of rice in the microwave at 1 minute intervals. Mixing between the two will do the trick! Add a splash of soy sauce if you want to add extra moisture and flavor.
Other Fried Rice Recipes to Try
If you have leftover rice and are looking for a way to use it, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some delicious rice recipes that I’m sure you’ll love.
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In a large skillet or non-stick skillet, add oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add chopped garlic.
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Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
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Add cooked and cooled rice. Stir the rice into the oil and garlic.
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Season with onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes so that the rice becomes crispy. Stir the rice and continue cooking for about 5 minutes to get the fried rice texture.
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Garnish with sliced spring onions and serve warm.
Calories: 204kcalCarbohydrate: 31GProteins: 3GFat: 7GSaturated fat: 1GPolyunsaturated fats: 4GMonounsaturated fats: 2GTrans Fat: 0.05GSodium: 196mgPotassium: 61mgFiber: 1GSugar: 0.2Gvitamin A: 21IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 0.3mg
Nutritional information is calculated automatically, so should only be used as an estimate.
