You will love throwing together this easy vegan fried rice on a busy night! Simple yet flavorful for a delicious vegan dinner idea.
Fried rice is a super simple and versatile dish that is perfect for busy people. This easy vegan fried rice is no exception.
If you are looking for dinner inspiration that is perfect for meal prepping or just those busy nights where you want to throw something together really fast, then look no further. Vegan fried rice is definitely one of those meals that is perfect no matter what.
It’s also my go to meal to use up veggies and other fridge ingredients before they go bad.
Quick Tip: Fried rice is better with at least one day old rice. I usually start my weeks on Sundays by prepping a batch of rice because I know at least one meal a week I’m going to need something fast. That way my rice is already in the fridge and at least a day old!
Why You’ll Love Easy Vegan Fried Rice
Made in Only One Dish
One pan meals means even clean up is easy! Even though it’s made in just one dish, the flavors are something to love!
Easy to Switch Up Vegetables
This is the perfect dish for a fridge clean out! You’ll love how easy it is to switch up or rotate veggies based on what you have on hand.
One important thing to note is that if you’re doing something that needs roasted or takes a bit longer to cook (like sweet potatoes) then you’ll want to give those a bit more time.
Easy Vegan Fried Rice Ingredients:
Gather your ingredients!
Below are notes about the ingredients before we get into the full recipe located lower in this post on how to make fried rice:
- Rice– you can use brown or white rice. It is best to use pre-made rice that is at least one day old.
- Frozen Veggies – You can use any frozen veggies that you prefer. Our go to combo is the mixed veggies with corn, peas, carrots and green beans. If you use other veggies that take a bit longer to cook, you’ll want to adjust your time accordingly.
- Plant Butter – vegan butter adds a richness that you can’t get from just an oil
- Soy Sauce – provides an umami flavor and also helps with some caramelization
- Sesame Oil – added towards the end of the dish provides a nutty flavor that helps to build on the umami flavors
- Agave – a touch of sweetness brings the whole dish and all the flavors together
- Red Pepper Flakes – a little goes a long way, to create more flavor; however, if you’d prefer a spicy fried rice, you’re free to up the game as well
Substitutions and Variations
- Rice– you can use freshly made right but will be soggier than using day old rice
- Frozen Veggies – Feel free to use fresh veggies as well but keep in mind that they may take longer to cook
- Plant Butter – you can swap with the same amount of neutral oil as well
- Soy Sauce – can be swapped for coconut aminos, liquid aminos, or no soy soy sauce
- Sesame Oil – we don’t recommend swapping this with anything, so it’s better to omit
- Agave – the same amount of brown sugar, coconut sugar, or maple syrup will also work
- Red Pepper Flakes – can be omitted if you don’t like spicy or can be swapped with a sweet chili or chili garlic oil as well.
Step by Step Instructions:
The first thing you’re going to do is let vegan butter melt in a large skillet.
Once your butter has melted, add your frozen vegetables and cook for 2-3 minutes. Your vegetables should be defrosted and most of the water evaporated.
*Note that if you are using fresh veggies, they will take longer to cook.
Add in your day old rice to your skillet and stir together with the vegetables, making sure to break up any clumps.
In a small bowl, mix together soy sauce, agave, toasted sesame oil, and red pepper flakes. Then pour that sauce over the rice.
Cook and stir for about 3-5 minutes or until the rice is crisping up and the dish is heated throughout.
Add in your green onions and stir together, then remove from heat and serve.
Frequently Asked Questions:
You’ll want to use a soy free vegan butter, omit the sesame oil, and use a no soy soy sauce option to make allergen friendly fried rice.
Yes, This dish can be prepared up to 3-4 days in advance. Make sure after making, let cool completely, then store in an air tight container.
Some other things we like to add depending on time we have are a protein like tofu, chickpeas, or seitan, as well as other veggies like bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms and more.
Yes. Just double all the ingredients listed.
What Other Vegan Fried Rice Dishes Could I Make?
If you love fried rice, you’ll love these dishes as well!
Pin this easy vegan fried rice for later!
Easy Vegan Fried Rice
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup low sodium soy sauce (75g)
- 1 teaspoon agave
- ½ teaspoon toasted sesame oil (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, more or less to taste
- 3 tablespoon vegan butter (or oil*)
- 1 ½ cups frozen veggies (200g)
- 4 cups day old cooked rice, white or brown (485g)
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, agave, toasted sesame oil and red pepper flakes.
- Add butter and let melt in a large skillet over medium high heat. When skillet starts to slightly smoke, carefully add frozen veggies and cook for about 2 minutes until defrosted and water evaporates. Add the rice and toss until the veggies are mixed in.
- Add in the sauce, cook until the rice is crisping about 3 – 5 minutes. Add in green onions stir then from the heat.
- Serve warm, with more flakes, green onions, sesame seeds, etc
Ayesha
I’ve just cooked this for the fam and they absolutely loved it again!
Hubby said its the best so far and they’ve all been amazing!
Larisha Bernard
so glad!
Nicole
Super easy, delish and you can control the oil unlike take out. I used sesame oil (not toasted) because I prefer the lighter taste.
Don’t forget to use day old rice or it will be mushy (done that). Make it!
Larisha Bernard
so glad you like it