If you’ve ever made fried rice, you know it’s a classic that’s quick, versatile, satisfying, and super customizable. However, it’s also not vegan and you often feel like you’re missing out on flavor or texture.
With only 5-star ratings, my easy vegan fried rice recipe is a perfect example of how you can enjoy this beloved dish without compromising anything.
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Over the last six years, I’ve worked to recreate this dish with the perfect balance of savory, umami goodness without relying on eggs or traditional sauces that often make this dish not vegan.
The result is an easy, approachable, customizable, vegan fried rice recipe that’s packed with wholesome ingredients that will impress even the skeptics.
Quick Tip: Fried rice is better with at least one day old rice. I usually start my week 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!
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Why Make 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.
Vegan Fried Rice Recipe ingredients
Rice
You can use brown or white rice. It is best to use pre-made rice that is at least one day old.
Substitute: you can use freshly made right but will be soggier than using day old rice
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.
Substitute: Feel free to use fresh veggies as well but keep in mind that they may take longer to cook
Plant Butter
Vegan butter adds a richness that you can’t get from just an oil
Substitute: you can swap with the same amount of neutral oil as well
Soy Sauce
Provides an umami flavor and also helps with some caramelization
Substitute: can be swapped for coconut aminos, liquid aminos, or no soy soy sauce
Sesame Oil
Added towards the end of the dish provides a nutty flavor that helps to build on the umami flavors
Substitute: we don’t recommend swapping this with anything, so it’s better to omit
Agave
A touch of sweetness brings the whole dish and all the flavors together
Substitute: the same amount of brown sugar, coconut sugar, or maple syrup will also work
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
Substitute: can be omitted if you don’t like spicy or can be swapped with a sweet chili or chili garlic oil as well.
How to make Fried Rice without Egg
- 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.
3. Add in your day old rice to your skillet and stir together with the vegetables, making sure to break up any clumps.
4. In a small bowl, mix together soy sauce, agave, toasted sesame oil, and red pepper flakes. Then pour that sauce over the rice.
5. Cook and stir for about 3-5 minutes or until the rice is crisping up and the dish is heated throughout.
6. Add in your green onions and stir together, then remove from heat and serve.
Fried Rice No Egg variations
Check out your fridge to see what’s available that may be going bad soon like fresh carrots, green beans, squash, or mushrooms. Cut into similar bite-sized pieces and saute any fresh vegetables until softened before moving onto next steps in the recipe.
For an easier sauce option, try swapping Teriyaki or Ponzu sauce for the sauce ingredients listed. You will need approximately ⅓ cup of sauce, keeping in mind that we recommend low-sodium sauce sauce. If you can’t find a low-sodium sauce blend, you can cut it by doing 4 tablespoons sauce and 1 ½ tablespoons water.
Want to make this low carb? Try our cauliflower fried rice recipe.
How to serve Vegan Fried Rice
What’s great about fried rice is that it can be the main course or the side dish. If you want it for a main course, but looking to add in a protein, keep it simple by just tossing in crumbled extra-firm tofu or chickpeas when adding the vegetables to saute.
If you want this to be your side dish, it’s the perfect side with something like vegan orange chicken (tofu) or sweet and sour chickpeas.
We like topping it with green onions and a sweet chili sauce whether it’s the main or side dish!
Storing this Fried Rice Recipe (No Egg)
If you are not eating this dish right away, you will want to first let it cool before considering one of the following storage options:
How long is vegan fried rice good for in the fridge?
This meal will last up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Store in an air-tighter container after cooling and then warm up by placing on a microwave safe bowl or plate for 1-2 minutes or until heated through or on the stove, stirring constantly until heated through.
Can you freeze vegan fried rice?
Yes! Again, once cooled, store rice in a freezer safe bag or container. It will last up to 3 months. To thaw, place overnight in the refrigerator and then heat as directed above.
🥳 Get the Full Recipe
Fried Rice (Vegan)
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
Notes
Video
Nutrition
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!
One of my favourite recipes.
Thank you so much!
I just wanted to say that I make this once a week and it has become a staple in my household! It even got my super picky husband to eat tofu!
That’s what we love to hear! Thanks for sharing!
Love this easy to make recipe!
Awesome!
will definitely try them all!
starting with the Mac and cheese, my favorite comfort food.
Thank you for sharing…
Thank you so much! We hope you enjoy the recipe!