How to Make Restaurant-Style Steak Fried Rice in 30 Minutes

Steak fried rice is a flavorful and protein-packed twist on the classic Chinese takeout dish. With tender strips of steak, lightly crisped veggies, and fluffy rice all tossed together in a savory sauce, it’s no wonder this beefy version is so popular.

While you can easily spend $15 or more to get steak fried rice from your local Chinese restaurant, you can make an even tastier version at home in just 30 minutes for a fraction of the price. With a few simple ingredients and easy cooking techniques, you’ll have restaurant-quality steak fried rice on the table in no time.

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Benefits of Making Your Own Steak Fried Rice

Cost savings – Cooking at home is significantly cheaper than takeout or delivery. Making your own allows you to control the quality of ingredients.
Customization – Cook the vegetables you like, use your favorite cut of steak, and adjust the seasonings to suit your taste.
Healthier – Restaurant fried rice is often loaded with oil and sodium. Homemade allows you to moderate the amount of oil used and the salt content.
Fun weekend cooking project – Trying new recipes is an enjoyable way to spend a Saturday or Sunday. Impress your family with your culinary skills.

Ingredients You’ll Need

1 lb flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced
3 cups cooked rice (preferably day-old rice)
1 tablespoon oil
2 eggs, beaten
1 onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup frozen peas
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Follow these simple steps to make tender steak and fresh veggies come together for a flavorful fried rice dish the whole family will love.

Cook the Steak

Heat 1⁄2 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet or wok over high heat.
Add the sliced steak in an even layer and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned but still slightly pink in the center.
Transfer steak to a clean plate and set aside.

Prepare the Eggs and Vegetables

Add the remaining 1⁄2 tablespoon oil to the same pan.
Pour in the beaten eggs. Cook, stirring constantly, until scrambled and nearly set, about 1 minute.
Push eggs to one side of the pan.
Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened.

Put It All Together

Add the cooked rice, peas, soy sauce, and sesame oil.
Stir vigorously for 2-3 minutes to break up any rice clumps and coat everything evenly.
Return steak strips to the pan and continue cooking for another 2 minutes, stirring frequently, so everything is heated through.
Remove pan from heat. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
Serve hot on its own or with additional soy sauce on the side.

Storage

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water to restore moisture as needed.

Cooking Tips for Best Results

Follow these tips for steak fried rice just like your favorite Chinese restaurant:

Use day-old rice – This dries out the rice grains so they can better absorb flavors. Freshly cooked rice will be too moist.
Cut the steak thin – Thin strips cook quickly and give you plenty of beefy flavor in each bite.
Get the wok hot – Use high heat to get the nice sear on the steak and crispness on the vegetables.
Don’t overcrowd the pan – Cook ingredients in batches if needed to avoid steaming.
Toss vigorously – This breaks up the grains of rice and evenly distributes ingredients.
Don’t skip the sesame oil – Just a little adds important nutty, aromatic flavor.
Add soy sauce at the end – Adding it too early can make the rice mushy and salty.
Work fast – The whole cooking process takes just 10-15 minutes. Have all ingredients prepped and ready to go.

FAQs

1. What type of rice works best?

The best rice varieties to use are long grain white rice or jasmine rice. The drier, fluffier texture works well in fried rice. Short grain or freshly cooked rice will be too sticky.

2. Can I use a different vegetable?

Absolutely! Some other great options are carrots, broccoli, snap peas, cabbage, bean sprouts or zucchini. Just adjust cooking times as needed.

3. Can I use chicken instead of steak?

You sure can. Dice or shred cooked chicken breast and use instead of the steak. Marinate it first for extra flavor.

4. Is steak fried rice gluten free?

Yes, as long as you use gluten free soy sauce or tamari. Be sure to check the label.

5. Can I make it ahead of time?

It’s best to prepare steak fried rice right before serving. But you can prep all the ingredients in advance and store them separately. Then stir fry everything together just before eating.