Description
A quick and easy copycat recipe for Benihana-style fried rice featuring cold day-old rice, fresh vegetables, scrambled eggs, and a flavorful garlic butter sauce. Perfect as a side or main dish, this recipe delivers the authentic taste of restaurant fried rice using simple ingredients and stovetop cooking.
Ingredients
Scale
Fried Rice
- 2 cups cold, day-old white rice
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup chopped white onion
- 1 medium carrot, diced
- 3 green onions, sliced thin
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons garlic butter (see below)
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
- ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
Garlic Butter
- ½ cup salted butter, softened
- 3 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Prepare the Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, combine the softened salted butter, 3 teaspoons of low-sodium soy sauce, and 3 minced garlic cloves. Stir thoroughly until well mixed, cover, and refrigerate to chill until ready to use.
- Prepare the Vegetables: Heat 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3 cloves of minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- Cook Vegetables: Add ½ cup chopped white onion, 1 diced medium carrot, and 3 sliced green onions to the skillet. Stir and cook for several minutes until the vegetables become crisp-tender.
- Add Rice: Incorporate 2 cups of cold, day-old white rice into the skillet, stirring continuously and cooking for about 2 minutes to heat through and allow flavors to combine.
- Scramble Eggs: Push the cooked rice to one side of the skillet. On the empty side, crack in 2 large eggs and scramble until about 90% cooked, then mix the eggs thoroughly into the rice mixture.
- Season and Finish: Season the rice and egg mixture with 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, ¼ teaspoon white pepper, and ½ teaspoon granulated sugar. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of the prepared garlic butter and stir to combine. Continue frying and stirring for an additional 2 minutes to meld flavors. Serve warm.
Notes
- Use day-old rice that has been refrigerated overnight to prevent clumping and achieve the best texture.
- The garlic butter adds a distinctive flavor and richness characteristic of Benihana fried rice.
- You can adjust the seasoning to taste, adding more soy sauce or pepper if desired.
- Vegetables can be substituted or added according to preference, such as peas or bell peppers.
