Fans of Panda Express can tell you a thing or two about their fried rice. This savory side dish pleases even the pickiest eaters and goes great with more exotic dishes, like Kung Pao Chicken. Since grabbing takeout comes with a hefty price tag, we created our Panda Express Fried Rice Recipe. This recipe features an irresistible blend of scrambled eggs, juicy peas, and pillowy rice. The ingredients are topped with salty soy sauce and rich sesame oil, giving the Panda Express Fried Rice Recipe an authentic flavor.
One of the best things about this recipe is that it’s extremely easy on the budget. It works as a side dish or frugal stand-alone meal, and it’s also suitable for those who prefer meatless dishes. You won’t spend all day making this fried rice; in fact, it comes together in less than 30 minutes if you have your rice ready to go! With a combination of ease and versatility, our Panda Express Fried Rice Recipe is bound to be a staple in your menu rotation.
A Brief History of Fried Rice
Fried rice is among the most popular Chinese menu items and is often topped with other items, like General Tsos Chicken or Beef and Broccoli. This tasty dish has been around since the Middle Ages and is a delicious way to use leftover rice, eggs, veggies, and more. Authentic fried rice uses day-old rice, as the texture fries better. Fried rice is considered a celebratory side dish in China, where it’s often served during festivals.
Fried rice has endless ingredient possibilities, including pork, shrimp, steak, ground beef, broccoli, fresh green onions, and clams. You can consider our Panda Express Fried Rice Recipe a general guideline and add whatever ingredients your heart desires. Fried rice is most popular in America and China, but you’ll find similar items in Japan, Korea, and Mexico. It’s safe to say that fried rice is the side dish that unites us all!
Cost to Make Our Panda Express Fried Rice Recipe
Even though fried rice is a frugal recipe, it will always cost more to have someone else do the cooking. At Panda Express, you can grab a medium serving of fried rice for $4.40. In contrast, you can make enough of our Panda Express Fried Rice Recipe to feed 6-8 for just $5.41.
This total can always vary based on where you’re located and ingredient availability. Here’s how that breaks down:
- Salted butter: $0.06
- Eggs: $0.60
- Sesame oil: $1.20
- Cooked long-grain rice: $0.50
- Frozen peas and carrots: $2.00
- Soy sauce: $0.30
- Coconut sugar: $0.40
- Garlic powder: $0.05
- Onion powder: $0.05
- Green onions: $0.25
Grand Total: $5.41
This is an excellent recipe for those weeks when your grocery budget looks a little slim. It’s also a fun option for college kids who want takeout food without the hefty price tag. With the cost of the fried rice being so low, you can add a more expensive protein option, like chicken.
RELATED: Panda Express Orange Chicken Recipe
How to Make Panda Express Fried Rice
Here’s how to make a family-sized batch of Panda Express Fried Rice.
Step One: Cook the Rice and Scramble the Eggs
To cook the rice, add the water and rice to a medium saucepan set over medium-low heat. Bring to a boil, then cover and let simmer on low heat for 20-30 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
Place the butter in a large wok or skillet placed over medium-low heat. When the butter is melted, add the whisked eggs and gently stir until cooked, breaking them into small pieces. Take the scrambled eggs out of the pan and set aside.
Step Two: Saute the Veggies
Add 1 tablespoon of the sesame oil to the same skillet and add the cooked rice and frozen peas and carrots. Cook until the veggies are soft.
Step Three: Add Oil and Soy Sauce
Whisk the soy sauce, remaining two tablespoons of sesame oil, coconut sugar, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small bowl or glass measuring cup. Pour over the rice and veggies and stir until combined. Continue cooking for 5 more minutes, then add the scrambled eggs to the pan. Cook for 1-2 more minutes. Garnish with diced green onions before serving, if desired.
RELATED: The Traditional Panda Express Chow Mein Recipe
What to Serve With Our Panda Express Fried Rice Recipe
If you’re looking for a meatless meal, our Panda Express Fried Rice Recipe will hit the spot. If not, you can always add a helping of Orange Chicken and maybe some frozen egg rolls or crab rangoons.
Storing Leftover Panda Express Fried Rice
You can store leftover Panda Express Fried Rice in the fridge for up to five days or freeze it for up to five months. You can also jazz up the leftovers by adding cooked pork, chicken, or beef. If you’re planning on freezing this recipe, you may want to use day-old rice, as it’s less likely to taste mushy when reheated.
The Delicious Panda Express Fried Rice Recipe
Are you craving Chinese takeout? If so, grab some simple pantry ingredients and make our Panda Express Fried Rice Recipe. This tasty dish is excellent on its own or when paired with other Asian-fusion items, like Orange Chicken. Customize this dish to include whatever you have handy in the fridge.
- Large Wok
- Whisk
- Large Measuring Cup
- Saucepan
- 4 cups water
- 2 cups long-grain white rice (Although short grain is much tastier)
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 3 count large eggs (whisked)
- 3 tablespoons sesame oil (divided)
- 1 count package of frozen peas and carrots (12 ounce bag)
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (add a little water to garlic powder to activate it prior to using)
- ½ teaspoon onion powder (add a little water to onion powder to activate it prior to using)
- 3 count green onions (sliced)
To cook the rice, add the water and rice to a medium saucepan set over medium-low heat. Bring to a boil, then cover and let simmer on low heat for 20-30 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
Place the butter in a large wok or skillet placed over medium-low heat. When the butter is melted, add the whisked eggs and gently stir until cooked, breaking them into small pieces. Take the scrambled eggs out of the pan and set aside.
Add 1 tablespoon of the sesame oil to the same skillet and add the cooked rice and frozen peas and carrots. Cook until the veggies are soft.
Whisk the soy sauce, remaining 2 tablespoons of sesame oil, coconut sugar, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small bowl or glass measuring cup. Pour over the rice and veggies and stir until combined. Continue cooking for 5 more minutes, then add the scrambled eggs back to the pan. Cook for 1-2 more minutes. Garnish with diced green onions before serving, if desired.