If you’re craving a quick, vibrant, and satisfying meal, this Frozen Veggie Fried Rice Recipe is exactly what your weeknight dinners have been missing. Bursting with colorful frozen mixed vegetables and petite broccoli, fluffy rice, and a perfectly balanced sauce, it’s a one-pan wonder that marries convenience with bold flavors. You’ll love how effortlessly it comes together while still feeling like a homemade celebration of textures and tastes. Ready to elevate your fried rice game? Let’s dive in!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Frozen Veggie Fried Rice Recipe relies on a few simple but essential ingredients that each play a crucial role in the final dish. From the freshness locked inside the frozen veggies to the umami-packed soy sauce, every element combines to create a harmony of flavor, texture, and color that is truly irresistible.
- 12 ounce bag frozen mixed vegetables: A colorful medley that adds sweetness, crunch, and splash of green and orange hues.
- 12 ounce bag frozen petite broccoli: Small broccoli florets provide a tender bite and boost of nutrients.
- 4 cups leftover rice: Day-old rice works best to soak up flavors and develop that classic fried rice texture.
- 4 eggs: Whisk in protein and richness, giving every bite a satisfying creaminess.
- 2 tablespoons oil: Helps everything cook evenly and adds a slight crispness to the rice.
- ½ cup reduced sodium soy sauce: The salty backbone that deepens the dish’s savory notes without overpowering.
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil: Imparts a toasty, nutty aroma that makes the fried rice feel authentic.
- 1 teaspoon honey: Balances the savory with a touch of natural sweetness.
- 1 teaspoon sriracha: Adds a mild spicy kick to awaken the palate.
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder: Infuses a subtle, warm garlicky layer.
- ½ cup water: Helps blend the sauce ingredients and creates steam to cook the veggies perfectly.
How to Make Frozen Veggie Fried Rice Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the sauce
Start by whisking together the reduced sodium soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, sriracha, garlic powder, and water in a small bowl. This sauce is the soul of the Frozen Veggie Fried Rice Recipe – a beautiful balance of salty, sweet, spicy, and savory notes that cling to every grain of rice and piece of vegetable.
Step 2: Cook the frozen vegetables
Heat your flattop grill or griddle to medium-high and add half a tablespoon of oil. Toss in your frozen mixed vegetables and petite broccoli, tossing them every so often for about 3 minutes. The goal is to warm them through while preserving their natural texture and color. This step builds a fresh, hearty foundation for the dish.
Step 3: Scramble the eggs
Push the cooked veggies to one side of the grill, add the remaining half tablespoon of oil to the empty spot, and crack in the eggs. Let them cook undisturbed for about a minute before flipping. This gives the eggs a slightly firm texture, perfect for chopping up and folding in later.
Step 4: Add the rice and combine
While the eggs cook on the second side for 30 to 60 seconds, sprinkle the leftover rice evenly over the veggies. Drizzle the remaining oil on top and use spatulas to gently mix everything together. Let this mixture cook for a couple of minutes so the rice starts to crisp up at the edges, bringing that irresistible texture contrast.
Step 5: Incorporate the eggs and add the sauce
Once the eggs are firm, chop them into bite-sized pieces and fold them into the rice and veggie mixture. Pour the prepared sauce over everything, and use spatulas to mix it thoroughly. Cook it for 3 to 5 minutes, tossing occasionally to develop a slight crispiness on the rice without burning. This final step lets the sauce absorb into every ingredient, creating a unified and deeply flavorful dish.
How to Serve Frozen Veggie Fried Rice Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle chopped green onions, sesame seeds, or even a few fresh cilantro leaves to add a pop of color and fresh flavor. A wedge of lime on the side can brighten the whole plate with a zesty finish, elevating the experience.
Side Dishes
This recipe is hearty enough to stand alone, but it pairs beautifully with light sides like miso soup, crunchy cucumber salad, or crispy spring rolls. These add complementary textures and flavors while keeping the meal balanced and satisfying.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the fried rice in cute mini bowls for individual portions, or mound it high on a large platter for a communal feast. For a fun twist, stuff it inside roasted bell peppers or fold it into lettuce wraps for extra crunch and hands-on eating.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let your freshly made Frozen Veggie Fried Rice Recipe cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. Stored in the refrigerator, it stays delicious for up to 4 days, making it an excellent option for quick lunches or dinners later in the week.
Freezing
Although best enjoyed fresh, this fried rice can be frozen for up to 2 months. Package it tightly in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing as much air as possible to preserve texture and flavor. Just remember sauce-rich dishes can sometimes lose a bit of their crispness after freezing.
Reheating
For the tastiest results, reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or oil to revive the flavors and texture. Stir often to prevent sticking. Microwave reheating works too but can sometimes make the rice a touch soggy, so add moisture carefully.
FAQs
Can I use fresh vegetables instead of frozen?
Absolutely! Fresh vegetables can bring an even brighter flavor and texture to the dish, but frozen veggies save time and keep things simple, especially on busy nights. Just make sure to chop fresh veggies to sizes similar to the frozen ones for even cooking.
What kind of rice is best for this recipe?
Day-old cooked rice works best because it’s drier and less sticky, which helps achieve that classic fried rice texture. If using freshly cooked rice, try to let it cool and dry out slightly before cooking.
Is this recipe vegan-friendly?
The base recipe includes eggs, but you can easily skip them or use scrambled tofu as a protein substitute to keep it vegan while maintaining texture and nutrition.
Can I adjust the spice level?
Definitely! The sriracha adds mild heat, but you can tailor it up or down depending on your preference. Substitute with chili sauce or omit entirely if you prefer a milder dish.
How do I get the rice crispy without burning it?
Toss the rice mixture every minute or so and let it cook just long enough to crisp parts of the rice without letting it stay in one spot too long. Using the right heat and oil distribution also helps create perfect crispy bits without burning.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Frozen Veggie Fried Rice Recipe enough for anyone who wants a rewarding, flavorful meal with minimal fuss. It’s packed with good-for-you veggies, comforting textures, and a sauce that ties everything together beautifully. Once you try it, you’ll see why it has the power to become a weeknight favorite in your kitchen too!
Print
Frozen Veggie Fried Rice Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Low Salt
Description
A quick and easy Frozen Veggie Fried Rice recipe that transforms frozen mixed vegetables and broccoli into a flavorful, crispy fried rice dish, perfect for using leftover rice and ready in under 30 minutes. This savory meal features a tangy homemade sauce and fluffy scrambled eggs, cooked on a flattop grill or griddle for a restaurant-style finish.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 12 ounce bag frozen mixed vegetables
- 12 ounce bag frozen petite broccoli
Main Ingredients
- 4 cups leftover rice
- 4 eggs
Oils and Sauces
- 2 tablespoons oil (divided)
- ½ cup reduced sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon sriracha
Spices and Others
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- Preheat Grill: Preheat your flattop grill or griddle to medium-high heat to ensure even cooking and to get a nice sear on the fried rice.
- Prepare Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the reduced sodium soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, sriracha, garlic powder, and water until well combined to create a balanced and flavorful sauce.
- Cook Vegetables: Add ½ tablespoon of oil to the grill and spread it out evenly. Add the frozen mixed vegetables and frozen petite broccoli on top of the oil and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and to allow the veggies to thaw and warm through.
- Cook Eggs: Move the cooked vegetables to the side, add the remaining ½ tablespoon of oil to the cleared spot on the grill and spread it. Crack the 4 eggs into the oiled area and let them cook for about 1 minute without stirring, then flip the eggs to cook the other side for 30 to 60 seconds.
- Add Rice: While the eggs cook, add the 4 cups of leftover rice on top of the vegetables. Drizzle the remaining oil over the rice and use spatulas to thoroughly mix the rice and vegetables together. Let the rice cook undisturbed for 1 to 2 minutes to develop a crispy texture.
- Combine Eggs and Rice: After flipping, cut the cooked eggs into bite-sized pieces with a spatula and mix them into the rice and vegetable mixture evenly.
- Finish with Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce over the entire rice mixture. Stir well using spatulas to incorporate all ingredients. Allow the mixture to cook for 3 to 5 minutes, tossing and scraping every minute to develop crispy bits on the rice without burning. Once the sauce is absorbed and desired crispiness is achieved, transfer the fried rice to a serving bowl.
Notes
- Use leftover rice that has been chilled for best texture and to prevent clumping.
- Adjust sriracha quantity for preferred spice level or omit for mild flavor.
- For a vegetarian version, omit eggs or substitute with scrambled tofu.
- Frozen vegetables do not need thawing before cooking; cooking directly maintains texture.
- Use a nonstick griddle or well-seasoned flattop for easier stir-frying.
