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Delicious & Easy Shrimp Fried Rice: Your 20-Minute Homemade Takeout Alternative

Craving the comforting flavors of your favorite takeout fried rice but dreading the waiting time, the cost, or the unknown ingredients? Look no further! This incredible easy shrimp fried rice recipe offers a healthy, budget-friendly, and incredibly quick alternative that you can whip up in just about 20 minutes. Not only is it fast and fresh, but it’s also a fantastic way to get the entire family involved in the kitchen, turning meal prep into a fun, shared activity.

Why Homemade Fried Rice is a Game-Changer for Busy Families

In our bustling lives, balancing work, school, and family commitments often leaves little time for elaborate meals. Takeout seems like an easy fix, but the expenses quickly add up, especially when feeding a large family. More importantly, homemade meals offer a unique opportunity for connection and control over what we eat. This shrimp fried rice recipe addresses all these points:

Cost-Effective: Significantly cheaper than ordering from a restaurant, allowing you to stretch your grocery budget further.
Healthier Choices: You control the amount of oil, sodium, and fresh ingredients, ensuring a nutritious meal without hidden additives.
Unbeatable Speed: Ready in roughly 20 minutes, it’s faster than delivery and perfect for those hectic weeknights.
Family Bonding: Cooking together creates lasting memories and teaches valuable life skills to children of all ages.
Customizable: Easily adaptable to dietary preferences or whatever fresh ingredients you have on hand.

One of the greatest joys of having a large family is the constant activity and the opportunity for everyone to contribute. My kids, bless their hearts, genuinely enjoy cooking and are always eager to lend a hand, especially when it comes to preparing this mouth-watering easy shrimp fried rice recipe. Their enthusiasm is particularly high when they know we’ll be using the convenience of Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice Whole Grain Brown, which makes the process even smoother.

The Secret to Speed: Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice Whole Grain Brown

At the heart of this lightning-fast recipe is Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice. While we adore adding rice to nearly all our dishes, this product is an absolute favorite for its incredible ability to slash cooking time. During busy school and work days, every minute counts, and Uncle Ben’s ensures we get to spend less time stirring pots and more time laughing, sharing, and simply being together. The Whole Grain Brown variety also adds a wholesome, nutty flavor and a boost of fiber, making this dish even more nourishing.

This commitment to family time is precisely what makes this recipe a staple in our home. It’s one of the easiest and undeniably tastiest dishes we love to prepare on Friday nights, serving as a perfect wind-down from a long week of work and school. From chopping green onions to stirring the rice, there’s a task for every skill level, allowing even the youngest chefs to feel like an integral part of the meal-making process. It’s these moments of shared effort and delicious outcomes that truly enrich our family life.

Beyond its speed, this easy shrimp fried rice recipe is wonderfully versatile. While shrimp is a star here, it can also be made with succulent chicken, savory beef, or even a mix of your favorite vegetables. This adaptability means it never gets boring, consistently delivering a satisfying and flavorful meal that caters to everyone’s preferences, making it a true family favorite for any night of the week.

The Ultimate Easy Shrimp Fried Rice Recipe

Get ready to create a restaurant-quality meal right in your own kitchen with minimal effort. This recipe proves that healthy, delicious, and quick can all go hand-in-hand!

Serves 4

Ingredients:

4 tbsp of oil (vegetable or canola work best for high heat)
3 bags of Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice Whole Grain Brown
3 tbsp Soy Sauce (low sodium preferred)
2 tsp Garlic Powder
3/4 pound peeled and deveined Shrimp (fresh or frozen, thawed)
3 large beaten eggs
1/4 cup Green onions, sliced (plus extra for garnish)
1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
Salt & black pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Shrimp Fried Rice:

Prepare the Rice: Microwave Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice according to the package instructions. This usually takes just 90 seconds. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
Cook the Shrimp: In a large skillet or wok, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat. Season the peeled and deveined shrimp generously with salt and pepper. Add the shrimp to the hot pan and cook for 1-2 minutes per side, or until they turn pink and opaque. Be careful not to overcook, as shrimp can become rubbery. Remove the cooked shrimp from the pan and set it aside in a bowl.

Sauté Garlic: In the same pan, add 1 teaspoon of oil. Once hot, add the garlic powder and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Scramble the Eggs: Push the garlic to one side of the pan. Add the remaining oil (about 1 tablespoon) and the beaten eggs to the empty side of the pan. Stir and break up the eggs with a spatula until they are fully scrambled and cooked through. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
Combine & Flavor: Add the microwaved rice and the cooked shrimp back into the pan with the scrambled eggs. Pour in the soy sauce and toasted sesame oil. Stir all ingredients thoroughly, ensuring the rice is well coated and heated through. Cook for about 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.

Garnish & Serve: Remove the pan from the heat. Top generously with fresh sliced green onions. Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade, restaurant-quality shrimp fried rice!

There you have it – a phenomenal, easy shrimp fried rice recipe that comes together in under 20 minutes, offering a healthier, quicker, and more enjoyable alternative to takeout. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, fun family cooking sessions, or whenever you’re craving a delicious, satisfying meal without the fuss.

Pro Tips for Your Best Homemade Fried Rice

Mise en Place: Prepare all your ingredients (chop green onions, beat eggs, thaw shrimp) before you start cooking. This stir-fry moves fast!
High Heat is Key: Use a large skillet or wok over medium-high to high heat. This ensures a proper stir-fry, giving your ingredients a slight char and preventing them from steaming.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cook ingredients in batches if necessary, especially the shrimp. Overcrowding lowers the pan temperature and can make your dish soggy instead of crisp.
Adjust Seasoning: Taste as you go. Add more soy sauce, a dash of white pepper, or a pinch of sugar if you prefer a sweeter profile.
Spice It Up: For a kick, add a squeeze of sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic.

Delicious Variations & Add-Ins

While this shrimp fried rice is perfect as is, feel free to get creative and customize it to your liking:

Other Proteins: Swap shrimp for diced chicken breast or thigh, thinly sliced beef, pork, or even tofu for a vegetarian option. Cook them before the eggs and shrimp.
Veggies Galore: Add more vegetables! Frozen peas, diced carrots, corn, finely chopped bell peppers, or even broccoli florets are great additions. Add them after the garlic and cook until tender-crisp.
Flavor Boosters: A little grated fresh ginger, a splash of oyster sauce, or a drizzle of hoisin sauce can add depth to your fried rice.
Different Rice: While Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice Whole Grain Brown is fantastic for speed and health, you can also use leftover cold white rice or jasmine rice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Shrimp Fried Rice

Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

Fried rice is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave.

What can I serve with shrimp fried rice?

This dish is a complete meal on its own! However, it pairs wonderfully with a side of spring rolls, potstickers, an egg drop soup, or a simple cucumber salad for a fuller Asian-inspired feast.

Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

Absolutely! Make a larger batch and portion it out for quick and healthy lunches throughout the week. It reheats beautifully.

Can I make this vegetarian?

Yes! Simply omit the shrimp and add more vegetables or replace the shrimp with pan-fried tofu or tempeh for a delicious vegetarian fried rice.

More Quick & Easy Family Meal Ideas

If you enjoyed the simplicity and deliciousness of this recipe, you’re in for a treat! We love creating meals that bring joy and ease to your kitchen. Explore these other fantastic, easy-to-make recipes that are perfect for any occasion:

Veggie Fried Rice

Low Carb Egg Roll In A Bowl

Healthy & Low Carb Mushroom & Spinach Cauliflower Rice

Pin this Easy Fried Rice Recipe for Later!

Empower Kids Through Cooking with Ben’s Beginners

Did you know that cooking with kids can instill confidence, teach valuable skills, and promote healthier eating habits? Uncle Ben’s is passionate about encouraging families to cook together through their Ben’s Beginners program. This fantastic initiative not only provides resources for family cooking but also supports cafeteria improvements in schools across the country. Want to help your kids’ cafeteria and inspire a love for cooking? Click here to check out the Ben’s Beginners program and learn how you can get involved.

I genuinely hope that this easy shrimp fried rice recipe inspires you and your families to spend more time in the kitchen, not just cooking, but creating wonderful, yummy memories together. There’s nothing quite like the joy of sharing a homemade meal, especially one that everyone helped create.

Discover More Effortless Recipes:

Cajun Spinach & Mushroom Rigatoni

Lime Chicken Pasta Salad