Panda Express fried rice combines steamed long-grain white rice, eggs, peas, carrots, green onions, and soy sauce for quality fried rice! You can make this easy recipe at home in no time and serve it with your favorite Panda Express entrees! It's an extremely versatile side dish that can be paired with any of your favorite Chinese recipes!
Panda Express Fried Rice Copycat Recipe
This version is light on the extras, and I have equally delicious results whenever I have swapped out for low-sodium soy sauce. Add your favorite vegetables if you must, but the simple ingredients make a bowl of fabulous fried rice!
I couldn't be happier with the results, and it is just the perfect side dish for all of my fantastic Panda Express copycat entrees! Once you try the homemade version, you'll ditch the takeout for good!
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Looking for more fabulous Panda Express copycat recipes? I’ve made enough that it was time to add a dedicated Panda Express Recipes index page so that you can find all of your favorite entrees, sides, and appetizers quickly!
🥘 Panda Express Fried Rice Ingredients
Some of the standard fried rice ingredients with the convenience of frozen peas and carrots! For best results, make sure that you have day-old rice.
- Peanut Oil - 3 tablespoons of peanut or vegetable oil.
- Eggs - 2 large eggs, beaten.
- Cooked White Rice - 6 cups of cooked white rice (cooled - I prefer jasmine rice).
- Soy Sauce - ⅓ cup of soy sauce or a soy sauce substitute.
- Peas & Carrots - 1 cup of peas and carrots (frozen mix, thawed).
- Sesame Seed Oil - ½ to 1 teaspoon of sesame seed oil or a sesame seed oil substitute.
- Green Onion (optional) - 1 tablespoon of sliced green onions for garnish.
*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*
🔪 How To Make Panda Express Fried Rice
With this simple copycat recipe, you'll have restaurant-quality fried rice in 10 minutes! Grab your measuring utensils, a large wok or frying pan, and a spatula.
One batch of this rice makes about 6 servings, so there's plenty for everyone!
- Scramble the eggs. Bring your wok and 3 tablespoons of peanut oil to high heat, then add the 2 beaten eggs directly to the center of the oil. Stir vigorously and break up the egg while cooking in the hot oil (about 1 minute).
- Stir in the rice. Add 6 cups of cooled, cooked rice into the wok. Break the rice apart while combining it with the cooked egg.
- Add soy sauce & veggies. Next, add ⅓ cup of soy sauce and mix it into the fried rice and eggs. Then add 1 cup of thawed peas and carrots mixture (I prefer to heat my frozen mixed peas & carrots until just warm, not hot) and stir to mix into the fried rice.
- Garnish and serve. Finish the fried rice with a ½ to 1 teaspoon drizzle of sesame seed oil and a sprinkle of the 1 tablespoon of sliced green onions into the fried rice (or just on top as garnish when serving, if desired). Stir and serve immediately.
Serve your Panda Express fried rice while hot, garnished with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Then, top off your fabulous, easy rice with some of my tasty Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken or Panda Express Beijing Beef! Enjoy!
💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
- Thoroughly chilled rice is best when you are making fried rice. Warm, freshly cooked rice tends to become clumpy and soggy.
- If you are in a hurry, cook a batch of white rice and spread it in a thin layer on a large baking sheet to help it cool quickly. Leave it for about 10 minutes, then transfer the whole baking sheet to the fridge and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes before cooking.
- You can add chicken, shrimp, beef, pork, or tofu to this fried rice to make it a full meal on its own!
🥡 Storing & Reheating
Your leftover fried rice can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5-7 days. Make sure the rice is fully cooled before storing it.
To freeze, place cooled fried rice into freezer storage bags or airtight freezer containers and keep store for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheating Panda Express Fried Rice
The easiest option is to use the microwave for reheating any fried rice. I prefer a damp towel over my serving, then heat for 1 minute on high. Use short 30-second increments afterward, stirring between each heating, until heated to your satisfaction.
My preferred method is to return the leftover fried rice to a wok. Make sure the wok and a small amount of cooking oil are nice and hot, then add your Panda Express fried rice.
Drizzle some broth or water to add moisture to your rice, stirring frequently. Once fully heated, remove from heat and serve.
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❓ Recipe FAQs
Actual Panda Express fried rice is not vegan because it contains eggs. However, cooking it at home means you can easily make this recipe vegan or vegetarian-friendly by leaving out the eggs!
Yes! Fried rice tastes even better after being refrigerated, and the flavors have had time to meld. Cook your fried rice as directed, let it cool, and refrigerate it in an airtight container for 1-2 days (for the best flavor) until you need it!
Great question, and yes, you can! Like most cooked rice, this fried rice will freeze perfectly well. First, let it cool. Then, transfer it to a heavy-duty freezer bag and squeeze out the air. Seal it tightly, and you can freeze your rice for up to 3 months!
🥢 Other Great Chinese Food Recipes
- Teriyaki Noodles - The perfect teriyaki noodle recipe for satisfying your takeout cravings!
- General Tso's Chicken - Enjoy the bold and spicy flavors of my General Tso's Chicken, a classic Chinese favorite!
- Frozen Egg Rolls Air Fryer - Upgrade your snack game with these crispy and delicious frozen egg rolls cooked to perfection in the Air Fryer!
- Hunan Chicken - Pan-fried chicken in a sauce that is the perfect balance between sweet, savory, and spicy.
- Cream Cheese Wontons - Experience a heavenly combination of creamy and crunchy textures with these delicious cream cheese wontons!
- Honey Sesame Chicken - This honey sesame chicken is sweet and savory perfection that will leave you wanting more!
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📖 Recipe Card
Panda Express Fried Rice
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon peanut oil (or vegetable oil)
- 2 large eggs (beaten)
- 6 cups cooked white rice (cooled - I prefer to use jasmine rice)
- ⅓ cup soy sauce
- 1 cup peas and carrots, frozen mix (thawed)
- 1 teaspoon sesame seed oil
- 1 tablespoon green onion (sliced - optional, garnish)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- Bring your wok and the peanut oil to high heat then add the beaten eggs directly in the center of the oil. Stir vigorously and break up the egg while it is cooking in the hot oil (about 1 minute).
- Add the cooled, cooked rice into the wok. Break the rice apart, combining with the cooked egg.
- Add soy sauce and mix into the fried rice and eggs. Then add the thawed peas and carrots mixture (I prefer to heat my frozen mixed peas n carrots until just warm, not hot) and stir to mix into the fried rice.
- Finish the fried rice off with a drizzle of sesame seed oil and sprinkling the sliced green onion into the fried rice (or just on top as garnish when serving, if desired). Stir and serve immediately.
Letty says
Wow Angela you are the best, the chow main was delicious…I followed step by step your recipe.
Thank you
Sheila R Lehmenkuler says
Taste was excellent. I've been searching for a easy fried rice to go with orange chicken. This is it, a keeper. Thank You!