This beef fried rice is a delicious way to turn leftover rice into a fast, satisfying meal that feels better than takeout. Made in one large pan with lean ground beef, fluffy jasmine rice, and simple ingredients, it’s a great dish for busy nights when you want minimal prep and maximum flavor. If you love easy stir fries, this rice recipe belongs on repeat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Uses leftover rice for the best texture and flavor.
- A simple, high-protein meal made with ground meat. Looking for another ground meat recipe? Try our easy ground beef stroganoff or our fan favorite one pan sweet potato ground turkey skillet.
- Ready quickly with minimal prep.
- Made in one large skillet or wok.
- Customizable with different vegetables or protein.
- A family-friendly rice dish that reheats well.
- Better (and lighter) than takeout with less oil.
- An easy beef recipe that works for weeknight dinners.
Ingredient Notes
- Rice: we prefer day-old jasmine rice for this recipe, but you can choose another type of rice such as long grain rice. You can use white rice or brown rice depending on preference. Fresh rice tends to steam instead of fry.
- Ground beef: Lean ground beef keeps the dish from getting greasy. You can swap in sirloin steak, flank steak, or other ground meat if preferred. If you are looking for another beef recipe try our tri-tip salad with cilantro vinaigrette or our quick and easy beef and broccoli stir fry.
- Soy sauce: Use light soy sauce, tamari, or regular soy sauces. A splash of dark soy sauce can be added for deeper color.
- Butter: Adds richness, but avocado oil, vegetable oil, or peanut oil (all high smoke point options) work well.
- Sesame oil: A little goes a long way—use it for flavor, not frying.
- Vegetables: Frozen peas are easy, but green beans or extra carrots are great additions.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.
Recipe Tips & Variations
- Use a different type of ground meat or swap the beef with diced ham.
- Use a carbon steel pan or wok if you have one—it helps achieve that classic stir fry texture. Also try our ground turkey stir fry with green beans!
- Spread rice evenly and let it sit briefly to crisp before stirring for the best rice texture.
- Break up rice with your spoon to avoid large clumps in the rice mixture.
- Add a pinch of white pepper or chili pepper for extra depth and heat.
- For extra protein, stir in another egg or serve topped with a fried egg.
- This recipe works well for a double batch if cooking for a crowd.
How to Make Easy Beef Fried Rice
For the full recipe instructions, scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
Step 1: Heat sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up as it browns. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Once fully cooked, discard any excess grease. Next, drizzle in 2 tablespoons of the soy sauce and the honey. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce is absorbed, then remove the beef from the pan and set aside.
Step 2: Reduce heat to medium and add 1 tablespoon of butter to the same skillet. Pour in the whisked eggs and gently scramble until just set. Remove from the pan and set aside with the beef.
Step 3: Add another 1 tablespoon of butter to the pan. Stir in the diced onion and carrots and cook for 3-4 minutes, until softened.
Step 4: Add the last tablespoon of butter, the green onions, peas, garlic, and rice to the skillet.
Step 5: Stir until combined. Cook for another 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the rice to fry in the pan.
Step 6: Return the beef and eggs to the pan.
Step 7: Pour in the remaining 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and toss everything together until well combined and heated through. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional soy sauce and salt and pepper as needed.
Beef Fried Rice FAQs
Store leftover beef fried rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a small splash of water or tablespoon oil to revive texture. Microwave reheating works too—cover loosely and stir halfway through.
This recipe is gluten free with the use of tamari or coconut aminos in place of soy sauce. It is dairy-free. It can be vegetarian with the omission of the beef and vegan with the omission of the beef and egg.
Other Simple Recipes
If you make this beef fried rice recipe, please let us know how it turns out in the comments below and/or rate the recipe! Don’t forget to tag us on Instagram to show us your finished product—it makes our day every time we see you trying the recipes we love!
Easy Beef Fried Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 4 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari, divided
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 3 tablespoons butter (or avocado oil), divided
- 2 eggs, whisked
- ½ of a small white onion, small diced
- 2 large carrots, small diced
- 4 green onions, thinly sliced
- ¾ cup frozen green peas
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 4 cups of cooked and cooled jasmine rice (HIGHLY recommend using day-old rice for this, it makes a big difference!)
- Salt, pepper, and additional soy sauce to taste
Instructions
- Heat sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up as it browns. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Once fully cooked, discard any excess grease. Next, drizzle in 2 tablespoons of the soy sauce and the honey. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce is absorbed, then remove the beef from the pan and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium and add 1 tablespoon of butter or avocado oil to the same skillet. Pour in the whisked eggs and gently scramble until just set. Remove from the pan and set aside with the beef.
- Add another 1 tablespoon of butter or oil to the pan. Stir in the diced onion and carrots and cook for 3-4 minutes, until softened.
- Add the last tablespoon of butter, the green onions, peas, garlic, and rice to the skillet and stir until combined. Cook for another 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the rice to fry in the pan.
- Return the beef and eggs to the pan. Pour in the remaining 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and toss everything together until well combined and heated through. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional soy sauce and salt and pepper as needed.
Notes
- Save time/prep ahead:
- Cook rice in a rice cooker a day ahead and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Dice vegetables in advance and store them together for quick assembly.
- This is a great recipe to prep for meal planning and makes excellent leftovers.
- Keep cooked rice on a baking sheet in the fridge to cool quickly and evenly before using.
- This recipe is gluten free with the use of tamari or coconut aminos in place of soy sauce. It is dairy-free. It can be vegetarian with the omission of the beef and vegan with the omission of the beef and egg.
- The recipe can be found on My Fitness Pal by searching "BWB Beef Fried Rice." The nutrition content provided for each recipe is an estimate created through the My Fitness Pal database. Please be aware that the nutritional content of each recipe may vary based on the products you use, the precision of your measurements, and the source you use to obtain nutrition data. While we try to provide accurate information, we give no guarantee regarding the accuracy of the nutritional information provided.
Jake
Such an easy and tasty recipe.
Olivia & Annie
We think so too! Thanks for sharing!