If you’re craving Asian take-out, this gluten-free fried rice is the perfect answer! Super easy to prepare, ready in 30 minutes, this copycat Panda Express fried rice is dairy-free and soy-free too!
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Jump to:
- What is Fried Rice?
- Is Fried Rice Gluten-Free?
- Why This Recipe Works:
- Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Recipe Notes + Substitutions:
- How to Make Gluten-Free Fried Rice (Step by Step):
- Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:
- Recipe FAQs:
- Other Asian Recipes You’ll Enjoy:
- Gluten-Free Main Dishes to Cook:
- Easy Gluten-Free Fried Rice Recipe (Dairy-Free)
What is Fried Rice?
Fried rice is something that’s especially dear to me, since I’m Asian and love rice.
Whenever I’m in need of comfort food and wish to feel at home, I make fried rice, a quick and easy meal that involves stir frying cooked rice, veggies and eggs together until combined.
Fried rice can be vegetarian, or you may also add some protein to the dish (such as chicken, beef, shrimp).
Is Fried Rice Gluten-Free?
Many fried rice recipes use soy sauce for extra flavoring, but because soy sauce contains gluten, fried rice is not always safe for Celiacs or those with gluten intolerances unless specifically stated to the gluten-free.
Today we’re making a gluten-free version that is incredibly simple to make, so let’s dig in and you can make this copycat Panda Express fried rice next time you have a craving for Chinese take-out!
Why This Recipe Works:
- Simple Ingredients: The basic ingredients required for this gluten-free fried rice recipe are easily accessible at the local grocery stores (nothing fancy required!).
- Easy to Make: This delicious Asian dish is uncomplicated to make (simply stir fry all the ingredients together!) and it comes together in under 30 minutes. How much easier does it get? Perfect as a side dish or main dish for busy weeknights, this easy weeknight meal comes together faster than ordering takeout!
- Totally Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free: The best part is that this egg fried rice recipe is 100% gluten-free and dairy-free, which means that even those with Celiac disease or gluten or lactose intolerances can enjoy it without worries!
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for this easy gluten-free fried rice recipe.
(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)
Recipe Notes + Substitutions:
- Rice: I recommend using white rice (long-grain rice such as jasmine rice or basmati rice is best) for this gluten-free egg fried rice recipe. Alternatively, if you prefer a little bit more fiber in your diet, you can use brown rice instead. You can either cook the rice from scratch for this, prepare the rice ahead of time, or use leftover rice.
- Oil: I like using sunflower oil because I always have a bottle of sunflower oil on hand. Alternatively, you may use another type of vegetable oil (such as sesame oil, canola oil, olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil etc).
- Veggies: I used a mix of carrots, onions, peas. You can also add other veggies since as bell peppers if you like. Feel free to leave out the peas if you’re not a fan.
- Ginger and Garlic: I recommend using freshly grated ginger and fresh minced garlic for the best flavors. In this gluten-free fried rice, I do NOT recommend using dried garlic or ginger.
- Green Onions: I like using chopped green onions for garnishing as it adds extra flavor and a pop of color. Alternatively, you may use chopped chives if you prefer.
- Soy Sauce: I didn’t use soy sauce in this recipe to keep this soy-free, but if you prefer, you may also drizzle a bit of gluten-free soy sauce (also known as gluten-free tamari sauce) or coconut aminos just before garnishing and mix the rice together before garnishing. If you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, feel free to use regular soy sauce instead.
How to Make Gluten-Free Fried Rice (Step by Step):
1. Cook Rice:
If you don’t already have cooked rice on hand, start by cooking the rice.
You can use a rice cooker to cook the rice. Alternatively, if you don’t have one, you can use a pot and cook the rice on the stove top. Either way, make sure to rinse the uncooked white rice several times until the water is no longer cloudy. Pour away the rinsing water.
For the stovetop method: Combine the long grain white rice and 1 ¼ cup filtered water in a small pot and then bring to boil. Once water is boiling, reduce heat to low and cook for 10-12 minutes until the rice is tender. Fluff rice with a fork and set aside.
2. Cook Veggies
While the rice is cooking, sauté the diced carrots and onions in oil for 2-3 minutes in a large skillet or nonstick pan or medium wok over medium high heat, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon until the onions are translucent and the carrots are tender.
3. Add Ginger and Garlic
Grated ginger and minced garlic and stir.
4. Add Cooked Rice
Add the cooked rice to the skillet with the sautéed veggies and and stir, heating everything together for another 2 minutes.
5. Add Eggs
Make a well in the center and pour in the beaten eggs. Start mixing the eggs with the rice with a spatula until the eggs are fully cooked.
(Alternatively, you may also prepare an omelet in another skillet and then cut the omelet into small pieces before added the cooked egg to the skillet with the rice).
6. Add Peas
Once the pieces of scrambled eggs are pale yellow and fully cooked, add the green peas to the skillet and mix.
7. Mix and Fry
Mix the peas with the rest of the ingredients, frying everything together for another 3 minutes.
8. Garnish and Serve
Garnish the gluten-free egg fried rice with fresh chopped green onions and enjoy!
Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:
- Use Leftover Rice: To shorten the cooking time, you can also use leftover cooked white rice instead of cooking the rice from scratch.
- Make it Low Carb, Paleo or Keto: If you want to make a low-carb version of this egg fried rice, you can swap out the white rice for cauliflower rice instead.
- Fresh or Frozen Peas: Both fresh or frozen peas will work well for this recipe.
- Add Protein: I made this fried rice recipe. vegetarian, but you can easily add a cooked protein such as chicken breast to make gluten-free chicken fried rice, or even shrimp to make shrimp fried rice.
Recipe FAQs:
To store, place the cooled fried rice in an airtight container and store for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet for a few minutes before eating.
Yes, you can! To freeze, place the fried rice in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Let the fried rice thaw completely in the refrigerator overnight before reheating in the microwave or skillet before enjoying.
Other Asian Recipes You’ll Enjoy:
- Orange Chicken (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Honey Sesame Chicken (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Vietnamese Chicken Pho (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
Gluten-Free Main Dishes to Cook:
P.S. If you try this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating below, and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to check out my entire Recipe Index for all the recipes on the blog. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! Sign up for my Email List to get fresh recipes in your inbox each week!
PrintEasy Gluten-Free Fried Rice Recipe (Dairy-Free)
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
If you’re craving Asian take-out, this gluten-free fried rice is the perfect answer! Super easy to prepare, ready in 30 minutes, this copycat Panda Express fried rice is dairy-free and soy-free too!
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice (or 3 cups cooked rice)
- 1 tablespoon sunflower oil
- 1/2 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 1 cup green peas
- 3 large eggs, beaten
- 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped green onions, for garnishing
Instructions
- Cook Rice: If you don’t already have cooked rice on hand, start by cooking the rice. Rinse the uncooked rice several times until the water is no longer cloudy. Pour away the rinsing water. Combine the rice and 1 ¼ cup filtered water in a small pot and then bring to boil. Once water is boiling, reduce heat to low and cook for 10-12 minutes until the rice is tender. Fluff rice with a fork and set aside.
- Sauté Carrots and Onions: While the rice is cooking, sauté the diced carrots and onions in oil for 2-3 minutes in a large skillet or medium wok over medium heat, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon until the onions are translucent and the carrots are tender.
- Add Ginger and Garlic: Grated ginger and minced garlic and stir.
- Add Cooked Rice: Add the cooked rice to the skillet with the sautéed veggies and and stir, heating everything together for another 2 minutes.
- Add Eggs: Make a well in the center and pour in the beaten eggs. Start mixing the eggs with the rice with a spatula until the egg is fully cooked. (Alternatively, you may also prepare an omelet in another skillet and then cut the omelet into small pieces before added the cooked egg to the skillet with the rice).
- Add Peas: Once the pieces of egg are pale yellow and fully cooked, add the green peas to the skillet and mix, frying everything together for another 3 minutes.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the gluten-free fried rice with fresh chopped green onions and enjoy!
Notes
Rice: I recommend using long grain white rice for this gluten-free fried rice recipe. You can either cook the rice from scratch for this, or use leftover white rice.
Oil: I like using sunflower oil because I always have a bottle of sunflower oil on hand. Alternatively, you may use another type of vegetable oil (such as canola oil, olive oil, avocado oil etc).
Veggies: I used a mix of carrots, onions, peas. However, feel free to leave out the peas if you’re not a fan.
Ginger and Garlic: I recommend using freshly grated ginger and fresh minced garlic for the best flavors. In this gluten-free fried rice, I do NOT recommend using dried garlic or ginger.
Green Onions: I like using chopped green onions for garnishing as it adds extra flavor and a pop of color. Alternatively, you may use chopped chives if you prefer.
Soy Sauce: I didn’t use soy sauce in this recipe to keep this soy-free, but if you prefer, you may also drizzle a bit of gluten-free soy sauce (also known as tamari sauce) just before garnishing and mix the rice together before garnishing. If you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, feel free to use normal soy sauce instead.
Storing/Freezing: To store, place the cooled gluten-free fried rice in an airtight container and store for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet for a few minutes before eating. To freeze, place the fried rice in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Let the fried rice thaw completely in the refrigerator overnight before reheating in the microwave or skillet before enjoying.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Grace Lim says
Yay this is an easy put-together comfort dish especially for busy nights and when there is sufficient left-over rice!
Also, I can also add in other protein ingredients like chicken or meat to add different flavors to my dish!
Thanks Felicia for posting this!
Have a blessed day ahead!
With love,
Mum
Felicia Lim says
Yes, we love fried rice!! Daddy especially loves his garlic fried rice 😉