Jamie Oliver’s 5 Ingredients Egg Fried Rice is a super simple, flavor-packed dish that comes together in no time. It’s perfect for a quick meal when you’re craving something delicious but don’t want to spend forever in the kitchen. True to Jamie’s style, it’s all about making the most of a handful of quality ingredients. In this recipe, the focus is on creating the perfect fried rice with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity. No fancy sauces or long lists of ingredients. just a few staple items that, when combined, result in something that tastes far more complex than the sum of its parts. This fried rice recipe is a winner.
Jamie Oliver 5 Ingredients Egg Fried Rice Recipe
Ingredients Needed
Here’s what you need to make Jamie’s 5 Ingredients Egg Fried Rice:
- Cooked Rice – Ideally, you want to use day-old rice. It’s drier and less sticky which makes it perfect for frying. If you’re in a rush, freshly cooked rice will work too, just make sure it cools down a bit before you fry it.
- Eggs – Eggs are the star of this dish. They provide richness and a silky texture, binding everything together while adding a boost of protein.
- Spring Onions – These add a fresh, mild onion flavor with a slight crunch. It’s not a strong, overpowering taste but it really enhances the overall flavor profile.
- Soy Sauce – The salty umami kick that makes fried rice so irresistible. A good splash is all you need to bring the dish to life.
- Olive Oil – For frying everything up. While you might usually think of using vegetable or sesame oil for fried rice, Jamie’s twist is using good quality olive oil. It gives a slightly different flavor which works surprisingly well.
Equipment Needed
You won’t need anything too fancy for this dish, just a few basic kitchen items:
- Wok or large frying pan. This is where all the magic happens. A wok is perfect because it heats evenly and gives the rice the crispy edges everyone loves but a regular pan will work too.
- Wooden spoon or spatula. You’ll need this to stir and scramble the eggs and rice as they cook.
- Knife and chopping board. For slicing the spring onions and getting everything ready for the pan.
How To Make Jamie Oliver’s 5 Ingredients Egg Fried Rice
- Prep Your Ingredients: Start by chopping your spring onions into small slices, separating the white and green parts. The whites will go in first to cook and the greens will be used as a garnish at the end.
- Cook the Eggs: Heat your wok (or frying pan) over medium-high heat and add a generous drizzle of olive oil. Crack your eggs into the pan, scrambling them quickly with a spatula. Cook them until they’re just set-be careful not to overcook them. Once done, set them aside.
- Sauté the Spring Onions: In the same pan, add a bit more olive oil if needed. Toss in the white parts of the spring onions and sauté them until they soften which should only take a minute or so.
- Fry the Rice: Add the cooked rice to the pan with the onions. Use your spatula to break up any clumps of rice. Stir-fry it for a few minutes, allowing the rice to fry and get a bit crispy. This step is key to getting that classic fried rice texture.
- Season with Soy Sauce: Pour in your soy sauce, stirring the rice so it’s evenly coated. Add the cooked eggs back in, breaking them into bite-sized pieces as you mix everything together.
- Finish and Serve: Once everything is well combined and hot, remove it from the heat. Garnish with the green parts of the spring onions and serve immediately.
What I Learnt
Making Jamie Oliver’s 5 Ingredients Egg Fried Rice was a fun experience. The first thing I learned was just how simple it could be to create something so satisfying with only five ingredients. It shows that you don’t need a long list of spices and sauces to create a flavorful dish.
The rice’s texture is a game-changer-crispy around the edges with soft, silky egg scattered throughout. The soy sauce adds a deep, savory flavor but the real surprise for me was how the olive oil works here. It gives the dish a slightly different taste compared to traditional fried rice but works surprisingly well with the other ingredients.
The method, too, was a reminder of how you can really make a meal work by using what you have on hand. It’s a great recipe for those times when you’re tired or just want to use up leftover rice and eggs. No need to worry about complicated steps or specialized tools.
Recipe Tweaks For Jamie Oliver’s 5 Ingredients Egg Fried Rice
Jamie Oliver’s 5 Ingredients Egg Fried Rice is a genius example of how simplicity can shine in the kitchen. But of course, tweaking the recipe to match your tastes or elevate it a bit is part of the fun! Here are a few ideas to consider:
1. Add Protein for a Hearty Meal:
While the original recipe is vegetarian, you can easily add a protein to make it more filling. Try tossing in some cooked chicken, prawns or tofu. Chicken thighs are great because they’re juicy and rich in flavor but shrimp or even leftover rotisserie chicken works too.
2. Spice It Up:
The dish itself is quite mild, so if you like a bit of heat, a dash of chili flakes or a chopped fresh chili pepper will do wonders. For a different kind of heat, try adding a spoonful of sriracha or chili paste. You could also play with the flavor by adding a bit of ginger or garlic when frying the eggs.
3. Fresh Veggie Twist:
Throw in a handful of veggies to balance the richness of the eggs and the rice. Something like peas, bell peppers or baby corn will add color and texture. If you want more crunch, you could add chopped spring onions at the very end.
4. Experiment with Seasoning:
Instead of just soy sauce, you could add a bit of oyster sauce, hoisin sauce or even a few splashes of sesame oil. If you like a smoky edge, try a few drops of liquid smoke or maybe even a sprinkle of smoked paprika.
5. Make It a One-Pot Dish:
If you’re looking for a one-pot wonder, try adding some cooked quinoa, brown rice or cauliflower rice in place of regular white rice. You could also stir in a spoonful of miso paste for some extra umami.
6. Change the Eggs:
You can make it a little different by using duck eggs for a richer, silkier texture. Duck eggs have a larger yolk and a slightly stronger flavor, so they can really elevate the dish if you’re after something a little more indulgent.
Storage Tips For Leftovers
If you end up with leftovers (which is totally likely because this recipe is great for meal prepping), here’s how to store them:
1. Cool It Down Quickly:
It’s important to cool down the rice as quickly as possible. Ideally, you want to let the fried rice sit at room temperature for no longer than 2 hours. Once it’s cool, pop it into an airtight container and stash it in the fridge.
2. Keep It in an Airtight Container:
This will keep the rice from drying out and help preserve the flavors. Use a container that’s the right size for the amount of leftover rice you have. not too big or small. The smaller the container, the less air it holds which helps prevent the rice from getting stale or absorbing fridge odors.
3. Use Within 2-3 Days:
Egg fried rice keeps well for 2-3 days in the fridge. However, after that, it can start to lose its freshness. The eggs might dry out and the rice can become a bit mushy. If you want to extend its life a bit, you can freeze the fried rice.
4. Freezing:
For freezing, portion out the rice into freezer-safe bags or containers. Squeeze out as much air as you can to prevent freezer burn. Fried rice can last in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge or reheat it straight from frozen. For best results, reheat it in a hot pan so it gets crispy again.
5. Reheating:
Reheating fried rice can be a bit tricky since rice can get a bit dry or soggy. To avoid that, drizzle a little water (or broth for added flavor) over the rice before reheating it in a pan or microwave. This will create a bit of steam and keep the rice moist. Stir it often to ensure even heat distribution.
What To Eat With Jamie Oliver’s 5 Ingredients Egg Fried Rice?
Egg fried rice is such a versatile base and there are so many ways you can build a meal around it. Here are a few ideas:
1. Grilled Meats or Fish:
If you want to keep things simple, serve the fried rice with grilled chicken, pork or fish. A piece of crispy-skinned salmon or pan-seared chicken breast with a light squeeze of lemon pairs perfectly with the richness of the egg fried rice.
2. Stir-Fried Vegetables:
Pair it with some stir-fried veggies for added nutrition and color. Think broccoli, bok choy, snap peas or mushrooms. If you’re in the mood for something really crunchy, make a quick slaw with cabbage, carrots and a tangy dressing.
3. Dumplings or Spring Rolls:
Fried rice and dumplings are a match made in heaven. Their crispy texture complements the softness of the fried rice. You could even add some dipping sauces like soy sauce or hoisin.
4. A Simple Soup:
A light, brothy soup like miso soup, hot and sour soup or a simple vegetable broth would balance out the fried rice beautifully without making the meal too heavy.
5. Asian-Style Salad:
For something fresh and light, pair it with an Asian-style salad. Think shredded cucumber, carrots and a sesame dressing or even a simple seaweed salad. The crunch and tang of the salad balance the fried rice’s richness.
6. Fried or Poached Egg on Top:
If you’re a fan of eggs (who isn’t?), top your fried rice with a fried or poached egg. The runny yolk mixes into the rice and takes it to the next level.
FAQs
What Are The 5 Ingredients In Jamie Oliver’s Egg Fried Rice Recipe?
The five ingredients are rice, eggs, spring onions, soy sauce, and sesame oil.
Can I Use Leftover Rice For Jamie Oliver’s Egg Fried Rice?
Yes, leftover rice works perfectly for this recipe and helps give the rice a better texture.
How Long Does It Take To Make Jamie Oliver’s Egg Fried Rice?
It takes about 15 minutes to prepare and cook the dish.
