I bet you’ve got some leftovers in your fridge this week. Whenever I do (especially if it’s ham), I make fried rice. What’s not to love about this one-pot dish? I’ve yet to find a kid who didn’t pound it back. It’s a simple recipe, but one that kids love.
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The best fried rice recipe for kids
It’s particularly awesome if you make this fried rice after you’ve cooked a ham. Leftovers makes it wallet-friendly, plus it’s a cinch to make. If you don’t have any leftover ham, you can easily buy a ham steak and freeze it for when you need it. Or you could use chicken. You could even omit the meat and make it vegetarian.
What’s so great about fried rice is that you can add and subtract ingredients as your fridge dictates. You probably have all the staples sitting in your cupboard: rice, chicken stock, soy sauce. The only perishable ingredients you truly need are eggs and an onion. I prefer green onion, but white would do just fine, too.
I can’t take credit for bringing this recipe into our family, though. My daughter Eve discovered it several years ago on the Caillou website (who knew he was a gourmand?). So if your kids like to have a little screen time with their favourite programs, ask them to see if they have a cooking section.
It’s a fantastic way to get kids in the kitchen (and away from screens). I’ve adapted this fried rice recipe to suit our kid’s palate. Feel free to do the same. Hope you enjoy!
Fried Rice for Kids Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked white rice (I use jasmine)
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 3 green onions chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 3/4 cup sliced ham (or chicken)
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (feel free to use gluten-free tamari)
- 3 tablespoons chicken stock
- 1/2 cup peas (frozen is fine, just thaw before using)
- 3/4 cup shrimp
- 2 eggs
- Optional add ins: corn, broccoli, green beans, bell peppers
How to Make Easy Fried Rice for Kids
- Make your rice ahead of time, either on the stovetop or in a rice cooker using two cups of water for one cup of rice.
- Saute the shrimp in 1 tablespoon of oil. Set aside once cooked.
- Add the remaining oil to the pan and saute the onions and garlic until translucent. Add the ham and stir for one minute more.
- Add the cooked rice to the mixture.
- Add the soy sauce and the chicken stock and stir until evenly coated.
- Add the peas and shrimp and stir for about a minute.
- Beat the eggs with a fork (like you’re making scrambled eggs) and add to the pan.
- Stir until the eggs cook into the mixture. I often turn off the heat when I add the eggs. The pan is hot enough for them to cook and this way I don’t forget:)
- Dish up and enjoy.
While fried rice is a meal in itself, you may also wish to serve it with a side of broccoli. If we’re doing a big meal and looking for even more leftovers, I’ll whip up beef and broccoli to serve alongside.
Do you make Chinese food at home? I’m always on the hunt for new recipes, so would love to hear your favourites.
