Quick & Easy Pork Fried Rice: A Weeknight Dinner Hero

Are you craving a delicious and satisfying meal but short on time? Look no further than this quick and easy pork fried rice recipe! It’s a fantastic way to use up leftover cooked pork, rice, and vegetables, transforming them into a flavorful and satisfying dish that’s ready in under 30 minutes. This recipe is highly customizable, allowing you to tailor it to your taste preferences and dietary needs. Let’s dive in and discover how to make this weeknight dinner hero.

Why You’ll Love This Pork Fried Rice

* **Quick and Easy:** As the title suggests, this recipe is incredibly fast and simple to prepare. Perfect for busy weeknights when you need a delicious meal on the table in a flash.
* **Versatile:** This recipe is a blank canvas for your creativity! Feel free to swap out vegetables, add different proteins, or adjust the seasonings to your liking.
* **Budget-Friendly:** Pork fried rice is a great way to use up leftover ingredients, reducing food waste and saving you money.
* **Kid-Friendly:** Most kids love fried rice, and this pork version is no exception. You can even sneak in some extra vegetables without them noticing.
* **Customizable:** Adaptable to various dietary needs (gluten-free, low-carb options available).

Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you start cooking, gather the following ingredients:

* **Cooked Pork:** 1-2 cups, diced. Leftover roasted pork, grilled pork chops, or even deli ham work well. If you don’t have leftover pork, you can quickly stir-fry some diced pork loin or tenderloin until cooked through.
* **Cooked Rice:** 3-4 cups, day-old rice is best. Day-old rice has had time to dry out slightly, which helps prevent it from becoming mushy during the frying process. Use long-grain rice, such as jasmine or basmati, for the best texture.
* **Vegetables:** 1 cup mixed vegetables, such as peas, carrots, corn, and green beans. You can use frozen mixed vegetables or fresh vegetables that have been diced. Other good options include chopped broccoli, bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms.
* **Onion:** 1/2 medium, diced. Adds flavor and aroma to the dish.
* **Garlic:** 2-3 cloves, minced. Provides a pungent and savory flavor.
* **Soy Sauce:** 3-4 tablespoons. Use low-sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness of the dish.
* **Sesame Oil:** 1 tablespoon. Adds a nutty and fragrant flavor.
* **Vegetable Oil:** 1-2 tablespoons. Used for stir-frying the ingredients.
* **Eggs:** 2-3, lightly beaten. Adds protein and richness to the fried rice.
* **Green Onions:** 2-3, thinly sliced, for garnish. Adds a fresh and vibrant flavor.
* **Salt and Pepper:** To taste.
* **Optional Add-ins:** Toasted sesame seeds, red pepper flakes, sriracha, ginger (minced or grated).

Equipment Needed

* Large skillet or wok
* Cutting board
* Knife
* Mixing bowl
* Spatula or wooden spoon

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create your delicious pork fried rice:

**Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients**

* Dice the cooked pork into small, bite-sized pieces.
* Dice the onion and mince the garlic.
* If using fresh vegetables, wash and dice them into small pieces. If using frozen vegetables, thaw them slightly.
* Lightly beat the eggs in a small bowl with a pinch of salt and pepper.
* Slice the green onions for garnish.

**Step 2: Cook the Eggs**

* Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in the skillet or wok over medium heat.
* Pour the beaten eggs into the hot skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are set but still slightly soft. Remove the eggs from the skillet and set aside. Chop them into small pieces.

**Step 3: Stir-Fry the Vegetables**

* Add another tablespoon of vegetable oil to the skillet or wok.
* Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 2-3 minutes.
* Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant.
* Add the mixed vegetables and stir-fry for 3-5 minutes, until they are tender-crisp.

**Step 4: Add the Pork and Rice**

* Add the diced cooked pork to the skillet and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, until heated through.
* Add the cooked rice to the skillet and break it up with a spatula or wooden spoon.
* Stir-fry for 3-5 minutes, until the rice is heated through and evenly distributed.

**Step 5: Season and Finish**

* Pour the soy sauce and sesame oil over the rice and stir-fry until everything is well combined.
* Add the cooked eggs back to the skillet and stir-fry until they are evenly distributed.
* Season with salt and pepper to taste.

**Step 6: Garnish and Serve**

* Remove the pork fried rice from the heat and garnish with sliced green onions.
* Serve immediately. You can also add a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds, red pepper flakes, or a drizzle of sriracha for extra flavor.

Tips for the Best Pork Fried Rice

* **Use Day-Old Rice:** As mentioned earlier, day-old rice is crucial for preventing mushy fried rice. The drier texture allows the rice to crisp up nicely in the skillet.
* **Don’t Overcrowd the Skillet:** Cook the ingredients in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the skillet. Overcrowding will lower the temperature and result in steamed rather than fried ingredients.
* **Use High Heat:** High heat is essential for achieving that signature fried rice texture. Make sure your skillet or wok is hot before adding the ingredients.
* **Stir Constantly:** Stirring constantly will ensure that the ingredients cook evenly and don’t stick to the bottom of the skillet.
* **Taste and Adjust Seasonings:** Taste the fried rice before serving and adjust the seasonings as needed. You may want to add more soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, or pepper to your liking.
* **Get creative with your veggies:** Feel free to add other vegetables you enjoy. Diced bell peppers, snow peas, bean sprouts, or water chestnuts are all excellent additions.
* **Don’t be afraid to experiment with spices:** A pinch of ginger powder, garlic powder, or onion powder can add another layer of flavor.
* **Make it spicy:** Add a dash of sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes to give your fried rice a kick.

Variations and Substitutions

This pork fried rice recipe is incredibly versatile. Here are a few variations and substitutions you can try:

* **Chicken Fried Rice:** Substitute cooked chicken for the pork.
* **Shrimp Fried Rice:** Substitute cooked shrimp for the pork.
* **Vegetable Fried Rice:** Omit the pork and add more vegetables, such as tofu or tempeh for added protein. Edamame works great!
* **Brown Rice Fried Rice:** Use cooked brown rice instead of white rice for a healthier option.
* **Gluten-Free Fried Rice:** Use tamari instead of soy sauce to make it gluten-free.
* **Low-Carb Fried Rice:** Use cauliflower rice instead of regular rice for a low-carb option. Be sure to squeeze out any excess moisture from the cauliflower rice before stir-frying.
* **Spicy Fried Rice:** Add a dash of sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the soy sauce mixture.
* **Pineapple Fried Rice:** Add diced pineapple for a sweet and savory flavor.
* **Kimchi Fried Rice:** Stir in some kimchi for a tangy and spicy kick.
* **Egg Fried Rice (Simpler version):** Just eggs, rice, soy sauce and green onions for the most basic, but comforting version.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your quick and easy pork fried rice as a main course for lunch or dinner. It also makes a great side dish to accompany other Asian-inspired dishes, such as:

* Egg rolls
* Spring rolls
* Wonton soup
* Kung Pao Chicken
* Sweet and Sour Chicken
* Broccoli with Garlic Sauce

Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions

* **Make-Ahead:** You can prepare the ingredients in advance to save time. Dice the pork, chop the vegetables, and cook the rice ahead of time. Store them separately in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook.
* **Storage:** Store leftover pork fried rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet over medium heat until heated through.
* **Freezing:** While technically possible, freezing fried rice isn’t ideal as the texture of the rice can change and become mushy upon thawing. If you do freeze it, make sure it’s cooled completely first, then store it in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Nutritional Information (Approximate)

(Based on one serving)

* Calories: 400-500
* Protein: 20-25g
* Fat: 15-20g
* Carbohydrates: 50-60g

*Note: Nutritional information may vary depending on the specific ingredients and portion sizes used.*

Pork Fried Rice Recipe Card

**Yields:** 4 servings
**Prep time:** 15 minutes
**Cook time:** 15 minutes

**Ingredients:**

* 1-2 cups cooked pork, diced
* 3-4 cups cooked rice, day-old
* 1 cup mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, green beans)
* 1/2 medium onion, diced
* 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
* 3-4 tablespoons soy sauce
* 1 tablespoon sesame oil
* 1-2 tablespoons vegetable oil
* 2-3 eggs, lightly beaten
* 2-3 green onions, thinly sliced
* Salt and pepper to taste
* Optional: Toasted sesame seeds, red pepper flakes, sriracha

**Instructions:**

1. Prepare the ingredients: Dice the pork, onion, and vegetables. Mince the garlic. Beat the eggs.
2. Cook the eggs: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Pour in the beaten eggs and cook, stirring occasionally, until set but slightly soft. Remove and chop.
3. Stir-fry the vegetables: Add another tablespoon of vegetable oil to the skillet. Add the onion and cook until softened. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant. Add the mixed vegetables and stir-fry until tender-crisp.
4. Add the pork and rice: Add the diced pork and stir-fry until heated through. Add the cooked rice and break it up with a spatula. Stir-fry until heated through and evenly distributed.
5. Season and finish: Pour the soy sauce and sesame oil over the rice and stir-fry until well combined. Add the cooked eggs back to the skillet and stir-fry until evenly distributed. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Garnish and serve: Remove from heat and garnish with green onions. Serve immediately.

Enjoy Your Homemade Pork Fried Rice!

This quick and easy pork fried rice is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It’s a simple, delicious, and versatile meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. So, gather your ingredients, follow the steps, and enjoy a satisfying and flavorful dish that’s ready in minutes!