This one pan Pork Fried Rice is one of my favorite dishes of all time. It’s quick, easy, super flavorful, and always satisfies a crowd. We make ours with scrambled egg, pork tenderloin, and any frozen rice and vegetables that are left over. It’s the perfect meal to make the most out of leftovers.
I love a simple rice dish. In our childhood, we ate a lot of rice, so I often make a lot of it for some reason. When I make extra rice, I use it to make fried rice the next day. If you want to see more rice-based recipes, check out this Mexican Rice, this delicious Dirty Rice, and this tasty Red Beans and Rice.
Pork fried rice is a classic Chinese takeout dish that’s made with tender pieces of pork, fluffy rice, scrambled eggs, and veggies. The key to great pork fried rice lies in how you prepare the pork. Learn the secrets to cooking pork so it’s perfectly moist and tender for pork fried rice.
I’ve been cooking pork fried rice for decades in my parent’s Chinese restaurant. Over the years I discovered that not all pork turns out well in fried rice. The trick is choosing the right cut of pork and knowing how to prepare it properly. Here are my tips for guaranteeing fork-tender pork in your pork fried rice every time.
Choose the Right Pork Cut
The most important factor is selecting the right type of pork. Pork chops and pork loin tend to be leaner cuts that can easily dry out and become chewy when stir-fried. For moist, tender pork, I recommend using one of these cuts:
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Pork shoulder – Also called pork butt, this is cut from the upper part of the front leg It has more fat and connective tissue, which keeps it moist during cooking
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Pork belly – This comes from the underside of the pig and is very marbled with fat. Cubes of pork belly stay succulent in the wok.
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Spare ribs – The meaty ribs have great pork flavor and texture for fried rice. Remove meat from the bones first.
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Ground pork – Ground pork fried rice is quite common in China. The ground pork retains moisture and has a soft texture.
I prefer bone-in pork shoulder because it has the best balance of fat and lean meat. The bones add tons of flavor too!
Marinate the Pork
Marinating is key for infusing the pork with flavor and tenderizing it. My go-to marinade includes:
- Soy sauce – For signature savory flavor
- Shaoxing wine – Chinese rice wine adds aroma
- Cornstarch – Helps tenderize and velvetize the meat
- Ginger and garlic – Punch up the flavor
- Scallions – Bright, fresh flavor
Combine the marinade ingredients and pour over the pork. Let it sit for at least 20 minutes, or up to overnight for maximum flavor infusion.
Try Low and Slow Cooking
The traditional Cantonese method for ultratender pork is red cooking. This technique involves braising pork shoulder or belly in soy sauce and aromatics for a few hours until fork tender.
If you have time, I highly recommend red cooking pork for fried rice. The lengthy braising breaks down the collagen in the meat, making it fall-apart tender. Simply dice or shred the braised pork before frying with the rice.
Quick Cook Methods
For faster cooking, you can:
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Pan fry – Coat pork cubes in cornstarch and pan fry until caramelized on the outside but still moist inside.
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Velvetize – Dust with cornstarch and quickly stir-fry until just cooked through. The cornstarch seals in the juices.
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Parcook – Boil or simmer the pork for a few minutes until partially cooked then finish in the wok.
No matter which quick cooking method you use, be careful not to overcook the pork or it will become tough and dry. Stir-frying over very high heat helps sear the pork while keeping it succulent.
Pick the Right Pork Fried Rice Recipe
While the pork is the star, your pork fried rice is only as good as the recipe. Be sure to use a recipe from a trusted source that combines the pork with quality ingredients like:
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Day old, chilled rice – This dries out the rice grains so they fry up nicely. Freshly cooked rice turns soggy.
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Eggs – Scrambled eggs provide richness, color, and extra protein.
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Scallions – Fresh scallions add texture, color and flavor.
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Soy sauce – Essential for flavoring the rice.
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Aromatics – Onions, garlic, and ginger enhance the flavor.
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Vegetables – Common additions are peas, carrots, mushrooms, and bean sprouts.
Pork Fried Rice Recipe
I love pork fried rice so much because it lets you clean out your fridge! Do you have some vegetables that are going bad or rice that is getting dry and bland? Throw them all into a wok with some seasonings and you have a new meal that doesn’t waste anything and tastes SO good! The fried rice I make for my kids is their favorite meal because it has so many fresh flavors.
You will need precooked rice for this recipe. I like to plan to make fried rice after a meal that has a lot of rice, like broccoli and rice chicken casserole. I will make extra rice and store it in the fridge for tomorrow. You can also make the rice fresh. I love cooking white rice in my instant pot for this quick and easy instant pot rice. You must try this Better Than Takeout Ham Fried Rice if you love this recipe as much as I know you will.
Look at these simple ingredients! I love meals that only need a few simple ingredients, like this pork fried rice recipe. Fresh garlic cloves, grated or sliced fresh ginger, bell peppers, oyster sauce, and mushrooms are some other things you could add to this recipe. More about that below in the tip box. You can find the measurements below in the recipe card.
- Sesame Oil: I love sesame oil because it tastes great and is nutty. It’s great for adding flavor to rice.
- Pork Tenderloin: This is the key to this recipe. The pork tastes great because it is cooked in sesame oil.
- Spices: Besides onion powder, you could also use garlic powder.
- Kosher Salt: Good salt makes a difference! Since you’re adding soy sauce, don’t add too much salt. This is to season the pork.
- If you crack fresh black pepper on the meat, it helps season it and adds a little heat.
- Cooked Rice: Use your leftover rice for this recipe. You need 3 cups.
- White onion: You can’t leave them out because they make everything taste better!
- Peas and Carrots: Any frozen vegetable will work, so get whatever you have out of the freezer.
- Soy Sauce: For so much flavor!
- Eggs: you will scramble them with the veggies.
- You don’t have to add the green onions, but they make the food taste great.
How to Make Pork Fried Rice
Pork fried rice is a really simple recipe to master. With all those ingredients, it might look like more work, but it’s really just a few easy steps! It’s great for getting rid of leftovers and cleaning out the freezer. You cook everything in the same skillet, just in different stages. So grab your favorite skillet or wok and lets get cooking.
- To cook the pork, heat a large skillet or wok over medium-low heat. Put in pork, onion powder, salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon of sesame oil. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until no longer pink. Remove from the wok and set aside.
- To cook the vegetables, put the onion, peas, and carrots back into the same wok along with the last 2 tablespoons of sesame oil. Cook until tender.
- To cook the eggs, move the carrots, onion, and peas to the side of the pan and pour the beaten eggs onto the other side. Then using a spatula, scramble the eggs. Once cooked, mix the eggs with the vegetable mix.
- Add Rice: Mix the cooked rice with the vegetables and eggs. Then pour the soy sauce on top. Stir and fry the vegetables and rice until they are warm and mixed together.
- Put It All Together: Add the cooked pork back to the rice and vegetable mix, and then stir everything together.
- Season and Enjoy: If needed, add more salt and pepper to taste. Then garnish with chopped green onion if desired.
How to Make Pork Fried Rice | Easy Pork Fried Rice Recipe | Homemade Food Recipes | Eat Well Kitchen
FAQ
What makes the pork red in pork fried rice?
What is pork fried rice made of?
How do you make pork fried rice?
First, scramble 2 large eggs in a pan, setting them aside. Then, add 8 ounces ground pork, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper to the pan.
How do you cook roast pork rice in a wok?
To cook roast pork and make fried rice in a wok, first heat the wok over medium heat and add a tablespoon of oil. Sauté the onions until they are translucent, then stir in the roast pork. Add the rice and mix well. If the rice is cold from the refrigerator, continue stir-frying until it is warmed up, which will take about 5 minutes.
How long do you cook pork in a wok for fried rice?
Heat two tablespoons of vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet set over medium-high to high heat. Cook the pork in the pan for about 6-8 minutes until it is cooked. Use a slotted spoon or spatula to remove the pork from the pan, setting it aside on a clean plate.
How to make Chinese BBQ pork fried rice?
To make Chinese BBQ pork fried rice, start by combining 1 pound of Chinese BBQ pork (450g char siu, cut into 1/2 inch chunks; click here for our char siu recipe!) with hot water, honey, sesame oil, shaoxing wine (if using), soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and white pepper in a small bowl. This recipe uses cooked Chinese BBQ pork.