Description
This Easy Copycat Benihana Fried Rice recipe replicates the beloved restaurant-style fried rice with a perfect balance of savory garlic butter, fresh vegetables, and tender scrambled eggs. Ready in just 15 minutes, it uses day-old rice for the ideal texture, creating a deliciously flavorful side or main dish that’s quick and simple to prepare at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Fried Rice
- 2 cups cold, day-old white rice
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup chopped white onion
- 1 medium carrot, diced
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
- ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons garlic butter (see below)
Garlic Butter
- ½ cup salted butter, softened
- 3 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Prepare Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, combine the softened salted butter, 3 teaspoons of low-sodium soy sauce, and 3 minced garlic cloves. Stir well to mix all ingredients evenly, then cover and chill in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- Heat Oil and Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook just until fragrant to infuse the oil with garlic aroma.
- Cook Vegetables: Add ½ cup chopped white onion, diced carrot, and sliced green onions to the skillet. Stir and cook for a few minutes until the vegetables are crisp-tender, retaining a slight crunch for texture.
- Add Rice: Add 2 cups of cold, day-old white rice to the skillet with the veggies. Stir and cook for about 2 minutes, allowing the rice to warm through and begin to toast slightly.
- Scramble Eggs: Push the rice mixture to one side of the skillet. Crack and scramble 2 large eggs in the open side, cooking until about 90% done but still moist. Then fold the eggs into the rice mixture thoroughly.
- Season and Add Garlic Butter: Season the rice and egg mixture with 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, ¼ teaspoon white pepper, and ½ teaspoon granulated sugar. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of the prepared garlic butter. Stir well to evenly coat the rice and continue frying for 2 more minutes to blend flavors and finish cooking.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve the fried rice warm. Enjoy as a flavorful side or main dish that brings the taste of Benihana directly to your home kitchen.
Notes
- For best results, cook the white rice the night before and refrigerate uncovered to dry out overnight, which prevents mushy fried rice.
- Use day-old or cold rice to ensure the grains stay separate and don’t clump together when frying.
- Adjust soy sauce amount to taste, starting with less and adding more as needed to keep sodium levels in check.
- You can add additional proteins like shrimp or chicken if desired, cooking them before the vegetables.
