- Why is my rice sticky?
- Because you used freshly cooked, warm rice. In warm rice, the starch is still moist and sticky. Use day-old, refrigerated rice!
Classic vegan vegetable fried rice
Fried rice is a textbook example of kitchen magic: how does yesterday's dry rice become a regal feast? The secret is 'cold rice'. Only cooled, slightly dried-out grains can be fried so they are loose and don't stick together in a big lump. Quick, cheap, and versatile.
Ingredients
300
g
cooked rice (completely cold, fridge-cold!)
200
g
mixed vegetables (carrot, peas, sweetcorn - frozen is fine)
3
tbsp
soy sauce
2
tbsp
vegetable oil (e.g. sesame or sunflower)
1
stalk
spring onion (optional)
Shopping List (0)
Equipment Needed
- Wok or large frying pan
- Wooden spoon
Allergen Information
Soya
Gluten (if soy sauce contains wheat)
Instructions
1
✓
Heat the wok or frying pan until smoking hot with half the oil. Toss in the vegetables and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until crisp-tender.
Tip: High heat is the secret to 'Wok Hei' (breath of the wok): this gives the vegetables a seared, smoky flavour without them becoming soggy.
2
✓
Push the vegetables to the side of the pan, add the rest of the oil, and throw in the cold rice. Break up any clumps with a wooden spoon and let it fry.
Tip: Don't stir continuously! Let the rice touch the hot metal and brown a little (this provides the texture).
3
✓
When the rice is heated through, mix with the vegetables and drizzle with the soy sauce.
Tip: Drizzle the soy sauce around the hot sides of the pan, not directly onto the rice, so its flavour caramelises slightly.
4
✓
Toss thoroughly for another minute, sprinkle with fresh spring onions, and serve immediately.
Tip: The spring onion adds freshness and crunch at the end.
Recipe FAQ
Ingredients
- 300 g cooked rice (completely cold, fridge-cold!)
- 200 g mixed vegetables (carrot, peas, sweetcorn - frozen is fine)
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil (e.g. sesame or sunflower)
- 1 stalk spring onion (optional)