Description
This Easy Copycat Benihana Fried Rice recipe offers a flavorful, restaurant-style fried rice made with day-old rice, fresh vegetables, scrambled eggs, and a savory garlic butter sauce. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s a quick and delicious side dish or main meal that replicates the beloved Benihana favorite right in your own kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Rice and Vegetables
- 2 cups cold, day-old white rice
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup chopped white onion
- 1 medium carrot, diced
- 3 green onions, sliced thin
Cooking Essentials
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce (for rice seasoning)
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
- ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
Garlic Butter
- ½ cup salted butter, softened
- 3 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Prepare the garlic butter: In a small bowl, combine the softened salted butter, 3 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce, and 3 minced garlic cloves. Stir well until all ingredients are evenly mixed, then cover and chill in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- Cook the vegetables: Heat 3 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté just until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the chopped white onion, diced carrot, and sliced green onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are crisp-tender, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the rice: Add the cold, day-old rice to the skillet with the vegetables. Stir continuously for about 2 minutes to heat the rice through and combine the flavors evenly.
- Cook and scramble the eggs: Push the rice mixture to one side of the skillet to make space. On the empty side, crack the two eggs and scramble them gently until they are about 90% cooked, then mix them into the rice and vegetable mixture thoroughly.
- Season and finish frying the rice: Add 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, white pepper, granulated sugar, and 2 to 3 tablespoons of the prepared garlic butter into the skillet. Stir well to coat all ingredients. Continue cooking and stirring for another 2 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the garlic butter to melt completely into the rice.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve your homemade Benihana-style fried rice warm. Enjoy immediately for best taste.
Notes
- Cook the white rice the night before and refrigerate to allow it to dry out, which helps achieve the perfect fried rice texture.
- Use day-old rice that has been chilled as freshly cooked rice can be too soft and sticky for frying.
- You can adjust the amount of soy sauce and garlic butter based on your taste preference.
- If you prefer, substitute vegetable oil with a neutral oil such as canola or peanut oil for frying.
