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The Garlickiest Fried Rice

4.8

(6)

A platter of fried rice topped with fried garlic chips fresh cilantro and sesame seeds.
Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou

Fried garlic boasts an incredible ease-to-“wow” ratio—put slices of garlic in cold oil, crank the heat, and fish them out when they’re bronzed. But also the oil that’s left behind is a flavor-packed product all its own, just waiting to be whisked into sauces or turned into a cooking medium for the most aromatic fried rice that ever was. Dried-out cooked rice is the best option for stir-fries as the grains will get really crunchy.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    4 servings

Ingredients

8 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1/3 cup grapeseed or vegetable oil
Kosher salt
1 (2") piece ginger, peeled, finely chopped
1 large egg, beaten to blend
3 cups chilled cooked short-grain rice
2 tsp. toasted sesame oil
4 scallions, thinly sliced on a diagonal
3/4 cup coarsely chopped cilantro
2 tsp. toasted sesame seeds

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Toss garlic and grapeseed oil in a large nonstick skillet. Arrange garlic in a single layer and set over medium heat. Cook, shaking pan often, until garlic is barely golden and crisp (oil should stop bubbling at this point), about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer garlic chips to paper towels to drain; season with salt.

    Step 2

    Increase heat to medium-high and cook ginger in oil in the same skillet, stirring occasionally, until just softened and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add egg and stir to break up; cook until just set (this will take a matter of seconds). Add rice and sesame oil and toss to combine. Cook, undisturbed, pressing down on rice with a spatula so it makes good contact with the pan, until rice begins to crisp, about 2 minutes. Give rice a toss, then press down on it again, cooking until you get more crispy bits, about 2 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and toss in scallions and half of garlic chips; season with salt.

    Step 3

    Transfer fried rice to a platter and scatter cilantro, sesame seeds, and remaining garlic chips on top.

  2. Do Ahead

    Step 4

    Garlic chips can be made 1 day ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.

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Reviews (6)

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  • This was delicious and super easy. I topped it with crispy tofu and drizzled with hoisin and sriracha. Quick, flavorful meal!

    • Anonymous

    • North Carolina

    • 9/5/2021

  • Love the ginger, scallion flavor.

    • jessco5

    • Eugene, OR

    • 8/18/2020

  • Pretty yummy - added extra fried garlic chips, and tastes even better the second day after you make it. One caveat is don't use sticky rice - my husbands fav but it basically makes the garlickiest fried porridge.

    • mhurlockmurphy

    • London, UK

    • 5/1/2020

  • This recipe is so great! No modifications, followed exactly. Highly recommend. The crispy rice parts are especially delicious.

    • katrickels

    • 4/20/2019

  • Great! I wouldn't say it was THAT garlicky, but it was very good nonetheless. Would definitely cook it again.

    • trilobite01

    • Los Angeles, CA

    • 10/23/2018

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