. This post is sponsored by VeeTee Rice.
Kimchi Fried Rice is super easy to whip up on a weeknight for dinner, and it’s a great way to use up leftover ingredients hanging around in the fridge.
The spicy, umami flavor of kimchi tossed in fried rice elevates the dish and perks it up, while being good for your gut health at the same time!
And using VeeTee Rice is a super easy way to make fried rice, which is always best when made with slightly old, dried out rice. Since VeeTee is a parcooked, microwaveable rice, it’s cooked just enough and dry just enough to toast and caramelize the rice, making this dish a perfect “I’m in the mood for fried rice” option that you don’t have to think ahead for.
I’ll also confess that I have a major soft spot for kimchi, which is a Korean style of spicy pickle.
Koreans add kimchi to tons of different dishes, and it’s so good for you! If you’re thinking about hopping on the fermented foods bandwagon, kimchi is a great place to start.
Where we live in New York City, kimchi is really easy to find. You can even grab a jar in our local bodega/deli!
However, if it’s not something that’s found in your neck of the woods and you’d like to try it, I’ve used this recipe from The Kitchn to make my own before, and it’s crazy simple. You can purchase gochugaru, a Korean style of chili flakes, on Amazon.
If you’re used to getting your fermented goodness from things like sauerkraut or kombucha but you haven’t given kimchi a try, I really recommend it. It’s a cool, pickle-y, spicy flavor that adds so much to any recipe. My favorite way is on the side of my scrambled eggs in the morning!
The perfect fried rice starts with slightly old rice that’s dried out a bit.
It’s by losing its moisture that puts rice in its best position to be fried, so VeeTee’s pre-cooked Heat and Eat Single Flavor packages are a great pantry option to keep on hand for nights when you’re in the mood to whip up a batch of fried rice.
Weeknight Kimchi Fried Rice
Ingredients
Dry Goods
vegetable oilsesame oil
Produce
onioncarrot
prepared kimchi
garlic
peas
broccoli
Extra Items
white or brown riceSpices
ground gingerInstructions
This is a great recipe to make when you have some leftover proteins or vegetables on hand, like chicken or cooked broccoli. If I don’t have any cooked vegetables on hand, thaw frozen ones; they’ll be soft enough to cook quickly in the rice. Make sure to use cooked rice that is at least a day old when using this recipe; once the rice is dried out slightly, it will fry up without getting gummy. If you’re not a fan or kimchi or don’t have any on hand- don’t worry! This recipe is great with or without the kimchi. I love to top my fried rice with a sunny side up egg- I recommend trying it that way when you serve it!
- Combine vegetable oil and sesame oil and heat until shimmering in a large pan over medium heat.
- Add the onions and carrots and cook until the onions have gone translucent and the carrots have softened, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the rice and break apart with a wooden spoon. Toast the rice, stirring occasionally, about 3-5 minutes or until it has started to brown.
- Add the kimchi, garlic, ginger powder, peas and broccoli and cook, stirring to combine, another 3-5 minutes or until the vegetables have heated through.
- Remove from heat and serve.
Prep Plan
Prep it for later:
1. Cook the rice and let cool, then transfer to a resealable bag or container.
2. Cook any vegetables or proteins you want to use in the rice, then transfer to a resealable bag or container.
You’ll need:
1 bag or container of cooked rice
1 bag or container of chopped vegetables
Prepare from prepped:
Follow the instructions as directed.
Yes! Learning that was a game.changer. It’s the old rice that does the trick! There’s too much starch in fresh rice. Let me know if you get a chance to make this!
Okay so now I know why I can’t make fried rice. I had no idea that old rice worked better. It always came out so sticky. I’m going to have to try this recipe.
This is such a smart dinner hack! What an easy way to clean out the fridge and get a yummy meal in return!!
I love these VeeTee rice sachets – we’ve always got a few in the cupboard as they’re so versatile. Love this fried rice recipe!
I think I have most of these ingredients in my cupboard. I’m going to try this, thank you!
I have totally got to try those rice packets! I hate having to plan ahead to get day old rice. I never remember. And kimchi fried rice – how YUM! Great recipe!
Oh God, what a tasty looking this Weeknight Kimchi Fried Rice is! I am in love with the colors! I simply cannot wait to try it! Very interesting combination of ingredients. I am saving this recipe for later.