Thai shrimp fried rice is a wonderful dish that you can make at home with simple ingredients. It is full of flavor, texture, and color, and it is very satisfying. You can use fresh or frozen shrimp, garlic, onion, eggs, peas, and rice, and season them with fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, and chili. You can also add some Thai basil for extra aroma and freshness.
You can make this dish in less than 30 minutes, and it is perfect for a busy weeknight or a lazy weekend. You can enjoy it with your kids and family, and serve it with some lime wedges and prik nam pla (chilies and fish sauce) for extra tang and spice. Thai shrimp fried rice is a dish that everyone will love, and you will love making it!
Tips and Tricks For Thai Shrimp Fried Rice
- Use Cold Cooked Rice: Using cold, cooked rice helps prevent it from becoming mushy when stir-fried. It maintains its shape and texture better than freshly cooked rice.
- High Heat Cooking: Stir-frying on high heat ensures that the ingredients cook quickly and evenly, resulting in a flavorful and aromatic dish with crispy edges.
- Prep Ingredients Beforehand: Prepare all the ingredients before you start cooking. This includes peeling and deveining the shrimp, mincing garlic, dicing onion, and beating the eggs. Having everything ready makes the cooking process smoother and more efficient.
- Don’t Overcook Shrimp: Shrimp cook very quickly, usually within 2-3 minutes. Be cautious not to overcook them, as they can become tough and rubbery.
- Customize with Vegetables: Feel free to add your favorite vegetables to the fried rice, such as bell peppers, carrots, or broccoli. Just make sure to cut them into small, uniform pieces so they cook evenly.
- Adjust Seasonings: Taste the dish before serving and adjust the seasonings to your liking. You can add more soy sauce for saltiness, fish sauce for depth of flavor, or sugar to balance the flavors.
- Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Adding fresh herbs like Thai basil or cilantro right before serving enhances the aroma and freshness of the dish. It adds a pop of color and flavor that elevates the overall dish.
Ingredients Purpose
- Jasmine Rice: Provides the base for the dish, offering a fluffy and fragrant texture.
- Shrimp: Adds protein and seafood flavor to the fried rice. They cook quickly and complement the other ingredients well.
- Garlic and Onion: These aromatics add depth of flavor and fragrance to the dish, enhancing its overall taste.
- Eggs: Scrambled eggs contribute richness and protein to the fried rice, while also helping to bind the ingredients together.
- Frozen Peas: Adds sweetness and vibrant color to the dish, providing a contrast to the savory flavors.
- Vegetable Oil: Used for cooking the ingredients and preventing them from sticking to the pan. It also adds a subtle flavor to the dish.
- Fish Sauce: Provides saltiness and umami flavor to the fried rice, adding depth and complexity to the dish.
- Soy Sauce: Adds savory flavor and a rich, dark color to the fried rice. It also provides saltiness and depth of flavor.
- Sugar: Balances out the salty and savory flavors, adding a touch of sweetness to the dish.
- Chili Flakes (Optional): Adds heat and spiciness to the dish, enhancing its overall flavor profile.
- Thai Basil (Optional): Adds a fresh and aromatic flavor to the dish, providing a hint of sweetness and peppery notes.
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The Most Delicious Thai Shrimp Fried Rice In Just 30 Minutes!
Description
This fried rice has a great texture, with the plump and juicy shrimp, the fluffy and fragrant rice, the soft and tender eggs, and the crunchy and sweet peas. It also has a beautiful color, with the golden brown rice, the pink shrimp, the green peas and basil, and the red chili. It pairs well with a simple salad, a bowl of soup, or some grilled meat or seafood. You can also enjoy it as a main course, with some crispy fried shallots or roasted peanuts on top for extra crunch. This dish is ideal for any season, but especially for the holidays, when you want to impress your guests with a delicious and easy meal. You can make a large batch and keep it warm in the oven, or reheat it in the microwave. Your guests will be amazed by the taste and aroma of this Thai shrimp fried rice, and they will ask you for the recipe!
Ingredients
Basic Ingredients
Equipment:
Instructions for Thai Shrimp Fried Rice
Step-by-Step Guide for Thai Shrimp Fried Rice
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Cook the Rice:
- Rinse 1 cup of jasmine rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
- Add the rinsed rice to a pot with 2 cups of water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the rice is cooked and fluffy. Let it cool down completely.
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Prepare Ingredients:
- Peel and devein the shrimp if necessary.
- Mince the garlic, dice the onion, and beat the eggs in a bowl.
- Thaw the frozen peas if they're not already thawed.
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Mix the Sauces:
In a small bowl, mix together the fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, and chili flakes if using. Set aside.
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Cook the Shrimp:
- Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes until they turn pink and opaque. Remove them from the pan and set aside.
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Cook the Aromatics:
- In the same pan, add another tablespoon of oil if needed.
- Add the minced garlic and diced onion. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
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Add Eggs and Peas:
- Push the garlic and onion to one side of the pan and pour the beaten eggs into the empty space.
- Scramble the eggs until cooked through, then mix them with the garlic and onion.
- Add the thawed peas to the pan and stir-fry for another minute.
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Stir in Rice and Sauce:
- Add the cooked and cooled rice to the pan with the eggs, garlic, onion, and peas.
- Pour the sauce mixture over the rice and toss everything together until well combined.
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Add Shrimp and Thai Basil:
- Return the cooked shrimp to the pan and toss with the rice mixture.
- Tear the Thai basil leaves and sprinkle them over the fried rice. Stir to incorporate.
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Serve:
- Transfer the Thai shrimp fried rice to serving plates or bowls.
- Serve with lime wedges and prik nam pla on the side for extra flavor.
- Enjoy your delicious homemade Thai shrimp fried rice!
Servings 3
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 350kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 16g25%
- Saturated Fat 2g10%
- Cholesterol 165mg56%
- Sodium 1050mg44%
- Potassium 320mg10%
- Total Carbohydrate 34g12%
- Dietary Fiber 2.99g12%
- Sugars 3g
- Protein 20g40%
- Vitamin A 20 IU
- Vitamin C 14.99 mg
- Calcium 60 mg
- Iron 3 mg
- Vitamin D 80 IU
- Vitamin E 2 IU
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
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Rice Preparation: Ensure that the cooked rice is cooled completely before using it in the recipe. This helps to prevent it from becoming mushy when stir-fried.
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Shrimp Cooking Time: Be cautious not to overcook the shrimp. They cook quickly and can become tough if left on heat for too long. Remove them from the pan as soon as they turn pink and opaque.
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Sauce Adjustment: Adjust the amount of soy sauce, fish sauce, and sugar according to your taste preferences. Start with the recommended amounts and adjust as needed.
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Optional Ingredients: Feel free to customize the recipe by adding other vegetables such as bell peppers, carrots, or broccoli. You can also adjust the level of spiciness by adding more or less chili flakes.
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Garnish: The addition of Thai basil leaves enhances the aroma and flavor of the dish. However, if you can't find Thai basil, you can use regular basil as a substitute.
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Serving Suggestions: Serve the Thai shrimp fried rice hot, garnished with lime wedges and prik nam pla (chilies and fish sauce) on the side for extra tang and spice. It pairs well with a refreshing cucumber salad or a side of steamed vegetables.
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Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave before serving.
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Allergen Information: This recipe is dairy-free, gluten-free, and nut-free, making it suitable for individuals with common food allergies. However, be cautious of soy and fish allergies due to the presence of soy sauce and fish sauce.