Bacon Fried Rice

This Bacon Fried Rice is so tasty and easy to make too! Bacon adds a delicious aroma to the fried rice. This dish consists of bacon, mixed vegetables, eggs, garlic, rice, soy sauce and more!

Jump to:

• Bacon Fried Rice Ingredients
• How to cook Bacon Fried Rice (Step by Step)
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Bacon Fried Rice Recipe
• More Delicious Fried Rice Recipes!
• Pin for later!

By the way if you love fried rice recipes, check out this round up of 20+ delicious fried rice recipes from around the world! There's Korean fried rice, Thai fried rice, Chinese fried rice and more!

Bacon Fried Rice Ingredients

Here are some notes and tips on the various ingredients:

Bacon

Ok, obviously the star ingredient is the bacon. I use regular bacon but if you prefer turkey bacon or Canadian bacon you can use that too. I will say regular bacon is so much more flavorful though.

Soy Sauce

Light soy sauce (aka 生抽, sheng chou) is the one I use in this dish. It's used to enhance the flavors! This kind of soy sauce is often used in stir fry sauces, marinades, dipping sauces and more.

If you're not sure what kind of soy sauce you have, this is probably it as it is the most common type of soy sauce. Also, if you ever see a recipe that says 'soy sauce' and doesn't specify what kind, this is most likely it. To learn more about other soy sauces, check out my post on Chinese condiments here.

Oyster Sauce

Oyster sauce is actually literally made by cooking oysters! It's usually made from oyster extracts, sugar, salt and cornstarch. If you think that's gross because you hate the taste of seafood, for some reason, the fishy seafood taste isn't actually… noticeable. I legit grew up not realizing that oyster sauce even had seafood in it. The flavor of oyster sauce is sweet and savory.

By the way, I highly recommend vegetarian oyster sauce! I just find it so tasty, as it is made with mushrooms instead, so if you can find that, check that out.

Sesame Oil

There are different sesame oils, and the one for this recipe is light sesame oil (or aka pure sesame oil). This type can be used as a cooking oil, similar to vegetable oil, except of course it gives off a delicious sesame flavor. Light sesame oil has a higher smoke point than dark sesame oil, so it is more suitable for cooking at high heat.

Frozen mixed vegetables

I love that frozen mixed veggies exist because it has made making fried rice so much easier! I recommend a blend with frozen peas, carrots and corn, but almost any blend will work.

And don't feel like you are limited to frozen mixed veggies either, you can use fresh vegetables as well as long as you cut it in to smaller pieces. The frozen mixed veggies are just an easy option! Sometimes we add sliced fresh mushrooms too.

Eggs

Eggs provide some extra protein to the fried rice dish. If you absolutely love eggs, feel free to use an extra egg in the dish. And on the other hand, if you hate eggs or are allergic to it, you can skip it too.

Garlic and Onions

These two ingredients are used to enhance the flavor of the dish. I know some people don't like onions, and it is fine to skip this ingredient if you are not a fan of onions.

Cooked Rice

This is a well known Asian cooking fact - the best type of rice to use for fried rice is actually leftover rice from the day before!

When rice is freshly cooked, it is very moist and sticky and it's also the best time to eat it as is. When you have leftover rice, it's a lot drier, and gives your fried rice the right texture that is well known in restaurants.

If you don't have any leftover cooked rice, you can cook some rice and then put it in the fridge for about an hour prior to cooking.

Green onions

The Green Onions are there for some flavor but also garnish - so it is optional. I normally chop a lot of green onions and then keep them covered/sealed in the fridge so I can use them on any dishes I want, so it's not hard for me to have chopped green onions to sprinkle on top.

If you do not have green onions available, you can skip it, I prefer mine with it.

How to cook Bacon Fried Rice (Step by Step)

First gather your ingredients. You will need:

• 3-4 slices of bacon
• 5 crushed garlic, roughly chopped
• 1 cup frozen mixed veggies (corn, peas, carrots, etc.)
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 cups of cooked rice
• 3 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1tsp sugar
• Salt, to taste
• Green onions, chopped (optional)

In a cold large nonstick pan, arrange bacon in a single layer. Turn the skillet to medium heat and allow bacon to cook. Cook the bacon for 4-5 minutes on each side. If you like it extra crispy, you can cook it for -F minutes on each side. Remove bacon from skillet and drain on paper towels, keep the bacon grease in the pan. Cut the bacon in to bite size pieces.

On high heat, add garlic, onion, and frozen mixed veggies in to wok or cooking pan, and cook for about 2 minutes, or until vegetables begin to soften, stirring occasionally.

With a spatula, move vegetables to one side of the skillet, if the pan is dry go ahead and add a little oil. Then add the beaten eggs to the other side, and stir it to scramble.

Add cooking oil, and then the cooked rice and stir to mix well.

Add bacon back in to cooking pan, along with soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, pepper, sugar, and salt to taste, and stir fry everything to blend together. Cook for about 3 more minutes or until well mixed.

Sprinkle chopped green onions on top (optional), remove from heat and serve!

Storage & Reheating

• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freezing: Bacon fried rice can be frozen for up to 1 month. Portion into freezer bags or containers, then reheat directly from frozen or thaw overnight in the fridge.
• Reheating: Reheat in a wok or skillet over medium-high heat with a splash of oil to restore that fried texture. You can also microwave in 1-2 minute bursts, stirring in between, but the texture will be softer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this without oyster sauce?
Yes! You can substitute extra soy sauce, or use fish sauce for depth.

What rice works best for fried rice?
Day-old white rice (like jasmine) is ideal, but you can also use brown rice or even cauliflower rice for a lower-carb version.

Can I prep this ahead of time?
Yes, you can chop veggies and cook the rice in advance. Bacon can also be cooked earlier in the day, then everything comes together quickly when stir-fried.

More Delicious Fried Rice Recipes!

If you're anything like me, fried rice is one of those dishes you never get tired of-it's fast, customizable, and always hits the spot. Whether you've got leftovers to use or you're craving something savory and satisfying, these recipes are worth digging into:

• If you have pork, make some tasty Pork Fried Rice! Strips of marinated pork stir-fried with veggies, eggs, garlic, and soy sauce! This one's perfect when you want something hearty and flavorful that still comes together fast.
• Got leftovers? Tired of eating it again? This Leftover Fried Rice recipe turns leftovers into something exciting by stir-frying them with just the right amount of soy sauce, sesame oil, and seasonings. It's the ultimate clean-out-the-fridge meal.
• Do you love tomatoes? If you do - try this Tomato Fried Rice - A fresh twist on traditional fried rice! Chopped tomatoes give the dish a slight tang and juicy flavor that pairs beautifully with rice. It's simple, colorful, and so satisfying. I love adding some hot sauce with it too!
• Or keep it simple with my Egg Fried Rice - The ultimate go-to! This version is loaded with eggs, veggies, and garlic for a quick, tasty dish that works as a side!

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