Skip the take-out and cook up a batch of flavorful, healthier vegetable fried rice at home. Packed with vegetables and flavor for #VegItUp! Thank you to Bob's Red Mill for helping me share this recipe with you.
Light Vegetable Fried Rice Recipe with BBQ Pork
We had no idea what to expect when we moved into our new neighborhood a few weeks ago. Were our neighbors the types of people to stay inside their houses and avoid eye contact when they stepped outside? Were they welcoming to or resentful of new people moving into their enclave? You just never know.
Within 24 hours, all of our reservations were allayed. Five families came by to introduce themselves and welcome us to the neighborhood. Some offered our boys to join the group of kids playing up the street, others just wanted to chat and one lovely lady brought by a container of her childhood comfort food. Fried rice.
Quite simply, it was the best fried rice I've ever eaten. Self-congratulatory high-fives all 'round for choosing this neighborhood.
We've been on a mission to add more veggies into our meals around here. Adding in an extra serving of veggies with each serving of whole grains is a fantastic way to add more fiber and nutrients to your diet. Last week it was all about the One-Pot Curry Chicken & Quinoa recipe, and this week we're diving into this light vegetable fried rice, made with my favorite basmati brown rice from Bob's Red Mill.
Bob's long grain brown rice would also work well in this recipe. You can find their products in most supermarkets, but also online on their site or on Amazon. I consistently buy Bob's products because I know that I'm always going to get a high-quality product, whether it's flours, beans, grains or protein powders.
Having a rice cooker on hand (any of these by Zojirushi are great) means that there is often extra rice in our fridge. Day old rice is typically dry and far from tender. Not great for eating plain, but fantastic for fried rice. In fact, I recommend going out of your way to make the rice the day before so that the fried rice turns out with separated grains rather than becoming a mushy mess.
So, what makes this vegetable fried rice "light"? As I already mentioned, I opted for brown rice, which makes each serving more filling. Next, I significantly decreased the amount of oil used when compared to traditional fried rice recipes. And last but certainly not least, I followed my #VegItUp principles and filled this recipe with carrots, celery and peas. If my family loved mushrooms as much as I do, I would also add in some sautéed crimini mushrooms.
And for extra flavor, I diced some Chinese-style barbecue pork. However, you could leave out the pork altogether for a vegetarian dish or substitute it with crumbled bacon or diced pork tenderloin. If you choose to make a swap for pork tenderloin or leave out the pork, be sure to compensate with some extra soy sauce or a dash of salt.
Light Vegetable Fried Rice Recipe with BBQ Pork
Ingredients
- 2 eggs whisked
- 3 teaspoons canola or grapeseed oil divided
- 2 large carrots diced
- 2 large celery stalks diced
- 3 greens onions thinly sliced, white & green sections separated
- 7 cups cooked Bob's Red Mill basmati brown rice preferably day old
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 ½ cup frozen green peas
- 6 ounces Chinese bbq pork diced
- salt and ground pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Coat with cooking spray and add egg. Swirl the egg to cover the bottom of the skillet. Cook until the egg sets, flip with a large spatula and cook for 1 minute. Transfer to a cutting board. Cut the egg into 1-inch thin strips. Set aside.
- Heat 1 teaspoon oil in the skillet. Add the carrots, celery and white sections of greens onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetable start to soften, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
- Increase the heat to medium-high and add remaining 2 teaspoons of oil.
- Add the rice and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the sesame oil and soy sauce. Continue to cook the rice, stirring occasionally so the rice doesn’t burn, for about 7 minutes.
- Add the green peas, barbecue pork and cooked carrots and celery. Cook for 1 minute.
- Gently stir in the egg and green sections of green onion. Serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by the good people at Bob's Red Mill. All opinions are my own. This post contains links to my Amazon affiliate page. Any revenue made from sales through these links helps to support this blog. Thank you!
Varun Sharma
My whole family loved this. I chopped up broccoli instead of peas because that's what I had on hand. I will definitely make this again
Karen
Do you make your own bbq pork ? If so, how do you make it?
Dara
Unfortunately I don't, Karen. That's something I want to try someday.
Kendrick
Great recipe Dara,
It looks so delicious and easy to make.
I am going to cook it for my daughter tomorrow.
Thank You!
Cnadace Glenney
Lots of veggies! Definitely going to save this one.
Cathy Trochelman
What a delicious version of fried rice!!
Lisa @ Wine & Glue
I"m so glad you guys had a good welcome! And I love this lighter spin on fried rice! It's one of my favorites!
Brandy | Nutmeg Nanny
I love Bob's Red Mill Products! This looks and sounds amazing!
Laura at I Heart Naptime
This looks so delicious! I haven't had a fried rice in far too long!
Dara
It's such an easy meal to pull together. One of our "go to" meals now.
Dee
Our favorite Chinese place hasn't been that great lately, and I'm craving fried rice! I have to make this, and soon!
Dara
I hope you love it as much as we do, Dee!
Jen @ The Weary Chef
My kids love fried rice. This looks so flavorful, they will surely enjoy this!
Dara
I hope they do, Jen! My boys actually cheer when I tell them we're having fried rice for dinner.
Katerina @ diethood .com
What a perfect side dish!! Absolutely gorgeous!!
Dara
Thanks, Katerina! It works well as an entree, too.
Erin @ The Speckled Palate
I'm so glad y'all's new neighbors are friendly! We had the same fears when we moved. Also? This fried rice looks and sounds divine. I bet it's significantly better than the takeout I ate tonight...
Dara
We were so relieved when we met the neighbors! And sorry about your take-out - that's the worst when it's disappointing.
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet
Loving this veggie packed fried rice! So delicious! I need to make it soon.
Dara
I hope you do, Anna! Next time I might add in mushrooms, too.
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl
We make fried rice about once a week - I love your version of it!!
Dara
Thanks, Liz! You can't beat a great fried rice recipe.