Down-Home Fried Rice
Down-Home Fried Rice combines savory shrimp, ham, and fresh vegetables with a flavorful egg scramble, perfect for a hearty, satisfying meal suited for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 Tbsp. canola oil
- 1 1/2 c. slivered onion ⓘ
- 4 ribs celery, sliced diagonally 1/4-inch thick ⓘ
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. minced fresh ginger ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. soy sauce ⓘ
- 1/2 c. thinly sliced green onion ⓘ
- 1 small red bell pepper, diced ⓘ
- 4 c. cooked long grain rice ⓘ
- 1/4 c. no sodium defatted beef broth ⓘ
- 1/8 lb. thinly sliced ham, shredded ⓘ
- 1 lb. cooked shrimp, shelled and halved crosswise ⓘ
- 1/4 lb. snow peas, lightly blanched and cut lengthwise ⓘ
- 2 eggs ⓘ
Instructions
- Heat oil in a heavy casserole or wok over medium-low heat.
- Add onion, celery, garlic, and ginger; cook, stirring, for 5 minutes.
- Add bell pepper and cook for 3 minutes more.
- Add rice, beef broth, and ham; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.
- Add shrimp and snow peas; cook for 1 minute.
- Remove from heat.
- Beat eggs and soy sauce together.
- Push rice to the sides, making a well in the center.
- Return casserole to heat and pour egg mixture into the center.
- Stir with a fork for 1 minute until eggs are set.
- Gently fold in rice and heat through.
- Stir in green onion before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For the best texture, use day-old rice, as it’s drier and helps prevent clumping. If you don’t have ham, you can substitute with cooked chicken or tofu for a vegetarian option. Feel free to add other vegetables, like carrots or peas, to enhance the dish. Adjust the soy sauce to your taste; low-sodium soy sauce is a great alternative for less salt.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Down-Home Fried Rice as a standalone meal or alongside mixed vegetables eggrolls for a complete feast. It pairs wonderfully with Wok Shrimp for a delightful surf and turf combination. Garnish with additional green onions or sesame seeds for added flavor and crunch.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, add a splash of water in a pan over medium heat, covering it to steam and warm the rice evenly. Alternatively, use a microwave, heating in short intervals while stirring to ensure even heating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Down-Home Fried Rice contains roughly 1711 calories, with 43g protein, 323g carbohydrates, and 31g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (170% of the Daily Value), iron (145% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (98% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2846mg per serving (124% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Yes, frozen shrimp can be used. Just ensure they are fully thawed and drained before adding to the dish. This will help them cook evenly and blend well with the other ingredients.
What can I use instead of canola oil?
You can substitute canola oil with vegetable oil, peanut oil, or sesame oil for a different flavor profile. Each option will work well for stir-frying the ingredients in this recipe.
Is it possible to make this dish vegetarian?
Absolutely! To make a vegetarian version, simply omit the shrimp and ham. You can replace them with tofu or additional vegetables like bell peppers and mushrooms, which will add both texture and flavor.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).