Nasi Goreng(Indonesian Fried Rice)
Indonesian Nasi Goreng features savory fried rice combined with seasoned meatballs, shrimp, and aromatic curry, offering a flavorful, comforting dish perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chuck ⓘ
- 1/4 cup dried bread crumbs ⓘ
- 2 eggs ⓘ
- 2 cups chopped onions ⓘ
- 3 teaspoons salt ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 6 tablespoons butter ⓘ
- 2 cups diced celery ⓘ
- 4 tablespoons salad oil ⓘ
- 1 lb fresh shrimp shelled and deveined ⓘ
- 2 to 3 tablespoons curry powder ⓘ
- 4 cups chicken broth ⓘ
- 4 cups precooked rice ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine ground chuck, dried bread crumbs, unbeaten eggs, 1/2 cup chopped onions, salt, and pepper; form into tiny meatballs and set aside.
- In a large Dutch oven, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
- Add 1 1/2 cups of chopped onions and diced celery; sauté until golden.
- Remove the onion and celery mixture from the pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, brown the meatballs, keeping them round by rotating the pan.
- Melt another 3 tablespoons of butter in the pan.
- Add curry powder, 2 teaspoons of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, and chicken broth; bring to a boil.
- Add the cooked rice; cover, remove from heat, and let stand for 5 minutes.
- Stir in the celery-onion mixture, fresh shrimp, and the meatballs in the pan.
- Cover and cook until everything is hot and the shrimp are cooked through.
- Serve directly from the Dutch oven or heaped on a platter.
Tips & Substitutions
For a more authentic flavor, you can use kecap manis, a sweet soy sauce, instead of regular soy sauce. If you don’t have ground chuck, ground turkey or chicken can be substituted for a leaner option. Consider adding vegetables like peas or bell peppers for extra color and nutrition. For a spicier kick, add some sliced chilies or sambal oelek.
Serving Suggestions
Nasi Goreng is delicious on its own but can be served with a side of stir-fried broccoli for added crunch and nutrition. Garnish with sliced cucumbers and fried shallots for extra flavor. This dish pairs beautifully with Honey Sesame Chicken for a complete meal or can be enjoyed alongside a light salad.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, add a splash of chicken broth to a skillet over medium heat, then add the fried rice and stir until heated through. Alternatively, you can microwave it in short intervals, stirring in between, until hot.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Nasi Goreng(Indonesian Fried Rice) contains roughly 1440 calories, with 32g protein, 207g carbohydrates, and 55g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (65% of the Daily Value), iron (61% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (54% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2834mg per serving (123% 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 day-old rice for this recipe?
Yes, day-old rice works perfectly for Nasi Goreng as it’s less sticky and absorbs flavors better. If using freshly cooked rice, spread it out on a baking sheet and let it cool for about 30 minutes to help dry it out a bit before using.
What can I substitute for shrimp?
If you prefer not to use shrimp, you can substitute with chicken, tofu, or simply increase the amount of meatballs. Chopped cooked chicken or even leftover rotisserie chicken can be added for a quick alternative.
How can I make this dish vegetarian?
To make a vegetarian version, replace the meatballs with a mixture of tofu and vegetables, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can also increase the amount of diced celery and use additional spices to enhance the 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).