This recipe for Farmers Market Fried Rice makes use of all the beautiful veggies you may have in your fridge, CSA box or at your local farmer’s market or local Asian Market. This simple Veggie Fried Rice is packed full of nutrients and vegan-adaptable. Video!
Here’s a recipe that may come in handy on a busy weeknight, that the whole family will love- Farmers Market Fried Rice. What I like about this recipe is how adaptable it is. The variations are endless here, and depending on the season, you can take this Vegetable Fried Rice many different directions based on what is in season and your family’s preferences. It is also a great recipe for cleaning out the fridge, using up stray veggies that may be accumulating.
If you have meat-eaters and vegetarians/vegans both living under the same roof, it’s easy to add chicken or shrimp to some while keeping some vegan or vegetarian.
How to make Veggie Fried Rice | 60-second video
Vegetables to use in Veggie Fried Rice:
- Winter Veggies- cabbage, leeks and mushrooms make a tasty combo!
- Spring Veggies- asparagus, spring onions, snow peas, spring peas, baby bok choy.
- Summer Veggies- bell pepper, zucchini, green beans, you name it!
- Fall Veggies-roasted winter squash or cauliflower, kale.
Here, I’ve got a little hodgepodge – farmers market carrots, kale, leeks, and mushrooms, plus a smattering of veggies I had hiding in the fridge.
Traditionally fried rice includes eggs that have been whisked and scrambled and chopped into bits. You can also add cooked chicken or shrimp to fried rice.
Today we’re highlighting the veggies so I’ll show you how to keep the fried rice vegan using scrambled tofu.
How to make Vegan Fried Rice:
To make this vegan, you can substitute “scrambled” tofu for the eggs – which you’ll see below.
(If adding chicken or shrimp, sear them first, lightly seasoning with salt and pepper and set aside. Keep in mind, you can keep some vegan and add meat to some- great for mixed households. )
Blot the tofu and break it into bits and sear in an oiled skillet. Season with salt, pepper and a pinch of turmeric for color if you like. Let it get a little crispy, then set it aside.
Prep your veggies. Cut longer cooking veggies – like carrots, parsnips, etc- smaller, for faster cooking.
In total, you’ll need 4 cups of veggies, plus one onion or a couple of leeks.
As you see here, I used one leek and half an onion -just using up what I had on hand. Cook until tender, then add the garlic.
Add longer cooking veggies first, sauteeing until tender.
Add quick-cooking veggies last- greens, cabbage, kale etc.
Then add the peas or edamame.
Then set the veggies aside next to the scrambled eggs or tofu.
Then you’ll stirfry the rice- you’ll need three cups.
The best rice to use in Vegetable Fried Rice:
Use cold, dry, leftover rice, or rice that has been made ahead and chilled. Not only is it much easier to stir-fry, it makes the dinner come together so much faster. Store rice uncovered and spread out in a baking dish in the fridge so it dries out (covering it will keep the moisture in). Feel free to use any rice you like – short or long grain, white or brown. Here I’m using leftover sushi rice which is fairly traditional. As long as the rice is dried out and chilled, it should work fine.
The best pan to use for vegetable fried rice:
Make sure to use a large nonstick pan or a large well-seasoned wok.
Using an extra-large non-stick skillet to fry the rice allows more of the surface to get crispy. Spread it out and resist the urge to stir, letting it form a crispy crust. Then flip big portions of it, crisping up the other side.
Unless your cast iron skillet is very well seasoned and oiled, it may stick.
Once the rice crisped to your liking, add in the veggies and the scrambled tofu (or eggs or cooked meat).
Season with soy sauce or sub-gluten-free liquid aminos. Don’t use Tamari, or it will end up too salty.
Stir in the toasted sesame oil.
Mix to combine and heat through.
Veggie Fried rice “flavor boosters”:
Find these at your local Asian Market!
- Furikake Make it or buy it- it will elevate!
- Smoked Shoyu– a flavorful, “high-end” smoked soy sauce that makes everything better.
- Oyster Sauce – not vegan- so I left this out today to keep this version vegan, but feel free to add 1-2 teaspoons.
- Hondashi –Again, not vegan and does contains MSG, but adds delicious flavor. Start with 1/4 teaspoon, add more to taste.
- Miso Paste- Mix 1 tablespoon miso paste with 2 tablespoons water, and use instead of soy sauce. Increase the salt to taste.
- Garlic Chili Paste– to add heat.
- Chili flakes
To garnish, sprinkle with Furikake or toasted sesame seeds.
The Furikake is especially tasty here and I highly recommend it! If you don’t feel like making it, Trader Joe’s carries it as well as many upscale grocery stores and Asian markets and Japanese grocery stores.
On the homefront: It is my hope that through cooking, we not only learn new ingredients and techniques but also learn more about the culture and people from which the food we make originates. Cooking can be a way of celebrating all our unique and beautiful differences. I’d like to believe expanding our repertoire in the kitchen can also expand our hearts if we let it.
Rising violence and hate crimes towards Asians hurts all of us. We are not separate, though our minds often tell us so. Our hearts know…
If you feel compelled to support or help, I found this article Where to donate to Asian Communities useful and informative.
And if so inclined, visit your local Asian Market, a simple, easy way to support and connect with folks in your own community. Here is a helpful list of things I like to stock up on.
Enjoy the Vegetable Fried Rice and let us know what you think in the comments below.
Have a beautiful week. Happy cooking!
xoxo
More recipes you may like:
- Furikake Seasoning Recipe
- Nasi Goreng (Indonesian Fried Rice!)
- Indian Fried Rice
- Kimchi Fried Rice
- Vegetable Paella
- 50 Farmers Market Recipes!
Farmers Market Fried Rice
A simple recipe for Vegetable Fried Rice that can be made with almost any veggie you have on hand or need to use up. This recipe has more veggies than rice! Vegan-adaptable and GF.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 20
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4
- Category: weeknight dinner, vegan, vegetarian
- Method: stirfry
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 8 ounces tofu (or two eggs, whisked) Or for meat, see notes.
- 4–5 tablespoons coconut oil (or peanut oil, olive oil, or use butter or ghee) divided
- 2 leeks (chopped and rinsed) or 1 onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, rough chopped ( or try garlic scapes!)
- 4 cups chopped veggies: carrots, mushrooms, cabbage, bok choy, asparagus, kale, bell pepper, broccoli, broccolini, zucchini, snow peas, green beans, baby spinach, kale.
- 1 cup shelled edamame or peas (frozen)
- 3 cups cooked, cold, dry rice (or brown rice) see notes
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce or GF Liquid aminos
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- salt and pepper to taste- or 1/4 teaspoon each
- 1/4 cup scallions
- 1–2 teaspoons Furikake or toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
In an extra-large non-stick skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium heat and scramble the eggs or tofu. If using tofu, blot it dry first, and break it apart into little bits with the spatula in the pan. Season with a little salt and pepper ( and if you want your tofu yellowish, add a pinch of turmeric). Set aside on a large plate. See notes.
In the same pan, heat oil over medium, and saute the leeks or onion. Once tender add the garlic, saute 1-2 minutes. Lower heat to medium and add longer cooking veggies first like carrots and mushrooms, then add the other veggies, leaving the greens, kale or cabbage to add at the end. Toss in the frozen edamme and give a stir, and set the veggies aside next to the tofu (or scrambled eggs).
Add enough oil to lightly coat the pan. Add the rice, spreading it out. Turn up heat to med-high, and let it get a little crispy, resisting the urge, to constantly stir. Flip the rice big sections, using a spatula and crisp up the other side. Once the rice is crispy enough to your liking, add back in the tofu (or eggs) and the veggies. Give a good stir to combine. Add the soy sauce, sesame oil and salt and pepper to taste. If adding the Hondashi, stir in a little at a time. Adjust soy sauce and sesame oil, adding more if you like.
Divide among bowls and top with fresh scallions and Furikake or toasted sesame seeds.
Fried Rice will keep up to 4 days in the fridge and can be reheated on the stovetop or in a microwave.
Notes
If adding chicken or shrimp, pan sear first in an oiled skillet, seasoning with salt and pepper and set aside.
If using eggs– whisk in a bowl first and season with a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Scramble in an oiled pan and chop up into smaller bits with your spatula– set aside.
To cut back on the oil here, you can steam or roast the veggies first instead of sauteing in oil.
RICE: Using leftover rice that is stored in the fridge uncovered, works best here. You want the rice cold and dry, so I always use leftover rice, or I make the rice ahead and refrigerate it in a baking dish, spread out, uncovered. Brown or white rice, short or long grain- all work as long as the rice is dry.
Flavor Boosters: Oyster Sauce and Bonito granules boost flavor here but are not vegan. Use a little if you like. 😉 Furikake elevates, Garlic Chili paste or chili flakes for heat. Or try 1 T Miso paste mixed with 2 T water instead of soy sauce– then season with salt. Or try Smoked Shoyu (go light).
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 453
- Sugar: 5.3 g
- Sodium: 372.9 mg
- Fat: 21.9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 52.5 g
- Fiber: 8.1 g
- Protein: 16.9 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: vegetarian fried rice, vegetable fried rice, vegan fried rice, veggie fried rice, easy fried rice, healthy fried rice, fried rice with eggs, fried rice with shrimp, fried rice with chicken
Really tasty canvas on which to paint. Used red bell peppers, chopped cabbage mix, yellow squash, and green onions. Added some sambal for spice. Will make again for sure!
★★★★★
Perfect Chris! Love your additions!
Dear Sylvia, another great recipe from a fan. I grew up in a Japanese American household where we added soy sauce to several whisked eggs which we poured over the rice/veggie/tofu or chicken mixture at the end, tossing until the egg cooked and sort of bound together the whole dish.
I appreciate your mentioning the ways that people can donate to the many groups that are trying to address the tragic rise of anti-Asian hate. As an Asian American woman, I have experienced harassment but never to the extent that I now have to actually be fearful in certain public places … this really is shocking and unacceptable. I encourage readers of your blog to explore the websites of any of the organizations listed in the excellent article you linked to in order to understand more about how to be an ally to Asian Americans in our time of need so that we can regain our right to live without fear.
Thanks so much for sharing this Ruth. ❤️
What great instructions for crisping the rice! I haven’t had a non-stick skillet for years. Do you have one you would recommend?
I have tried the Always Pan by Our Place and liked it!
This recipe is very good. Got better the next day!
Awesome Alan!
We made this last week. We used eggs rather than tofu and peas rather than edamame. I sent my husband to get the veggies. I told him to pick 4 or 5. He came home with everything on the list. We had leeks, garlic, carrots, mushrooms, green cabbage, bok choy, asparagus, broccoli, zucchini and snow peas as well as the peas and green onions.We used liquid aminos. This was such a down home comfort food. We absolutely loved it and can’t wait to make it again!! Try it, you will not be disappointed.
★★★★★
Love it Linda! Glad you gave this a go- one of my favorites!
Delicious and vibrant nourishment! This was so good that I’m going to get a larger pan so that I can make more at once. It’s fabulous as leftovers and I could easily eat this all week.
★★★★★
Great to hear Christina! Glad you enjoyed this!
Great instructions, simple and delicious.
★★★★★
Thanks Robert!
delicious as usual sylvia! Added oyster sauce and a little mirin and it was perfection. thank you for another solid recipe!
★★★★★
Thanks Nicole!
This was delicious! I cooked shrimp separately for the hubs and he declared it better than our go to Chinese place. Will definitely be making this again. I only used onion because twice I forgot to get leeks. I used coconut oil and left over Japanese rice.
Thank again Sylvia, every single one of the recipes I’ve tried have been big winners in my house!
★★★★★
Perfect Mimi- love how you adapted for the both of you!
This recipe was the bomb! We used up lots of great veggies and the flavor was awesome. This is definitely going into our permanent rotation, especially when we have lots of veggies around. Yum! Thanks for this recipe. We used basmati rice but curious what you have used.
★★★★★
This is fabulous!!
★★★★★
What kind of tofu would you recommend using ?
I would use firm or extra firm tofu- not silken tofu. You could make the crispy tofu on the blog and toss it in at the end.
Love this recipe! I subbed cauliflower rice for half the rice. I also added a tablespoon of mirin. Delicious!
★★★★★
Thank you for this wonderful recipe. I used carrots, mushrooms, cabbage kale, zucchini, bok choy, leeks and peas and even my non veggie loving husband loved it. We served it with a Hoisin shrimp and some sweet chili sauce. Will add this this recipe to my favorite pile!
Denise
Meant to rate it 5 stars!
★★★★★
Love it Denise!
your recipes are fantastic! can you please recommend a substitute for rice? I can’t have rice! thank you!
What about cooked quinoa or farro?
Super delicious as per usual! I eagerly await your email every saturday! I have everyone in my family addicted to your recipes as well!
The rice took much longer than I thought, I should of taken your suggestion to resist the urge to flip more seriously- so note to others, when you think you should flip..give it another minute!
★★★★
Thanks Milly!
Amazing flavor. MY family wants it weekly. I followed exact recipe with boneless chicken breast.
★★★★★
Awesome Robby! Glad they all enjoyed.
Love it.
Used basmati rice with all the veggies you suggested.
Sautéed shrimp and set aside for my husband.
Will do it again.
Great to hear Irene!
Your recipes are delicious and your photographs beautiful and I appreciate your blog and cookbooks very much! I’m glad to see you include several dishes that in the past would have been considered specialized Japanese or more broadly Asian cooking. In fact, I grew up thinking Furikake was something you buy and I only started making it when you showed me how!
One request: please recommend Asian grocery stores, in particular Japanese supermarkets, instead of “upscale grocery stores” for obtaining Furikake and other Asian products on this page. I know you do so on other recipes already. Thank you.
Done. thanks!
Thank you for your prompt response and for your advocacy of Asian Markets!