Indian Veg Fried Rice Recipe | Easy Vegetable Fried Rice
Indian Veg Fried Rice is a simple and delicious dish made with Basmati rice, fresh vegetables, and flavorful seasonings. It’s a perfect one-pot meal for lunch or dinner and can be made quickly using leftover rice. This Indian-style fried rice is cooked with spices like cumin, turmeric, and garam masala, giving it a rich and aromatic flavor that pairs well with Indian food. If you’re wondering how to make Indian veg fried rice at home, follow this quick guide to cook a satisfying meal in minutes. Lightly spiced and packed with colorful veggies like carrots, capsicum, beans, and green peas, this healthy and tasty Indian fried rice is both satisfying and wholesome vegetarian recipe.
Ingredients You Will Need
- 1 cup basmati rice (or any long-grain rice)
- 4 cups water
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon oil
- 2 tablespoons oil (vegetable or sesame oil)
- 2 garlic cloves (finely chopped)
- 1-inch ginger (finely chopped)
- ½ cup onion (chopped)
- ½ cup carrot (chopped)
- ½ cup capsicum (chopped)
- ½ cup green beans (chopped)
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper powder
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh coriander leaves (for garnishing)
Indian Fried Rice Recipe Instructions
Cook the Rice and Prepare Vegetables to Cook
1. Rinse the rice 2–3 times under running water to remove excess starch, then boil 4 cups of water with salt and oil, and add the rice. Cook until almost done, drain the water, and spread the rice on a plate to cool completely.
2. Finely chop all the vegetables to ensure they cook evenly:
- ½ cup carrots
- ½ cup green beans
- ½ cup capsicum
- ½ cup cabbage (optional)
- ½ cup spring onions
Keep all the ingredients ready before you start cooking.
Stir-Fry the Vegetables
3. Start by stir-frying the vegetables by heating oil in a large pan, wok, or kadhai over medium-high heat.
4. Add 1 tablespoon garlic and 1 tablespoon ginger to the pan with hot oil. Cook them for a few seconds while stirring until you can smell their nice aroma.
5. Add ½ cup carrots and ½ cup green beans. If you like, add ½ cup capsicum and cabbage. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes on high heat.
6. Add ½ cup spring onions and ½ cup capsicum, then mix everything well so the vegetables are combined evenly. You can add any additional vegetable of your choice.
7. Stir-fry for 1 minute, or until they become slightly tender.
Add Rice in Wok
8. Add the cooked rice to the stir-fried vegetables. Gently toss and mix everything together, being careful not to break the rice grains.
Adding Sauces and Seasoning
9. Add the following ingredients to the rice and vegetables:
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Salt, to taste
Mix well and stir-fry for 2 minutes to blend all the flavors.
10. Adjust the seasoning as needed. If the flavors are lacking, add a pinch more salt or spices and mix thoroughly until the taste is well blended. Once everything is well mixed, cook for an additional minute to allow the flavors to meld together, then turn off the heat.
Garnish & Serve Veg Fried Rice
11. Garnish the fried rice by adding lemon juice for extra freshness. Top with chopped spring onions or coriander leaves, then toss to combine.
12. Serve the vegetable fried rice with a side of lemon wedges for a zesty touch. Eat with curd, raita, or any curry of your choice.
Tips for the Best Fried Rice Recipe
- Use leftover or cooled rice: Freshly cooked rice can be sticky, so using cold rice gives a better texture.
- Cook on high heat: This helps keep the vegetables crisp and prevents sogginess.
- Customize it: You can add paneer, peas, or nuts for extra flavor in this homemade Indian-Style Veg Fried Rice, a simple and flavorful dish perfect for any meal.
FAQs
Yes, veg fried rice can be healthy if you use minimal oil and load it with vegetables. You can opt for brown rice or quinoa for a healthier twist.
You can use any neutral-flavored oil with a high smoke point, such as sunflower oil, rice bran oil, or sesame oil.
It is not recommended to use freshly cooked rice to make veg fried rice as it tends to be too soft and may clump while stir-frying. For the best texture, use leftover rice that has been refrigerated for at least a few hours.
Recipe Card
Indian Veg Fried Rice Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Large pan or wok
- 1 Saucepan (for boiling rice)
- 1 Strainer (to drain rice)
- 1 Knife (for chopping vegetables)
- 1 Chopping board
- 1 Spatula or cooking spoon
- 1 Mixing bowl (optional, for prep)
- 2 Measuring spoons and cups
Ingredients
- 1 cup basmati rice or any long-grain rice
- 4 cups water
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon oil
- 2 tablespoons oil vegetable or sesame oil
- 2 garlic cloves finely chopped
- 1 inch ginger finely chopped
- ½ cup onion chopped
- ½ cup carrot chopped
- ½ cup capsicum chopped
- ½ cup green beans chopped
- ½ cup cabbage optional, chopped
- ½ cup spring onions chopped
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper powder
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt adjust to taste
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice optional
- 2 tablespoons coriander leaves chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Rinse the basmati rice 2–3 times until water runs clear.
- Boil 4 cups of water with salt and 1 tsp oil.
- Add the rice and cook the rice until 90% done. Drain and cool it completely.
- Heat 2 tbsp oil in a wok or large pan.
- Add chopped garlic and ginger; sauté for a few seconds.
- Add carrots and beans. Stir-fry for 2 minutes.
- Add capsicum, cabbage, spring onions, and onion. Stir-fry on high heat for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the cooled rice to the stir-fried vegetables.
- Gently mix without breaking the grains.
- Add vinegar, soy sauce, turmeric, cumin powder, pepper, and salt.
- Stir the rice and spices well and cook everything for 2-3 minutes to combine flavors.
- Turn off the heat.
- Add lemon juice and coriander leaves on top of fried rice.
- Toss well and serve Veg Fried Rice with raita, curd, or curry.
Notes
- Always use cooled or leftover rice for making fried rice recipe.
- Customize with green peas, paneer cubes, or roasted peanuts.
- Cook on high heat to keep veggies crisp.
- For extra flavor, add a dash of chili sauce or a pinch of garam masala on top.
