Restaurant-Style Schezwan Fried Rice At Home: Quick And Easy Recipe

Craving some Desi Chinese but don't want to spend hours in the kitchen? Look no further! This recipe for Schezwan fried rice is your go-to solution for a delicious, quick, and easy meal that brings the flavours of your favourite Chinese restaurant right to your dining table. With simple Schezwan fried rice ingredients and straightforward steps, you’ll have a mouthwatering dish ready in no time.

Tips for Perfect Schezwan fried rice

1. Use day-old rice: Freshly cooked rice can be too soft and sticky for Schezwan fried rice. Using day-old rice gives the best texture as it's firmer and less likely to clump together.
2. High heat cooking: Stir-frying the Schezwan fried rice masala on high heat ensures that the vegetables remain crisp and the flavours are well absorbed.
3. Prep everything before cooking: Schezwan fried rice is a quick-cooking dish, so have all your ingredients prepped and ready before you start.
4. Customize the vegetables: Feel free to use any vegetables to make Schezwan fried rice at home. Corn, beans, and mushrooms are great additions to this recipe for Schezwan fried rice. 
5. Pairings for a complete meal: Paneer Manchurian gravy or any Chinese Chicken gravy with Schewan fried rice makes for an amazing, wholesome combination for a main course. With just a few additional ingredients, you can whip up the perfect Paneer Manchurian gravy using our recipe.  
6. Adjust spiciness: The usual Schezwan fried rice masala is hot and spicy, but the advantage of making Schezwan fried rice at home is that you can modify the amount of Schezwan sauce and green chillies according to your spice tolerance.

With these pro tips in mind, let's dive into the best Schezwan fried rice recipe.

Schezwan fried rice ingredients

1. 2 cups cooked rice (preferably a day old)
2. 2 tablespoons oil (vegetable or sesame)
3. 1 tablespoon garlic, finely chopped
4. 1 tablespoon ginger, finely chopped
5. 2-3 green chillies, finely chopped
6. 1 onion, finely chopped
7. 1 bell pepper, finely chopped
8. 1 carrot, finely chopped
9. 1/2 cup cabbage, shredded
10. 1/4 cup spring onions, finely chopped
11. 2-3 tablespoons Schezwan sauce (adjust to taste)
12. 1 tablespoon soy sauce
13. 1 teaspoon vinegar
14. Salt to taste
15. Pepper to taste
16. Fresh basil (optional)

Schezwan fried rice recipe

Preparing the rice

1. Cook 2 cups of rice and let it cool completely. Using cold, day-old rice is ideal for Schezwan fried rice as it helps to achieve the right texture.
2. Gently fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains and ensure there are no clumps.

Cooking vegetables with the Schezwan fried rice masala

1. In a large wok or skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat. Using a wok helps to toss the ingredients evenly.
2. Once the oil is hot, add the finely chopped garlic, ginger, and green chillies. Stir-fry for a few seconds until fragrant. (Doing your mis-en-place well will help ensure you don’t overcook or burn the Schezwan fried rice ingredients)
3. Add the finely chopped onions and bell pepper. Stir-fry for about 2 minutes until they start to soften.
4. Add the chopped carrots, and shredded cabbage. Continue stir-frying on high heat for another 2-3 minutes. The vegetables should remain crisp-tender to get a good bite in your Schezwan fried rice.
5. Lower the heat slightly and add 2-3 tablespoons of Schezwan sauce. Adjust according to your spice preference. Mix well to coat the vegetables evenly.
6. Add a splash of soy sauce and vinegar. Stir well to combine. These ingredients will add depth and balance to the Schezwan fried rice.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remember, both Schezwan sauce and soy sauce already contain salt, so adjust accordingly.
8. Increase the heat to high again and add the cooked rice to the wok. Gently mix everything, ensuring the rice is well coated with the sauce and vegetables.
9. Continuously toss and stir-fry the rice for about 3-4 minutes. This helps to evenly flavour the Schezwan fried rice masala and heat the rice thoroughly.
10. Add the finely chopped spring onions and give the Schezwan fried rice a final toss. Serve hot with a fresh garnish of spring onion greens or basil.

Variations in the recipe for Schezwan fried rice

If you want a non-vegetarian version of Schezwan fried rice masala, add chicken or shrimp to the Schezwan fried rice masala. Vegetarians can also add tofu or paneer to make it more substantial. Adding chunky scrambled eggs to the mix, or a well-seasoned half-fried egg to top off the Schezwan fried rice will give another layer of texture to the Schezwan fried rice recipe, making it all the more enjoyable.

This restaurant-style Schezwan fried rice is a delightful, flavorful dish that you can whip up quickly and easily at home. It makes a complete meal when paired with Paneer Manchurian gravy or any other oriental curry. Whether you're making it for a weekday dinner, a weekend lunch, or a special occasion, it never fails to impress. With the right ingredients and a few simple steps, this plate of Schezwan fried rice at home is yours to devour!