This savory onion beef fried rice is a hearty, umami-rich dish that brings together tender strips of beef, caramelized onions, and fragrant garlic in a quick stir-fry that’s ready in minutes. It’s the kind of comfort food I love turning to on busy weeknights—flavorful, satisfying, and made with pantry staples.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

2 cups cooked jasmine rice (preferably cold, day-old)

8 oz flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced

1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon oyster sauce

2 tablespoons vegetable oil (divided)

1 teaspoon sesame oil

2 eggs, lightly beaten

2 green onions, chopped

Salt and black pepper to taste

Optional: chili flakes or sriracha for heat

Directions

I start by heating 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.

I add the thinly sliced beef and cook it until it’s browned and just cooked through—usually about 3–4 minutes. Then I remove it and set it aside.

In the same skillet, I add the remaining oil and toss in the sliced onions. Then I sauté them for 4–5 minutes until they soften and start to caramelize.

I stir in the garlic and let it cook for another 30 seconds, just until it’s fragrant.

I push the onions to the side of the pan, pour in the beaten eggs, and scramble them until just set. Then I mix them in with the onions.

Then I add the cooked rice, breaking up any clumps with a spatula, and stir-fry everything for 2–3 minutes to heat it through.

I return the cooked beef to the pan and pour in the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil. I toss everything together and stir-fry for another 2 minutes.

Finally, I season it with salt, pepper, and some chili flakes or sriracha if I want a little heat. I stir in the chopped green onions just before serving.

Servings and timing

Servings: 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories per serving: Approximately 420 kcal

Variations

I sometimes swap the beef for chicken, shrimp, or tofu depending on what’s in the fridge.

For extra veggies, I throw in diced bell peppers, peas, or shredded carrots during the stir-fry stage.

When I want a richer flavor, I drizzle a little extra oyster sauce or add a splash of hoisin.

To make it low-carb, I use cauliflower rice in place of jasmine rice.

Storage/Reheating

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, I use a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or oil to keep it moist. The microwave works too, but I prefer the skillet for better texture.

FAQs

How do I prevent fried rice from getting mushy?

I always use day-old, cold rice. Fresh rice holds too much moisture and can turn mushy during stir-frying.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, I use gluten-free soy sauce and check that my oyster sauce is gluten-free as well.

What’s the best cut of beef for fried rice?

I like using flank steak or sirloin because they cook quickly and stay tender when sliced thinly.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, I sometimes prep all the ingredients ahead and even cook the rice the day before. Then I just stir-fry everything when I’m ready to eat.

How spicy is this dish?

It’s not spicy by default. I control the heat by adding chili flakes or sriracha to taste.

Conclusion

Savory onion beef fried rice is one of those meals I keep coming back to—easy, quick, and loaded with flavor. It’s perfect for using up leftover rice, comes together in under 30 minutes, and hits all the right notes of sweet, salty, and savory. Whether I’m feeding family or just meal prepping for the week, this dish never disappoints.


Recipe:

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Savory Onion Beef Fried Rice


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  • Author: Sophia
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Diet: Halal

Description

This savory onion beef fried rice combines tender beef, caramelized onions, garlic, and day-old jasmine rice stir-fried in a rich umami sauce for a quick, hearty, and flavorful meal.


Ingredients

2 cups cooked jasmine rice (preferably cold, day-old)

8 oz flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced

1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon oyster sauce

1 teaspoon sesame oil

2 tablespoons vegetable oil (divided)

2 eggs, lightly beaten

2 green onions, chopped

Salt and black pepper to taste

Optional: chili flakes or sriracha for heat


Instructions

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the thinly sliced beef and cook for 3–4 minutes until browned and just cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  3. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the skillet and sauté the sliced onions for 4–5 minutes until they soften and begin to caramelize.
  4. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Push the onions to one side of the pan, pour in the beaten eggs, and scramble until just set. Mix with the onions.
  6. Add the cooked rice, breaking up any clumps, and stir-fry for 2–3 minutes to heat through.
  7. Return the cooked beef to the pan and add soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil. Stir-fry for another 2 minutes to combine.
  8. Season with salt, pepper, and chili flakes or sriracha if desired. Stir in chopped green onions just before serving.

Notes

Use day-old, cold rice to prevent mushy texture.

Swap beef with chicken, shrimp, or tofu for variation.

Add extra veggies like bell peppers, peas, or carrots for more nutrition.

Use a skillet to reheat for best texture.

Make it gluten-free by using gluten-free soy and oyster sauces.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Stir-Fry
  • Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 420
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 780mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 40g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 22g
  • Cholesterol: 135mg

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