Instant Pot Fried Rice: The Ultimate Quick & Flavorful Dinner Upgrade

Instant Pot Fried Rice: Quick, Easy, and Super Tasty

Introduction

Instant Pot Fried Rice is the ultimate dinner solution for busy weeknights or when you’re seeking a mouthwatering way to use up leftover veggies and rice. With its bold flavors, quick cook time, and one-pot convenience, this recipe transforms kitchen scraps into a satisfying meal that tastes even better than takeout. Plus, you can effortlessly add protein like chicken or shrimp for a heartier dish, making it an all-star addition to your collection of easy instant pot recipes.

Why This Fried Rice Stands Out

What makes this recipe a go-to favorite is its perfect balance of fluffy rice, crisp veggies, and savory seasonings, all achieved in a single pot. The Instant Pot ensures the rice is never gummy and the vegetables keep their crunch, giving you restaurant-quality results with minimal effort. It’s infinitely customizable—swap in your favorite proteins or go vegetarian with extra veggies. This is the fried rice you’ll want on repeat, ideal for meal prep or a family dinner that pleases all ages.

Best Tips for Prep & Perfect Vegetables

For the classic texture of Chinese fried rice, your vegetables should be bite-sized and uniform. Achieving that is effortless with the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper, which makes prep a breeze, whether you’re dicing carrots, onions, or bell peppers. Fresh vegetables will retain their color and texture thanks to the rapid cooking time in the Instant Pot.

Use cold, cooked rice for best results—day-old rice straight from the fridge prevents sticking and creates those signature separated grains. If prepping in advance, store your chopped vegetables in airtight Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers for easy assembly.

How to Make Instant Pot Fried Rice

Gather your ingredients and make sure your Instant Pot is ready for action. Sautéing the aromatics then quickly pressure-cooking the rice and veggies keeps everything vibrant and flavorful. If you’re adding protein like chicken, shred it easily with the Chicken Shredder Tool Twist before mixing into your rice.

Once cooked, finishing your fried rice on sauté mode helps develop a lightly crispy texture—just like from your favorite takeout joint.

Serving Suggestions and Storage

Serve your fried rice hot, garnished with fresh scallions or a sprinkle of sesame seeds. It pairs wonderfully with a crisp salad—use the Bentgo Salad Container to prep and store your favorite greens for a complete meal. Leftovers keep well in the fridge, making fried rice a perfect meal prep option for busy schedules.

Nutrition & Portions

This recipe yields about 4 generous servings, with each portion containing roughly 350–400 calories (depending on vegetable and protein choices). It’s a balanced meal packed with protein, fiber, and plenty of flavor.

Instant Pot Fried Rice: The Quick, Flavorful Family Favorite

Turn leftovers and pantry staples into a speedy and delicious dinner with this easy Instant Pot Fried Rice. With minimal prep, customizable add-ins, and crowd-pleasing results, it’s sure to become a staple in your dinner rotation.

Ingredients

– 2 cups cold, cooked white rice (preferably day-old)
– 2 tablespoons cooking oil (sesame or vegetable)
– 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, bell peppers)
– 2 eggs, lightly beaten
– 1 cup cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu (optional)
– 3 scallions, chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 3 tablespoons soy sauce
– 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional)
– 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– Optional garnish: extra scallions, sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Turn on your Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker and select the ‘Sauté’ function. Add 1 tablespoon of oil, chopped garlic, and white parts of the scallions. Sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  2. Add mixed vegetables. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until just tender, stirring with a Farberware Professional Heat Resistant Nylon Meat and Potato Masher for easy mixing.
  3. Push veggies to the side and add remaining oil. Pour in beaten eggs and scramble until mostly set. Mix eggs into the vegetables.
  4. Add cold rice, chicken or shrimp (if using), soy sauce, oyster sauce, and a dash of salt and pepper. Break up any clumps of rice and stir to combine.
  5. Lock the lid, set Instant Pot to ‘Pressure Cook’ for 2 minutes (high pressure). Quick release once finished.
  6. Switch back to ‘Sauté’ and stir in toasted sesame oil and green parts of scallions. Let cook for another 1–2 minutes to crisp up the rice slightly if desired.
  7. Serve immediately, garnished with extra scallions and sesame seeds.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Try this Instant Pot Fried Rice for an incredibly flavorful and speedy dinner that’ll have everyone reaching for seconds!

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