Description
This Easy Copycat Benihana Fried Rice recipe recreates the iconic Japanese steakhouse side dish with a delicious garlic butter twist. Using day-old white rice, sautéed vegetables, scrambled eggs, and a flavorful soy garlic butter, this quick and simple recipe delivers restaurant-quality fried rice that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Fried Rice
- 2 cups cold, day-old white rice
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup chopped white onion
- 1 medium carrot, diced
- 3 green onions, sliced thin
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons garlic butter (see below)
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
- ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
For the Garlic Butter
- ½ cup salted butter, softened
- 3 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Prepare the Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, combine the softened salted butter, low-sodium soy sauce, and minced garlic. Stir until well mixed. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the garlic butter until ready to use, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Prepare the Rice and Vegetables: In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add the chopped white onion, diced carrot, and sliced green onions. Sauté and stir for a few minutes until the vegetables become crisp-tender.
- Add Rice: Incorporate the cold, day-old white rice into the skillet with the vegetables. Stir well and cook for about 2 minutes to warm the rice evenly and combine the flavors.
- Cook the Eggs: Push the rice mixture to one side of the skillet. Crack the eggs into the other side and scramble them, cooking until they are about 90% done but still slightly soft.
- Combine and Season: Mix the scrambled eggs into the rice and vegetables. Season the mixture by adding soy sauce, white pepper, granulated sugar, and 2 to 3 tablespoons of the prepared garlic butter. Stir thoroughly to evenly distribute the flavors.
- Finish Cooking: Continue frying and stirring the entire mixture for an additional 2 minutes to ensure all ingredients are well combined and heated through.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve the fried rice warm as a delicious side dish or main course. Enjoy your homemade copycat Benihana fried rice!
Notes
- For the best texture, use white rice cooked the night before and stored in the refrigerator to dry out.
- Day-old rice is key to prevent sogginess in fried rice, giving it a perfect fluffy texture.
- Adjust the amount of garlic butter according to personal taste preference for garlic intensity.
- You can add protein such as shrimp, chicken, or beef to customize this dish further.
