Clean Out the Fridge! Delicious Beef and Vegetable Fried Rice
Whip Up a Satisfying Beef and Vegetable Fried Rice Using Leftovers and Beef
When living alone or even during cooking, there are always ingredients that get left behind. Fresh vegetables, in particular, tend to wilt quickly, making them a shame to discard. In such cases, why not create a nutritious and hearty beef and vegetable fried rice using those leftover bits and pieces from your fridge, along with some beef? This dish offers a balanced meal with carbohydrates, protein, and vitamins all in one bowl. I’ll guide you through a detailed recipe for fried rice that boasts perfectly separated grains and rich, umami flavors.
Main Ingredients- 300g minced beef
- 2 bowls of warm cooked rice
- 1/2 red bell pepper
- 1/2 yellow bell pepper
- 1/2 green bell pepper
- 1/2 onion
- 1/2 stalk of white part of green onion
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
Seasoning- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tbsp sesame oil
Beef Marinade- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp cooking wine (e.g., Mirin)
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tbsp sesame oil
Beef Marinade- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp cooking wine (e.g., Mirin)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the vegetables that will add texture to our fried rice. Finely dice the onion into small cubes, about 5mm in size, for a pleasant bite when cooked.
Step 2
Similarly, finely chop the green onion into pieces about 5mm in size. Using the white part of the green onion will give you a crispier texture.
Step 3
Remove the seeds from the green bell pepper and dice it into small 5mm pieces.
Step 4
Core the red bell pepper and dice it into small pieces, around 5mm, similar to the size of the onion.
Step 5
Finally, remove the seeds from the yellow bell pepper and dice it finely into 5mm pieces. It’s best to chop all the ingredients for fried rice to a size similar to rice grains. This ensures they blend well with the rice and improve the overall texture. If the vegetables are too large, they might feel separate from the rice.
Step 6
Now, let’s get started with cooking! Heat your pan over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil. Then, add the minced beef for marinating.
Step 7
Add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic to help eliminate any gamey odors from the beef and enhance its aroma.
Step 8
Sprinkle 2 teaspoons of black pepper evenly over the beef to further reduce any unpleasant smell.
Step 9
Add 1 tablespoon of cooking wine to tenderize the beef and aid in the marination process.
Step 10
Turn the heat to medium and cook the minced beef, breaking it up with a spatula to prevent clumping, for about 5 minutes until it’s completely cooked through. The beef is done when its pink color has completely disappeared and it has turned brown. If there’s excess oil, you can dab it with a paper towel for a less greasy result.
Step 11
Once the minced beef is cooked, add the diced onion and green onion to the pan and stir-fry them together. Cook until the onions become translucent.
Step 12
As the onions and green onions begin to soften, immediately add the diced green bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, and red bell pepper.
Step 13
Increase the heat to high and stir-fry everything for 2 minutes. This will cook the vegetables while keeping them slightly crisp. Be careful not to overcook them, or they will become mushy.
Step 14
After the vegetables are evenly stir-fried, add two bowls of warm cooked rice. If your rice is cold, it will take longer to cook, so slightly warming it up beforehand is recommended.
Step 15
Using a spatula, gently break up the rice without mashing the grains. Stir-fry vigorously over high heat for 3 minutes, allowing the rice to absorb the juices from the vegetables and meat, as well as the seasonings. The goal is to achieve fluffy, separated rice grains.
Step 16
Now, it’s time to season the fried rice. First, pour 2 tablespoons of soy sauce along the edges of the pan. This allows the soy sauce to caramelize slightly, adding a smoky depth of flavor.
Step 17
Add 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce for an extra layer of umami. Worcestershire sauce adds a rich flavor that pairs exceptionally well with meat dishes. You can omit it if you don’t have it.
Step 18
Also, add 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce for a deep and savory taste. Oyster sauce will elevate the overall umami profile of your fried rice.
Step 19
Finally, add 1/2 teaspoon of salt evenly over the fried rice to adjust the seasoning. Taste and add more if needed.
Step 20
Stir-fry quickly over high heat for another minute to ensure all the seasonings are well combined. It’s important to stir-fry rapidly so the seasonings coat the rice evenly.
Step 21
Once the fried rice is fully cooked, immediately turn off the heat. Then, drizzle 1/2 tablespoon of sesame oil around the edges of the pan. Adding sesame oil while the heat is on will cause its delicate aroma to evaporate. Make sure to add it *after* turning off the heat.
Step 22
After drizzling the sesame oil, gently toss the fried rice using the residual heat of the pan to infuse it with the sesame aroma.
Step 23
Your delicious Beef and Vegetable Fried Rice is ready! It’s best enjoyed immediately while hot.
