This Bacon Fried Rice is the perfect quick-fix dish when you’re craving bold flavors with minimal fuss. Each spoonful brings together crispy bacon, tender veggies, fluffy rice, and a medley of umami-rich sauces that hit all the right notes. Ideal for weeknights, it’s comforting, satisfying, and utterly crave-worthy.
Best of all, it’s highly customizable — throw in whatever veggies or proteins you have on hand, or top it off with a fried egg for an extra indulgent meal. This dish is proof that you don’t need takeout when you can whip up something this good at home.
Full Recipe
Ingredients:
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4 cups cooked white rice (preferably day-old)
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6 strips thick-cut bacon, chopped
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3 eggs, beaten
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1 cup frozen peas and carrots
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3 green onions, chopped
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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2 tablespoons soy sauce
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1 tablespoon oyster sauce
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1 tablespoon sesame oil
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1/2 teaspoon white pepper
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1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Directions:
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In a large skillet or wok over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy. Remove and drain on a paper towel, reserving 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the pan.
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Add beaten eggs to the pan and scramble until just cooked. Remove and set aside.
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Add vegetable oil to the skillet and sauté garlic until fragrant. Stir in the frozen peas and carrots and cook for 2-3 minutes.
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Add the cooked rice, breaking up any clumps with a spatula. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until heated through.
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Drizzle in soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and sprinkle with white pepper. Mix well to evenly coat the rice.
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Add cooked bacon, scrambled eggs, and chopped green onions. Toss everything together and stir-fry for another minute.
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Serve hot, optionally garnished with extra green onions or a fried egg on top.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes
Kcal: 460 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
Bacon Fried Rice: A Classic Comfort Dish Reimagined
Bacon Fried Rice is a perfect marriage of East Asian culinary techniques and the rich, smoky indulgence of Western breakfast flavors. A fusion of cultures and tastes, this dish offers more than just convenience—it delivers on satisfaction, versatility, and an undeniable comfort factor. Whether you’re an experienced home cook or someone just getting started in the kitchen, Bacon Fried Rice offers a foolproof path to a deeply rewarding meal.
At its core, fried rice is a humble dish with roots in resourcefulness. Originating from Chinese cuisine, fried rice was traditionally a way to repurpose leftover rice and bits of vegetables or meat into a wholesome, complete meal. Over time, this pragmatic dish transformed into a beloved staple across countless Asian countries, each adding regional twists and flavor profiles. In this version, crispy, savory bacon takes the spotlight—infusing every grain of rice with smoky flavor and a bit of indulgence that turns a humble skillet meal into something unforgettable.
Why Use Day-Old Rice?
The choice of using day-old rice is more than just a tip—it’s essential for the perfect fried rice texture. Freshly cooked rice tends to be too moist and clumps together, making it difficult to achieve that light, separate grain texture associated with great fried rice. Refrigerated rice loses some moisture overnight, which firms it up and makes it ideal for stir-frying. The result? A fried rice dish that’s beautifully crisped in places, yet fluffy and tender in others.
Bacon: The Umami Powerhouse
What makes this particular version of fried rice so irresistible is the use of bacon. Known for its deep umami and savory punch, bacon brings a rich, smoky character to the dish that contrasts beautifully with the lightness of the rice and vegetables. The fat rendered from bacon becomes the cooking medium, enhancing every other ingredient that touches the pan. This not only makes for efficient cooking but also ensures that no drop of flavor is wasted.
Additionally, bacon is accessible and universally loved, which makes this recipe a crowd-pleaser. Kids and adults alike are drawn to the familiar scent of sizzling bacon, and when combined with aromatic garlic, fluffy scrambled eggs, and sweet veggies like peas and carrots, it creates a meal that feels both familiar and novel.
The Harmony of Flavor Profiles
A good fried rice dish is all about balance. Bacon Fried Rice leans into sweet, salty, and umami-rich flavors. Soy sauce and oyster sauce lend depth, while sesame oil finishes the dish with a toasty nuttiness. These sauces don’t just provide salt—they add complexity and layers to the dish. The inclusion of white pepper adds a subtle heat that cuts through the richness of the bacon without overwhelming the other flavors.
What’s most beautiful about this dish is how it manages to stay light while still being hearty. The protein from the bacon and eggs, the carbohydrates from the rice, and the micronutrients from vegetables all work together to form a nutritionally balanced and filling meal.
Customizable for Every Taste
One of the standout features of Bacon Fried Rice is its incredible adaptability. You can modify the recipe based on what’s in your pantry or fridge, making it a fantastic meal for minimizing food waste. Not a fan of peas and carrots? Substitute them with chopped bell peppers, baby corn, or even leftover broccoli. Want more protein? Add diced chicken, shrimp, or tofu. Prefer a spicy kick? Add a few dashes of chili oil or some diced jalapeños.
For a more breakfast-themed version, you could even crack an egg over the rice while it’s still in the pan and stir it through just before serving. Want a luxurious touch? A drizzle of truffle oil or a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese gives the dish an upscale twist.
A One-Pan Wonder for Busy Days
This dish’s convenience is one of its strongest assets. All you need is one large skillet or wok, and the cooking time is minimal—usually under 30 minutes from start to finish. This makes it perfect for weeknight dinners, lazy weekend lunches, or even as a satisfying meal prep option. Because it keeps well in the fridge, Bacon Fried Rice also makes a great leftover that tastes just as good (if not better) the next day.
The simplicity of preparation also makes it an excellent choice for beginner cooks. If you’re looking to build confidence in the kitchen while still enjoying flavorful results, Bacon Fried Rice is a fantastic place to start.
Cultural Fusion and Comfort Food
Bacon Fried Rice is more than just a quick meal—it represents the blending of culinary traditions and comfort food cultures. The traditional Chinese cooking method of stir-frying rice comes into harmony with the distinctly Western love for bacon, creating something entirely unique yet deeply familiar.
It’s the kind of dish that feels right at home in any kitchen—whether you’re in an apartment in the city, cooking for one, or preparing a family dinner in the suburbs. It speaks to a shared love of bold flavors and hearty, satisfying meals. It’s also a dish that reflects modern food culture: unfussy, cross-cultural, and endlessly adaptable.
Pairing Ideas and Serving Suggestions
While Bacon Fried Rice is a complete meal on its own, it can be paired beautifully with a variety of sides for an expanded dinner spread. A light miso soup or a tangy cucumber salad offers refreshing contrast. For a bit of crunch, serve it alongside spring rolls or crispy wontons. You can also top it with a fried egg or pickled vegetables for added texture and brightness.
If you’re serving a crowd, consider offering a fried rice bar—lay out toppings and mix-ins like chopped scallions, crushed peanuts, hot sauces, or kimchi. This way, each guest can customize their bowl, making mealtime interactive and fun.
Conclusion: The New Classic for Any Meal
Bacon Fried Rice is the kind of recipe that earns its place in your regular rotation—not just for its flavor, but for its practicality, versatility, and soul-satisfying nature. It combines elements of comfort, tradition, and creativity in one savory skillet. Whether you enjoy it as a quick lunch, a family dinner, or even a late-night snack, this dish offers the perfect mix of indulgence and simplicity.
With a handful of everyday ingredients and a few minutes of stir-frying, you can create a meal that feels gourmet but is rooted in everyday ease. Once you try it, you’ll understand why Bacon Fried Rice isn’t just a side dish—it’s the main event.