Thai Shrimp Fried Rice

The rich aroma of garlic and fish sauce combined with the vibrant colors of bell pepper, peas, and shrimp make this Thai Shrimp Fried Rice an absolute crowd-pleaser. It’s a simple yet flavor-packed dish that’s ready in under 30 minutes, bringing the bold essence of Thai cuisine straight to your kitchen.

Perfect for busy weeknights or when you want something exciting without a trip to the restaurant, this dish delivers every time. The key lies in using day-old jasmine rice, giving it that ideal texture and signature fried rice feel. With just a few staple pantry ingredients, you’ll create a restaurant-quality meal that the whole family will love.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 small onion, diced

• 1 red bell pepper, diced

• 1/2 cup frozen peas and carrots

• 2 eggs, lightly beaten

• 3 cups cooked jasmine rice (preferably day-old)

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

• 1 tablespoon fish sauce

• 1 teaspoon sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon white pepper

• 1/2 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined

• 2 green onions, sliced

• 1 lime, cut into wedges

• Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish (optional)

Directions:

1. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.

2. Add shrimp and cook for 2–3 minutes on each side until pink and cooked through. Remove and set aside.

3. In the same pan, add the remaining oil. Sauté garlic and onions for about 1 minute until fragrant.

4. Add red bell pepper and peas/carrots mix. Cook for another 2 minutes.

5. Push vegetables to one side of the pan, add eggs to the other side, and scramble until cooked. Mix with vegetables.

6. Stir in the rice, breaking up any clumps. Add soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, and white pepper. Mix well to combine.

7. Add cooked shrimp and green onions, toss everything together until heated through.

8. Serve hot, garnished with lime wedges and fresh cilantro if desired.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes
Kcal: 390 kcal | Servings: 4 servings

Thai Shrimp Fried Rice is a much-loved staple of Thai cuisine that effortlessly balances sweet, salty, and savory flavors with the juicy tenderness of shrimp and the fluffiness of perfectly stir-fried jasmine rice. As a dish that has made its way from Thai street food stalls to home kitchens around the world, this recipe encapsulates the heart of Southeast Asian cooking vibrant, quick, and full of character. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner eager to explore international flavors, this recipe offers an easy entry point to Thai culinary traditions with ingredients that are simple yet transformative when combined.

The Essence of Thai Shrimp Fried Rice

At its core, Thai Shrimp Fried Rice (known in Thailand as Khao Pad Goong) is a humble dish that relies on balance. Unlike Chinese-style fried rice which may rely more on soy sauce and darker flavors, Thai fried rice often includes a delicate sweetness, aromatic herbs, and the signature depth of fish sauce. The combination of shrimp a favorite seafood in Thai cooking and jasmine rice, revered for its fragrance, creates a dish that is light yet deeply satisfying.

The magic of this dish lies in its versatility. It’s a meal you can prepare in under 30 minutes with leftover rice, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Yet, its vibrant presentation and aromatic layers make it equally fitting for special occasions or sharing meals with guests.

Why Jasmine Rice Matters

Jasmine rice isn’t just a filler in this dish it’s the very foundation. This long-grain rice variety is native to Thailand and prized for its slightly sticky texture and floral scent. Day-old jasmine rice is preferred because it has had time to dry out slightly, ensuring it doesn’t become mushy during stir-frying. This makes for the perfect texture: each grain remains separate, slightly crispy on the edges, and fully infused with the flavors of the wok.

A Harmony of Flavors and Textures

Thai Shrimp Fried Rice is an orchestra of flavor. The garlic delivers punchy aroma, the onions and bell peppers provide natural sweetness, and the peas and carrots add a hint of sweetness and crunch. Then there’s the shrimp, which must be cooked just until tender and pink to maintain its juiciness. The sauces soy, fish sauce, and a touch of sugar build the dish’s signature profile: salty, umami-rich, slightly sweet, and deeply savory. White pepper adds a subtle heat that complements the delicate seafood rather than overpowering it.

Fresh green onions and cilantro sprinkled at the end introduce a refreshing note, while lime wedges on the side allow diners to personalize the acidity to their liking. Each bite is balanced: chewy grains of rice, bursts of vegetable freshness, and succulent shrimp wrapped in flavor.

The Secret to Restaurant-Style Fried Rice at Home

One of the key techniques to achieving restaurant-quality Thai Shrimp Fried Rice is the heat of the wok or skillet. High heat ensures that ingredients cook quickly, locking in flavor and giving the rice its slight char, known as “wok hei.” This smoky quality is hard to replicate in a low-heat setting, so don’t be afraid to crank up the flame just be sure to prep everything beforehand, as cooking moves fast.

Another tip is to add the eggs after sautéing the vegetables but before the rice, scrambling them directly in the wok and mixing them in. This ensures soft, ribbon-like pieces of egg throughout the dish instead of a homogeneous mixture. Using cold, day-old rice is also essential; freshly cooked rice is too moist and can lead to a mushy result.

Perfect for All Occasions

One of the reasons this dish is beloved around the world is its versatility. It’s perfect for:

• Weeknight dinners: Quick and nourishing without feeling heavy.
• Meal prep: Stores well in the fridge and reheats beautifully.
• Entertaining guests: A beautiful presentation with minimal effort.
• Picky eaters: Customizable based on protein or vegetables.

You can also adjust the protein swap shrimp for chicken, tofu, or even crispy pork belly. If you’re vegetarian, skip the shrimp and fish sauce and use tamari or soy sauce with mushrooms for a deeply savory plant-based version.

Health Benefits of Thai Shrimp Fried Rice

Despite its richness, this dish can be quite healthy. Shrimp is a low-calorie, high-protein seafood that’s rich in iodine, selenium, and vitamin B12. The vegetables provide fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, while jasmine rice offers quick energy in the form of complex carbohydrates.

For a lighter version, reduce the oil and increase the ratio of vegetables. If you’re watching sodium intake, opt for low-sodium soy sauce and limit the fish sauce slightly. You can also serve it with a fresh cucumber salad or soup for a balanced meal.

Pairing Ideas and Serving Suggestions

To elevate the dining experience, Thai Shrimp Fried Rice pairs wonderfully with:

• Thai cucumber salad (Ajad)—a refreshing counterpart with vinegar and sugar
• Tom Yum soup—a tangy, spicy shrimp soup that echoes the dish’s seafood base
• Papaya salad (Som Tum)—adds crunch and spice
• Thai iced tea or lemongrass iced tea for a sweet, cooling beverage

If serving this dish as a centerpiece, consider offering chili flakes, chopped Thai chilies in vinegar, or extra lime wedges on the side to let guests tailor the heat and tang to their preferences.

Thai Cuisine in a Bowl

Thai cuisine is known for its focus on balance sour, sweet, salty, and spicy and Thai Shrimp Fried Rice is no exception. It gives you a complete meal in one bowl: grains, protein, and vegetables, all cooked together to perfection. It’s an excellent way to introduce newcomers to the nuances of Thai food, and it adapts well to personal taste and dietary preferences.

Whether you’re serving it at a weekday dinner or at a small gathering, it’s guaranteed to satisfy with both its flavor and its presentation. It also offers an excellent introduction to the techniques used in many other Thai stir-fried dishes, making it a gateway recipe into broader Thai cooking.

Conclusion: Why You’ll Keep Coming Back to This Dish

Thai Shrimp Fried Rice is more than just another takeout dish it’s a celebration of balance, texture, and simplicity. It proves that with just a few staple ingredients and the right technique, you can create something deeply satisfying and wonderfully fragrant. The dish offers a beautiful harmony between the lightness of seafood, the comforting starchiness of rice, and the brightness of herbs and lime.

If you’re seeking a recipe that is fast, adaptable, family-friendly, and incredibly flavorful, Thai Shrimp Fried Rice is it. Once you try it, you’ll want to make it again and again not just because it’s easy, but because it delivers bold flavor in every bite.