Ever been around a teppanyaki table and wondered how to make a Copycat Benihana Fried Rice recipe? Well, you’re in for a treat! This easy copycat recipe brings all the flavors of the popular restaurant favorite right into your own kitchen, with no flat top grill needed.
If you've ever been to Benihana, you've likely been in awe as you watched the Benihana chefs flip spatulas while tossing fried rice high in the air. The experience is just unforgettable! Besides that, the savory aroma of the garlic butter and the perfect blend of simple ingredients had us craving this at home. Ready to make your very own version of Benihana fried rice? Keep reading!
The Secret Ingredient to this Benihana Copycat Fried Rice
This Benihana-inspired Fried Rice tastes just like the real thing. The secret to it is to use cold, day-old rice and copycat Benihana garlic butter. Toss in a bit of soy sauce, scrambled eggs, and finely chopped vegetables. As you cook it in a large skillet or wok, the perfect balance of textures comes together for the best Benihana Copycat Fried Rice.
This rice recipe delivers, whether you’re making this for a quick weeknight dinner or you’re hosting your own hibachi night at home. It’s rich, garlicky, and packed with the perfect balance of flavors and textures, making this the perfect copycat recipe. It goes amazingly well with my Copycat Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken.
Homemade Benihana Fried Rice Ingredients
Below are the ingredients you will need to make this delicious Benihana Copycat Fried Rice. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find the recipe card for detailed ingredient measurements.
Day-old white rice: is the perfect rice to use. For the best results, use leftover rice that’s been chilled in the fridge.
Garlic butter: brings this fried rice its iconic flavor that’s reminiscent of Benihana’s fried rice recipe.
Garlic: adds bold, savory depth on top of the garlic butter.
Carrots: that have been chopped into small pieces to cook evenly add flavor and nutrients to this recipe.
Medium onion: is an essential for that classic fried rice base.
Egg: will add richness and acts as the binder for the ingredients.
Soy sauce: is what you’ll need for that umami flavor. Use light soy sauce if you want a slightly less salty version.
Green onions: that have been chopped will add color and a pop of fresh flavor.
Garlic Butter (small batch):
Unsalted butter: that’s been softened to room temperature is what you’ll need for the base. Avoid using salted so as not to make your fried rice too salty.
Garlic clove: is what you’ll infuse the butter with. Mince it for best results.
A few drops of soy sauce (optional)
Pinch of salt
How to make garlic butter: Mix the stick of butter together with the rest of the ingredients well until it forms a paste. Then, store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
How to Make Copycat Benihana Fried Rice Step-by-Step
Here's how to make Benihana Copycat Fried Rice. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the complete step-by-step instructions.
Cook the aromatics. Firstly, heat the garlic butter in a large cast iron skillet (or wok, whatever you have available) over medium-high heat. Next, add the garlic, onion, and carrots. Sauté for 1-2 minutes, stirring accordingly.
Add the cold rice. Afterwards, add your cold rice to the pan and break it up with your spatula. Stir-fry for 5-7 minutes, until the rice is hot and lightly crisped.
Cook the egg. Subsequently, push the rice to one side of the pan. Then, crack the egg into the empty space and scramble it just until it sets. Bring the rice back in the center and mix the scrambled egg into it.
Next, add the soy sauce and green onions. Coat all the rice with the soy sauce by stirring everything together well and continuously. Give your fried rice a taste, and season with salt and pepper accordingly.
Serve. Finally, sprinkle the fried rice with chopped green onions and sesame seeds as a finishing touch. Serve hot and enjoy!
Tips and Tricks for the Best Hibachi-Style Fried Rice
Use day-old rice: Freshly cooked rice has too much moisture. As a result, your fried rice will turn mushy when you stir-fry it.
Cook over high heat: Doing this and using a hot wok or large frying pan gives the rice that toasty, restaurant-style finish. In fact, your heat shouldn't go down to medium heat while cooking your fried rice.
Cut your vegetables in even sizes: As much as it's important to use the right kind of rice cooled in the fridge, prepping your veggies in uniform sizes is equally important. If the cuts are different from one another, you'll end up with unevenly cooked fried rice.
Don’t overcrowd your pan: If you’re doubling the batch, cook in stages for best results. If you want to double the batch, just cook in stages to make sure the fried rice is evenly cooked, with the ingredients all mixed properly together.
Keep a stash of that special garlic butter: If you’ve ever watched a ‘TikTok, make this fried rice' video, you’ve probably noticed how creators use their homemade garlic butter on the fried rice. This ingredient is so versatile that it can render so much flavor on vegetables and stir-fried meats too!
Why You’ll Love This Benihana Copycat Fried Rice
This Benihana Copycat Fried Rice is the perfect copycat for a hibachi restaurant favorite. It’s fast, easy, inexpensive to make, and family-approved. As a matter of fact, you can definitely whip this up with ingredients you already have and in less than 30 minutes.
For best results, serve your Benihana Copycat Fried Rice with chicken breast, shrimp, or even chicken thighs for the full hibachi restaurant at home experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
For this recipe, using long-grain white rice or jasmine rice is best. The first thing to do once you have cooked rice is to allow it to chill in the refrigerator overnight.
Not at all. Use whatever you have available at home. Even though it's a cast iron skillet, or any large pan, your fried rice will turn out just as well nevertheless.
At Benihana, they don’t use much sesame oil for the most part. But, feel free to drizzle a little in addition for extra flavor.
Yes, definitely! Add cooked chicken thighs, shrimp, or even tofu cubes after the egg step. Overall, your fried rice will be more flavorful and fill
In any event you'll have leftovers, set your leftover fried rice cool to room temperature. Then transfer it to an airtight container, before refrigerating. It keeps well for up to 3 days.
Yes, you can. Store your leftovers in a freezer-safe container for up to a month. Re-heat in a hot pan or microwave.
Yes, you can. However, you’ll miss out on that rich garlicky flavor, and it won't have the same taste as Benihana Fried Rice. Alternatively, you can use avocado oil or safflower oil. In addition to that, add freshly minced garlic to infuse it with that garlicky goodness.
You’ve most likely used fresh rice, or didn’t let it cool completely. Whereas, using day-old rice is best for the perfect texture.
Homemade Benihana Copycat Fried Rice Recipe
Copycat Benihana Fried Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups cold cooked day old white rice
- 3 tbsp garlic butter see notes
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 medium carrot peeled and chopped into very small pieces
- 1/4 medium onion chopped finely
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 green onions sliced
Instructions
- Heat garlic butter in pan. Add the carrots, onions, and garlic and sauté a few minutes.3 tbsp garlic butter, 2 cloves garlic minced, 1/4 medium carrot peeled, 1/4 medium onion
- Add rice and break up with a spatula. Stir-fry for 2–3 minutes.2 cups cold cooked day old white rice
- Push rice aside, crack egg in, scramble, then mix with rice.1 egg
- Add soy sauce and green onions. Stir to combine and serve!2 tbsp soy sauce, 2 green onions sliced
Notes
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1 clove garlic, finely minced or grated
• A few drops of soy sauce (optional)
• Small pinch of salt Instructions:
1. In a small bowl, mash together the butter, garlic, soy sauce (if using), and salt until smooth.
2. Use immediately, or store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
leave a comment