Panda Express Fried Rice Recipe (Easy Copycat in 20 Minutes)

This copycat Panda Express Fried Rice recipe is perfect when you’re craving Chinese food but don’t want to grab takeout or make a complicated dish. This copycat recipe takes under 30 minutes to make, and you only need a few simple ingredients! You can use this recipe as a main dish or as an easy side dish to pair with anything. 

What Is Panda Express Fried Rice?

Panda Express fried rice is a popular side dish served at the fast-casual Chinese restaurant chain. Unlike traditional Chinese fried rice, Panda Express versions are slightly lighter and include simple ingredients like white rice, scrambled eggs, green onions, peas, carrots, and soy sauce.

The dish is cooked quickly in a hot wok, which gives the rice its signature texture and lightly toasted flavor. Many people love it because it’s savory, slightly smoky, and pairs perfectly with menu favorites like Orange Chicken or Beijing Beef.

This copycat Panda Express fried rice recipe recreates that same restaurant flavor at home using simple ingredients and a quick stir-fry method.

What Is Panda Express Fried Rice Made Of?

Panda Express fried rice uses a simple combination of pantry staples and vegetables.

Typical ingredients include:

• cooked white rice (preferably day-old rice)
• eggs
• green onions
• peas and carrots
• garlic
• soy sauce
• sesame oil

Some homemade versions also add oyster sauce for extra umami flavor.

The key to achieving the same restaurant-style texture is using cold rice and cooking everything quickly over high heat.

Ingredients for Panda Express Fried Rice Recipe

• White Rice: is the main ingredient for this copycat dish. I like to use long grain rice or jasmine rice, that is cooked, and preferably leftover rice that is a day old. However, if you forget to make it ahead of time, check out my tip below on how to get the perfect “day old” rice. You can also make this recipe using brown rice. 
• Vegetable Oil: is used to keep your ingredients from sticking to the bottom of the pan while cooking. 
• Frozen Peas and Carrots: are the best stir-fried vegetables because they’re small, cook evenly, and are easy to mix into your fried rice.
• Green Onions: adds in a sweet onion flavor. You can use a yellow onion for this recipe, but be sure to dice your onion up small. 
• Garlic: is pungent, a little spicy, and has a slight nutty flavor when cooked and added to this rice.
• Eggs: adds protein and give your fried rice more volume. If you’re not a fan of eggs, you can leave this out or use plant-based eggs. 
• Soy Sauce: brings salty, umami flavors into the dish.
• Oyster Sauce: does not taste like oysters! It actually has a flavor similar to BBQ sauce mixed with soy sauce. This is optional, but I really like the flavor of my rice when I add it. 
• Sesame Oil: is nutty and can have a strong flavor. Be sure to use a small amount of oil so that it doesn’t overpower the other flavors in your dish. 
• Salt and Black Pepper: enhances and adds flavor to your Panda Express rice dish.

How to Make Copycat Panda Express Fried Rice

1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
2. Add the minced garlic and sliced green onions to the skillet and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Move that to the side and add in the beaten eggs. Allow them to cook for a few seconds until they set a little bit.

3. Using a spatula, scramble eggs and mix them with the garlic and green onions. Transfer the egg mixture to a bowl and set aside.

4. Put the green peas and carrot mix into the pan or wok and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes. 
5. Add the cooked white rice to the skillet and break up any clumps using a spatula. Stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes to incorporate all the ingredients evenly.

6. Drizzle the regular soy sauce, oyster sauce (if using), and sesame oil over the rice. Toss everything together to coat the rice and vegetables with the sauces. Continue stir-frying for another 2-3 minutes. Add in the scrambled eggs and mix again.

7. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Once the fried rice is heated through and well combined, remove it from the heat.
8. Serve the Panda Express-style fried rice hot as a side dish or as a main course with your favorite Asian-inspired dishes.

Tips for Perfect Fried Rice

• Use cold rice. Day-old rice works best because it prevents mushy fried rice.
• Cook on high heat. High heat gives fried rice its signature restaurant flavor.
• Don’t overcrowd the pan. Too many ingredients will steam the rice instead of frying it.

Panda Express Fried Rice Recipe Variations

Protein: Add in whatever lean protein you’d like. I like to add in chicken or shrimp, but you’re welcome to add in beef or tofu. Cut them into small pieces before putting them into your rice. 

Vegetables: Add in more veggies! I’ve added edamame and chopped red bell pepper.

Spice: Add in some sriracha or red pepper flakes to add some spice to this dish. You can top your spicy fried rice off with yum yum sauce for a delicious dish.

What to Serve it With

Check out any one of these copycat Panda Express chicken recipes and choose which flavor you want to pair with your rice!

• Orange Chicken
• Teriyaki Chicken
• Sesame Chicken
• Mushroom Chicken
• Stringbean Chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I dry out rice for fried rice?

Did you forget to make your white rice the day before? Not a problem! This is my secret to getting the perfect “day-old rice” in under an hour. The only thing you need is cooked rice and a baking sheet.

Spread your cooked long-grain rice in a thin layer onto your baking sheet and place them in the freezer for about 20 minutes. This will stop your rice from becoming too mushy. 

How do I prevent mushy rice?

Don’t put too much into your pan. It will cause your ingredients to steam rather than sauté. If you’re making food for a crowd, make small batches on high heat. 

Be sure to use cold rice. Using warm rice will quickly turn your Panda Express recipe mushy. Put your cooked white rice in the fridge overnight, or use the 2 hour trick above to get your rice to the perfect temperature. 

Rinse your rice. Rinsing your rice is very common before making any rice dish. This is because as you’re rinsing, you are removing the excess starch that will cause your rice to become mushy. 

Why Does Panda Express Fried Rice Taste Different?

Panda Express fried rice tastes different from traditional Chinese fried rice because it uses fewer seasonings and focuses on simple ingredients like soy sauce, garlic, eggs, and vegetables. The rice is cooked quickly in a hot wok, which gives it a lightly toasted flavor without being overly oily or salty.

How do I store leftover fried rice?

You can either put your leftovers into the fridge or freeze them for a few months. 

To refrigerate: put any leftovers into an airtight container and then place them into the fridge. Your fried rice will last in the fridge for up to about three days. 

To freeze: place your fried rice onto a baking sheet on a thin layer and then put it in the freezer for an hour or two. Then, put your frozen leftovers into a freezer bag and keep them for up to around three months. 

How do I reheat my rice?

The best way to reheat your leftovers is on the stove in a pan over medium-high heat.

If you’re taking your leftovers to work or just want a quick way to warm them up, you can place your rice into a microwave-safe bowl and then sprinkle some water on top of your fried rice. Cover and microwave for two minutes. Remove, stir, and then place back in for 30-second increments until your rice is completely warm.