Pork Fried Rice

Homemade Pork Fried Rice is easy and worth it. Tender pieces of pork tenderloin, rainbow vegetables, and crispy rice frolicking in a sticky, savory sauce, this takeout classic is astonishingly simple to make and will reward you for the (minimal) effort.

Why You’ll Love this Pork Fried Rice Recipe

When you need a fast, healthy dinner that uses ingredients you have on hand (who doesn’t?), fried rice is the granddaddy of them all.

It delivers the essentials. Whole grains, vegetables, and lean protein are present in every bite.
It’s flexible. Those past-peak veggies in your crisper drawer? Use ‘em here!
It is FAST. Be sure you prep all of your ingredients before you start cooking. This recipe moves.
It’s DELICIOUS. Even those who might shy away from other Asian recipes cannot deny the appeal of a rice-based dish (particularly once you factor in that sweet, sticky sauce!).

I adore fried rice, but it’s a dish I’ve come to prefer making myself.

I use this go-to Homemade Fried Rice as my recipe base.

Instead of defaulting to the usual Chicken Fried Rice, I decided to switch it up and try making this pork fried rice using a lean pork tenderloin I discovered in our freezer.

If you’ve never used pork in stir fry recipes before, you are in for a TREAT.

Pork is an exciting change of pace from the usual chicken; you’ll realize how much you appreciate the variety as soon as you take a bite.
Pork tenderloin, my preferred cut of pork for stir fries, is lean and healthy.
Pork is a good middle ground between those that prefer red meat (like Teriyaki Beef Stir Fry), and those tied to white mean (Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry is for you).

A bowl of pork fried rice with vegetables

How to Make Pork Fried Rice

Traditional Chinese pork fried rice is made of leftover rice, pork, scrambled egg, green onions (or scallions), and seasonings such as soy sauce, oyster sauce, and/or hoisin.

Fried rice is unhealthy when it’s made with processed grains, excess sugar and oil, and skimps on the vegetables.

It doesn’t have to be that way!

An authentic Chinese pork fried rice recipe (and authentic Chinese food in general), uses far less sugar than Americanized takeout versions.
For today’s version, I am making a healthy pork fried rice recipe that uses ingredients you can find at any grocery store. (Though if you are lucky enough to have a local Asian market near you, fried rice is an excellent excuse to check it out!)
It packs in the protein and vegetables, uses whole grains, and limits the sugar and oil, without sacrificing traditional flavor.

The Ingredients

Pork. A lean and scrumptious source of protein cut into small pieces. Pork pairs well with Asian flavors and helps make the rice more satisfying.

Substitution Tip

No pork on hand? No problem! Try another tasty protein.

Chicken. The go-to fried rice addition.
Tofu. Check out my Crispy Tofu.
Roast Pork. Use your leftover roast pork to make roast pork fried rice.
Salmon. Try adding some leftover flaked Baked Salmon.
Shrimp. Air Fryer Shrimp would be a yummy addition. Check out my Shrimp Fried Rice for a shrimp-centered rice.
Ground Meat. You could tried ground pork, ground beef (as seen in this Korean Beef Bowl), or chicken.
Steak. Another leftover option could be using the steak from these Beef Fajitas to add great flavor.

Rice. Filling, delicious, and beloved by all. Rice soaks up all the delicious flavors in the sauce for a truly scrumptious final dish.

The Secret to the Best Fried Rice

For crispy pork fried rice that soundly beats take out in the texture department (while I have other gripes about takeout fried rice, the texture is quite spot-on), use cold, leftover cooked rice.

There’s a science with the rice starch once it’s cooled that enables it to crisp without clumping together or becoming mushy.

Oyster Sauce. Delightfully sweet, sticky, and salty; this is an all-in-one flavor maker.
Soy Sauce. Adds umami goodness and that can’t-miss fried rice flavor.
Sesame Oil. Transformative! A little goes a long way.
Bell Peppers. Crisp, sweet, and delicious in fried rice. Plus, with oodles of vitamins, bell peppers are a healthy addition too.
Frozen Peas + Carrots. To keep things easy, I toss in a bag of frozen peas and carrots. They’re the perfect size, cook in a flash, and boost the overall nutrition.
Garlic + Ginger. Important flavor builders in Asian-inspired recipes like this one.
Butter. Don’t skip it! A touch of butter takes fried rice to the next level.
Eggs. For an extra punch of protein.

The Directions

Season the pork with salt and pepper. Stir the soy, oyster sauce, and sesame oil together.

Cook the pork in oil. Remove to a bowl.

Cook the vegetables. Transfer them to the bowl with the pork.
Sauté the garlic and ginger in oil.

Green onions being added to a pot of rice grains

Cook the butter, rice, and half of the green onions, stirring to break up clumps.

Cook the eggs in the center of the rice, then, using a wooden spoon, stir.
Stir in the green onions, vegetables, pork, and sauce. DIG IN!

Storage Tips

To Store. Store fried rice in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days in the fridge.
To Reheat. Reheat leftovers in a large skillet or wok on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave.
To Freeze. Freeze fried rice in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Leftover Ideas

Leftover pork fried rice is delicious on its own, but if your leftovers are low on pork, you can bulk them up by adding some Air Fryer Tofu or Crispy Asian Chicken Tenders.