Irresistible Bacon Teriyaki Fried Rice: Your New Weeknight Favorite
Get ready to discover a dish that will quickly become a cherished favorite in your household: our incredibly flavorful and easy Bacon Teriyaki Fried Rice! This isn’t just another fried rice recipe; it’s a culinary experience that combines the savory crunch of bacon with the sweet and umami richness of teriyaki sauce, all perfectly blended with fluffy rice. It’s the ultimate comfort food that’s surprisingly simple to prepare, making it ideal for busy weeknights or a satisfying weekend meal.
Forget your usual takeout; this homemade version promises a burst of flavor and a freshness that can’t be beaten. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a kitchen novice, this recipe is designed to be straightforward, delivering delicious results every time. It’s a versatile dish that appeals to all ages, guaranteeing empty plates and happy smiles.
The Secret to Flavor: Choosing Your Teriyaki Sauce
The cornerstone of this delectable fried rice is, of course, a fantastic teriyaki sauce. While there are many options available, selecting a high-quality sauce can truly elevate your dish. We highly recommend Yoshida’s Teriyaki Sauce, a popular choice often found at stores like Costco, known for its balanced flavor profile that’s neither too sweet nor too salty. Another excellent option is Veri Peri Teriyaki, which offers a robust and authentic taste that complements the bacon beautifully.
However, the best teriyaki sauce is truly the one you love most! Feel free to use your go-to brand. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even whip up a homemade teriyaki sauce using soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, and ginger. Just ensure your chosen sauce has a good balance of sweet, savory, and a hint of tang to make the fried rice shine. Don’t underestimate the power of a good teriyaki – it’s what binds all the wonderful flavors together in this Bacon Teriyaki Fried Rice.
Elevate Your Fried Rice Game: The Deep Dish Electric Skillet
For anyone serious about making exceptional fried rice at home, a deep dish electric skillet is an absolute game-changer. This isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a recommendation that will transform your cooking experience. The electric skillet provides consistent, even heat across a large surface area, which is crucial for achieving that perfect fried rice texture – slightly crispy grains without becoming greasy or clumpy. Its deep sides also make tossing and mixing the ingredients effortless, preventing spills and allowing all components to cook evenly.
Unlike a standard pan or even some woks, an electric skillet maintains its temperature beautifully, allowing you to get a great sear on your bacon and perfectly scramble your eggs before integrating the rice. This controlled environment is key to developing those rich, complex flavors that define great fried rice. If you’re looking to streamline your cooking process and consistently achieve restaurant-quality results, investing in one of these skillets is highly worthwhile. You can often find excellent models by searching through recommended kitchen gadgets, often linked in cooking profiles (check out the “Amazon favorites” link in our Instagram profile for the exact model we use!).
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Bacon Teriyaki Fried Rice
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Ingredients for Bacon Teriyaki Fried Rice
- 1 pound bacon, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 small white or yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 6 cups prepared (then completely cooled, preferably day-old) white rice, such as jasmine or medium-grain
- 3 green onions (scallions), minced, plus extra for garnish
- ¾ cup teriyaki sauce (Yoshida’s or your favorite brand)
Instructions for Bacon Teriyaki Fried Rice
- In a spacious pan or, ideally, a deep electric skillet heated to medium-high, add the chopped bacon. Cook the bacon, stirring occasionally, until it reaches your desired level of crispiness. Once crispy, use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon pieces and set them aside on a paper towel-lined plate. Carefully pour out all but 3-4 tablespoons of the rendered bacon grease from the pan. This flavorful grease will be the base for our fried rice. (You can save the extra bacon grease for future cooking, like roasting vegetables, or simply discard it).
- With the remaining bacon grease still in the pan over medium-high heat, add the finely diced onion. Sauté the onion for about 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until it becomes soft and translucent, releasing its sweet aroma. Ensure they don’t brown too much.
- Once the onions are cooked, push them to one side of the pan to create a clear space in the center. Pour the two lightly beaten eggs into the empty center. Season the eggs lightly with salt and pepper. Allow them to set for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, then scramble them directly in the pan until they are fully cooked through and broken into small pieces. Once scrambled, you can gently mix them with the cooked onions.
- Now, it’s time to bring it all together! Add the cooled, prepared white rice to the pan, along with the reserved crispy bacon pieces, the minced green onions, and the teriyaki sauce. Increase the heat slightly if needed. Stir vigorously but carefully to thoroughly combine all the ingredients. Continue to cook for another 5-7 minutes, stirring and tossing frequently, ensuring the rice is heated through and some grains get slightly crispy. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding more salt, pepper, or a splash of teriyaki if desired.
Tips for Perfect Homemade Fried Rice
Achieving restaurant-quality fried rice at home is simpler than you might think, especially with a few key techniques:
The Importance of Cold, Day-Old Rice
This is perhaps the most crucial tip for any fried rice recipe, including our Bacon Teriyaki Fried Rice. Freshly cooked rice is typically moist and sticky, which can lead to a gummy or mushy fried rice. Day-old rice, or rice that has been cooked and then thoroughly cooled in the refrigerator for at least a few hours (preferably overnight), loses much of its moisture content. This allows the individual grains to separate more easily and develop that desirable slightly crispy texture when stir-fried, rather than clumping together.
Don’t Overcrowd Your Pan
Whether you’re using a deep electric skillet or a large wok, resist the urge to overload your cooking vessel. Overcrowding significantly lowers the pan’s temperature, causing ingredients to steam rather than fry. This results in soft, soggy fried rice instead of the perfectly textured dish you’re aiming for. If you’re making a very large batch, consider cooking it in two smaller batches to ensure proper searing and crisping.
High Heat is Your Friend
Fried rice thrives on high heat. Cooking quickly over a high flame (or an adequately hot electric skillet) helps evaporate moisture, preventing sogginess and promoting a lovely, slightly charred flavor, often referred to as “wok hei” in traditional Asian cooking. Make sure your pan is thoroughly preheated before adding ingredients, especially the rice.
Mise en Place: Prep Everything First
Fried rice comes together very quickly once you start cooking, so having all your ingredients prepped and ready to go is essential. Chop your bacon and onions, mince your green onions, beat your eggs, and measure your teriyaki sauce before you even turn on the heat. This “mise en place” (everything in its place) approach ensures a smooth and stress-free cooking process.
Taste and Adjust Seasoning
Always taste your fried rice as you’re cooking and before serving. Teriyaki sauces can vary in saltiness and sweetness, and your preference for salt and pepper might differ. Don’t hesitate to add a little more teriyaki, a pinch of salt, or a grind of fresh pepper to achieve the perfect flavor balance for your palate.
Serving Suggestions & Delicious Variations
Our Bacon Teriyaki Fried Rice is a complete meal on its own, but it’s also wonderfully adaptable. Here are some ideas to make it even more special:
Garnish for Extra Flavor and Appeal
A simple garnish can make a big difference. Sprinkle extra fresh minced green onions (scallions) over the top just before serving for a pop of color and a fresh, mild oniony bite. Toasted sesame seeds add a nutty flavor and a satisfying crunch. For those who enjoy a little heat, a drizzle of sriracha or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes can provide a welcome kick.
Add More Vegetables
This recipe is incredibly flexible when it comes to adding extra vegetables. Peas and diced carrots are classic fried rice additions; simply add them to the pan with the onions or shortly after. Other great options include diced bell peppers, corn kernels, edamame (shelled), sliced mushrooms, or even small florets of broccoli. Add heartier vegetables like carrots or broccoli earlier in the cooking process to ensure they soften, while quicker-cooking vegetables like peas or corn can be added towards the end.
Boost Your Protein
While bacon provides ample flavor, you can easily incorporate other proteins. Diced cooked chicken (leftover rotisserie chicken works perfectly), cooked shrimp, or even cubes of pan-fried tofu would be delicious additions. If adding raw chicken or shrimp, cook them separately before the onions, remove them from the pan, then add them back in with the rice.
Make it Vegetarian
To transform this into a vegetarian dish, simply omit the bacon. You can replace the savory element with smoked tofu, tempeh, or a medley of mushrooms (like shiitake or cremini). Use a tablespoon of neutral oil (like vegetable or canola oil) instead of bacon grease for sautéing the onions. Consider adding a dash of liquid smoke or smoked paprika if you miss the smoky bacon flavor.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Bacon Teriyaki Fried Rice makes fantastic leftovers, perfect for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week. To store, allow the fried rice to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be safely refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
When reheating, for best results, avoid the microwave if possible. Instead, warm it in a skillet over medium heat with a tiny bit of oil or water. This method helps the rice regain some of its crispy texture and prevents it from becoming too dry. Stir occasionally until thoroughly heated through.
This Bacon Teriyaki Fried Rice truly is a standout dish that combines ease of preparation with incredible flavor. It’s comforting, satisfying, and offers a delightful twist on traditional fried rice. We hope you and your family enjoy this recipe as much as we do. Don’t wait – gather your ingredients and whip up this amazing Bacon Teriyaki Fried Rice tonight!