Turn your leftover brisket into a quick and tasty fried rice dish! This easy-to-make recipe combines smoky, tender brisket with classic fried rice ingredients for a satisfying meal that can be whipped up in no time. Perfect for using up leftovers while creating something fresh and flavorful.
WHY YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE THIS RECIPE
Let’s cook this Brisket Fried Rice together step by step! I’ll guide you through every part of the process so you can feel confident. Ready? Let’s go!
HOW TO MAKE Brisket Fried Rice
Step 1: Heat the oil
First, grab a large pan or wok. If you have a wok, it’s perfect for stir-frying because of its high sides and ability to get super hot. Set your stove to medium heat, and pour in 1 tablespoon of sesame oil. Give the oil about a minute or two to heat up—sesame oil has a slightly nutty aroma, so you’ll know it’s ready when you can smell that toasty scent.
While the oil heats up, take your 1 clove of garlic (already minced), and have it ready to go. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully add the garlic to the pan. Listen for that satisfying sizzle! Stir it around for about 30 seconds, making sure it doesn’t burn. We just want it to become fragrant, soft, and golden, not browned. If it looks like it’s browning too quickly, lower the heat a little.
Step 2: Scramble the eggs
Now, push the garlic off to the side of the pan. You can tilt the pan slightly to keep the garlic out of the direct heat.
Next, pour in 2 beaten eggs into the empty space you’ve made in the pan. You should still have enough oil left, but if you think it’s a bit dry, add a tiny bit more sesame oil to the egg area. Let the eggs sit for a few seconds until the edges start to set, then begin gently stirring them with your spatula. Scramble them up, just like you would for breakfast. Keep moving them around for 1-2 minutes, until they’re fully cooked but still soft. We want the eggs fluffy!
Once they’re scrambled, you can mix them back into the garlic and keep everything moving gently around the pan.
Step 3: Add the veggies and brisket
Okay, let’s toss in some color and texture! Add 1/2 cup peas and carrots (fresh or frozen, no need to defrost frozen veggies). Stir them in with the eggs and garlic, spreading everything evenly around the pan. Now, take your 1 cup of chopped brisket and add that to the mix as well.
Keep stirring everything together. We’re going to cook the veggies and brisket for about 2-3 minutes. This will heat the brisket through and soften the peas and carrots. Keep an eye on the texture of the veggies—if they were fresh, they might need a little more time, but if they were frozen, they’ll heat up pretty quickly.
Feel free to lower the heat a bit if things are moving too fast or starting to stick. You can always add a teaspoon of oil if the pan looks dry.
Step 4: Fry the rice
It’s time to add the 2 cups of cooked, chilled rice. If you cooked the rice ahead of time, it should be nice and firm, which is perfect for stir-frying. If it’s stuck together in clumps, break it up with your fingers before adding it to the pan.
Spread the rice out across the veggies, eggs, and brisket. Now, pour in 2 tablespoons of soy sauce over the top of the rice. Grab your spatula and start mixing everything together. We want the soy sauce to coat the rice and all those lovely ingredients evenly.
Here’s a little trick: As you stir, try pressing the rice into the bottom of the pan a bit, and then let it sit for about 20 seconds without moving. This helps it get those crispy, slightly browned bits that make fried rice so good! Repeat this process a few times for 3-4 minutes, stirring and letting it fry undisturbed in between. You’ll notice the rice starts to get a golden-brown color and the flavors come together beautifully.
Try more rice Recipes around the word like Haitian rice and red beans, rice and pigeon peas, or even Arroz con pollo from Panama.
Step 5: Serve and garnish
We’re almost done! Turn off the heat and get ready to serve. Carefully scoop the fried rice into bowls or plates. Now, grab those sliced green onions and sprinkle them over the top. The fresh onions add a bit of crunch and color, giving the dish a final touch of flavor and brightness.
VARIATIONS
- Change the protein: Swap out brisket for leftover pulled pork, chicken, or even tofu for a vegetarian option.
- Add spice: For extra heat, toss in some sliced jalapeños or a dash of Sriracha.
- Mix up the veggies: Use bell peppers, snap peas, or corn depending on what you have on hand.
BEST TOPPINGS
- Fresh lime wedges – A squeeze of lime adds brightness.
- Fried egg – Top your fried rice with an extra fried egg for extra protein.
- Hot sauce – Drizzle your favorite hot sauce for added heat.
- Sesame seeds – Toasted sesame seeds add a nutty crunch.
HOW TO STORE
- Refrigerate: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm the fried rice in a pan over medium heat, adding a little extra oil if needed.
- Freeze: You can freeze the fried rice for up to 2 months. Reheat directly from frozen in a pan.
Brisket Fried Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked rice – Chilled rice works best for frying.
- 1 cup chopped brisket – Leftover brisket adds a smoky rich flavor.
- 2 eggs beaten – Provides richness and texture.
- ½ cup peas and carrots – Use fresh or frozen for a pop of color and sweetness.
- 2 green onions sliced – Garnish that adds freshness and crunch.
- 2 tbsp soy sauce – For salty umami flavor.
- 1 tbsp sesame oil – Adds depth and nuttiness to the dish.
- 1 clove garlic minced – Infuses the dish with aromatic flavor.
Instructions
- In a large pan or wok, heat the sesame oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Push the garlic to the side of the pan and pour in the beaten eggs. Stir occasionally to scramble them until cooked through.
- Stir in the peas, carrots, and chopped brisket. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are tender and the brisket is heated through.
- Add the cooked, chilled rice to the pan along with the soy sauce. Stir-fry everything together for another 3-4 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine and the rice to get crispy on the edges.
- Transfer the fried rice to a plate, garnish with sliced green onions, and serve hot. Enjoy!
Notes
Enjoy this Brisket Fried Rice as a satisfying dinner or lunch, and feel free to get creative with the ingredients!
I was born and grew up in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where my grandmas, mom, and aunts taught me everything about cooking. Now, I live in the US, and I love hiking, reading, and making meals for my family.
