Indian Fried Rice is an easy and straightforward recipe using leftover rice taking just 5 minutes. This particular recipe is made to a Gujarati style rice known as Vagharelo Bhaat, with rice, a simple vaghar and green chillies.
Table of contents
Indian style fried rice is known as Vagharelo bhaat in Gujarati or Fodni bhaat in Maharashtra. It is a great way to use leftover basmati rice or Jeera Rice and is so quick to make.
Indian fried rice is a naturally vegan dish and is gluten-free.
It has indian flavors unlike more commonly known fried rice recipes such as Thai fried rice.
We love fried rice recipes such as Schezwan rice from Indo chinese cuisine which uses soy sauce.
Vagharelo Bhaat is our go-to recipe for leftover rice because it takes only a couple of minutes and needs few basic ingredients. It is mild in taste and is not spicy. My Mum tends to use mustard seeds, curry leaves and green chillies with just red chilli and turmeric powder.
When in the mood or have little more time on hands, she addes onion and garlic too.
Vagharelo Bhaat Ingredients
Full ingredients with measurements are available in the recipe card below at the end of this post
Leftover rice – frozen thawed rice works well too
Oil – olive oil or peanut oil some people like to use ghee
Black mustard seeds or cumin seeds.
Hing (optional)
Onion and garlic – finely chopped onion and minced garlic
Green chilli
Curry leaves – fresh, frozen or dried
Spices: Turmeric powder and Red chilli powder
Fresh cilantro
Optional – add chopped mixed vegetables (such as carrot, green peas) to make it a meal.
How to make Indian Fried Rice
First add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, little oil, and pinch of salt in leftover cold rice, mix gently using a fork or spoon and leave it aside.
Heat large pan or large wok on medium-high heat.
Add oil, then add mustard seeds and hing. Once seeds splutter add the curry leaves and sliced onions and garlic
Add chopped green chili.
Cook this mixture for 30-45 seconds. Optionally adding mixed veggies also go in at this point and require longer cooking.
Tip in rice and quickly mix well.
Stir fry the rice on medium heat for 3-4 minutes or until piping hot. Turn off the heat.
Sprinkle finely chopped cilantro.
Serve immediately.
Serving Suggestion
Vagharelo Bhaat can be eaten alone as a light lunch or as a side for Gujarati Kadhi.
I like to add yogurt or cucumber raita which adds a bit of protein.
Storage
Once the rice has cooled to room temperature, it can be stored in an airtight container and placed in the fridge. Note that you have likely used leftover rice already so do not keep this fried rice in the fridge for too many days.
Reheat on the stove top or in the microwave.
Do not freeze if you used rice that was already defrosted once.
Other Fried Rice Recipes
As always if you make this recipe, be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe and tag me on Instagram @jcookingodyssey or #jcookingodyssey. I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!
Don’t forget to follow me on social media using the buttons below – I can’t wait to see you all there!
Indian Fried Rice (Vagharelo Bhaat)
Equipment
- 1 Large Pan or wok
Ingredients
- 2 cups Leftover rice frozen thawed rice works well too
- 3 tablsespoon Oil olive oil or peanut oil some people like to use ghee
- 1 teaspoon Black mustard seeds or cumin seeds.
- ¼ teaspoon Hing optional
- ¼ cup Onion finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves Garlic minced or chopped
- 2 small Green chilli chopped or slit
- 1 sprig Curry leaves – fresh, frozen or dried
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric powder
- 2 teaspoon Red chilli powder
- 2 tablespoon Fresh cilantro
Instructions
- First add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, little oil, and pinch of salt in leftover cold rice, mix gently using a fork or spoon and leave it aside.
- Heat large pan or large wok on medium-high heat.
- Add oil, then add mustard seeds and hing. Once seeds splutter add the curry leaves and sliced onions and garlic
- Add chopped green chili.
- Cook this mixture for 30-45 seconds. Optionally adding mixed veggies also go in at this point and require longer cooking.
- Tip in rice and quickly mix well.
- Stir fry the rice on medium heat for 3-4 minutes or until piping hot. Turn off the heat.
- Sprinkle finely chopped cilantro.
- Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an approximation calculated by an online calculator/plugin. Please consult a professional dietitian for nutritional advice.