If you’re after a simple fakeaway that’s quick and full of flavour, this is a must-try. This Beef Fried Rice is fast, budget-friendly, packed with veggies and made all in one pan — perfect for busy weeknights.
I love finding new ways to use minced beef — it’s versatile, tasty and economical. While classics like Spag Bol and chilli are firm favourites, it’s fun to switch things up. Recipes such as Sticky Beef Mince Stir Fry and Cajun Dirty Rice showed me how much people appreciate one-pan midweek meals using mince.
So here’s another easy option: Beef Fried Rice. This recipe is a proper shortcut (almost a cheat), made in one pan with mostly storecupboard ingredients, plenty of veg and bold flavour. It takes under 30 minutes to cook and tastes fantastic — a real winner.
Why you’ll love this Beef Fried Rice recipe
⭐️ Cheaper and lighter than a takeaway
⭐️ Complete meal cooked in one pan
⭐️ Zero fuss — ready in 30 minutes
Sarah’s notes
A helpful shortcut for great fried rice is using microwavable packet rice. It tends to be drier and less sticky than freshly cooked rice, and saves time. If you prefer, you can use day-old rice — it works well because it’s slightly drier.
Fried rice has many regional variations across Asia, South America and Africa, typically combining rice with vegetables and a protein like meat or eggs. There are long culinary histories behind different styles — Chinese fried rice has been recorded for centuries.
Beef Mince Fried Rice Ingredients
- Sunflower oil — or any neutral oil.
- Beef mince — lean mince (5–10% fat) works well.
- Onion, garlic and ginger — fresh or pre-chopped frozen to save time.
- Peppers — red or whichever colour you prefer.
- Chinese five spice
- Microwave rice — basmati or your preferred variety.
- Frozen peas — no need to defrost.
For the sauce:
- Dark soy sauce
- Oyster sauce
- Dried chilli flakes — add sparingly if you’re unsure of the heat.
To serve (optional):
- Spring onions — sliced.
How to make Beef Fried Rice
1. Heat the oil in a heavy-based frying pan or wok over medium heat. Add the beef mince and cook over a high heat for 5–10 minutes until browned.
2. Add the onion, garlic, ginger, peppers and Chinese five spice. Cook, stirring often, until the onion begins to soften (about 5 minutes). Meanwhile, mix the sauce ingredients together.
3. Break up any clumps in the microwave rice with a spoon or clean hands, then add the rice and frozen peas to the pan. Pour over the sauce and cook for another 5–10 minutes until everything is heated through and well combined.
Hint: Break apart any rice clumps before adding so the grains separate easily while frying.
Substitutions
- Extra veggies — swap in carrots, broccoli, beansprouts or other favourites.
- Sesame oil — add a small drizzle at the end for extra flavour, but a neutral oil is fine for cooking.
Storing and reheating leftovers
In the fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Follow standard cooked rice safety: cool quickly, refrigerate promptly and reheat until piping hot before serving.
In the freezer: You can freeze the cooked dish (cool completely first) for up to 3 months. Defrost thoroughly before reheating; you may need to add a splash of water when reheating to restore moisture.
Recipe Tip
If you prefer to cook rice from scratch
Cooked fresh rice works, but rice that was cooked and chilled (ideally the day before) tends to give the best texture for fried rice because it’s drier and separates better during frying.
More easy beef mince recipes…
Slow Cooker
Doner Kebab RECIPE {Slow cooker & Air Fryer}
Family Dinner Ideas
Beef Enchiladas {Easy Cheesy Recipe!}
Beef Mince Recipes
Chilli Con Carne {Easiest EVER Recipe!}
Beef Mince Recipes
Classic Spaghetti Bolognese {Oven or Hob}
FAQs
Lean mince (around 5% fat) is my preference because it cooks quickly and produces less excess fat. Use whichever mince suits your taste and budget — higher fat mince will still work but may take a little longer to cook.
A large wok or a spacious, heavy-based frying pan is ideal so you can stir and toss the ingredients easily.
This dish is lighter than many takeaways and includes plenty of vegetables and protein, making it a balanced midweek meal option.
Tell us how it went and leave a rating if you try the recipe — feedback helps improve future recipes. I love seeing your cooking, so feel free to tag me on Instagram if you share photos of your meal.
Pin
Easy Beef Fried Rice {30 Minute Fakeaway}
Ingredients
- 1 tsp Sunflower oil
- 500 g (1.1 lb) Beef mince
- 1 Onion, Finely chopped
- 2 Cloves Garlic, Peeled and crushed
- 1 tbsp Fresh ginger
- 2 Peppers, (Whichever colours you prefer)
- 1 tbsp Chinese 5 spice
- 500 g (1.1 lb) Microwave rice, (x2 packs)
- 200 g (7 oz) Frozen peas
For the sauce:
- 3 tbsp Dark soy sauce
- 3 tbsp Oyster sauce
- 1/4 tsp Dried chilli flakes
To serve (optional):
- Spring onions (scallions), Sliced
Instructions
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Heat 1 tsp oil in a heavy-bottomed frying pan or wok over medium heat.
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Add 500g beef mince and cook over high heat for 5–10 minutes until browned.
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Stir in 1 finely chopped onion, 2 crushed garlic cloves, 1 tbsp fresh ginger, 2 peppers and 1 tbsp Chinese 5 spice. Cook for about 5 minutes until the onion softens.
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Mix the sauce: 3 tbsp dark soy, 3 tbsp oyster sauce and 1/4 tsp dried chilli flakes.
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Add 500g microwave rice (x2 packs) — crumble any clumps — and 200g frozen peas. Pour over the sauce.
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Cook for 5–10 minutes until everything is hot and well combined. Serve with sliced spring onions if using.
Did you make this recipe? Click to let us know how it went and leave a rating — your feedback helps us improve future recipes.
Notes
Beef mince: In the USA this is ground beef or hamburger meat.
Peppers: Use bell peppers for best results.
Spring onions: Also known as scallions or green onions in the USA.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an approximation and provided per portion.
Additional Info
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