Easy Copycat Benihana Fried Rice Recipe

Introduction

This easy copycat Benihana fried rice recipe brings the classic hibachi side dish right to your home kitchen. Packed with savory garlic butter and fresh vegetables, it’s a flavorful and satisfying meal that’s quick to prepare using day-old rice.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cold, day-old white rice
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup chopped white onion
• 1 medium carrot, diced
• 3 green onions, sliced thin
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons garlic butter (see recipe below)
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• ¼ teaspoon white pepper
• ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
• ½ cup salted butter, softened (for garlic butter)
• 3 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce (for garlic butter)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced (for garlic butter)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare the garlic butter by combining the softened butter, 3 teaspoons soy sauce, and 3 cloves minced garlic in a small bowl. Stir well, cover, and refrigerate until ready to use.
2. Step 2: In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
3. Step 3: Add the chopped white onion, diced carrot, and sliced green onions to the skillet. Cook and stir for a few minutes until the vegetables are crisp-tender.
4. Step 4: Stir in the cold, day-old rice and cook, stirring frequently, for about 2 minutes to heat through and combine flavors.
5. Step 5: Push the rice mixture to one side of the skillet. Crack the eggs into the empty side and scramble them until they’re about 90% cooked.
6. Step 6: Mix the scrambled eggs into the rice. Season the entire mixture with 2 tablespoons soy sauce, white pepper, granulated sugar, and 2 to 3 tablespoons of the prepared garlic butter. Stir and cook for another 2 minutes to blend flavors well.
7. Step 7: Serve the fried rice warm and enjoy your homemade Benihana-style dish.

Tips & Variations

• Using cold, day-old rice helps prevent clumping and keeps the fried rice fluffy.
• You can add cooked shrimp, chicken, or steak for a heartier meal.
• Adjust the soy sauce and garlic butter quantities to suit your taste preferences.
• Substitute white pepper with black pepper if unavailable, though white pepper is more authentic.

Storage

Store leftover fried rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or soy sauce if it seems dry, to restore moisture and flavor.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh rice instead of day-old rice?

Freshly cooked rice tends to be too moist and sticky for fried rice, which can make the dish mushy. It’s best to use rice that has been cooked and refrigerated overnight to achieve the ideal texture.

What if I don’t have garlic butter ready?

You can substitute with regular butter mixed with minced garlic and a little soy sauce, but preparing garlic butter ahead enhances the flavor and authenticity of the fried rice.

Easy Copycat Benihana Fried Rice Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 118 reviews

This Easy Copycat Benihana Fried Rice recipe recreates the beloved restaurant classic at home. Featuring cold day-old rice, fresh vegetables, eggs, and a flavorful garlic butter sauce, this fried rice is stir-fried to perfection with a savory blend of soy sauce, white pepper, and a hint of sugar. Quick, satisfying, and perfect as a side dish or main, it captures the essence of the famous Benihana flavor.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Japanese-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Fried Rice

• 2 cups cold, day-old white rice
• 3 Tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup chopped white onion
• 1 medium carrot, diced
• 3 green onions, sliced thin
• 2 large eggs
• 2 Tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• ¼ teaspoon white pepper
• ½ teaspoon granulated sugar

Garlic Butter

• ½ cup salted butter, softened
• 3 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions

1. Prepare Rice: Cook white rice the night before and refrigerate to allow it to dry out overnight. This step ensures the rice grains stay separate when fried.
2. Make Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, mix softened salted butter, soy sauce, and minced garlic until well combined. Cover and chill in the fridge until ready to use.
3. Cook Vegetables: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and sauté just until fragrant. Add chopped white onion, diced carrot, and sliced green onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables become crisp-tender, about a few minutes.
4. Add Rice: Add the cold day-old rice to the skillet with the vegetables. Stir continuously to break up any clumps and heat the rice evenly for about 2 minutes.
5. Scramble Eggs: Push the rice to one side of the skillet. On the empty side, crack the eggs and scramble them until they are about 90% cooked through, then mix them into the rice thoroughly.
6. Season: Sprinkle the rice mixture with low-sodium soy sauce, white pepper, granulated sugar, and 2 to 3 tablespoons of the prepared garlic butter. Stir well to combine all flavors and fry for an additional 2 minutes to meld the taste.
7. Serve: Remove from heat and serve the fried rice warm as a delicious side or main dish.

Notes

• Using day-old rice that’s been refrigerated overnight prevents mushy fried rice and helps achieve the perfect texture.
• Low-sodium soy sauce is used to keep the saltiness balanced and allow better control over seasoning.
• The garlic butter adds a rich, savory, and slightly sweet flavor that replicates the authentic Benihana taste.
• You can customize the vegetable mix by adding peas, bell peppers, or mushrooms if desired.
• Freshly minced garlic is key for an aromatic and flavorful dish.

Keywords: Benihana fried rice, copycat recipe, garlic butter fried rice, Japanese fried rice, easy fried rice, restaurant-style fried rice