Easy Copycat Benihana Fried Rice Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
