Thai Curry Fried Rice with Broccoli & Mushrooms (Vegan & Vegetarian option)

Name: Thai Curry Fried Rice with Broccoli & Mushrooms
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 tsp olive oil; 2 eggs; 3 Tbsp olive oil (divided); 1 garlic clove (sliced thin); 2 Tbsp fresh ginger (finely chopped); 1 tsp Massaman curry paste*; 1 head broccoli (chopped in bite size pieces); 4 mushrooms (chopped); 1.5 cups cooked white long-grain rice (cold); 2 tsp fish sauce; ½ cup cashew nuts (chopped); ½ lime (juice only); 1 cup fresh cilantro (chopped and loosely packed); Sriracha sauce (optional); lime wedges; fish sauce

Jump to Recipe

Skip the takeout thai food and make this Thai Curry Fried Rice recipe - an easy meal you can make at home in just 15 minutes (prep included!)! With subtle authentic Thai flavors from fish sauce, Thai curry paste, cashew nuts, lime and cilantro and the option to kick up the spice a notch with some Sriracha sauce.

thai curry fried rice wit with lime wedges

This dish is a mix of a Singapore style fried rice - often lighter in color and with subtler flavors - and a classic Thai Fried Rice. With subtle flavors the veggies are the star of the show - and they are left crunchy to allow for the very best experience.

If you want to try a different recipe with Thai curry - try my Shrimp Curry recipe. And if you are looking for some nice sides to serve with it, I have a full guide for What to Serve with Fried Rice.

Why you will love this recipe

It's quick and all done in 15 minutes (prep included!)
It's an easy recipe with just a few simple steps
It requires less chopping than many stir fry or fried rice recipes
A great way to use up leftover rice
Authentic thai flavor from fish sauce, cashew nuts, lime, cilantro and Thai curry
Subtle flavor to let the veggies shine
Just a little bit spicy - with the option to add Sriracha sauce for an extra kick

What you need to make it

Ingredient notes & substitutions

Rice - leftover well chilled rice works best.
For 1.5 cup cooked rice you will need about a ½ cup dry rice
Massaman curry paste can be switched for another Thai curry paste - thai green curry paste, thai red curry paste and thai yellow curry paste all work and each will give a slightly different flavor profile
Eggs can be switched for fried tofu cut in strips. You can then skip step #1 in the recipe card below, and add the fried tofu when you would have added the omelett strips.
Fish sauce can be substituted for soy sauce - especially dark mushroom soy sauce. Soy sauce is generally a bit less salty than fish sauce, so taste test and add more if needed.
Broccoli can be switched for another crunchy vegetable like carrots or bell pepper. If using bell peppers, add them together with the mushrooms as they cook quickly.
Cashew nuts can be switched for roasted, unsalted peanuts
Olive oil can be substituted for another type of vegetable oil
Sriracha sauce is optional

How to make it

This Thai Curry Fried Rice comes together quickly once you start cooking, so make sure to prep and chop everything before you start.

how to make omelette for thai curry fried rice

Beat the eggs in a small bowl
Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a non-stick pan over medium-high heat
Pour in the eggs and tilt the pan to spread it out evenly
Cook until the top is set, then fold up, remove from pan, and set aside for now

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil to the same pan over medium-high heat and add in the garlic and ginger, fry for 1 minute until fragrant. Take care that the garlic doesn't burn. If it starts to brown, lower to medium heat.
Add the Massaman curry paste and another tablespoon of olive oil
Fry for 1 minute and mix well
Add the broccoli and fry for 3 minutes, stirring often

Add mushrooms and cook for 2 minutes, stirring often
Push the broccoli and mushrooms to one side of the pan and add the rice to the other side, cook for 2 minutes, stirring the rice often, and then mix together
Add fish sauce
Squeeze over the lime

Cut the omelett in bite-size strips and add together with cashew nuts
Mix well
Turn off the heat and add the cilantro
Mix well, and serve with Sriracha sauce, lime wedges and fish sauce on the side

thai curry fried rice being topped with fresh cilantro

Tips & tricks

Prep everything before you start cooking as this dish comes together quickly once you start
Use cold cooked rice as warm rice will stick together and might end up mushy. Either use leftover rice or cook rice and let it cool down. Spread it out on a plate in the fridge to cool it quicker.
Make it vegetarian by switching fish sauce for soy sauce
Make it vegan by switching fish sauce for soy sauce and skipping the egg, or switching it for fried tofu
Make it vegan/vegetarian and gluten free by switching fish sauce for Tamari, and skipping the egg if you want it vegan
If you don't have a non-stick skillet you can use a regular skillet or frying pan, or a large wok, but you might need to add more oil. Just add some extra when the pan starts to go dry.
Do not overcook the vegetables - the broccoli should still be crunchy, and the mushroom a bit chewy

Recipe FAQ

What vegetables to use for fried rice?

You can use almost any type of vegetables for fried rice. For the best result I recommend always using something crunchy - broccoli, carrots or bell pepper, and make sure not to overcook them.

Other vegetables that are great in fried rice are mushrooms, cauliflower, green beans and green peas.

Which rice is best for fried rice?

Long grain rice is best for fried rice, as it's the thickest non-sticky type of rice. Jasmine rice and basmati rice are also good. You can use either brown or white rice.

Do not use sticky rice or risotto rice (like Arborio or Carnaroli rice).

What do I do with leftover fried rice?

Fried rice is just as delicious the next day!

Store leftover fried rice in the fridge in an air tight container, for up to 4 days.

Reheat leftovers in the microwave or in a skillet on the stove. Use 1 minute increments in the microwave or fry it for 5 minutes over medium-high heat.

Fried rice does not freeze well.

More 15 minute dinners

Love easy dinner recipes so quick you can make them in under 15 minutes? Then check out these once you're done devouring your Thai Curry Fried Rice!

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