Bacon & Egg Breakfast Fried Rice: The Ultimate Comfort Meal

I am a fervent enthusiast of preparing fried rice right in my own kitchen. There’s a certain magic to homemade fried rice that, in my opinion, consistently surpasses anything you might order from a restaurant. It’s an economical culinary marvel that comes together swiftly and tastes absolutely fantastic, regardless of the additions you choose. Over the years, I’ve experimented with countless variations, and each time, the results have been nothing short of spectacular.

This dish is a master of versatility, serving as an excellent solution for using up leftovers, especially that bit of day-old rice, or stretching a few ingredients to feed a larger gathering. When I find myself pondering what to make for a meal, fried rice is almost always among my top five go-to options. It’s a testament to simple ingredients coming together to create something truly extraordinary and satisfying.

Beyond Dinner: Fried Rice for Any Meal of the Day

If you’ve always considered fried rice strictly a dinner affair, prepare to have your culinary world expanded. This Bacon & Egg Breakfast Fried Rice is an absolute game-changer for breakfast or brunch. It’s so utterly delicious that my husband, Brian, even requested it again the very next day after I first prepared it for our blog photos. This recipe is genuinely perfect for a quick breakfast, a satisfying lunch, or a comforting dinner, proving its incredible adaptability.

While the vegetables in this particular version were kept simple – just white onions for cooking and vibrant green onions for garnish – the beauty of fried rice lies in its customizability. Feel free to incorporate a medley of your favorite vegetables to make it even more substantial and nutritious. Think frozen peas and carrots, crunchy bean sprouts, thinly sliced bell peppers, or even a handful of spinach. These additions not only boost the nutritional profile but also add wonderful textures and flavors, making each bite an adventure.

I love serving this fried rice alongside a generous portion of fresh, seasonal fruit. The sweet, juicy fruit provides a refreshing contrast to the savory, umami-rich fried rice, creating a perfectly balanced and incredibly simple meal that is both delicious and wholesome. It’s a meal that feels indulgent yet is surprisingly straightforward to prepare, making it a favorite in our household.

Tips for Achieving Perfect Fried Rice Every Time

Making great fried rice at home isn’t complicated, but a few key techniques can make all the difference. The most crucial tip is to always use **cold, day-old cooked rice**. Freshly cooked, warm rice tends to be too moist and will steam rather than fry, leading to a clumpy, mushy texture. Cold rice, on the other hand, is drier and holds its shape better, resulting in those perfectly separated, slightly chewy grains characteristic of excellent fried rice.

Another tip for success is to ensure your pan is adequately hot. Whether you’re using a large skillet or a wok, getting it to the right temperature before adding your ingredients is essential for achieving that desirable stir-fried flavor and texture. High heat helps to quickly cook the ingredients and prevent them from becoming soggy. Don’t overcrowd the pan; if you’re making a large batch, cook in smaller portions to maintain high heat and ensure proper frying.

The sequence of adding ingredients also plays a role. Start with the protein that requires the longest cooking time, like bacon, and render out its fat. This flavorful fat becomes the base for cooking other ingredients. Eggs cook quickly, so they’re often scrambled separately and added back in at the end. Vegetables can be added in stages, with harder vegetables going in first, followed by softer ones, ensuring everything cooks evenly without becoming overdone.

Ingredient Spotlight: The Stars of Our Fried Rice

• Bacon: The crispy, savory hero of this dish. Bacon provides a rich, smoky depth of flavor that permeates the entire dish, and the rendered fat is liquid gold for stir-frying.
• Eggs: Fluffy scrambled eggs add essential protein and a creamy texture, making the dish truly breakfast-worthy.
• Cold Cooked White Rice: As mentioned, this is non-negotiable for the best texture. It absorbs flavors beautifully without becoming mushy.
• Onion: Aromatic chopped onion forms a foundational layer of flavor, softening and sweetening as it cooks.
• Soy Sauce: The quintessential umami booster for any fried rice, it ties all the flavors together with its salty, savory notes.
• Green Onions: A fresh, sharp garnish that adds a pop of color and a subtle bite, perfect for balancing the richness of the bacon and eggs.

More Delicious Bacon Creations to Explore

Bacon is a beloved ingredient for a reason – its smoky, salty flavor can elevate countless dishes. Here are some other fantastic recipes featuring bacon that you might enjoy:

• 20 Minute Spaghetti Carbonara – A classic Italian pasta dish made rich with eggs, cheese, and of course, bacon!
• Rosemary Bacon Butter – An incredibly flavorful compound butter, perfect for spreading on toast or topping grilled meats.
• Bacon Egg Salad Sandwich – A delightful twist on a classic, adding smoky bacon to your favorite egg salad.
• Egg Breakfast Fried Rice with Bacon – Another take on this breakfast favorite.
• Bacon Jam Grilled Cheese – A gourmet grilled cheese experience featuring sweet and savory bacon jam.
• Bacon Wrapped Pineapple Bites – The perfect appetizer, combining sweet pineapple with salty, crispy bacon.

Other Fried Rice Favorites You May Enjoy:

If you’re a fan of fried rice, here are a couple more recipes from our collection that you might like to try:

• Ham and Pineapple Fried Rice – A tropical and savory combination that’s always a hit.
• Quick and Easy Chicken Fried Rice – A classic, simple, and satisfying meal featuring tender chicken.

Average Rating: 4.50 from 18 votes

Servings:

4
servings

Bacon & Egg Breakfast Fried Rice

By
Jamie Sherman

With just a few ingredients, it’s easy to make this Bacon & Egg Breakfast Fried Rice! Who says breakfast has to be boring? Great for dinner, too!

Prep:

5
mins

Cook:

12
mins

Total:

17
mins

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Ingredients

• 8 slices bacon
• 8 eggs, beaten
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons reserved bacon grease
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 4 cups cooked white rice, cold (see note)
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 2 – 3 Green onions, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

1. Melt butter in a large skillet or wok over medium-low heat. Add beaten eggs and scramble until cooked through and fluffy. Remove the scrambled eggs from the skillet and set aside in a small bowl.
2. In the same large skillet (or wok), cook the bacon over medium-high heat until it reaches your desired crispness. Carefully remove the cooked bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess grease. Measure and reserve 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease from the pan. Discard any remaining bacon grease or save it for another delicious use.
3. Heat the reserved bacon grease in the same pan. Add the chopped white onion and sauté until the onion is soft and translucent, usually about 3-5 minutes. Then, add the cold cooked rice and soy sauce to the pan. Stir-fry together for approximately 3-5 minutes, ensuring the mixture is well combined and the rice is heated through. Crumble the cooked bacon into small pieces. Add the crumbled bacon and the reserved scrambled eggs to the rice mixture; stir gently to combine all ingredients.
4. Garnish generously with fresh chopped green onions. Serve immediately while hot and fresh.

Notes

• It is very important to use cold, day-old cooked rice for this recipe! Freshly cooked warm rice will result in a soggy, clumpy fried rice. For best results, cook your rice the day before and refrigerate it.
• To enhance the flavor profile, consider adding a dash of sesame oil at the very end, just before serving.
• For extra vegetables, feel free to add frozen peas, diced carrots, bell peppers, or bean sprouts during the stir-frying stage with the onions.

Nutrition

Calories: 645kcal,
Carbohydrates: 49g,
Protein: 23g,
Fat: 39g,
Saturated Fat: 15g,
Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g,
Monounsaturated Fat: 16g,
Trans Fat: 0.3g,
Cholesterol: 378mg,
Sodium: 1285mg,
Potassium: 338mg,
Fiber: 1g,
Sugar: 2g,
Vitamin A: 727IU,
Vitamin C: 2mg,
Calcium: 80mg,
Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.