Name: Spicy Beef Fried Rice Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 1 cup uncooked white long grain rice; 2 cups chicken broth; 1/4 cup soy sauce; 1/4 cup beef broth; 1 tablespoon honey; 1 teaspoon hot sauce; 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil (optional); 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger; 3/4 lb. strip steak (or skirt, flank, or sirloin); Salt and pepper to taste; 1 tablespoon butter; 2 eggs, whisked; 1-2 tablespoons peanut oil (can substitute olive or canola oil); 1/2 cup dry white wine; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 small yellow onion, finely diced; 3/4 cup frozen peas; 3/4 cup frozen carrots; 3-4 green onions, diced

When you want something quick, satisfying, and bursting with flavor, this Spicy Beef Fried Rice Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s full of that perfect spicy kick, tender beef, and all the cozy, savory goodness that comes with a classic fried rice — made just the way you love it.

The image shows a shiny silver pan filled with fried rice mixed with several colorful layers: brown rice grains form the main layer with small bright orange carrot cubes, green peas, and light yellow scrambled egg pieces scattered throughout. There are also dark brown, tender chunks of beef evenly spread in the dish, topped off with sprinkled green onion slices. A metal spoon is partially inside the pan, ready to serve, and the background is a smooth white marbled surface with some green onion pieces placed nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Spicy Beef Fried Rice Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Spicy Beef Fried Rice Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Spicy Beef Fried Rice Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this Spicy Beef Fried Rice Recipe so many times, and it never fails to impress. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a casual weekend lunch, it’s one of those dishes that feels special but is surprisingly simple to pull off.

Bold, Balanced Flavors: The perfect blend of spicy, savory, and a subtle touch of sweetness makes every bite irresistible.
Easy to Customize: You can swap veggies, adjust the heat, or change the protein without losing the heart of the dish.
Perfect Texture: Crispy rice on the outside with tender, juicy beef bits creates a wonderful mouthfeel.
Quick & Pantry-Friendly: Most ingredients are staples, and the whole meal comes together in 50 minutes.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Spicy Beef Fried Rice Recipe uses simple, everyday ingredients that complement each other. The combo of broth-cooked rice and a flavorful sauce infuses every grain with taste, while fresh aromatics give it life. Here’s why each ingredient plays an important role.

Flat lay of a small mound of uncooked white long grain rice, a few whole brown eggs with clean shells, a fresh raw strip steak with vibrant red color and marbling, three unpeeled garlic cloves, a small whole yellow onion, a handful of bright green diced green onions, a small white ceramic bowl of clear chicken broth, a small white ceramic bowl of dark soy sauce, a small white ceramic bowl of rich beef broth, a small white ceramic bowl of golden honey, a small white ceramic bowl of deep red hot sauce, a small white ceramic bowl of amber sesame oil, a small white ceramic bowl of ground ginger powder in warm light brown hue, a small white ceramic bowl of melted butter, a small white ceramic bowl of pale dry white wine, a small cluster of frozen bright green peas, a small cluster of frozen vibrant orange diced carrots all arranged symmetrically with perfect balance, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Long grain white rice: Its dry texture after cooking helps create that perfect fried rice crispiness without clumping.
Chicken broth: Cooking rice in broth rather than just water adds savory depth right from the start.
Soy sauce: The salty backbone that ties everything together and adds umami.
Beef broth: Gives richness to the sauce and complements the meat beautifully.
Honey: Balances the spicy and salty with a touch of natural sweetness.
Hot sauce: Enhances flavor complexity without overpowering heat—Frank’s Hot Sauce works great here.
Sesame oil (optional): Adds a subtle nutty aroma that rounds out the dish.
Ground ginger: Lends a warm, spicy hint that lifts the entire flavor profile.
Strip steak (or flank, skirt, sirloin): Tender, sliced thin against the grain for the best bite.
Butter & peanut oil: Butter for scrambled eggs adds creaminess; peanut oil has a high smoke point great for stir-frying.
Eggs: Fluffy scrambled egg pieces add richness and texture variation.
Dry white wine: De-glazes the pan adding complexity and a slight tang.
Garlic and yellow onion: Aromatics that create flavor layers.
Frozen peas & carrots: Sweetness and color, plus super convenient.
Green onions: Freshness and a slight sharpness for garnish and flavor boost.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I love most about this Spicy Beef Fried Rice Recipe is how flexible it is. I've tried swapping veggies with bell peppers or snap peas depending on what’s in season, and it’s always wonderful. Feel free to dial the heat up or down until it suits your taste perfectly.

Variation: I’ve often replaced the beef with diced chicken or shrimp for a lighter twist—and sometimes I throw in some pineapple for a sweet-savory Hawaiian vibe.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Spicy Beef Fried Rice Recipe

A white round plate holds a serving of fried rice with three main layers visible: the base layer is light brown cooked rice mixed evenly with small bright orange carrot cubes and green peas; scattered throughout are medium-sized dark brown grilled beef pieces with a slightly shiny texture; interspersed are soft, fluffy scrambled yellow egg bits; the dish is topped with chopped green onions for a fresh green touch, and a silver fork rests on the right side of the plate. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with a light beige cloth partially visible on the top right corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Cook the Rice Like a Pro

First things first: cook the rice in chicken broth instead of water—this simple swap adds depth right off the bat. Bring the broth to a boil, add your rice, cover, then simmer gently for about 15 minutes. The key is to not lift the lid too early. Once done, spread it out on a tray and refrigerate to let it cool completely—this keeps your fried rice from getting mushy and helps it crisp up beautifully when cooking.

Step 2: Marinate and Prep the Beef

While the rice chills, pound your strip steak gently with plastic wrap to tenderize it—this little trick makes a huge difference in tenderness. Slice thin against the grain so it cooks fast and stays juicy. Toss the slices with part of the sauce so they soak up that flavor while you prep the rest.

Step 3: Scramble the Eggs to Fluffy Perfection

Melt butter in a pan over medium-low heat and slowly scramble the whisked eggs just until they set but remain soft and fluffy. Remove them early so they don’t overcook—they’ll finish cooking with everything else later.

Step 4: Sear the Beef and Build the Fried Rice

Heat peanut oil in a wide skillet over medium-high heat, season your beef with salt and pepper, then sear for about 3-4 minutes on each side until beautifully browned. Remove it, then pour in white wine to deglaze, scraping up the delicious browned bits. Let the wine reduce by half—that’s pure flavor magic.

Add your onions and garlic next, cooking until soft and fragrant, then stir in the peas and carrots. Toss in the chilled rice with the remaining sauce and cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly so the rice browns nicely and soaks up all that sauce. Finally, fold back in the beef, scrambled eggs, and green onions, heating everything through thoroughly.

Remove from heat, plate it up, and get ready to savor the perfect bite.

Top Tip

From cooking this Spicy Beef Fried Rice Recipe dozens of times, a few tricks always keep it tasting unbeatable. I learned these the hard way, but trust me, they make all the difference when you want authentic, restaurant-quality fried rice at home.

Cold Rice is Key: Always use chilled rice to keep grains separated and crispy. Freshly steamed rice loses its texture and becomes sticky when fried.
Don’t Skip Pounding the Meat: Tenderizing beef with a meat mallet upfront guarantees every bite is tender, not chewy.
High Heat and Quick Stirring: Keep your pan hot and stir often. This gets you that delicious toasted rice flavor without burning anything.
Deglaze the Pan: Using wine to lift the browned bits adds subtle complexity—a small step with big payoff.

How to Serve Spicy Beef Fried Rice Recipe

A silver frying pan on a white marbled surface holds cooked rice mixed with small carrot cubes and peas. A glass cup tipped over the pan is pouring a dark brown sauce over the rice, creating a glossy stream. The rice is light tan, fluffy, and piled high in the center of the pan with colorful orange and green vegetables spread through the rice near the edges. The overall scene is bright and sharp with the shiny metal pan reflecting light. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle freshly chopped green onions on top—adds freshness and color. Sometimes I add a few extra dashes of hot sauce or a squeeze of lime for brightness. Toasted sesame seeds also add a nice nutty crunch if you have them on hand.

Side Dishes

This dish pairs beautifully with simple steamed or stir-fried veggies like broccoli or snap peas. I often serve it alongside a crisp cucumber salad or even some quick kimchi for an extra punch of flavor contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, I’ve served this fried rice in hollowed-out bell peppers or as lettuce wraps for a lighter presentation. It’s also great scooped into small bowls for a casual family-style dinner party where everyone can pile on their favorite extras.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I like to cool the fried rice completely before refrigerating to keep it from turning soggy. When you’re ready to eat, you’re golden for a quick meal.

Freezing

This Spicy Beef Fried Rice Recipe freezes really well too. Portion it out into freezer-safe containers or bags, squeeze out the air, and freeze for up to 3 months. When life gets busy, these make fantastic grab-and-go meals.

Reheating

To reheat, I recommend warming leftovers in a skillet over medium heat to bring back that crispy texture, adding a splash of water or broth if it feels dry. Microwave works in a pinch but doesn’t give you the same texture magic.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use leftover rice for this Spicy Beef Fried Rice Recipe?

Absolutely! Leftover rice is actually ideal because it’s drier and fries up better without getting mushy. Just spread it out in the fridge overnight to cool before making your fried rice.

How spicy is this Spicy Beef Fried Rice Recipe?

The heat level is mild-moderate thanks to the small amount of hot sauce used—it’s more about enhancing flavor than making it fiery. You can always add extra on the side if you like it hotter!

What’s the best cut of beef for this recipe?

Strip steak, flank steak, skirt steak, or sirloin all work wonderfully. Just remember to slice against the grain thinly—this keeps the beef tender and easy to eat.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?

Sure! Swap the beef for firm tofu or tempeh, skip the eggs or use a vegan substitute, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken and beef broth. Adjust the sauce to suit your taste and you’ll still get tasty fried rice with a spicy kick.

Final Thoughts

This Spicy Beef Fried Rice Recipe is one of those dishes that never gets old at my house. It’s comforting and familiar but exciting because of the spicy edge and perfect balance of textures. I hope you’ll give it a try soon—once you taste it, it’s hard to go back to plain fried rice. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you!