Vegan Thai basil fried rice is a family favorite recipe that’s perfect for satisfying those takeout cravings. You can serve this easy to make rice recipe any day of the week for a delicious dinner. It’s also perfect to make ahead on a weekend when you are meal prepping so you can send it as a warm lunch all week long.
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What is Thai Basil Fried Rice?
Thai basil fried rice is a traditional dish coming from Thailand that uses a combination of sweet and spicy flavors to make a savory rice dish that is filling. You can add additional vegetables to the rice and can alter the heat level by adding additional spice and red pepper flakes.
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Why you will love this Thai Basil Fried Rice
This dish packs tons of flavor into one dish. It makes a perfect weeknight dinner to feed the whole family. It is also great to make ahead of time and serve your busy family for lunch.
Our recipe is vegan thanks to vegetarian oyster sauce and no eggs. Most fried rice recipes use oyster based oyster sauce or fish sauce, neither of which are vegan, and eggs.
To fill it out more, you can add extra veggies if you want. You can also make this recipe gluten-free.
Ingredients for Thai Basil Fried Rice
For great tasting fried rice, you’ll need these ingredients:
- jasmine rice - you could use another long grain rice if you prefer
- water
- toasted sesame oil - though any oil could work, sesame oil helps add flavor, so try to use it if you can
- garlic cloves
- ginger
- yellow onion
- red bell pepper
- carrot
- green chiles
- soy sauce - if you want to make this gluten free, you can use either tamari or a gluten free soy sauce
- vegetarian oyster sauce
- salt
- Thai basil
- cilantro
- roasted peanuts
- lime wedges
How to make Thai Basil Fried Rice in the Instant Pot
This fried rice is very easy to make in the Instant Pot. But if you feel like you need some tips on how to cook rice in the Instant Pot, check out this post about avoiding the dreaded Burn Notice.
Start by preparing the veggies, including the garlic, onion, pepper, carrots, and ginger. Once they are cut, thoroughly rinse the jasmine rice 4 to 5 times and set it aside.
In a small bowl, mix the oyster sauce and soy sauce and set it aside.
Turn the Instant Pot on Saute and heat the oil in the inner pot. Once the oil is hot, add the garlic and ginger and stir until fragrant. Next, add the onions and saute for one minute.
Once the onion has cooked, add in the rice and toast for 1 minute. Next, add in the carrots, green chiles, and red pepper. Mix in the sauce, water, and salt. Make sure you scrape the bottom of the pan to remove any stuck food.
Place the cover on the Instant Pot and set the valve to sealing. Pressure cook on manual for 4 minutes followed by a natural pressure release.
Carefully open the lid and add in the chopped basil and cilantro. Mix the rice well before garnishing with crushed peanuts and a lime wedge. Serve warm and enjoy!
Can I make this Thai Fried Rice Recipe on the Stove Top
Don't have an electric pressure cooker, no worries. You can make this recipe in a skillet or a pot. Please follow the same steps and expect for swapping pressure cooking with covering the lid and cooking.
Can I make this Gluten-Free?
Yes! You can easily make this gluten free using either a gluten free soy sauce or tamari sauce.
Can I make this with leftover rice?
You can make rice with precooked rice if you desire. To do so, shorten the cook time from 4 minutes to 2 minutes.
Which Rice is the best to make Thai Basil Fried Rice Recipe
We use jasmine rice for this. But you can use any long grain rice you have on hand.
If you can’t get enough rice, try our Instant Pot Jasmine Rice. It is a simple, easy way to enjoy rice with just about any meal.
Can I make this with brown rice
Yes, you can use brown rice if you prefer, however the cooking time will vary to 12 mins. Make sure you rinse the rice thoroughly.
Serving suggestions
You can serve this recipe as a main dish. You could also serve it with noodle dishes, such as Instant Pot Ramen Noodles (Vegan Thai), Pad Thai, or Instant Pot Chow Mein. If you like curry, you can serve it with Thai Peanut Curry.
How can I store this rice?
To store this recipe, allow it to cool completely and then place in an airtight container. Place the container in the refrigerator for about 3 to 5 days. You could also store the rice in individual containers to pack in your family’s lunches.
To reheat, place in a skillet or pot and reheat over low heat. If you are reheating it at work or school, microwave it for about 1 to 2 minutes or until warmed through.
How can I meal prep this Thai Fried Rice recipe?
You can easily make this ahead of time. To do so, place it in individual containers so it is easy to place in lunch boxes or bags. You can also make this a day ahead of time for a very easy midweek meal.
Tried it?
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Thai Basil Fried Rice Recipe and Video
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Vegan Thai Basil Fried Rice Recipe
- Total Time: 34 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Diet: VeganDiet
Description
Vegan Thai basil fried rice is a family favorite recipe that’s perfect for satisfying those takeout cravings. You can serve this easy to make rice recipe any day of the week for a delicious dinner. It’s also perfect to make ahead on a weekend when you are meal prepping so you can send it as a warm lunch all week long.
Ingredients
- jasmine rice, 1 cup rinsed
- water , 1 cup
- toasted sesame oil, 2 tbsp
- garlic cloves, 4 Finely Sliced
- ginger , ½ inch Cut into Fine Batons
- yellow onion, 1 medium sliced
- red bell pepper ½, sliced
- carrot ½ , shredded
- green chilies, 2 (optional) Sliced
- soy sauce, 1 tbsp
- vegetarian oyster sauce, 1 tbsp
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- thai basil, ½ cup, chopped
- cilantro, ¼ cup chopped
- peanuts, 1 tsp
- lime wedges, 2
Instructions
Instant Pot Vegan Thai Fried Rice
- Prepare the ingredients. Rinse the jasmine rice thoroughly for about 4-5 times and keep aside. Chop the produce. In a bowl mix the soy sauce and vegetarian oyster sauce and keep aside.
- Using the sauté function heat the oil in the inner pot. Once the oil is hot, add the ginger and garlic and stir until fragrant.
- Then add the onions and sauté for a minute.
- Next add the rice and toast for another minute.
- Then add the sliced carrot, green chillies and red pepper. Then the prepared sauce, and water and salt. Mix well.
- Scrape the bottom for any food particles that could be stuck at the bottom of the pot.
- Cover the lid, seal and vent and pressure cook for 4 minutes followed by a natural pressure release.
- Once the rice is cooked, carefully open the lid, throw in the chopped thai basil and cilantro and mix well.
- Serve warm on a plate garnished with crushed peanuts and a lime wedge.
Stove Top Thai Fried Rice
Please follow the same steps and expect for swapping pressure cooking with covering the lid and cooking in step no 7.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Additional Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 minutes
