Fried rice is a classic and delicious dish that is enjoyed all over the world. It’s quick and easy to make, versatile, and a great way to use up leftover rice. However, it can easily become overly salty if care isn’t taken when seasoning. Thankfully, there are several tricks you can use to make your fried rice less salty.
Check the Salt Content of Your Ingredients
The first thing you’ll want to do is be mindful of how much sodium is already present in the ingredients you’re using. Some ingredients that can make fried rice taste quite salty include:
- Soy sauce
- Oyster sauce
- Hoisin sauce
- Fish sauce
- Salted meats like ham, sausage, or bacon
- Canned beans or vegetables
- Stock cubes or bouillon
- Salted or pickled vegetables
Pay attention to the sodium content on the labels of any packaged foods. For fresh ingredients like meats, go for unsalted or reduced-sodium versions whenever possible.
Use Less Salty Sauces and Seasonings
When making fried rice, you’ll usually need to add some sauce for flavor. But you can control the saltiness by choosing lower sodium options. Here are some suggestions:
- Use low-sodium soy sauce or dilute regular soy sauce with water
- Opt for low-sodium versions of oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, fish sauce, etc.
- Skip salty stir-fry sauces and instead flavor with rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, etc.
- Use unsalted stock or broth instead of bouillon cubes
Go light-handed when seasoning with salty sauces at first. You can always add more later if needed. But you can’t take away salt once it’s in!
Increase Aromatics
Using more fresh aromatics like garlic, ginger, scallions, herbs, chili peppers, and spices can make your fried rice flavorful without extra salt. Prepare these ingredients fresh instead of using jarred versions which can be high in sodium.
Some good options include:
- Minced garlic and ginger
- Chopped scallions
- Sliced chili peppers or chili oil
- Chopped fresh cilantro, basil, mint
- Lemon or lime zest
- Spices like five-spice powder, paprika, cumin
Let these aromatics infuse the oil at the start before adding other ingredients. The more, the better!
Use a Light Hand with Soy Sauce
Soy sauce is often what makes fried rice taste overly salty. A good rule of thumb is to start with 1-2 teaspoons of light soy sauce per 3-4 cups of cooked rice. You can add more later if needed.
For reference, here’s a guideline for adding light soy sauce to fried rice:
| Amount of Cooked Rice | Starting Amount of Light Soy Sauce |
|---|---|
| 3 cups | 1 teaspoon |
| 4 cups | 1 1/2 teaspoons |
| 6 cups | 2 teaspoons |
| 8 cups | 2 1/2 teaspoons |
Always add soy sauce a little at a time, tossing the rice to coat. Taste and add more as desired. You can also substitute 1 teaspoon of soy sauce for 1/2 teaspoon salt in your fried rice.
Skip Adding Extra Salt
Since there are so many salty ingredients already going into fried rice, you usually don’t need to add any extra salt. Taste your rice before serving and only add pinch of salt if absolutely necessary.
Salt enhances existing flavors, so you can get away with little to no salt in this dish if your aromatics and sauce are well-balanced. Let the soy sauce and other salty ingredients already present provide enough seasoning.
Add Acid and Sweetness
Balancing salty flavors with acid and sweetness is a great trick for making food taste less salty overall. Try adding a splash of vinegar and a touch of sugar or other sweet ingredients to your fried rice.
Some options include:
- Rice vinegar or white vinegar
- Fresh lime or lemon juice
- Sweet chili sauce
- Honey
- Maple syrup or brown sugar
- Frozen peas or corn
- Pineapple
The acid and sweetness will help counter and complement the saltiness of the dish.
Use Salted Butter or Oil Sparingly
It’s common to use salted butter or oils like sesame oil for cooking fried rice. But these already have a good amount of sodium, so go light on portion sizes. Here are some tips:
- Use 1 teaspoon or less salted butter
- Measure oils like sesame oil by the teaspoon instead of tablespoon
- Reduce the amount of cooking oil overall by using nonstick pans
- Opt for unsalted butter or oils when possible
Rely more on the sauce and seasonings rather than salted fats to flavor your fried rice.
Rinse Canned Beans and Vegetables
Canned beans, corn, peas, carrots and other vegetables can all be high in sodium from the canning process. But you can remove some of that salt by thoroughly rinsing them before use.
Drain and rinse the vegetables in a mesh strainer under cool running water for 30 seconds to a minute. Shake off any excess moisture before adding to your fried rice.
Use Fresh or Frozen Vegetables
Choosing fresh or frozen veggies instead of canned is an easy way to reduce the salt content of your fried rice. Opt for fresh onions, carrots, celery, peppers, broccoli, mushrooms, etc. Or use frozen mixed stir-fry veggies.
Fresh and frozen vegetables not only have less sodium, they also add more flavor and texture to fried rice compared to soggy canned versions.
Cook Plain Rice
If your leftover rice is already seasoned, that can contribute more unwanted salt to your fried rice. Cook fresh batches of rice plain instead of adding salt, butter, or oil so it doesn’t lend extra sodium.
Plain long grain white, jasmine, or basmati rice work well for fried rice. Just be sure to chill the rice fully before frying for best results.
Use Day Old Rice
Fried rice made with freshly cooked rice can be sticky and mushy. Using day old rice solves this issue. As an added bonus, allowing cooked rice to chill fully in the fridge also allows excess moisture and surface starch to dissipate.
This helps day old rice absorb seasonings better rather than tasting bland. The drier texture also means you may need less soy sauce and salt for flavor compared to newly cooked rice.
Add Egg Whites
Adding whisked egg whites while cooking the rice is a simple way to boost flavor without extra salt. The eggs provide richness, while the whites lend protein without adding yolk fat and cholesterol.
Whisk 2-3 egg whites per cup of cooked rice. Scramble the egg whites into the fried rice at the end for delicious flavor and texture.
Increase Protein
Incorporating lean protein like chicken, shrimp, pork, or tofu is another way to make fried rice more satisfying. The extra protein enhances the dish and allows you to use less soy sauce and salty seasonings.
Stir-fry protein separately first, then combine with the rice. Or scramble in eggs for protein. Just avoid salty processed meats like sausage and bacon.
Add Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds can provide hearty crunch and nutty flavor to balance fried rice, while reducing the need for heavy seasoning. Toasted peanuts, cashews, sesame seeds, pine nuts and almonds are all tasty options.
Start with around 1/4 cup nuts or seeds per 4-6 cups fried rice. Toast them first for better flavor without oil.
Use Low-Sodium Chicken or Vegetable Broth
For fried rice that tastes like it came from a restaurant, substitute some of the water or oil with low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth. Broth adds a savory depth without boosting saltiness.
Use about 1/4 cup broth per cup of rice. Add it when sautéing aromatics or stir-fried veggies before adding rice. The broth infuses extra flavor into each grain.
Finish with Fresh Citrus
A squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice right before serving is the perfect final touch for fried rice. The bright acidity balances out sodium and enhances all the flavors.
Stir in some grated zest too for aromatic citrus flavor. Just take care not to overdo it—start with the juice from 1/2 lemon or lime per 4-6 cups rice.
Let Sit Before Serving
After cooking fried rice, let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to absorb fully into the rice. The sodium level will taste more balanced, and you can better check if additional seasoning is needed.
Fluff the rice with a fork after sitting. Sprinkle on some sliced scallions, herbs or chili flakes for a fresh finish.
Adjust Seasoning Just Before Eating
Taste and adjust the seasoning of your fried rice right before eating, versus during the cooking process. This way you can better assess the exact saltiness when the rice is fully cooked.
Add small amounts of soy sauce or salt directly to individual portions to tweak to your taste. Garnish with extra lemon, vinegar or chili sauce so each person can customize.
Rinse Your Rice After Cooking
Believe it or not, rinsing rice after it has already been cooked can help remove excess starch and reduce saltiness. This is especially helpful for freshly cooked rice that will be used for fried rice.
After cooking, drain the rice into a mesh strainer and rinse under running water for 30-60 seconds. Let drain well, then spread on a baking sheet to cool. The rinsed rice will soak up seasonings better.
Cook Rice in a Rice Cooker
Using a rice cooker instead of boiling on the stove can lead to better texture, flavor and control over saltiness. Rice cookers allow very precise adjustments to water amounts.
Always salt rice after cooking if needed. Cook plain rice in a rice cooker, then add salty sauces and seasonings when making fried rice.
Conclusion
Making fried rice that doesn’t taste overly salty is totally doable with the right techniques. Be choosy with your ingredients, go light on salty sauces, use plenty of aromatics, increase protein and veggies, and balance with acidity and sweetness.
Pay close attention throughout the cooking process to make adjustments as needed. But be patient and let the rice rest before that final seasoning in order to get the perfect, appetizing flavor you desire.