A wok of golden fried rice with vegetables and prawns

Costack Fried Rice Recipe (Better Than Takeaway, 20 Minutes)

Why your fried rice never tastes like the takeaway

Home fried rice usually tastes wrong for three specific reasons. The rice is too fresh and sticky. The pan isn't hot enough. The seasoning is salt and soy sauce, nothing else. Fix those three and you get fried rice that beats every UK Chinese takeaway you've ever ordered, in 20 minutes, for under £5.

This recipe uses Costack Fried Rice Seasoning, a balanced blend of garlic, onion, pepper, herbs, and savoury notes built specifically for the high-heat wok cooking that makes fried rice sing. No artificial colours.

Ingredients (serves 4)

  • 800g cooked rice (ideally cold, day-old)
  • 2 tbsp Costack Fried Rice Seasoning
  • 3 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 onion, finely diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 200g mixed vegetables (peas, sweetcorn, carrot, spring onion)
  • 200g cooked chicken or prawns (leftover Sunday roast chicken works perfectly)
  • 2 tbsp light soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil (optional, for finish)
  • Spring onions to garnish

The 3 rules of proper fried rice

Rule 1: Cold rice

Fresh hot rice is sticky and clumps. Cold rice has dried out enough for the grains to separate. Cook the rice the day before. If you must do it same-day, spread fresh cooked rice on a tray and refrigerate uncovered for 30 minutes minimum.

Rule 2: Ripping hot pan

A medium-heat pan steams the rice. A smoking-hot pan dries the surface of each grain and gives you that proper toasted, savoury finish. Use the largest pan you own. Heat for 90 seconds before adding oil.

Rule 3: Real seasoning, not just soy

Soy sauce alone is salt + glutamate. A proper blend adds garlic, onion, white pepper, ginger, and herbs that build savoury depth in seconds. Costack Fried Rice Seasoning covers this in one shake.

Method (20 minutes)

  1. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large wok or frying pan over high heat until smoking.
  2. Add beaten eggs. Stir to scramble for 30 seconds. Remove and set aside.
  3. Add remaining 2 tbsp oil. Add onion. Fry 2 minutes until softened.
  4. Add garlic and 1 tbsp Costack Fried Rice Seasoning. Stir 30 seconds.
  5. Add mixed vegetables. Stir-fry 2 minutes.
  6. Add cooked chicken or prawns. Stir-fry 1 minute to heat through.
  7. Add cold rice. Break up any clumps with a spatula. Spread evenly across the pan.
  8. Let rice sit untouched for 60 seconds to crisp on the bottom. Then toss.
  9. Add 2 tbsp soy sauce and remaining 1 tbsp Costack Fried Rice Seasoning. Toss thoroughly.
  10. Return scrambled egg to the pan. Toss to combine.
  11. Drizzle 1 tbsp sesame oil. Garnish with chopped spring onions.

Variations

  • Egg fried rice: skip the protein. Double the eggs to 4.
  • Prawn fried rice: use 300g raw prawns instead of chicken. Add after the egg, stir-fry 2 minutes.
  • Vegetable fried rice: add 200g mushrooms and 100g baby corn to the vegetable mix.
  • Spicy fried rice: add 1/2 tsp Costack Hot Smoky Chilli Powder with the seasoning.
  • Sunday leftover special: use leftover roast chicken + leftover rice. Best fried rice you'll make all week.

What goes with fried rice

  • Crispy chilli beef or sweet and sour chicken
  • Spring rolls (shop-bought is fine)
  • Prawn crackers for the crunch
  • Cucumber salad with rice vinegar dressing

FAQs

Why is my fried rice mushy?

Rice was too fresh. Use day-old refrigerated rice. Or spread fresh rice on a tray and refrigerate 30 minutes minimum before using.

What rice is best for fried rice?

Long-grain or jasmine rice. Avoid basmati (too dry) and short-grain or risotto (too sticky).

Can I use brown rice?

Yes. Same method. The texture is firmer and nuttier.

What other Costack blends work for stir-fries?

All Purpose Seasoning works as a stir-fry base. Ground Ginger adds depth to noodle dishes. Hot Smoky Chilli Powder for heat.

Where do I buy Costack Fried Rice Seasoning?

Online at www.costack.uk. £8.50 per jar. Free UK delivery on orders over £35. Delivered by Royal Mail or Evri, 2-3 working days, to London, Leeds, Bristol, and every UK postcode.

Build your stir-fry spice rack

Or grab the Costack Starter Bundle at £14.48 with three core blends. Free UK delivery on orders over £35.

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