Filipino-style garlic fried rice! So easy and simple to make using only four ingredients. This fried rice goes so well with many dishes like fried food, grilled meat, and seafood. And of course, a perfect pair to tocino, longganisa, and many more Filipino food.
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Garlic Fried Rice
A Filipino breakfast meal is never complete without garlic fried rice or "sinangag". It is like pancakes to Americans or toast to many western countries.
My mama makes this for us almost every day. The smell of toasted garlic filling the entire house is actually one of my favorite parts of the day growing up. It makes me instantly hungry and craving for tocino, longganisa and tuyo and the list goes on and on. Yum!
How to make the Best Garlic Fried Rice
This fried rice recipe is one of the simplest fried rice you'll ever make. And as the title says, you will only need 4 ingredients to make it–rice, garlic, salt, and oil.
Here are my simple tips to make your garlic fried rice a success:
Rice
Use day-old rice, also known as left-over rice that's been placed in the fridge. It's less starchy, firmer, and separates easily during stir-fry.
Freshly cooked rice can also be used following these simple techniques:
- Cook your rice as you normally do but with a little less water than usual i.e. reduce up to ¼ cup of water. This will prevent the rice from being too starchy.
- Spread it onto a tray to cool off faster. Then transfer the rice into the fridge and let it sit there until you’re ready to cook.
Garlic
I prefer using chopped garlic over sliced garlic for sinangag. It's easier to brown, infusing the flavor with the oil, and blends wonderfully with the rice granules.
To easily chop the garlic, crush the cloves with the flat side of a knife. Peel off the skin away then carefully chop it into small pieces. Easy!
Cooking Tip
Here are two things you need to take note of when making this Filipino-style fried rice:
- Cook the garlic in warm oil. Make sure it's not smoking or the garlic will burn and produce a bitter taste. If this happens, immediately turn off the heat. Discard the garlic and start all over again.
- Stir-fry the rice until the texture turns slightly chewy. This could take 10 minutes or more depending on the amount of rice you're cooking.
What to serve with Garlic Fried Rice
Garlic fried rice goes so well with fried foods, grilled meat, and seafood. I personally like having it with a simple fried egg, SPAM, and marinated and grilled steaks when I feel like indulging 🙂
SILOG dishes to serve with garlic fried rice
SILOG refers to Filipino breakfast meals consisting of "sinangag" (fried rice) and "itlog" egg which is usually fried.
Below is my collection of silog dishes that you can make at home. They are best enjoyed with achara.
Bonus Tip! How do you keep rice from sticking to a stainless pan or wok?
Don't have a non-stick pan or wok? Here's what you need to do to prevent the rice from sticking.
Step 1: Heat your pan over medium-high heat until any left-over moisture or water residue has evaporated.
Step 2: Remove the pan from the stove. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of oil to the pan. Using a thick dry cloth or kitchen towel wipe the oil to the bottom of the pan, to the sides all the way up to the edges. Remember to use oil with a high smoking point e.g. canola oil, vegetable oil, grapeseed oil.
Step 3: Place the pan back on the stove. Set heat to high and heat the pan until it begins to smoke. This could take 30 to 60 seconds. Remove from heat and it's ready to use.
Complete Recipe
4 Ingredient Garlic Fried Rice (Sinangag)
Ingredients
- 6 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
- 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 cups (packed) cooked day-old white rice (see note 1)
- salt to taste
Instructions
- In a nonstick pan, heat oil until just warm. Make sure it's not too hot to prevent burning the garlic.
- Add garlic and season with a pinch of salt. Stir-fry until it turns golden brown. Remove about ¼ of the toasted garlic and set aside. Add more oil, as needed.
- Add rice and season with salt. Cook until texture turns lightly chewy, about 5 to 10 minutes. Stir and toss every now and then but not constantly. This will allow the rice granules to lightly toast whenever it touches the bottom of the pan.
- Garnish with reserved garlic and toss. Serve and enjoy!
Recipe Notes and Tips:
- If using a stainless steel pan, season it before using to prevent the rice from sticking.
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Melody says
Thanks for the recipe! I will make this with beef tapa.