Wondering what to do with leftover rice? This Filipino recipe for garlic fried rice called Sinangag, could not be any simpler and more delicious! Don't let the plain and simple look of this dish trick your mind into thinking there could possibly be no flavor in thaaaat! Hah! Think again! All you need to transform your day-old rice into a magnificent dish that you will crave again and again and again...is GARLIC! But there's a trick to making this the most flavorful ever and texture-perfect! So keep reading please and I'll show you. 😉
But first, it's not pronounced, si-nan-gag. It's more like si‧na‧ngag. Easier said than done, and you thought rolling the "r" in some Latin words is difficult? Try doing the "ng" sound... It comes from the back of your throat. 🤔
Anyway, this is inspired by my Bacon and Egg Fried Rice recipe on this site, and pairs really well with any grilled meats with a side of this amazing Chili Cucumber Salad recipe.
Jump to:
What Is Garlic Fried Rice
Unlike the typical Chinese fried rice that calls for loads of ingredients, this Filipino fried rice recipe only calls for garlic (preferably fresh), a little bit of oil, and salt. That. Is. It!!!
And the flavor? WOW! If you love garlic, you will LOVE this dish! You'd be asking yourself, "where has this Sinangag been all my life!?" Come on....follow me. I'll show you!
What Would Pair Well With This Recipe
This recipe is so full of flavor that it can be eaten by itself or paired with other savory dishes. Hope you give them a try!
- Caramelized Shrimp
- Chicken Adobo
- Chicken Afritada
- Chicken Lettuce Wrap
- Garlic Butter Shrimp
- Spicy Beef Stir Fry
Ingredients Needed
- Garlic - you can use garlic salt or garlic powder or even jarred garlic, although I'm not a fan of the latter. It just doesn't taste the same as fresh! Fresh garlic will reward you with the best tasting garlic fried rice! You can do a combination and you will get a more garlicky flavor. Chopped or minced. Be careful not to overcook or burn the garlic. You want the garlic slightly toasted and not burnt.
- Rice - the best rice to use for this recipe is day-old rice, that has been cooked and stored in your refrigerator for at least a day. Long grain rice is best!
- Salt - kosher salt, sea salt, or garlic salt works best!
*See the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full written instructions on how to make this dish.
4 Easy Steps How to Make The Perfect Garlic Fried Rice
STEP 1: Sauté garlic in oil.
STEP 2: Add salt to the garlic.
STEP 3: Add rice to garlic with salt.
STEP 4: Toss and blend garlic fried rice. Enjoy!
*See the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full written instructions on how to make this dish.
Hint: Adding salt to the garlic helps draw out some of the moisture from the garlic as it infuses flavor into the oil. This also helps with giving the garlic a nice golden color. See image #4 above.
How To Serve
I love my fried rice topped with a fried egg or bacon.
Garlic fried rice is served for breakfast in a typical Filipino household. If you've not been awakened by someone making you breakfast with the smell of garlic coming from the kitchen, you need to do yourself a favor and experience that because that is a gift. So treasure it!
Like the late Anthony Bourdain said -
"When someone cooks for you, they are saying something. They are telling you about themselves: where they come from, who they are, what makes them happy.”
What Other Ingredients Can You Add
This fried rice recipe is good by itself. However, there are other ingredients you can add which you can see some suggestions below.
Protein: eggs or bacon, sausage, tofu, chicken, pork, shrimp, beef, fish.
Vegetables: broccoli, cabbage, carrots, corn, green beans, onions, peas, pea pods, scallions, shallots, sugar snap peas, or any of your favorites will work here. Fresh or frozen. If you want to save some time and skip the slicing and dicing, use frozen stir-fry vegetables!
Herbs and Spices: cayenne, chili, chives, curry, paprika, tarragon, turmeric
Sauces: chili sauce, coconut aminos, gochujang, oyster sauce, soy sauce, sriracha, tamari sauce
Garlic Fried Rice can be served for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or any time in between. So enjoy!
Equipment to Use
I love using my wok. These two are my favorite:
Lodge Cast Iron and Le Creuset Wok.
The wok is ideal for cooking in high heat so the dish doesn't have a lot of time to settle at the bottom which will cause it to stick and burn.
What Goes With Garlic Fried Rice
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a rating below. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Let's be taste buds and follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
📖 Recipe Card
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt Kosher, sea salt or garlic salt
- 4 cloves garlic fresh is better
- 2 cups cooked rice day-old (long-grain is best)
Instructions
- In a wok or skillet, over medium-high heat, add oil and chopped garlic.
- Add salt to the skillet. This will help draw some moisture our of the garlic and will help infuse and add flavor to the oil.
- Add cold rice to the skillet. Toss and blend all ingredients together until the rice is lightly coated with oil, salt, and garlic.
- Let rice rest undisturbed for a minute, then toss and do the same for another minute.
Notes
- Day-old (or more) left-over rice is the best rice to use for this recipe.
- Next time you cook rice, make extra and store the left-over in the fridge or freezer.
- Did you order Chinese food and have some leftover steamed rice? Perfect!
- Long grain rice is the perfect rice to use in making this recipe.
- If all you have is same-day cooked rice, store the cooked rice uncovered in the fridge for a few hours. This will help dry out the rice.
- Tossing the rice in high heat will result in each grain of rice being perfectly coated with the oil and seasonings.
- If you are using garlic that comes in a jar, be sure to drain it first before adding it to your rice. You do not want extra moisture added to the rice.
- Enjoy your rice as is or add other ingredients as desired. See the section about "What Other Ingredients You Can Add."
Nutrition
Tips for Making the Perfect Garlic Fried Rice
Day-old (or more) left-over rice is ideal for making fried rice. Next time you cook rice, make extra and store the left-over in the fridge. You want the rice to be dry and not sticky.
If all you have is same-day cooked rice, store the cooked rice uncovered in the fridge for a few hours. This will help dry out the rice.
Next time you order Chinese food, save the left-over boxed rice. The rice is perfect for this recipe!
Toss (do not stir) the rice. Tossing the rice in high heat will result in each grain of rice being perfectly coated with the oil and seasonings. Stirring the rice may break the rice and cause it to get mushy.
I told you what I think about jarred garlic. However, if that is all you have available, drain it first before adding it to your rice. You don't want extra moisture added to the rice as that will affect the texture of your finished dish.
FAQ
A day-old, long-grain rice is the best kind of rice for this recipe since long-grain rice has less starch and when cooked it is less sticky and the grain separates - allowing for the garlic flavor to really blend in nicely with the rice.
Start cooking the garlic in oil in a cold pan. Turn on the heat to medium, and after a minute or two, the garlic in oil will start to bubble infusing its flavor into the oil. Stur frequently.
Yes, it can be easily stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Promptly pack fried rice in a plastic wrap enough for one or two servings. It will thaw nicely in the refrigerator.
You can reheat fried rice in a microwave in a microwave safe dish or on the stovetop.
Jomelyn @ curiousflavors
Thank you so much for this tasty garlic fried rice recipe! I grew up eating this.
Jocelyn Wilhelm
Hello Jomelyn! Thank you for your lovely comment. Same with me, I grew up eating Sinangag and the wonderful aroma brings back many happy memories. 💕
Camille
I love how you have a step by step instructions on how to make garlic fried rice. It was perfect and you're right, tossing the rice made sure all the flavors are absorbed by the rice and did not make them sticky. Great job! Can't wait to see more great recipes here on your site!
Jocelyn Wilhelm
Awww thank you for your kind words! Be sure to check out my other fried rice recipe with bacon and eggs in case you haven't yet.