Slow Cooker Beef Fried Rice - Super Tasty Recipes

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Prep Time:15

Cook Time:7

Total Time:7 15

Ingredients

Beef

2 pounds beef stew meat
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 small onion diced
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 cup beef broth
⅓ cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Rice

3 cups cooked and cooled white rice
1 12 ounce bag frozen peas and carrots
4 eggs
1 tablespoon butter
3 green onions sliced
Finishing Sauce
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil

Instructions

Step 1: Add the Beef to the Slow Cooker - Place the beef stew meat in the bottom of a 6 quart slow cooker. Spread it out as evenly as you can so the pieces cook at about the same pace. There is no need to brown the beef first, which is one of the reasons I love this dinner on a busy day. The slow cooker will give the meat plenty of time to become tender and soak up all that savory sauce.
Step 2: Season the Beef and Add the Aromatics - Sprinkle the black pepper and garlic powder over the beef, then drizzle the sesame oil across the top. Add the diced onion and minced garlic right over everything. It may look simple at this point, but those ingredients are going to build a deep, warm base while the beef cooks. The onion softens down, the garlic mellows, and the sesame oil gives the whole pot that unmistakable fried rice smell.
Step 3: Whisk Together the Savory Sauce - In a medium bowl, whisk together the beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, oyster sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Keep whisking until the brown sugar dissolves into the liquid. Pour the sauce over the beef, making sure as much of the meat as possible gets coated. This sauce is where the cozy, salty sweet flavor comes from, and it will become even richer as the beef cooks.
Step 4: Cook Until the Beef Is Tender - Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours. Low is my favorite choice when the day allows it because it gives the beef plenty of time to become really tender. You are looking for pieces that are easy to bite through and soft enough that nobody at the table has to work too hard with their fork.
Step 5: Scramble the Eggs Separately - About 30 minutes before dinner, crack the eggs into a bowl and beat them with a fork until the yolks and whites are combined. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat, then add the eggs. Stir them gently as they cook until they are fully set but still soft. Cooking the eggs separately keeps them in tender little pieces instead of disappearing into the sauce, and that gives the finished dish the texture you want from fried rice.
Step 6: Add the Vegetables, Rice, and Eggs - Add the frozen peas and carrots directly to the slow cooker with the beef. Then add the cooked and cooled white rice along with the scrambled eggs. Use a large spoon or silicone spatula to fold everything together gently. Take your time here so you do not mash the rice. You want those individual grains to stay fluffy while the sauce coats them.
Step 7: Finish with Soy Sauce and Sesame Oil - Drizzle the remaining soy sauce and sesame oil over the rice mixture. Give everything another gentle stir until the beef, vegetables, eggs, and rice are evenly combined. Cover the slow cooker again and cook for another 20 to 30 minutes, just until the rice is hot and the vegetables are warmed through. This final little stretch brings the meal together without making the rice mushy.
Step 8: Garnish and Bring Everyone to the Table - Sprinkle the sliced green onions over the top just before serving. Scoop the fried rice into bowls while it is hot, making sure each serving gets plenty of tender beef. Set out extra soy sauce, hot sauce, or crunchy chow mein noodles if your family likes a little something extra at the table.

Notes

Substitutions

Sirloin steak: Use sirloin cut into bite size pieces when you want a slightly more steakhouse style version of this recipe.
Mixed vegetables: Replace the peas and carrots with frozen mixed vegetables, corn and peas, or a blend with green beans.
Tamari: Swap tamari for soy sauce when you need a gluten free option, but check that your oyster sauce is gluten free too.
Brown rice: Use cooked and cooled brown rice for a heartier texture and a little more chew in every bite.
Ground beef: Use browned ground beef for a quicker variation, though it will not have the same tender chunks as stew meat.

Variations

Beef and broccoli fried rice: Add 2 cups of small broccoli florets during the final 30 minutes so they soften without becoming too tender.
Spicy beef fried rice: Stir in sriracha, red pepper flakes, or chili garlic sauce when you want a little heat in the background.
Teriyaki beef fried rice: Replace part of the soy sauce with teriyaki sauce for a sweeter, slightly thicker finish.
Garlic lover's fried rice: Double the minced garlic for a dinner that will make the whole kitchen smell fantastic.
Steakhouse fried rice: Use sirloin steak and add sliced mushrooms for a heartier version that feels extra special.

Tips and Tricks

Use cold rice: Day old rice works best because it stays fluffy and separate instead of soaking up too much liquid.
Do not use uncooked rice: The rice should already be cooked before it goes into the slow cooker, since uncooked rice will not cook properly in this amount of sauce.
Scramble eggs in a skillet: Cooking the eggs separately gives you those soft, visible egg pieces that make fried rice feel more authentic.
Choose low sodium soy sauce if needed: This is a helpful swap when your family prefers a lighter salt level, especially since soy sauce appears in both the cooking sauce and the finishing sauce.
Keep the oyster sauce in the recipe: It gives the finished rice a deep, savory note that makes a real difference.
Stir gently near the end: A heavy hand can break the rice and turn it soft, so fold rather than vigorously stir.

Serving Ideas

Simple cucumber salad: A cool, crisp cucumber salad with rice vinegar balances the warm savory rice beautifully.
Steamed broccoli: A bowl of steamed broccoli is an easy side that keeps dinner colorful and adds a little freshness.
Egg rolls: Frozen egg rolls baked in the oven make this feel like a full takeout night without leaving home.
Fresh orange slices: Sweet orange slices are a fun, easy finish that kids usually enjoy after a savory dinner.
Extra toppings: Set out soy sauce, sriracha, sesame seeds, chopped peanuts, or crispy wonton strips so everyone can make their bowl their own.

Storage and Make Ahead Tips

Refrigerate leftovers: Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat gently: Warm individual servings in the microwave, covered loosely, or reheat in a skillet with a small splash of water or broth.
Freeze for later: Freeze cooled fried rice in airtight freezer containers for up to 2 months.
Thaw overnight: Move frozen portions to the refrigerator the night before you plan to reheat them for the best texture.
Prep the rice ahead: Cook the rice a day ahead, spread it on a baking sheet to cool, then refrigerate it until dinner time.
Chop ahead: Dice the onion and slice the green onions earlier in the day so the final dinner steps go even faster.

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Servings: servings