Ground Beef Fried Rice is a straightforward, satisfying main course that’s perfect any night of the week. Serve it plain or add a few simple garnishes to turn it into cheeseburger fried rice—an unexpected combination that always impresses.
Crisp-edged, pan-fried ground beef seasoned with garlic and scallion tossed with cold rice is delicious on its own. The method is low-effort and reliably tasty.
If you prefer to avoid constant stirring at the stove, this recipe is ideal. It starts by pressing a pound of ground beef into the bottom of a hot skillet, seasoning it with salt and pepper, and leaving it to brown undisturbed.
Don’t touch it—let it fry undisturbed for a few minutes so it forms a browned, crispy bottom like a thin, pan-sized burger.
For an extra layer of flavor, add a fresh garnish to transform the dish into something new and exciting.
A few simple toppings elevate this fried rice into a cheeseburger-style meal that everyone will request again.
Cheeseburger Fried Rice
Turning the fried rice into cheeseburger fried rice takes one extra step and a few garnish choices. Stir in shredded cheese and let it melt, then serve in lettuce cups or top with shredded lettuce, diced pickles, red onions, and a drizzle of mustard, ketchup, sriracha, and mayonnaise for a true cheeseburger flavor profile.
The result tastes like the best parts of a cheeseburger combined with a comforting bowl of fried rice. It disappears fast at my table and quickly becomes a requested meal.
If you enjoy this flavor, try adapting the recipe to include other favorite burger toppings or pickles and onions prepared to your liking. The optional drizzles add brightness and a hint of nostalgia that pairs well with the warm, savory rice.
Making Fried Rice
Fried rice is easy when you keep a few basic rules in mind. Here are the important tips to ensure a great texture and flavor.
Always use cold rice. This is the most important tip. Cold, preferably day-old rice gives the grains a slightly dried surface so they separate easily and develop a chewy, slightly crisp texture when fried.
My preferred rices for fried rice are basmati or jasmine, but long- or short-grain white rice and even brown rice work well if the rice is fully cooled before frying.
If you start with warm rice, the finished dish can become soggy. Planning ahead to have chilled rice on hand makes excellent fried rice quick to prepare.
If you don’t have day-old rice, spread freshly cooked rice in a thin layer on a sheet pan and refrigerate uncovered for a short time to cool and dry the surface—this cheat approximates the texture of properly chilled rice.
Ground Beef Fried Rice
After the bottom of the pressed beef has browned and crisped, lift an edge to check for color, slide a spatula underneath, and flip the beef over in large sections. Again, leave it alone so the next side can brown.
When that side is deeply browned and crisp, break the cooked beef up into bite-sized pieces. Add minced garlic and the white parts of the scallions and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1–2 minutes.
Gently break apart any clumps in the cold rice with your hands, then add the rice to the beef and toss to combine. Cook, stirring frequently, until the rice is hot and has begun to brown in places. Stir in soy sauce or fish sauce, then add beaten eggs and continue cooking, stirring often, until the eggs are cooked through, about 6–10 minutes total depending on heat.
Fold in the remaining green onion tops. At this point you can serve the fried rice as-is or finish it as cheeseburger fried rice.
To make cheeseburger fried rice, stir in shredded cheese and let it sit for about 3 minutes so the cheese melts. Toss gently, then serve in lettuce cups or topped with shredded lettuce, fresh or pickled red onions, chopped dill pickles, and a drizzle of mustard, ketchup, sriracha, and mayonnaise.
Ground Beef Fried Rice a.k.a. Cheeseburger Fried Rice
Rebecca Lindamood
Stir shredded cheese into the hot rice to make the cheeseburger version, then top with lettuce, pickles, onions, and your choice of drizzles for an irresistible mash-up.
Note: nutritional information does not include optional drizzles; consult packaging for those items if used.
Equipment
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12-inch stainless steel or cast-iron skillet or wok
Ingredients
- 1 pound 80% to 85% lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 cloves garlic peeled and minced or pressed
- 6 green onions trimmed and thinly sliced, whites separated from the greens
- 6 cups cold leftover rice
- 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce, liquid aminos, or fish sauce
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese
Cheeseburger Fried Rice Garnish
- 1/2 cup sliced dill pickles
- 1/4 cup pickled onions or thinly sliced Vidalia onions
- 1 head romaine or leaf lettuce leaves left whole or shredded
Optional drizzles for flavor:
- mustard, ketchup, sriracha, and kewpie mayo
Instructions
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Press the ground beef into the bottom of a 12-inch skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and leave it undisturbed; do not break it up.
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Let it fry until the bottom is browned and crisp, then carefully lift an edge and flip the beef over in large sections. Leave it to brown again.
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When the second side is deeply browned, break the beef into bite-sized pieces. Add minced garlic and the white parts of the scallions; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
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Break up any clumps in the cold rice with your hands, add the rice to the pan, and toss to coat with beef and drippings.
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Cook the rice, stirring frequently, until heated through and beginning to brown. Stir in soy sauce or fish sauce, then add beaten eggs and continue cooking, stirring often, about 6–10 minutes until eggs are set.
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Stir in the remaining green onions. Serve as-is or proceed to the cheeseburger transformation.
To Transform the Ground Beef Fried Rice into Cheeseburger Fried Rice
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Stir in shredded cheese and let it sit for about 3 minutes to melt. Toss gently to combine.
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Serve in lettuce cups or top with shredded lettuce, pickled or fresh red onions, chopped dill pickles, and a drizzle of mustard, ketchup, sriracha, and mayonnaise.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. Calculate nutrition using the exact ingredients you use if precise values are required.
