Corn Fried Rice is pure comfort in a bowl—sweet, savory, lightly smoky, and satisfyingly crunchy. It’s an excellent way to use leftover rice and comes together in under 15 minutes, making it perfect for busy weekdays or quick dinners.
Ingredients
- Cooked rice – 2 cups (cooled and fluffy)
- Sweet corn – ¾ cup (boiled; fresh, frozen, or canned)
- Onion – 1 small, finely chopped
- Carrot – ½ cup, finely chopped
- Capsicum – ½ cup, finely chopped
- Garlic – 1 tbsp, finely chopped
- Ginger – 1 tsp, finely chopped
- Green chilli – 1, finely chopped (optional)
- Spring onions – 2 tbsp, chopped (white and green separated)
- Soy sauce – 1 tsp
- Toasted sesame oil – ½ tsp
- Black or white pepper powder – ½ tsp
- Sugar – a small pinch
- Butter – 1 tsp (optional, for restaurant-style taste)
- Oil – 2 tbsp
- Salt – to taste
Optional Protein
- Scrambled egg / paneer / shrimp / chicken – as needed
Preparation
- Break up any clumps in the cold rice using your hands or a fork and keep aside.
- Heat oil in a wok or wide pan on high flame.
- Add garlic, ginger, green chilli, and the white part of spring onions. Sauté for 30 seconds until aromatic.
- Add sweet corn, spread evenly, and let it sit undisturbed for a minute to get a light golden char.
- Add onion, carrot, and capsicum. Stir-fry on high flame for 2–3 minutes, keeping the vegetables slightly crunchy.
- Add the cooked rice and stir-fry well so each grain gets coated in oil.
- Drizzle soy sauce around the edges of the pan. Add pepper powder, sugar, and salt if needed.
- Add sesame oil and toss gently on high flame.
- Add the green part of spring onions and butter. Mix once and switch off the flame.
- Serve hot.
Health Benefits
- Sweet corn provides fiber and antioxidants
- Vegetables add vitamins and minerals
- Uses minimal oil and light seasoning
- Easy to digest and kid-friendly
Tips
- Always use day-old rice for best texture
- Do not overcrowd the pan; fry in batches if needed
- For golden-colored rice, mix one raw egg yolk with cold rice before frying
- High flame is key for smoky, restaurant-style flavor
Variations
- Add scrambled egg for Corn Egg Fried Rice
- Add paneer for a protein-rich version
- Replace butter with ghee for Indian flavor
- Top with toasted sesame seeds or crispy fried onions for extra crunch