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    Coconut Fried Rice

    August 7, 2023

    Simple and straightforward, coconut fried rice requires a few extra ingredients to liven up routine long grain white rice.

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    a bowl of homemade coconut fried rice made with coconut rice, green onions, ginger, coconut oil and sweetened coconut flakes
    Photography by Gayle McLeod

    Want to Know Our Favorite Way to Zhush White Rice?

    Our coconut fried rice recipe is a great way to make long grain white rice the star of the show! It’s full of fresh flavor with warming ginger, slightly spicy green onion and balanced with a touch of sweetness from the coconut flakes. It makes a great side dish for any number of our fish and chicken recipes, or a hearty (it’s vegan!) partner for a plant-based meal with vegetables.

    bowls of coconut rice, green onions, grated ginger, coconut oil and sweetened coconut flakes to make coconut fried rice

    Can You Make Fried Rice With Coconut Oil?

    Using coconut oil to make this coconut fried rice adds to the tropical flavor profile created by the addition of ginger and scallions, and the coconut milk in the rice! Frying the rice in oil helps separate the grains into crispy slightly-crunchy bites, instead of clumps, and caramelizes the starches in rice which equals more flavor. Coconut oil is better than olive oil here, because it’s less fragrant and has a higher smoke point than olive oil, making it ideal for the heat needed to crisp the rice. In addition to the coconut rice, here are the easy to find ingredients to make the best coconut fried rice.

    • Coconut oil

    • Green onions

    • Sweetened coconut flakes

    • Freshly grated ginger

    white and light green onions, coconut flakes and ginger being cooked in coconut oil in a pan with a wooden spoon
    coconut rice, white and light green onions, coconut flakes and ginger being cooked in coconut oil in a pan
    coconut rice, green onions, coconut flakes and ginger being cooked in coconut oil in a pan with a wooden spoon
    a bowl of homemade coconut fried rice made with coconut rice, green onions, ginger, coconut oil and sweetened coconut flakes

    How to Cook Coconut Fried Rice

    Starting with our Coconut Rice (think fluffy and sweet white rice), you’ll do some quick chopping and grating and be on your way to an entirely new kind of rice.

    • Measure four cups of cooked coconut rice and ¼ cup coconut flakes.

    • Mince 4 green onions–this uses the entire onion, rejoice!

    • Grate some fresh ginger.

    • Turn on the stove and get to crispin’ up that rice!

    • Try not to eat the entire pot while you’re standing by the stove with a fork in hand.

    homemade coconut fried rice with green onions, ginger, and sweetened coconut flakes in a serving bowl with a wooden spoon
    homemade coconut fried rice with green onions, ginger, and sweetened coconut flakes in a serving bowl with a wooden spoon

    Tools You’ll Need

    More Tasty Rice (and fried rice) Dishes to Make

    homemade coconut fried rice with green onions, ginger, and sweetened coconut flakes in a serving bowl with a wooden spoon

    Crispy and Crunchy and Gingery, Oh My!

    We hope you’re loving all the extra flavor and texture you just added to your rice. We’d love to see what you pair with this coconut fried rice. Share your meal with us by tagging us on Instagram using @themodernproper and #themodernproper. Bon appétit!”

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    Coconut Fried Rice

    Updated on August 7, 2023

    • Serves:  6
    • Prep Time:  30 min
    • Cook Time:  10 min
    • Calories:  198
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    Ingredients

    • 4 cups coconut rice, cooked (note 1)
    • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
    • 4 green onions, minced, dark and light part separated
    • ¼ cup sweetened coconut flakes
    • 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger

    Method

    1. In a large skillet over medium high heat add in oil. Once oil is glistening add in white and light green onions, coconut flakes and ginger. Cook, stirring often until coconut flakes begin to brown, about 2 minutes.

    2. Add in the coconut rice and stir until the rice is coated in oil. Spread out in a single layer and allow to cook, undisturbed, until rice begins to crisp, about 5 minutes. Stir in dark green onions and cook for 1 more minute.

    3. Remove from heat, transfer to a bowl and serve immediately.

    Note 1: Prepare the coconut rice ahead of time. Preferably the day before. Day-old rice is firmer than freshly made. This decreases the chances of your fried rice grains sticking together or turning out mushy.

    Nutrition Info

    • Per Serving
    • Amount
    • Calories 198
    • Protein 2 g
    • Carbohydrates 21 g
    • Total Fat 12 g
    • Dietary Fiber 2 g
    • Cholesterol 0 mg
    • sodium 128 mg
    • Total Sugars 3 g

    Coconut Fried Rice

    Questions & Reviews

    Join the discussion below.

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    • Drew458

      You didn't say how much white onion. Do you mean the white ends of the 4 green onions?

      Other fried rice recipes call for medium grain rice, aka Chinese rice. Does this work better?

      Yes, the white part of the green onion. You can use either type of rice.

    • Jenn

      Yum, I magically had everything on hand to make this and it was so good!

      Glad you enjoyed it!