Authentic Nigerian Fried Rice.

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This is it! Look no further. This Nigerian Fried Rice recipe is the authentic version you’ve been searching for. I have a delicious variety of fried rice recipes on the blog, African and Asian but this is the true Nigerian version I grew up eating. This is made with Basmati rice, requires a few ingredients and is ready in a little over 40 mins from start to finish. It’s one recipe you need in your arsenal.

What is Nigerian Fried Rice?

Nigerian fried rice is a rice dish that’s made with meats, mixed veggies (carrots, peas, sweet corn, green beans) and spices. Like jollof rice, It is a common feature in parties. What makes this recipe authentic is the use of liver as the protein of choice.

If you grew up in Nigeria this liver fried rice is probably what you are used to. Since moving to the US, I have used a variety of proteins in place of liver like this Ham fried rice, Shrimp fried rice, and Coconut fried rice. They are all yummy and you should check them out. However, this my dear friend, is the real deal if you’re looking for Naija vibes.

When I made this recipe again after a long time, my husband was so excited my son was wondering why he was super excited at fried rice until he said ‘You won’t understand, this is the fried rice I knew as a child’ So if you have been missing the Authentic Nigerian fried rice, get ready to wow your taste buds.

Difference between Nigerian Fried Rice and Chinese fried Rice

Nigerian Fried Rice and Asian fried rice have some similarities and differences which I will be listing below. I also included an infographic you might want to share with your family and friends.

Differences:

1. Nigerian fried rice uses rice cooked in meat stock while Chinese fried rice uses cool white rice which is usually a day old.
2. Chinese Fried rice uses eggs (scrambled) as part of its ingredients while African fried rice doesn’t use eggs.
3. Nigerian fried rice gets it’s color from curry while the other gets its color from soy sauce or oyster sauce.

Similarities: Both recipes are made with Rice, veggies, some oil with or without some form of animal protein.

Ingredients

• Rice: I used basmati rice in this recipe, however, Nigerian fried rice is traditionally made with parboiled long grain rice.
• Liver (key ingredient in Authentic fried rice)
• Oil
• Onions
• Green pepper
• Onions
• Spice blend
• Meat stock

How to cook Nigerian Fried Rice in easy steps

Full recipe with complete instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

1. Cook beef liver.
2. Cook rice in Chicken stock till fully cooked.
3. Stir fry veggies and grilled liver.
4. Combine Cooked ingredients

How to make Nigerian Fried Rice Vegan.

Like my Vegan Jollof rice, Fried Rice is another Nigerian recipe that can be easily ‘Veganized’. You can easily swap out the liver in this recipe for any vegan meat substitute you like. Mushrooms , Jackfruit or tofu would work perfectly.

Another swap to make this a delicious vegan meal is the use of vegetable stock and vegetable bouillon instead if the meat stock and chicken bouillon used in this recipe.

Storing and Reheating

Nigerian fried Rice and other rice dishes loaded with vegetables can go bad easily if not prepared and stored properly.

Well cooked fried rice can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator or frozen for up to a month.

To ensure the rice doesn’t go bad. Make sure no moisture remains when stir frying the vegetables.

How to Reheat Fried Rice

Reheating fried rice helps you enjoy the rice as though it was freshly cooked. How you reheat your rice will depend on how it was stored in the very first instance.

If the rice was frozen, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight then reheat in the microwave or stove top (using a wide pan) till all moisture from condensation is absorbed this way you don’t get to eat soggy rice.

If it was in the refrigerator, reheating in the microwave in a covered microwave safe bowl till the food is heated through works well. I don’t like to add water to fried rice when reheating it.

If you are worried that the rice would be dry, add a few drops of water or broth. However I have found that the covered bowl helps build some steam and moisture in the rice keeping it from drying out.

Quick Recipe Notes & Tips

1. When cooking the rice in meat stock, taste before seasoning since the meat stock already has some seasoning. This would prevent the rice from getting too salty.
2. Sometimes when you stir fry the cooked liver it gives the fried rice a darker color, to avoid this I grill the cooked liver in the oven or air fryer before stir frying. This kind of seals the juices and drippings of the liver.
3. Season the veggies while stir frying it improves the taste of the overall dish. Also Fried rice is notorious for getting bad really fast. To
4. Water rice ratio is important for a good African style fried rice or any fried rice at that. No one likes a soggy or mushy rice. Reserve that for rice puddings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fried Rice Recipes Readers are making.

Below you will find a variety easy delicious fried rice recites anyone would love. They are so good.

1. Shrimp Fried Rice: This is definitely one recipe you don’t want to miss. The shrimps in this recipe adds a different dimension to this dish.
2. Ham Fried Rice: Perfect for anytime of the year. You can easily use leftover ham from your Easter or Christmas dinner. So easy to whip up and features all the colors of bell peppers.
3. Coconut Fried Rice: Definitely s crowd pleaser. If you haven’t tried a my coconut fried rice recipe then yuu need to head over asap! In that blog post I show you how to make Fried Rice in the oven.
4. Cabbage Fried Rice: Who loves cabbage in rice? Meee!!! This is a must try. Recipe coming up soon.
5. Vegetable Fried Rice: Perfect Rice for my vegan friends. This is what I whip up when they pop in to say hi!
6. Egg Fried Rice: This is the classic Chinese style fried rice. So yummy.

Tools used in this recipe

You can click the links below to see the tools or similar tools used to make this recipe.

1. I used a Paella pan but any wide pan or wok would work perfectly.
2. Dutch oven.
3. Air fryer to grill liver (which is optional)

Did you enjoy this recipe or found it helpful, please leave me a comment and share the link to this recipe with family and friends and in your favorite facebook group.

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Nigerian Fried Rice

Chichi Uguru

This is it! Look no further. This Nigerian Fried Rice recipe is the authentic version you’ve been searching for. I have a delicious variety of fried rice recipes on the blog, African and Asian but this is the true Nigerian version I grew up eating. This is made with Basmati rice, requires a few ingredients and is ready in a little over 40 mins from start to finish. It’s one recipe you need in your arsenal.

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Course Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine African, Nigerian

Servings 8

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Ingredients

• 1 lb beef liver (cleaned and washed)
• 4 cups Parboiled long grain Rice like Basmati (washed and drained)
• 1 Large onion (chopped)
• 1 small habenero peppers
• 5 cups chicken stock
• ¼ – ½ teaspoon curry powder ( use ½ if you want more color)
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1½ Tablespoon Chicken bouillon powder (This will depend on how salty your meat stock is . Taste before adding more)
• ½ teaspoon Salt Adjust according to your taste
• ½ teaspoon White pepper
• ½ teaspoon rosemary
• 4 cups frozen mixed veggies thawed and drained
• ½ – ¾ cup cooking oil
• 1 medium Green bell pepper (chopped)
• 3 Stalks Spring onions (chopped)

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Instructions

Prepare the beef liver

• Cook beef liver with some salt or bouillon till full cooked.
• Lightly roast in the air fryer or oven at 350°F for 5 – 6 minutes.
• When liver cools, Chop into small bits about ¼ in cubes. Set aside for the use when sautéing the veggies.

The Rice

• Transfer washed rice to pot, Add meat stock, and seasoning mix Stir and taste. Adjust if needed. ( reserve ½ tablespoon of chicken bouillon for vegetable stir fry)
• Cook rice in chicken stock till all the water is absorbed. Takes about 25mins
• Turn off heat and leave the pot covered for about 5 mins then fluff rice.

Vegetable and Liver Stir fry

• While rice is cooking, Heat up cooking oil in a large skillet, sauté the onion, add pepper cook for about a minute. then stir in the mixed veggies, Liver pieces and chopped green bell pepper.
• Season with some bouillon, stir fry till the moisture dries out and the veggies are slightly crisp but not burnt.

Assembling Your Nigerian Fried Rice

• Gently Mix the stir fried veggies with the rice till evenly incorporated. Be careful not to mash up the rice when combining ingredients. Fold in the chopped spring onions reserving some for garnishing
• Serve immediately or store for later in the refrigerator.

Notes

1. For a vegan alternative, substitute liver with mushrooms or tofu. see blog post for more alternatives
2. Use vegetable stock instead of meat if vegan
3. Nigerian Fried rice is notorious for going bad quickly if not cooked properly. The vegetables need to be rid of moisture to prevent the rice from going bad hence the need to stir fry till crisp.
4. I usually don’t use the meat stock from the liver. I discard and use Chicken stock instead. I find that the liver stock and adding the liver to the stir fry without prior roasting, stains the fried rice. 

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