Transform your backyard into a bustling hibachi grill and recreate your favorite takeout dish with this incredibly flavorful Blackstone fried rice recipe. Forget bland, soggy rice – this guide will show you how to achieve that perfect restaurant-quality texture and bold, savory taste right on your flat top griddle. Imagine crispy bacon, an array of vibrant, fresh vegetables, and fluffy rice all sizzling together, creating a symphony of flavors and textures in every single bite. Cooking on a Blackstone griddle isn’t just easy; it’s an exciting, interactive experience that allows you to whip up generous batches, ideal for lively family dinners or casual gatherings with friends. Once you master this homemade version, you might find yourself saying goodbye to takeout menus for good!
Making fried rice on your Blackstone griddle offers more than just convenience; it’s about elevating your home cooking to a professional level. The expansive cooking surface provides ample room to sauté, toss, and sear ingredients independently before combining them, ensuring each component cooks to perfection. This generous space prevents overcrowding, allowing vegetables to crisp up beautifully, bacon to render flawlessly, and rice grains to achieve that coveted, slightly toasted texture without clumping. You can effortlessly integrate fresh vegetables, perfectly scrambled eggs, and your choice of protein, all harmoniously cooked. The griddle’s even heat distribution is key to developing that signature, slightly smoky flavor and desirable texture that makes hibachi-style fried rice so irresistible.
Beyond its culinary benefits, cooking on a griddle opens up a world of culinary customization. Craving extra spice? Add chili oil. Want more greens? Toss in some broccoli or zucchini. This method makes it incredibly simple to adapt the dish to your family’s preferences or dietary needs. You can easily swap out proteins, experiment with different vegetable combinations, or adjust seasonings to create a unique flavor profile every time. With endless possibilities and a remarkably fast cooking time, griddle fried rice is destined to become a beloved staple in your cooking repertoire, ensuring delicious, restaurant-quality meals are always within reach.
While your main course sizzles, consider tantalizing your guests with fabulous appetizers like our sweet chili sauce meatballs, savory mushroom dumplings, or delightful stuffed wonton cups. These starters will offer a delightful preview of the culinary journey to come!
Why We Love Blackstone Fried Rice
Cooking your favorite fried rice dish on a Blackstone griddle isn’t just a culinary technique; it’s a lifestyle choice that offers numerous advantages:
- Keep Your Kitchen Cool and Clean: When summer temperatures soar, the last thing you want is a hot kitchen. By cooking your Blackstone fried rice outdoors, you keep the heat and mess outside, allowing your home to remain a comfortable oasis. Enjoy the fresh air while you cook, then bring your delicious creation indoors to savor without breaking a sweat or facing a greasy stovetop cleanup.
- Infinitely Customizable for Every Palate: This dish is a chameleon in the kitchen, easily adapting to whatever ingredients you have on hand or your family’s preferences. Whether you want to load it with an abundance of garden-fresh vegetables, opt for a meatless marvel, or add a variety of proteins, the possibilities are endless. We often prepare it as a rich bacon fried rice, but it’s equally delightful with chicken, shrimp, steak, or even tofu. This flexibility makes it a perfect meal for diverse dietary needs and adventurous eaters.
- An Easy and Affordable Outdoor Cooking Adventure: If you’re a fan of outdoor cooking, you’ll be astonished by the versatility of a flat top griddle. It’s an incredibly affordable way to expand your culinary horizons beyond traditional grilling. From sizzling Blackstone fajitas and perfectly seared steaks to even Blackstone chicken fried rice, your griddle can handle a vast array of dishes, turning every meal into an exciting outdoor culinary event. It’s a fantastic investment for anyone looking to make delicious, diverse meals with ease and fun.
Ingredient Essentials and Smart Substitutions
Crafting the perfect Blackstone fried rice starts with understanding your ingredients. Here’s a breakdown of key components and how you can tailor them to your taste:
- Bacon: The Unsung Hero of Flavor: While not always a traditional fried rice ingredient, bacon adds a phenomenal salty, smoky, and umami depth that elevates every forkful of this dish. Its rendered fat also serves as a fantastic cooking oil for the rest of your ingredients. If you’re looking for an alternative, turkey bacon offers a leaner, yet still savory, option. For those avoiding pork, feel free to substitute with diced chicken, shrimp, or thinly sliced steak, adding them to the griddle after the vegetables have softened.
- Vegetables: Your Canvas for Color and Nutrition: The beauty of fried rice lies in its adaptability, especially when it comes to vegetables. Almost any garden-fresh or farmer’s market vegetable you enjoy will shine on the Blackstone. Consider using finely diced carrots, bell peppers, snap peas, corn, broccoli florets, or even water chestnuts for added crunch. To save time, a frozen stir-fry mix (peas, carrots, corn) works wonderfully and cooks quickly. Just ensure your fresh vegetables are diced evenly for consistent cooking. Avoid overly leafy greens until the very end, as they can release too much water.
- Garlic: Fresh vs. Powdered: Garlic powder provides a convenient and consistent flavor. However, for a more pungent aroma and robust taste, freshly minced garlic is unparalleled. If you choose fresh garlic, one clove is usually sufficient for this recipe, finely minced to prevent burning on the hot griddle. Add it in the final stages of cooking your vegetables to ensure it doesn’t scorch.
- Rice: The Foundation of Fried Rice: We highly recommend using day-old jasmine rice, prepared like our Instant Pot jasmine rice recipe. The key is using chilled, previously cooked rice; this allows the grains to dry out slightly, preventing them from clumping and becoming mushy when stir-fried. Any white rice variety, such as long-grain or Basmati, will work beautifully. If you prefer a nuttier flavor and more fiber, brown rice is an excellent choice, though it requires a longer initial cooking time. For ultimate convenience, cook a larger batch of rice at the beginning of the week and freeze or refrigerate portions for quick meal prep.
- Eggs: The Essential Protein Boost: Scrambled eggs are a classic addition to any hibachi fried rice recipe, offering a delightful texture and a boost of protein. They cook incredibly fast on the griddle, making them an efficient way to add substance to your meal. Always scramble them separately on a clear section of the griddle before incorporating them into the rice to ensure they remain light and fluffy, rather than tough and rubbery.
- Oil: The Sizzle Factor: While sesame oil provides a distinct nutty flavor that is characteristic of Asian cuisine, you’ll need a higher smoke point oil for general cooking on the griddle. Vegetable oil, avocado oil, or peanut oil are excellent choices for their ability to withstand high heat without burning, ensuring an even cook for your ingredients. A drizzle of sesame oil at the very end enhances the flavor profile beautifully.
Recipe Variations for Endless Creativity
The beauty of Blackstone fried rice lies in its versatility. Don’t be afraid to experiment with these delicious variations to keep your meals fresh and exciting:
- Load it up with Extra Veggies: Make your easy Blackstone fried rice even more vibrant and nutritious by incorporating a wider array of fresh vegetables. Consider adding sliced zucchini, baby bella mushrooms, julienned carrots, tender broccoli florets, or crisp water chestnuts. These hearty options hold up exceptionally well to the high heat of the griddle and contribute plenty of satisfying texture. Remember to avoid tender leafy greens like spinach until the very end, as they can release too much moisture and soften the dish. For an added layer of flavor and a subtle savory kick, stir in some freshly chopped green onions just before serving.
- Swap the Oil for More Heat: If you’re looking to introduce a spicy kick, replace a portion or all of the sesame oil with a fragrant garlic chili oil. This simple swap will infuse your fried rice with a bold, delightful heat that awakens the palate. We love using garlic chili oil in dishes like mushroom dumplings, and it’s equally fantastic here for a dynamic flavor boost. Adjust the amount to your preferred level of spiciness.
- Add Fresh Ginger for a Fragrant Boost: For an aromatic and zesty dimension, grate a small piece of fresh ginger directly onto the hot griddle along with your onions or other vegetables. The heat will immediately release its warm, spicy aroma, which perfectly complements the soy sauce and eggs in the dish. Fresh ginger brightens the entire flavor profile and adds an authentic, homemade touch that truly elevates the dish.
- Experiment with Different Proteins: While bacon fried rice is phenomenal, don’t limit yourself! Try adding diced chicken breast or thighs, succulent shrimp, thinly sliced beef (like sirloin or flank steak), or even firm tofu. Cook your chosen protein first on a separate section of the griddle until perfectly seared and cooked through, then incorporate it with the vegetables and rice. This allows each protein to develop its best texture and flavor.
- Sweet and Savory Hawaiian Twist: For a delightful tropical take, add finely diced fresh pineapple chunks along with your vegetables. The sweetness of the pineapple creates a fantastic contrast with the savory soy sauce and bacon, giving your fried rice a bright, Hawaiian-inspired flair.
🎯 Pro Tip for Griddle Enthusiasts
Having the right tools can significantly enhance your Blackstone cooking experience, making it more efficient and enjoyable:
You will absolutely want a griddle scraper. This essential tool is what professional hibachi chefs use to effortlessly clean burnt bits and food debris from the flat top surface, ensuring a consistently clean and optimal cooking area. It’s a non-negotiable item for any serious Blackstone cook!
Additionally, investing in the right kind of spatulas makes a world of difference. Large, sturdy metal spatulas are highly recommended for this and all other Blackstone griddle recipes. Their broad surface and robust construction are perfect for easily flipping, chopping, and moving large quantities of food across the spacious flat top, giving you precise control and efficiency.
Essential Equipment for Griddle Success
To master the art of griddle fried rice and achieve those authentic hibachi flavors, a few key pieces of equipment are invaluable:
- Flat Top Griddle: The star of the show! A Blackstone, Chef Camp, or any similar flat top griddle provides the large, even cooking surface crucial for stir-frying and searing multiple ingredients simultaneously without overcrowding.
- Large Metal Spatulas: You’ll want at least one, preferably two, large, sturdy metal spatulas. These are indispensable for tossing, flipping, chopping ingredients, and effectively maneuvering food across the griddle. Look for spatulas with comfortable handles and broad, flat blades.
- Griddle Scraper (Flat): A flat griddle scraper is vital for cleaning your griddle as you cook, removing any stuck-on bits, and ensuring a smooth surface for your ingredients. It also helps manage food and push it around the cooking surface.
- Infrared Thermometer/Temperature Gun (Optional, but Useful): While not strictly necessary, an infrared thermometer allows you to accurately check the surface temperature of your griddle. This helps ensure you’re cooking at the optimal heat for searing proteins and vegetables, preventing burning or undercooking.
Mastering Griddle Fried Rice: Step-by-Step
Creating perfect griddle fried rice is a fast-paced and fun process. Follow these detailed steps to ensure a delicious outcome every time:
- Prepare Your Rice Ahead of Time: This is perhaps the most critical step for exceptional fried rice. Always use cold, day-old rice. Freshly cooked, warm rice contains too much moisture and will become sticky and mushy when stir-fried, rather than developing that desired individual grain texture. By chilling cooked rice for at least 1 to 2 hours (or ideally overnight), the grains dry out and firm up, resulting in a far more flavorful and pleasantly textured fried rice. Plan accordingly for the best results!
- Get That Griddle Sizzling Hot! You want to start your cooking process on high heat to achieve a fantastic sear on your ingredients. Allow your flat top griddle ample time to thoroughly preheat. This high initial temperature is crucial for searing the outside of your vegetables and proteins, locking in juices and flavors, while allowing them to cook to tender perfection on the inside. A properly preheated griddle is the secret to restaurant-style results.
- Strategic Timing and Placement Are Key: When making fried rice on a Blackstone, understanding the cooking times of your various ingredients is crucial to prevent anything from overcooking or remaining undercooked.
- Start with your proteins (like bacon). Cook bacon until it’s about halfway done, rendering out some of its fat.
- Next, add fresh, harder vegetables (like carrots, broccoli, bell peppers). These typically take around 5-7 minutes to soften to an al dente texture while still retaining a slight bite.
- Softer or frozen vegetables (like peas, corn, or pre-cooked green beans) will warm through much faster, usually in 3-4 minutes. Add these later in the vegetable cooking process.
- Cross-Contamination Caution: If you’re cooking raw meats alongside your vegetables, always place them on opposite sides of the flat top. This not only prevents the moisture released by vegetables from steaming your meat (which inhibits a good sear) but, more importantly, avoids any potential contact between uncooked meat bacteria and other ingredients. An even easier solution for a quick meal is to serve your hibachi rice with a pre-cooked, heat-and-eat entree, such as an Orange Chicken from Trader Joe’s.
- Save the Eggs for Last: To ensure your eggs are tender and fluffy, wait to scramble them until after all your other ingredients (bacon, vegetables, and rice) are cooked and combined. Scramble them quickly on a separate, clear section of the griddle. If you add them too early, they’ll inevitably overcook and become tough and rubbery, detracting from the overall texture of your fried rice.
Once you get the hang of the timing and the swift, fluid movements, making Blackstone fried rice becomes a smooth, satisfying culinary dance. It’s a fast-moving process, but incredibly easy to master with a little practice.
Serving Suggestions for a Complete Hibachi Experience
To truly embrace the hibachi restaurant experience, serve your Blackstone fried rice as part of a complete meal. Pair it with expertly grilled proteins, all prepared on your versatile Blackstone grill. Options include tender boneless, skinless chicken thighs or sliced chicken breast, juicy grilled beef (like sirloin or flank steak), or succulent shrimp, all cooked to perfection with a beautiful sear. Complement the rich flavors of your easy fried rice recipe with additional sautéed vegetables such as crisp bell peppers, vibrant frozen peas, or tender asparagus spears. For an added layer of richness and that authentic takeout taste, drizzle everything with a generous amount of garlic butter just before serving.
Present the meal in individual bowls to mimic the classic hibachi style, perfect for impressing guests or simply enjoying a special dinner at home. Don’t forget to offer extra soy sauce or a dash of sriracha on the side for those who prefer to customize their spice level. A sprinkle of fresh chopped green onions or toasted sesame seeds can add a final flourish, enhancing both flavor and visual appeal.
If you love this recipe and the ease of griddle cooking, then I’m sure you’re going to adore our shrimp and chicken fried rice too!
Frequently Asked Questions About Fried Rice
The beauty of hibachi fried rice is its flexibility with proteins! Excellent choices include quick-cooking options like chicken (diced breast or thigh), pork (tenderloin or bacon), steak (sirloin, flank, or even leftover steak), shrimp, scallops, and even tofu. For optimal cooking and easy eating, always cut larger chunks of protein into small, bite-sized pieces. Remember to cook proteins on a separate, hot section of your griddle to get a good sear before combining them with the other ingredients.
If you find your rice sticking to the griddle and becoming difficult to stir, it’s usually an indication that there isn’t enough oil or fat on the surface to create a non-stick barrier. Rice, especially if not cold and dried out sufficiently, can be prone to sticking. To remedy this, add just a little more oil (like vegetable or sesame oil) to the sticky area and gently work it under the rice with your spatula. Be careful not to add too much, as an overly oily dish can be unappetizing. Also, ensure your griddle is properly seasoned and clean before you start cooking.
For cooking on a hot Blackstone griddle, you’ll want an oil with a high smoke point that can withstand high temperatures without burning. Excellent choices include vegetable oil, avocado oil, sunflower oil, and peanut oil. These are readily available at most grocery stores or online retailers. While sesame oil is fantastic for flavor, it has a lower smoke point, so it’s best used sparingly or drizzled over the dish at the very end for an extra punch of authentic Asian flavor.
Absolutely! Leftover Blackstone fried rice stores and reheats wonderfully, making it perfect for meal prep.
Refrigerate: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
Reheat: The easiest and most effective way to reheat leftover fried rice is in the microwave. We recommend covering the dish with a damp paper towel before microwaving; this helps to reintroduce moisture to the rice grains, preventing them from drying out and ensuring a pleasant texture. You can also reheat it on the griddle over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen it up.
Freeze: For longer storage, allow the fried rice to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight, freezer-safe container. It can be kept in the freezer for up to three months. Don’t forget to label the container with the contents and the date for easy tracking!
While it’s highly recommended to use cold, day-old rice for optimal texture, if you’re in a pinch and only have fresh rice, you can still make fried rice. The key is to spread the freshly cooked rice thinly on a baking sheet and let it cool completely, ideally for at least an hour in the refrigerator or even in the freezer for 15-20 minutes, to help dry out the grains. This minimizes the stickiness and helps prevent a mushy result.
Consider Making These Other Delicious Side Dish Recipes to Complement Your Meal…
- Parmesan Baked Asparagus
- Rice Pilaf with Vegetables
- Roasted Asparagus and Carrots
- Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes Recipe
If you tried this delicious griddle fried rice recipe or any other recipe on our website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let us know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Your feedback is greatly appreciated! You may also tag us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Thanks for visiting!
Blackstone Fried Rice
By Renae Gerhardstein
Make delicious Blackstone fried rice right on your griddle! This easy recipe with bacon, veggies, and eggs is perfect for quick, flavorful dinners that taste just like your favorite Japanese steakhouse.
Rating: 4.95 from 17 votes
Course: Side Dish, Entree
Cuisine: Japanese, Asian
Servings: 6 people
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Calories: 588 kcal
Equipment
- Flat top griddle (like a Blackstone or Chef Camp)
- Large metal spatula
- Griddle scraper (flat)
- Infrared thermometer/temperature gun (optional, but useful for checking griddle temperature)
Ingredients
- 8 ounces bacon (or more, if desired), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3 cups diced vegetables (use your favorite fresh or frozen stir-fry vegetables)
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder (or 1 clove fresh minced garlic)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seed oil
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups cooked white rice (chilled, day-old recommended)
- 3 tablespoons light soy sauce (regular soy sauce, or coconut aminos)
- 3 large eggs
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the griddle to high heat. Cut bacon into bite-sized pieces. Turn the flat top grill to medium heat, and add bacon. Cook until bacon is about halfway done, approximately 5 minutes, allowing some fat to render.
- Add diced vegetables and chopped onion to the griddle. Use a large metal spatula to toss and combine them with the partially cooked bacon. Season with garlic powder and sesame oil, and continue cooking until both vegetables and bacon are fully cooked and tender-crisp, about 5-7 minutes.
- Create a clear well in the middle of the bacon and vegetables, and let the butter melt in this space. Once melted, add the chilled rice into the butter, breaking it up with your spatula. Stir the rice and vegetables together, then add coconut aminos or soy sauce until the rice is lightly colored or seasoned to your taste.
- Break the eggs onto an open, clean area of the Blackstone griddle and quickly stir to scramble them. Use a flat spatula to cut the scrambled eggs into bite-sized pieces and then incorporate them thoroughly with the fried rice mixture.
- Season the entire dish with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm immediately, garnished with fresh green onions or sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
- Pro Cooking Tools: A griddle scraper is essential for cleaning, and large metal spatulas are perfect for moving food.
- Recipe Variations:
- Extra Veggies: Add zucchini, mushrooms, carrots, broccoli, and water chestnuts for more color and nutrition. Finish with chopped green onions.
- Spicy Kick: Replace sesame oil with garlic chili oil for a bold, fiery flavor.
- Fragrant Boost: Grate fresh ginger onto the griddle with onions for a warm, zesty aroma.
- Oil Alternatives: If sesame oil is unavailable, vegetable oil works well for an even cook on high heat.
- Storing Instructions:
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-5 days.
- Reheat: Microwave, covering with a wet paper towel to add moisture. Can also reheat on griddle with a splash of water.
- Freeze: Cool completely, store in an airtight container for up to three months. Label with contents and date.
Nutrition
Serving: 1.5 cups | Calories: 588kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 49g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 20g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 144mg | Sodium: 351mg | Potassium: 276mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 4931IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 1mg