Make this simple Filipino Fried Garlic Rice recipe to use up leftover or day-old steamed rice in a delicious and simple way! This is optional, so feel free to add fried eggs, sweet peas, and carrot slices, this dish is ideal for a healthy breakfast or dinner!
Looking for more fried rice recipes? Try my delicious Arroz Valenciana, Chili Oil Fried Rice, Tofu Adobo Rice or my Easy Fried Rice.

What is Garlic Fried Rice?
Garlic Fried Rice, also known as Sinangag in the Philippines, is a popular side dish usually made of steamed rice fried with lots of garlic. It is a Filipino household staple breakfast that most Pinoy children grew up eating with a wide variety of viands.
It can be cooked with plain steamed white rice grains, garlic, and salt but in this recipe, I added fried eggs, sweet peas, and carrot slices for more deliciousness and nutrition. The garlic enhances the flavor of the rice, making this simple dish more than just a rice side dish for any meal.
This filipino garlic rice recipe with fried egg and veggies is incredibly simple to make, cost-efficient, versatile, and vegetarian-friendly. This is one of the quick and easy side dishes that you can make for breakfast or weeknight meals. It's no wonder if this will become your family's favorite dish, too!
Health Benefits of Garlic
- Lowers cholesterol levels.
- Aids the prevention of cancer.
- Reduces high blood pressure.
- Boosts the body's immune system.
- Helps fight infections and bacteria.
- Aids in the detoxification of the body.

Substitutions
You can use any neutral oil for this recipe such as olive oil, coconut oil, or even grapeseed oil.
Variations
- You can add other vegetables you like, such as celery, chopped mushrooms, red bell pepper, and a choice of protein for a one-punch meal.
- Topping options: green onion slices, fried garlic (for more enhance garlic flavor), or garlic chips.
Storage
- It is best to consume the filpino garlic rice while it is still hot to avoid spoilage. If you aren't going to eat right away, leave the pan open to allow steam to escape. Do not leave fried rice at room temperature for an extended period of time.
- Leftover garlic fried rice can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Allow it to cool completely before storing it in an airtight container. It can be reheated in a wok or skillet over medium heat with some water, stirring occasionally. Rice shouldn't be heated more than once.
Top Tips
- Feel free to adjust the amount of the seasonings added according to your preferred taste but watch out on your sodium intake!
- Make sure to use steamed rice (cooked rice) for this dish. Please note that instant or microwaveable rice is not recommended for this recipe.
- It is better to use day-old cold rice than newly cooked rice as it has less moisture and will not turn mushy when it hits the pan.
- Use cold leftover rice and medium- to long-grain rice. Then, use a large pan or wok, and don't overfill it with ingredients. Otherwise, the pan or wok will not heat up enough, and the soggy items will cause the rice to clump together.
- Make sure to heat the wok before adding the ingredients, too. Then, just add a few teaspoons of your favorite sauce for flavor, followed by salt for saltiness, and savor. Too much sauce will cause the rice to become mushy. Sautéing the ingredients in butter can also add flavor to this rice dish.
Ingredients
Listed below are all the ingredients you will need:
- vegetable oil
- large egg
- cooked rice
- sweet peas
- carrots
- salt
- soy sauce
- ground black pepper
- crispy garlic
- spring onions

Instructions
In a large skillet or wok over medium high heat, add oil. Add the beaten egg and cook for 2 minutes while stirring constantly:

Stir in the cooked rice and cook for 5 minutes on high heat while stirring constantly. Add the sweet peas, carrots, salt, soy sauce, and ground black pepper, mix well, and continue sautéing for another 5 minutes:

Add the crispy garlic and chopped spring onions; mix well and continue cooking for another 2 minutes on high:

Transfer to a serving plate and serve immediately. You can make the simple version of garlic rice (with no eggs and veggies) or you can add other ingredients like peas, eggs etc.

Enjoy a delicious rice meal!
Frequently Asked Questions
Filipino Fried Garlic Rice
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 large egg beaten
- 4 cups cooked rice
- 1 cup sweet peas
- ½ cup finely diced carrots
- 1 ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ⅙ cup crispy garlic
- 1 tablespoon chopped green onions
Instructions
- In a wok over medium heat, add oil.
- Add the beaten egg and cook for 2 minutes while stirring constantly.
- Stir in the cooked rice and cook for 5 minutes on high heat while stirring constantl
- Add the sweet peas, carrots, salt, soy sauce, and ground black pepper, mix well and continue sauteing for another 5 minutes.
- Add the crispy garlic and chopped spring onions; mix well and continue cooking for another 2 minutes on high.
- Transfer to a serving plate and serve immediately.
Notes
- You can add other vegetables you like, such as celery, chopped mushrooms, red bell pepper, and a choice of protein for a one-punch meal.
- It is better to use day-old rice rather than newly cooked rice as it has less moisture and will not turn mushy when it hits the pan