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Seafood fried rice turns simple leftover rice into a luxurious one pan meal loaded with buttery lobster, sweet shrimp, and perfectly seared scallops. Every bite delivers layers of smoky wok flavor, tender seafood, crisp vegetables, and chewy rice grains that soak up garlic, soy, and savory seafood richness.
For other tasty fried rice dishes try this beef fried rice or fragrant garlic fried rice.
Why You'll Love This Shrimp Fried Recipe
This dish pulls inspiration from Chinese takeout classics and coastal seafood traditions where high heat cooking creates texture and deep flavor fast. I like cooking each seafood separately before folding everything together at the end which keeps the lobster succulent, the shrimp snappy, and the scallops beautifully caramelized instead of rubbery.
Seafood fried rice is a delicious and decadent dish that can be easily made at home. This dish combines the rich flavors of seafood with the comfort and convenience of fried rice but with a twist.
I know most shrimp fried rice dishes include frozen veggies like frozen peas, frozen carrots, bean sprouts and sauces like oyster sauce, but I excluded them in favor of peppers and green seasoning for more of a Caribbean element and more amped-up flavor.
Beats and Eats (music to pair with Lobster fried rice)
This is a groovy recipe demanding of some serious groove. Stro Elliot's "Marvin's Mood" is perfect in this role. Jazzy beats backed by smooth Marvin Gaye vocals make this rice even more appetizing.
What Is Green Seasoning?
Green seasoning is not a typical ingredient in a fried rice recipe. Green seasoning is a seasoning base similar to sofrito or Haitian Epis featuring a blend of fresh herbs and aromatics used in Caribbean and Latin American cuisine as a flavoring agent for various dishes, including meat, fish, poultry, and stews.
The mixture typically includes ingredients such as green onions, garlic, thyme, cilantro, parsley, and scotch bonnet peppers.
Ingredients Notes
Green seasoning brings fresh herbal flavor and aromatic depth that cuts through the richness of the seafood and fried rice. The blend of herbs, scallions, garlic, peppers, and citrus gives the dish a bright Caribbean style backbone that makes the seafood pop. If you do not have homemade green seasoning, substitute with a mix of cilantro, parsley, garlic, scallions, and lime juice. Avoid adding it too early over high heat because the fresh herbs can lose their brightness quickly.
Lobster adds buttery sweetness and luxurious texture that elevates the fried rice into something special. Slightly undercook the lobster before adding it back to the rice so it stays tender and juicy instead of turning tough during the final toss.
Shrimp brings savory sweetness and that classic seafood fried rice flavor people expect. Large shrimp are ideal because they stay meaty and hold up well against the rice and vegetables. Pat them dry before cooking so they sear instead of steam, and season lightly since the fried rice sauce already carries plenty of umami flavor.
Bay scallops add delicate sweetness and soft tender texture throughout the fried rice. Their smaller size helps distribute seafood flavor evenly in every bite while also cooking quickly. Sea scallops can be substituted if chopped into smaller pieces, but bay scallops are easier to cook evenly and less likely to overcook.
How To Make Seafood Stir Fried Rice (Step by Step):
Here is everything you need to know to make the perfect seafood fried rice.
Heat a wok or large skillet over medium high heat. Add butter then scramble the egg quickly and remove from the skillet.
Wipe the skillet clean, increase skillet to high heat, then add the vegetable oil and swirl to coat. Flash fry the seafood 1-2 minutes partially cooking then remove and set aside. If using frozen cooked shrimp skip this step.
Add the red onions and cook 1 minute stirring frequently with a slotted spoon. Add the peppers and cook for another minute. Add the minced garlic and ginger and stir-fry for 15-20 seconds.
Mix in the green seasoning then add the cooked rice. Stir quickly then allow to set undisturbed for a minute. This allow that crispy crust to form on the rice.
Add the sesame oil and the seafood mix. Stir fry well for about 2 minutes.
Add the green onions, scrambled eggs, and soy sauce. Mix well and stir fry quickly for maybe a minute. Remove from the wok or skillet.
Drizzle with some lime juice and/or a little bit more sesame oil. Taste and add more soy sauce if needed.
What to Serve with This Easy Seafood Fried Rice
Seafood fried rice pairs best with dishes that bring contrast through smoke, spice, crunch, or bright acidity. Since the fried rice is rich with lobster, shrimp, and scallops, I like serving it with lighter vegetable sides or boldly seasoned proteins that complement the seafood without overpowering it. A crisp fresh collard greens salad or smoky grilled vegetables balance the buttery seafood flavors beautifully.
For a full Food Fidelity spread, pair it with smoked fish dip for layered seafood flavor, yuca fries for crispy starchy contrast, or collard greens salad for fresh texture and acidity.
Cooking Tips and Considerations for Fried Rice
If you want perfect fried rice follow the tips included below:
Texture is everything! Use leftover rice for the best fried rice. I recommend just buying steamed rice from any Chinese restaurant since most have perfected steamed rice. But if not feel free to make your own.
Use a wok or large non stick skillet: This will allow the ingredients to be evenly distributed and cooked quickly.
Brown rice can be used as a substitute to white rice.
Go with you seafood of choice. I avoided crab meat simply because I'm allergic but if crab is your thing then go for it. I will just say use that premium crab meat instead of the cheap stuff.
I like large shrimp as I'm big on tender shrimp in my fried rice and it's too easy to overcook smaller shrimp.
Cook the seafood separately: Cook the lobster, scallops, and shrimp separately and set them aside. This will ensure that they are cooked perfectly and will not overcook when added to the rice.
Use high heat: Stir-frying at high heat allows the ingredients to cook quickly and evenly.
Add the ingredients in stages: Add the vegetables first, followed by the rice and then the cooked seafood.
Use soy sauce sparingly: Soy sauce can overpower the delicate flavors of the seafood, so use it sparingly. Also go with a low sodium soy sauce.
Make The Best Ever Seafood Fried Rice Recipe
Everyone should make this easy and delicious recipe for seafood fried rice to try something exciting for dinner tonight. Not only is it packed with delicious flavors and textures, but it's also incredibly simple to make in about 30 minutes.
You won't need any fancy ingredients or equipment—just a few basic ingredients found in most people's pantries! Plus, you can always switch up the types of seafood and vegetables you use based on your own tastes or what's in season. For an easy meal that comes together quickly and will impress even the pickiest eaters, give this seafood fried rice a try.
If you make this wonderful recipe or any other from the site, please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback. Definitely take a photo of the dish and be sure to tag #foodfidelity so that I can see them.
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Seafood Fried Rice w/ Caribbean Green Seasoning
Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked and chilled white rice
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 large eggs
- ½ pound lobster cooked and chopped
- ½ pound scallops cooked
- ½ pound shrimp peeled and deveined
- ½ cup bell peppers diced
- 1 medium red onion diced
- ½ cup sliced scallions
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup Caribbean green seasoning
Method
- Heat a wok or large skillet over medium high heat. Add butter then scramble the egg quickly and remove from the skillet.
- Wipe the skillet clean, increase skillet to high heat, then add the vegetable oil and swirl to coat. Flash fry the seafood 1-2 minutes partially cooking then remove and set aside. If using frozen cooked shrimp skip this step.
- Add the red onions and cook 1 minute stirring frequently with a slotted spoon. Add the peppers and cook for another minute. Add the minced garlic and ginger and stir-fry for 15-20 seconds.
- Mix in the green seasoning then add the cooked rice. Stir quickly then allow to set undisturbed for a minute. This allow that crispy crust to form on the rice.
- Add the sesame oil and the seafood mix. Stir fry well for about 2 minutes.
- Add the green onions, scrambled eggs, and soy sauce. Mix well and stir fry quickly for maybe a minute. Remove from the wok or skillet.
- Drizzle with some lime juice and/or a little bit more sesame oil. Taste and add more soy sauce if needed.
Nutrition
Notes
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- Use cold cooked rice: It's important to use leftover rice that has been refrigerated for at least a few hours, as freshly cooked rice can be too moist and will stick together.
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- High heat: Fried rice should be cooked quickly over high heat to prevent it from becoming mushy. Use a wok or large skillet if possible.
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- Don't overcrowd the pan: If you add too much rice to the pan at once, it will steam instead of fry. Cook the rice in batches if necessary.
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- Use aromatics: Garlic, ginger, and scallions add depth of flavor to fried rice. Saute them in oil before adding the rice.
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- Add soy sauce and other seasonings to taste: Soy sauce adds savory umami flavor to fried rice. Other seasonings like sesame oil can also be added to taste.
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- Customize with your favorite ingredients: Fried rice is a versatile dish that can be customized with your favorite meats, vegetables, and other add-ins. Cook these ingredients separately and add them to the fried rice at the end. Fresh veggies like green beans, spring onions, etc. can work well
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