Easy Beef Fried Rice with Kimchi and Vegetables
You haven’t experienced all fried rice has to offer unless you’ve had kimchi fried rice. This simple dish is the Korean version of fried rice and it’s incredible.
This beef kimchi fried rice recipe is everything you love about fried rice, with juicy beef, crispy vegetables, and flavorful sauce. What sets this fried rice apart is the addition of kimchi and wowza, you’re gonna love it.
Kimchi is a staple in Korean cuisine. The ingredients of kimchi can vary but usually it’s a combination of veggies (usually always cabbage), garlic, ginger, Korean chili paste or chili peppers and salt. Everything is pickled and fermented which gives the kimchi its famous sour, spicy and savory depth of flavor.
If you’re feeling inspired, try making homemade kimchi, it’s amazing and worth the effort. That’s a recipe for another day!
For this fried rice recipe, I rinsed out the kimchi juice so it was suitable for my toddler, because my kimchi was way too spicy for him. But absolutely keep it in when you’re adding the rice and veggies and want a flavor bomb.
The next time the fried rice mood strikes and you’re a kimchi lover, this is one of the best rice recipes you’ll ever have.
❤️ Why You’ll Love Beef Kimchi Fried Rice:
- Kids love it.
- Great use of day old rice.
- Korean staple from the comfort of your own kitchen.
- Packed with veggies.
- Zinc and iron from beef.
- Add in runny eggs to make this even more flavorful.
🍲 Ingredients
Ground Beef
Frozen Veggies – I like Cascadian Farm Cauliflower Blend.
Cooked Rice: day-old rice is ideal
Kimchi
Coconut Aminos
Sesame Oil
Garlic Powder
Sesame Seeds
👩🍳 How to Make Beef Kimchi Fried Rice
- In a large pan over medium high heat, add ground beef and cook until brown. If there is excess fat, remove from pan and drain.
- Add frozen veggies, cooked rice, and kimchi into pan. If serving toddlers or babies make sure to rinse your kimchi well before adding.
- Season with garlic powder and black pepper and stir together for a few seconds.
- Add coconut aminos and sesame oil and continue to mix until well combined, about 3 minutes.
🪄 Tips and Tricks
- Use leftover cold rice. Fresh rice will make the rice soggy.
- This kimchi fried rice is great for babies over 9 months old and kids alike. Because we used ground beef, you can serve as is. If your kimchi has large chunks you may want to cut those down before serving to little ones.
- Form into rice balls if your baby is too young to grab little rice grains.
- If you choose to keep the kimchi juice, find the best kimchi that you love the flavor of. Check out Korean or Asian grocery stores, they have tons of amazing options and way more to offer than your typical grocery store.
🗒 Substitutions
- Soy sauce for coconut aminos.
- Use brown rice, basmati, wild rice or quinoa.
🗒 Best served with
- Add a fried egg, sunny side up egg or runny egg on top of your rice. I love mine with a runny yoke to mix into the fried rice.
- Green onions.
👝 How to Store Leftovers
Store leftover rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
🤔 Common Questions
Yes!
I use long grain jasmine rice for fried rice. Jasmine rice is slightly dryer than other rice varieties and doesn’t get too sticky after it’s cooked. Go with long grain rice over short grain. Brown rice or quinoa also work. Most important is, if using any rice, make sure it’s a day old.
Absolutely! I used ground beef because it’s easy for babies to grab and eat and I don’t have to cut anything up. Add chicken, steak, short rib or bulgogi. My Pork Belly Fried Rice is also delicious.
Beef Kimchi Fried Rice
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 12 ounces frozen vegetables cauliflower, broccoli, red pepper, onion, mushrooms, and carrot blend
- 1 cup cooked rice day old preferred
- 1/2 cup kimchi rinsed with water for younger babies
- 1/2 Tablespoon coconut aminos
- 1/2 Tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- sesame seeds optional
Instructions
- In a large pan over medium high heat, add ground beef and cook until brown. If there is excess fat, remove from pan and drain.
- Add frozen veggies, cooked rice, and kimchi into pan. If serving toddlers or babies make sure to rinse your kimchi well before adding.
- Season with garlic powder and black pepper and stir together for a few seconds.
- Add coconut aminos and sesame oil and continue to mix until well combined, about 3 minutes.
