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Home » Entree » Rice Recipes

Published: Jan 10, 2022 · Modified: Jan 18, 2022 by Sandhya Ramakrishnan · This post may contain affiliate links

Spicy Schezwan Fried Rice

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schezwan fried rice image with text

Schezwan Fried rice or Szechuan Fried rice is a very popular fried rice from the Indo Chinese cuisine. This spicy fried rice is unique and different because of the freshly made Schezwan sauce that is used.

Schezwan or Szechuan sauce can be easily found in the stores but the flavor of freshly made sauce is much more delicious. I have made a quick and easy sauce here to make along with a mix of vegetables and rice.

fried rice with vegetables and tofu stir fry and chili sauce on side

Table of contents

  • Why make this fried rice?
  • Ingredients and substitutes
    • For the Schezwan / Szechuan sauce
    • For the Fried rice
  • Step by step process
    • To make the Schezwan Sauce
    • To make the Fried Rice
  • Serving suggestions
  • Expert tips
  • Frequently asked questions
  • More fried rice recipes
  • Recipe Card

The most interesting part of this fried rice recipe is the Schezwan sauce. I used the Guajillo Chili which is a mild chili pepper used widely in Mexican cuisine. Since this chili is quite mild, I also used a few dried red chilies for the heat.

Guajillo chili is what I use to make the Thai Red curry. This chili, when made into a paste gives a very lovely color and I love using it for this reason.

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I used half of the sauce to make the fried rice and have stored the remaining half for future use. Once the prep work is done, making the Schezwan fried rice is a breeze.

This week my theme for the blogging marathon is to choose 1 ingredient and make 3 recipes. I am choosing mixed vegetable as my ingredients and this is my first recipe under the theme.

We can use a blend of different vegetables and use as little or as much as we like. You could use them finely chopped or slice them as I have. Either way make sure to use a large wok as that helps in cooking them evenly.

Schezwan fried rice in a bowl with side dish

Why make this fried rice?

  • If you love spicy fried rice, then this is the recipe to make. The freshly made Schezwan sauce is the key to this recipe.
  • This Szechuan fried rice is vegan and gluten free. Make sure to check the ingredient label before buying the sauces.
  • This fried rice recipe comes together in a very little time. Once we have the sauce made and the vegetables prepped, it takes just under 30 minutes to make this.
  • Having said that, if you are into meal prep, this is the perfect recipe for you. Have the sauce made, vegetables chopped and rice cooked and chilled and you have a meal ready within minutes.
  • Leftover rice works the best for this Schezwan fried rice recipe. So a great recipe to have in mind when you have a lot of leftover rice.
  • This is a wonderful fried rice to make for lunch boxes. My boys love to take this for school and it is so easy to make it for them in the morning.
  • The sauce can be refrigerated for up to 3 days ahead and can be frozen for around 3 months. So make a double batch and have the sauce ready to make this super easy and spicy Schezwan fried rice anytime.

Ingredients and substitutes

Check the recipe card at the bottom of the page for exact measurements and printable detailed recipe.

For the Schezwan / Szechuan sauce

  • Chili pepper / dried red chilies - I have used Guajillo pepper, Kashmiri red chili or the regular dry red chili that I use in Indian cooking. I have mixed and matched them to achieve the heat and color. Guajillo pepper is mild and gives a beautiful color and so is the Kashmiri red chili.
  • Garlic and ginger - to grind along with the chili.

For the Fried rice

  • Rice - I like to use Basmati or long grain Jasmine rice for all my fried rice recipes. Lately my boys insist that they prefer the Asian fried to be made with Jasmine rice as they love the flavor and the texture. Any kind of rice you use, make sure that the rice is completely cool. Day old rice kept in the refrigerator works the best for this Szechuan fried rice.
  • Mixed vegetables - This is based entirely on your preference on how much and what kind of vegetables to use. I have used onions, cabbage, carrot and bell pepper. We could use beans, peas, mushrooms and corn as well. We will also be using some minced garlic for flavor.
  • Sauces - I have used the freshly made schezwan sauce, soy sauce and rice wine vinegar. We can use regular white vinegar as a substitute.
  • Oil - I use a mix of sesame oil and olive oil to make my fried rice.
  • Salt and pepper - Use salt with caution as we use soy sauce in the recipe. Taste the fried rice as you go to check for seasoning. I like to use a little pepper powder for flavor. But it is optional.

Step by step process

To make the Schezwan Sauce

  • Soak the chili in hot water for about 10 mins.
red chili pepper soaked in water
  • Grind it along with the ginger and garlic into a paste. I also washed the mixer with little water and added it to the sauce.
Grinding peppers in a blender and making a sauce

To make the Fried Rice

  • Soak the rice in water for a few minutes and then cook it.
  • I use my instant pot to cook the rice. Measure the rice and then add water as needed and set it on rice mode. I also like to add a teaspoon of oil when cooking rice for fired rice as it helps to keep the rice from sticking.
  • Once the rice is cooked, let it sit for about 15 minutes and then carefully spread it on a tray or wide bowl. I also like to refrigerate the room temperature rice for few minutes until we get ready with the rest of the prep work. If planning ahead, make rice the day before and let it chill in the refrigerator.
Process shot to cook rice
  • Chop all the vegetables and keep it ready. We can either chop the vegetables finely in dice or in thin slices.
chopped vegetables in a pan
  • Heat a wok and then add oil.

Note - The amount of water used to cook quinoa in open pot to Instant pot changes. For open pot method, we use 2 cups of water for every cup of quinoa. In Instant pot we use 1 ½ cups of water for 1 cup of quinoa.

  • Fry the minced garlic for about 30 secs and then immediately add the sliced onions.
  • Sauté it for a minute and then add the bell pepper. Fry it for 2 minutes.
  • Now add the rest of the vegetables and saute it for about 5-7 mins. Do not let the vegetables become mushy. They should have a crunch in them.
  • Add very little salt (if needed) and black pepper and mix well. Keep in mind that the soy sauce has lot of salt in it.
  • Next add all the sauces and vinegar and mix well.
Sauteing vegetables in a wok
  • At the end add the rice and carefully mix without breaking the grains.
Mixing rice in a wok
  • Check for seasoning and serve hot.

Serving suggestions

Schezwan fried rice is a main dish that goes well just by itself. I often serve it with Gobi Manchurian as my boys love that.

This particular time I served it with Spicy stir fried tofu and it was delicious. I would serve it with tofu if I am not adding tofu in the Szechuan fried rice itself.

Be sure to serve some hot sauce on the side for added heat. My favorite is homemade chili paste that I always have in hand. It tastes absolutely amazing with any noodle or stir fry dishes.

Expert tips

  • Use the right kind of chili for the level of spiciness you prefer.
  • Have all the ingredients chopped and ready before starting the cooking.
  • If you are like me who often cooks Indo Chinese or Asian recipes, investing in a wok is an absolute must. The flavor and the browning that we get from cooking in the wok is very different from cooking in any other pan.
  • Use long grain rice like basmati rice or jasmine rice. I personally love the flavor, texture and aroma of jasmine rice the best for Asian fried rice.
  • Leftover rice works the best. So if planning ahead, make sure to cook the rice and refrigerate it.
  • Use any other vegetable that you have in hand. We can also add tofu or paneer to the recipe Szechuan fried rice.
Fried rice with mixed vegetables and fried tofu and vegetables in the background

Frequently asked questions

How long can we store the homemade Schezwan sauce?

Szechuan sauce can be made couple of days ahead and refrigerated. The sauce can be kept frozen for 3 to 4 months. I make a double batch of the sauce and have one batch frozen to use later.

What is the difference between normal fried rice and Schezwan fried rice?

The difference is the fresh homemade sauce that we make for the Szechuan fried rice. The sauce adds a distinct flavor and color to the fried rice.

What kind of rice to use to make Szechuan fried rice?

Long grain rice works the best. I either use basmati rice or jasmine rice though we prefer the Jasmine rice for its unique flavor and aroma.

More fried rice recipes

  • Indo Chinese Vegetable Fried Rice
  • Broccoli Fried Rice Recipe
  • Vegan Bok Choy Fried Rice
  • Paneer Fried Rice – Indo-Chinese Style

 If you made this recipe and liked it, give a star rating on the recipe card or let me know in the comments below. You could also share it with me on Instagram using #MyCookingJourney and tagging me @sandhya.ramakrishnan. You could follow me and my recipes on Facebook |Instagram | Pinterest | twitter

Recipe Card

Fried rice in a bowl

Spicy Schezwan Fried Rice

Schezwan Fried rice or Szechuan Fried rice is a very popular fried rice from the Indo Chinese cuisine. This spicy fried rice is unique and different because of the freshly made Schezwan sauce that is used.
5 from 19 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Entree, Lunch Box Recipes
Cuisine: Asian
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 232kcal
Author: Sandhya Ramakrishnan

Equipment

  • wok
  • spatula
  • Blender
  • Cutting board
  • Knife

Ingredients

FOR THE SCHEZWAN SAUCE – (MAKES FOR 2 TIMES)

  • 2 Guajillo chilies
  • 4 Dry red chili
  • 4 cloves Garlic
  • 1 inch piece Ginger

FOR THE FRIED RICE –

  • 2 cups Basmati rice or any long grained rice
  • 2 cloves Garlic finely minced
  • 1 large Onion Thinly sliced
  • 1 cup Bell pepper Thinly sliced
  • 1 cup Cabbage Thinly sliced
  • 1 cup Carrots Thinly sliced
  • 1 ½ Tablespoon Soy sauce
  • 2 Tablespoon Schezwan sauce Or more based on your liking
  • 1 Tablespoon Rice wine vinegar
  • to taste Salt
  • 1 Tablespoon Sesame oil
  • 1 Tablespoon Olive oil

Instructions

To make the Schezwan Sauce

  • Soak the chili in hot water for about 10 mins.
  • Grind it along with the ginger and garlic into a paste. I also washed the mixer with little water and added it to the sauce.

To make the Fried Rice

  • Soak the rice in water for a few minutes and then cook it.
  • I use my instant pot to cook the rice. Measure the rice and then add water as needed and set it on rice mode. I also like to add a teaspoon of oil when cooking rice for fired rice as it helps to keep the rice from sticking.
  • Once the rice is cooked, let it sit for about 15 minutes and then carefully spread it on a tray or wide bowl. I also like to refrigerate the room temperature rice for few minutes until we get ready with the rest of the prep work. If planning ahead, make rice the day before and let it chill in the refrigerator.
  • Chop all the vegetables and keep it ready. We can either chop the vegetables finely in dice or in thin slices.
  • Heat a wok and then add oil.
  • Fry the minced garlic for about 30 secs and then immediately add the sliced onions.
  • Sauté it for a minute and then add the bell pepper. Fry it for 2 minutes.
  • Now add the rest of the vegetables and saute it for about 5-7 mins. Do not let the vegetables become mushy. They should have a crunch in them.
  • Add very little salt (if needed) and black pepper and mix well. Keep in mind that the soy sauce has lot of salt in it.
  • Next add all the sauces and vinegar and mix well.
  • At the end add the rice and carefully mix without breaking the grains.
  • Check for seasoning and serve hot.

Notes

Serving suggestions
  • Schezwan fried rice is a main dish that goes well just by itself. I often serve it with Gobi Manchurian as my boys love that.
  • This particular time I served it with Spicy stir fried tofu and it was delicious. I would serve it with tofu if I am not adding tofu in the Szechuan fried rice itself.
  • Be sure to serve some hot sauce on the side for added heat. My favorite is homemade chili paste that I always have in hand. It tastes absolutely amazing with any noodle or stir fry dishes.
Expert tips
  • Use the right kind of chili for the level of spiciness you prefer.
  • Have all the ingredients chopped and ready before starting the cooking.
  • If you are like me who often cooks Indo Chinese or Asian recipes, investing in a wok is an absolute must. The flavor and the browning that we get from cooking in the wok is very different from cooking in any other pan.
  • Use long grain rice like basmati rice or jasmine rice. I personally love the flavor, texture and aroma of jasmine rice the best for Asian fried rice.
  • Leftover rice works the best. So if planning ahead, make sure to cook the rice and refrigerate it.
  • Use any other vegetable that you have in hand. We can also add tofu or paneer to the recipe Szechuan fried rice.

Nutrition

Calories: 232kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 207mg | Potassium: 241mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 3387IU | Vitamin C: 46mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @Sandhya.Ramakrishnan or tag #MyCookingJourney!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Anshika Juneja says

    February 25, 2022 at 3:35 am

    5 stars
    Oh. I can't tell you how much i love Schezwan fried rice. It's commendable the way you have made this recipe from scratch. Love the way you have explained the recipe in such a simple way. I just feel like making this tomorrow for my family.

    Reply
    • Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      February 25, 2022 at 9:13 am

      Thanks a lot! Glad you like the recipe.

      Reply
  2. Suma Gandlur says

    January 31, 2022 at 7:39 pm

    Wow, you made from scratch. The meal looks colorful and inviting.

    Reply
  3. Vandana says

    January 28, 2022 at 1:18 pm

    5 stars
    I love Schezwan fried rice but always use store bought sauce to make it. Thanks to your recipe, I will start making the sauce at home.

    Reply
  4. Hayley Dhanecha says

    January 28, 2022 at 12:27 pm

    5 stars
    So delicious and packed with flavours, one of my favourites! This homemade schezwan fried rice, made from scratch is the best, just can't get enough of the aroma whilst making it. So tempting!!

    Reply
  5. Narmadha says

    January 25, 2022 at 1:22 pm

    5 stars
    I love szhewan fried rice. It looks so colorful and inviting. Bookmarking to try for our weekend guests.

    Reply
  6. Lata Lala says

    January 25, 2022 at 11:12 am

    5 stars
    We love our Schezwan Fried rice with veges and homemade sauce excaly how you have mentioned. It's such a great variation of Chinese cuisine recipe.

    Reply
  7. Harini Rupanagudi says

    January 24, 2022 at 6:26 pm

    5 stars
    My kids love this version of rice. But I have never used the chili variety you mentioned but I understand the balancing of heat of the various chilies used.

    Reply
  8. Brianna says

    January 23, 2022 at 8:21 pm

    5 stars
    Love this amped up version of one of my favorite Chinese dishes. Just the right level of spice and full of veggies!

    Reply
    • Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      January 23, 2022 at 8:58 pm

      Thanks a lot !

      Reply
  9. Marie says

    January 23, 2022 at 6:38 pm

    5 stars
    This is a truly delightful, easy-to-make, hearty dish! I turned down the volume on the spiciness because my young son is not yet used to those hot peppers, but it was extremely flavorful anyhow. We loved it!

    Reply
    • Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      January 23, 2022 at 8:58 pm

      Thank you so much. I use less spicy peppers as well when cooking for someone who does not tolerate heat much.

      Reply
  10. Jamie says

    January 23, 2022 at 6:30 pm

    5 stars
    I love how this is full of vegetables and so flavorful! It made a satisfying meal for my family. We loved it!

    Reply
  11. Naiby says

    January 23, 2022 at 5:52 pm

    5 stars
    I love what you've done here: combining the guajillo pepper in this Asian dish. It gives a distinct flavor.

    Reply
    • Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      January 23, 2022 at 8:57 pm

      Thank you. I love trying out different kind of chili peppers to see what works the best.

      Reply
  12. Srivalli says

    January 23, 2022 at 5:20 am

    5 stars
    Wow, the whole setup looks so inviting and just thinking about those chilies makes me want to make this rice again.. an excellent recipe Sandhya..

    Reply
    • Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      January 23, 2022 at 8:57 pm

      Thank you Valli. I agree. It is a recipe to fall in love with especially for spice lovers.

      Reply
  13. Loreto and Nicoletta Nardelli says

    January 23, 2022 at 12:59 am

    5 stars
    What a flavorful fried rice! Having a homemade Schezwan sauce makes all the difference. Way better than store-bought!

    Reply
    • Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      January 23, 2022 at 8:56 pm

      It does make a big difference. Thank you!

      Reply
  14. Healing Tomato says

    January 22, 2022 at 9:07 pm

    5 stars
    Schezwan Fried rice is one of my favorite Indo Chinese recipes. I have never tried to make it myself, so, I am glad you posted a very easy recipe for it. I love all your recipes.

    Reply
    • Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      January 23, 2022 at 8:56 pm

      Thank you so much. I am so happy that you liked the recipe.

      Reply
  15. Sharon says

    January 22, 2022 at 12:25 pm

    5 stars
    This rice is so yummy and full of flavor! I love that the Schezwan sauce is homemade too.

    Reply
  16. Katie Crenshaw says

    January 22, 2022 at 7:31 am

    5 stars
    You gave such detailed instructions and tips! It helped so much. The fried rice came out FANTASTIC! Now I don't have to go to a restaurant to eat it. I am so happy.

    Reply
  17. Radha says

    January 20, 2022 at 10:25 pm

    5 stars
    This is a flavorful rice. Love the addition of guajilo chiles and would try with it next time. Great share!

    Reply
  18. Mayuri Patel says

    January 20, 2022 at 7:36 pm

    5 stars
    A mouth watering rice dish Sandhya. So easy to make and like the idea of making the chilli sauce at home. Loaded with vegetables, I can make a meal out of the schezwan fried rice.

    Reply
  19. sushma pinjala says

    January 20, 2022 at 1:48 pm

    One of my favorite rice dishes. Good one

    Reply
  20. Pavani says

    January 20, 2022 at 11:08 am

    5 stars
    What a flavorful and delicious fried rice this is. Love the addition of freshly made schezwan sauce in here - thanks for sharing this amazing recipe.

    Reply
  21. Gloria says

    January 17, 2022 at 10:54 am

    5 stars
    I love all kinds of rice. This looks and sounds super delicious. Love the combination of all the spices in this easy to make rice recipe.

    Reply
    • Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      January 19, 2022 at 11:18 am

      Thanks Gloria! This is a simple recipe and perfect for quick weeknight dinner.

      Reply
  22. Pavani N says

    December 04, 2013 at 3:59 am

    I love Chinese fried rice and the addition of the Schezwan sauce sounds super flavorful and delicious.

    Reply
  23. Priya Srinivasan says

    November 30, 2013 at 5:36 pm

    Oh looks super delicious,; I have started drooling just reading intro!!!

    Reply
  24. Chef Mireille says

    November 30, 2013 at 6:51 pm

    what a good fried rice with all those veggies

    Reply
  25. Srivalli says

    November 30, 2013 at 4:21 pm

    That's looking very spicy and so delicious!

    Reply
  26. Shobana Vijay says

    November 30, 2013 at 1:43 pm

    Clear explanation...Love the way you have presented

    Reply
  27. Swathi Iyer says

    November 30, 2013 at 4:38 am

    Delicious spicy schewan fried rice Sandhya, Love it.

    Reply
  28. Harini-Jaya R says

    November 30, 2013 at 2:22 am

    sounds very yummy and interesting!

    Reply
  29. Yes Cook says

    November 29, 2013 at 2:39 pm

    Very well prepared fried rice.
    Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  30. Usha says

    November 28, 2013 at 10:03 pm

    I am salivating reading the ingredient list and seeing the pictures. I must have tasted great.

    Reply
  31. sangeetha pn says

    November 28, 2013 at 10:23 am

    home made schezwan sauce, n an equally good rice using it! 🙂 perfect

    Reply
  32. Razina Javed says

    November 28, 2013 at 4:09 am

    nice one, love the clicks...

    Reply
  33. Mayuri's jikoni says

    November 27, 2013 at 6:10 pm

    a wholesome meal. Like your home made Schezwan sauce.

    Reply
  34. nandoos Kitchen says

    November 27, 2013 at 4:58 pm

    Very yummy rice

    Reply

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I am Sandhya Ramakrishnan, author, recipe developer and photographer in this journey! 'My Cooking Journey' is all about family friendly Vegetarian and Vegan recipes from around the World with focus on Indian cuisine.

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