Discover the ultimate fried rice sauce recipe that will revolutionize your weeknight meals. Chances are, you already have all the ingredients you need to whip up this lifesaving sauce in no time.

I always keep a jar of this versatile sauce in my fridge. It takes less than 5 minutes to prepare and helps me serve dinner in a flash.
You must try our simple fried rice recipe with this sauce! It also doubles as a delectable sweet soy glaze for chicken or tofu, making it a must-have in your kitchen arsenal.
Essential Ingredients
- Soy Sauce: The foundation of our sauce. Opt for low-sodium soy sauce or tamari for a healthier option. For added depth, consider using dark soy sauce or mushroom soy sauce.
- Brown Sugar: Balances the saltiness of the soy sauce. Brown sugar imparts more flavor than white sugar. Coconut sugar can be a great alternative. I typically use a 3:1 ratio of soy sauce to sugar, but feel free to adjust for a sweeter taste.
- Rice Vinegar: Unseasoned rice vinegar elevates the sauce. Look for the variety with a green top.
- Sesame Oil: Toasted sesame oil is a must for this sauce. I tend to add extra sesame oil when preparing my fried rice.
- Mirin: While optional, mirin ties the sauce together beautifully. Its sweet and fragrant notes are also ideal for making teriyaki sauce.
- Additional Optional Ingredients: Homemade sauces allow for customization. While the above ingredients shine in this sauce, consider enhancing the flavor with a touch of Chinese 5 spice or chili paste like sambal oelek or gochujang for some heat.
Refer to the complete recipe with precise measurements below.
Expert Tips for Preparation and Utilization
Tip 1: Adjust to Taste. Feel free to tailor the sauce to your liking. Add more sugar or optional ingredients for enhanced flavor. Remember, the sauce should have a robust taste on its own to effectively season the rice and veggies. An overpowering flavor indicates you’re on the right track.
Tip 2: Quick Fried Rice Guide. For my preferred method, check out our homemade fried rice recipe. Here’s a brief overview of the process:
- Cook proteins such as beef, chicken, pork, or shrimp in a large skillet or wok with some vegetable oil until nearly cooked. Set aside once done.
- Sauté robust veggies like onions, mushrooms, and carrots in a large saucepan or wok for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Introduce aromatics like minced garlic, ginger, or white parts of green onions, along with quick-cooking veggies like zucchini, edamame, or peas. Cook for about 1 minute.
- Incorporate cold rice. Stir and cook until heated through and slightly browned.
- Add the sauce, beginning with 2 tablespoons and adjusting as necessary.
- If desired, add eggs by pushing the rice to one side of the pan. Scramble eggs in the cleared space, then break them up and mix into the rice.
- Serve garnished with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

Tip 3: Versatility of the Sauce. This sauce works wonders as a sweet soy glaze for beef, chicken, pork, tofu, or shrimp. Simply sauté your protein in oil or butter, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of the sauce along with an equal amount of water or broth. To thicken into a luscious glaze, mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 2 teaspoons of water. Stir into the pan and simmer until the sauce thickens and coats the protein.
More Homemade Sauces

Fried Rice Sauce
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PREP
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COOK
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TOTAL
Elevate your fried rice experience with this easy-to-make sauce that our family adores. Featuring soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, and sesame oil, this sauce reaches new heights with additional ingredients if available. Mirin is highly recommended for a flavor boost!
Makes 1 cup
You Will Need
¾ cup low-sodium soy sauce (190g)
¼ cup brown sugar (50g)
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
2 tablespoons mirin, optional
¼ teaspoon Chinese five spice, optional
1 tablespoon sambal oelek chili paste or gochujang, optional
Directions
1Combine soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and sesame oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Simmer until the sugar dissolves. Stir in any optional ingredients if desired.
Adam and Joanne’s Recommendations
- Storage: Store this sauce in an airtight container like a mason jar in the refrigerator for up to one week. Shake well before using.
- Freezing: Freeze the sauce in ice cube trays, distributing it evenly. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag.
- Soy Sauce: Opt for low-sodium soy sauce. For added richness, consider substituting 4 tablespoons (¼ cup) with dark soy sauce or mushroom soy sauce for enhanced flavor.
- Pro Tips for Fried Rice: Use day-old or chilled rice for optimal results. Freshly cooked rice tends to result in a softer texture. I recommend using short or medium-grain white rice like Calrose or Jasmine, but brown rice and quinoa also work well.
- Seasoning: While this sauce provides ample seasoning, I suggest lightly salting the protein and veggies as you cook them before adding the sauce. This ensures a delicious outcome akin to your favorite restaurant fried rice!
- Nutritional values are approximate.
Nutrition Per Serving
Serving Size
1 tablespoon
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Calories
24
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Total Fat
0.9g
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Saturated Fat
0.1g
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Cholesterol
0mg
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Sodium
326.4mg
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Carbohydrate
5.5g
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Dietary Fiber
0g
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Total Sugars
4.5g
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Protein
0.9g
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