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This healthy vegan basil fried rice features loads of fresh basil fried up with brown rice, peas, corn, bell peppers and onion. Enjoy this gluten-free and oil-free dish as a homemade alternative to takeout fried rice.

A white bowl filled with vegan basil fried rice with peas and corn.

This easy fried rice dish takes just 15 minutes to make if you already have cooked rice on hand. It’s a great way to use up leftover brown rice and and is easily customizable to whatever veggies you have available.

This recipe is vegan, gluten-free, oil-free and refined sugar-free.

Recipe Ingredients

To make this simple, healthy fried rice, you’ll need:

  1. Brown rice. I like brown rice best for this recipe but you can use basmati or jasmine rice if you prefer. I like how brown rice is a bit firmer than white rice. The rice will need to be cooked beforehand, so make sure you give yourself 45 minutes if you’re cooking brown rice from scratch.
  2. Veggies. You’ll need fresh or frozen green peans and corn, bell peppers and onion for this recipe, however, you can substituted pretty much any veggie you have on hand. Broccoli, celery, green onion, zucchini and carrot also work well.
  3. Flavourings. To add flavour the the fried rice, I used soy sauce, coconut sugar and garlic. You can use brown sugar or maple syrup in place of the coconut sugar if you prefer.
  4. Basil. You can leave the basil out and do regular fried rice but I love the basil with the other veggies and chewy fried rice. You can use Thai basil or regular basil in this recipe.
A black skillet with vegan fried rice and fresh Thai basil.
Vegan basil fried rice in a black skillet.

How to Add Protein

  • Mix in 1 cup of cooked, shelled edamame.
  • Add the scrambled tofu portion of this fried rice dish.
  • Mix in 1 package of crumbled or cubed tempeh.
  • Mix in baked tofu or serve topped with baked tofu.
  • Mix in your choice of diced vegan sausage or homemade seitan.
Two bowls of healthy vegan basil fried rice with peas, corn, onions and bell pepper.

More Recipes to Try

Did you try this recipe? I’d love to hear about it! Scroll down to the comment section to leave a star rating and review.
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A white bowl filled with vegan basil fried rice with peas and corn.
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5 from 5 votes

Vegan Basil Fried Rice

This fried brown rice dish makes a quick and easy, healthy plant-based dinner the whole family will love. Serve on its own or with your choice of protein such as tofu, tempeh or edamame. 
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Thai, Vegan
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 208kcal
Author: Deryn Macey

Ingredients

  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 medium white onion diced (approx. 1 cup)
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 2 cups cooked brown rice
  • 1 cup green peas fresh or frozen (190 g)
  • 1 cup corn fresh or frozen (190 g)
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce or gluten-free tamari 30 mL
  • 1 tbsp coconut sugar or brown sugar 15 g
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1 cup tightly packed chopped fresh basil 50 g
  • sea salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Heat a skillet over medium-high heat then add the onion, garlic and bell pepper to a skillet with a splash of water or broth or 1 tsp of sesame oil. Cook for 5-8 minutes until fragrant, softened and starting to brown. 
  • Add everything except the basil, salt and pepper and cook for a few more minutes. 
  • Stir in the basil. Spread the mixture around the pan so it’s sitting evenly then allow to sit for 1-2 minutes before scraping and stirring. Repeat 2-3 times. This allows the rice to brown and crisp on the bottom. 
  • Season with salt and pepper if desired and serve hot or store in the fridge for up to 4 days. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 208kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 2g | Sodium: 550mg | Potassium: 379mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 112IU | Vitamin C: 59mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 2mg