If you're seeking a frugal dinner idea or a home-cooked version of your beloved Chinese dish, this hot dog fried rice could be the answer. made with leftover white rice and hot dog franks, it's delicious, filling, and perfect for a simple family meal.
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Occasionally, we order Chinese food for dinner, but it can get pricey, and we often have extra white rice left. We make the most of our leftovers by turning plain white rice into a budget-friendly new dinner option.
We can even use leftover Instant Pot Hot Dogs if we made too many the night before.
This fried rice with egg and hot dog may sound unusual, but once you brown the hot dog meat and blend in the fried rice flavors, it becomes an incredible dish!
My family adores this hot dog fried rice, and I appreciate its affordability and how easy it is to throw together. If we still have leftover rice, we make this Quick Horchata Recipe or Bacon Fried Rice.
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💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It is cheap. If you're looking for a super frugal meal then look no further. This recipe can feed 6 or more mouths for less than $1 per serving (that's about $5 for dinner!)
- It's simple. Made with cooked white rice and a few other ingredients, this dish comes together quickly and easily. Perfect for a weeknight dinner.
- It's quick to make. In under 30 minutes from start to finish you can have a large batch of fried rice ready to eat. Plenty of servings to give everyone second helpings or leftovers for lunch the next day.
🛒 Ingredients
Sesame oil- Helps prevent sticking and adds great flavor. Olive oil works too, but sesame oil is worth keeping on hand since we also use it in Sesame Garlic Ramen Noodles, Honey Soy Chicken Bites, and Spicy Peanut Butter Ramen.
Hot Dogs- For the star of the show, we'll use hot dogs as a cheap meat in this fried rice.
Cooked White Rice- You want to use already cooked and cooled rice for this because freshly cooked rice will be too soft and mushy.
Frozen Peas- These will cook in the fried rice mixture, so they do not need to be thawed beforehand.
See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
Rice Options. Swap white rice for brown rice if preferred. Cauliflower rice can work too, as long as it's cooked and dried out so it isn't wet or mushy.
Veggie Swaps. If you don't have fresh carrots, use a frozen peas-and-carrots blend and add it in with the peas. A frozen stir-fry veggie mix also works for a "hot dog stir fry" twist.
Flavor Add-Ins. A little diced pineapple adds a fun sweet-savory vibe (similar to spam fried rice). You can also stir in extra seasoning like garlic powder, ginger powder, or a dash of sesame seeds.
💰 Budget-Friendly Tips
Use Leftovers. This recipe is perfect for leftover hot dogs and leftover rice, no need to buy anything new.
Buy Value Packs. Hot dogs, rice, frozen veggies, and soy sauce are cheapest in bulk or store-brand versions.
Stretch the Meal. Add an extra cup of rice or more veggies to increase servings without increasing cost by much.
No Fancy Oils Needed. Sesame oil adds great flavor, but olive oil or vegetable oil works fine if it's what you already have.
🥄 Instructions for Hot Dog Fried Rice
Step 1: In a large wok or skillet, heat your sesame oil over medium heat. (Image 1)
Step 2: Add in the onions, carrots and hot dog and cook until the onions are translucent and the hot dogs look browned. This should take about 3-5 minutes. (Image 2)
Step 3: Add in the garlic and then cook for an additional 30 seconds.
Step 4: Add in the cooked white rice. (Image 3) Stir the rice to fully incorporate and cook for about 3 minutes.
Step 5: Beat eggs in a separate bowl. (Image 4)
Step 6: Push the rice mixture to one side of the pan. Pour the beaten eggs into the open section of your skillet. (Image 5) Scramble the eggs in the pan using a wooden spoon until the eggs are fully cooked.
Step 7: Stir the cooked eggs into the rice mixture to evenly distribute. (Image 6)
Step 8: Add in the frozen peas and the soy sauce. (Image 7) Stir well to combine. (Image 8)
Step 9: Cook for an additional minute or until the peas are warmed through.
Serve with sliced green onions on top if desired.
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- Optimal Rice Choice: For the best texture in your hotdog and egg fried rice, opt for cold leftover rice instead of freshly made rice. Freshly made rice tends to be sticky and wet, resulting in a less desirable texture.
- Prep Ahead: Prepare your rice the night before and store it in the refrigerator in a sealed container until you're ready to use it. This ensures the rice has enough time to cool and dry out, ideal for achieving the perfect fried rice texture.
❄️ Storage, Reheating & Make Ahead
Storage: Keep leftover Hot Dog Fried Rice in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. The rice may dry out slightly as it chills, which is normal.
Reheating: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. Adding a small pat of butter or a splash of water can help rehydrate the rice. You can also reheat it in a skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes.
Make Ahead: Cook your rice the night before and refrigerate it, cold, dry rice gives you the best fried rice texture. You can also pre-slice the hot dogs and prep the veggies up to 24 hours in advance for even faster cooking.
🥗 Side Dishes or Pairing Ideas
Serve your hot dog fried rice with simple sides like sliced cucumbers, steamed broccoli, egg drop soup, or a quick green salad. It also pairs great with air-fried potstickers or spring rolls for a takeout-style meal at home.
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❓ Hot Dog Fried Rice FAQs
The main parts to a fried rice recipe is cooked rice, soy sauce, and mixed veggies. You can add in eggs, seasonings, meats, or other ingredients to suit your own tastebuds.
You can place your fried rice in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for about 1-2 minutes, stirring about halfway through. I like to add a small pad of butter on top of the rice to help rehydrate it as it cooks, but this is optional.
You can keep your leftover fried rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 or 4 days.
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🐝 If you tried this Hot Dog Fried Rice, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your buzz in the 💬 comments below. I'd truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
Hot Dog Fried Rice
Equipment
- Large Wok or skillet
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil - ($0.64)
- 1 cup onion, diced - ($0.46)
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and diced - ($0.54)
- 3 hot dogs, sliced into half coins - ($0.57)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced - ($0.16)
- 2 ½ cups cooked white rice - ($1.54)
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten - ($0.30)
- ½ cups frozen peas - ($0.24)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce, low-sodium preferred - ($0.10)
- 2 tablespoons green onion, thinly sliced - ($0.04)
Instructions
- Cook the base. Heat the toasted sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and hot dogs. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until the onion is softened and the hot dogs are lightly browned.
- Add aromatics. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
- Fry the rice. Add the cooked rice and stir to combine. Cook for about 3 minutes, letting the rice heat through.
- Scramble the eggs. Push the rice to one side of the pan. Pour the beaten eggs into the empty space and scramble until fully cooked. Stir the eggs into the rice.
- Finish and serve. Stir in the frozen peas and soy sauce. Cook for 1 minute, until the peas are heated through. Remove from heat and garnish with green onions before serving.
Notes
- Best rice. Cold, day-old rice fries best and prevents mushy texture.
- Reheating. Microwave for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Storage. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days.
Nutritional Information
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