Shrimp Fried Rice

Around the Campfire

Shrimp fried rice is a quick one-griddle dinner when you have cooked rice ready. It feels complete in one bowl and cooks fast enough for busy camp nights.

Why This Recipe Works

Cold cooked rice fries better than fresh rice. Shrimp and eggs cook quickly, so staging them before the rice keeps everything from overcooking.

Quick Facts

• Serves: 4
• Heat zone: Medium-high
• Best for: Leftover rice, fast dinners, seafood bowls
• Teaches: Fried rice sequencing

Shopping List

• Cooked rice
• Shrimp
• Eggs
• Mixed vegetables
• Soy-style sauce
• Oil

Home Prep

Cook rice at home and chill it completely. Portion shrimp and vegetables before the trip.

Cooler Packing

Keep shrimp cold and sealed. Keep cooked rice cold in a separate container.

Equipment

• Blackstone griddle
• Spatula
• Scraper
• Bowl or foil pan

Heat Zones

Use medium-high for the seafood and a cooler zone for rice or the finished pieces.

Ingredients

• 4 cups cold cooked long-grain rice
• 1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (medium or large)
• 4 large eggs, beaten
• 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, and corn)
• 4 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
• 3 tablespoons neutral oil (such as avocado or canola)

Instructions

1. Preheat the griddle to medium-high.
2. Add 1 tablespoon oil and cook the shrimp until opaque, about 2–3 minutes per side. Move aside.
3. Add 1 tablespoon oil to a clean spot, pour in the beaten eggs, and scramble until just set. Move aside.
4. Add 1 tablespoon oil and the mixed vegetables. Cook for 2–3 minutes until heated through.
5. Add cold rice and spread it out. Fry for 3–4 minutes, stirring and breaking up clumps.
6. Fold cooked shrimp and eggs back in.
7. Sprinkle soy sauce evenly over the rice and toss everything together for 1–2 minutes. Serve hot.

Doneness

Shrimp should be opaque and eggs should be set.

Common Mistakes

• Using fresh wet rice.
• Overcooking shrimp.
• Adding sauce before the rice heats through.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with fruit, salad, green onions, or extra vegetables.

Variations

• Add pineapple.
• Use chicken instead of shrimp.
• Add sesame seeds.

Dietary Adaptations

• Gluten-free: Use gluten-free tamari or verified sauce.
• Dairy-free: As written if sauce is verified.
• Vegetarian: Skip shrimp and add more eggs or vegetables.

Scaling

Cook in batches so rice fries instead of steaming.

Weather Notes

Wind cools rice quickly. Smaller batches work better.

Leftovers

Cool promptly and use the next day in bowls or wraps.

Kid Helper Tasks

Kids can add toppings and help build bowls away from the griddle.

Dragonfly Tip

Cold rice is the secret. Fresh rice steams; cold rice fries.

Dragonfly Challenge

Try one bowl with shrimp and one with extra egg. Pick the camp favorite.