Flavorful Vegetable Fried Rice with Cashews & Creamy Peanut Butter Dressing: A Quick & Healthy Weeknight Meal

Vegetable Fried Rice offers a delightful twist on a classic, combining nutrient-rich vegetables and crunchy cashews with an irresistibly creamy peanut butter dressing. This recipe transforms a simple fried rice into an extraordinary, easy, and undeniably delicious meal perfect for any night of the week.

Forget your usual takeout; this homemade Vegetable Fried Rice recipe provides all the satisfaction and flavor you crave, but with a unique, gourmet touch. Unlike traditional Chinese fried rice, our version is elevated by a rich, savory peanut butter dressing that coats every grain of rice and vegetable. The addition of toasted cashews brings a wonderful textural contrast and an extra nutty depth, making this a truly hearty and memorable dish. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy a wholesome, Asian-inspired meal right in your own kitchen, allowing you to control the ingredients and customize it to your liking.

Quick and easy Asian-style recipes are always a favorite in my kitchen, and for good reason! They’re often faster and more cost-effective than ordering in, and you have complete freedom to use the freshest ingredients and tailor them to your family’s preferences. For instance, much like our popular Cauliflower Shrimp Fried Rice, this recipe demonstrates how versatile fried rice can be. You can easily adapt it to be lower in carbs or packed with specific vegetables you love, without sacrificing any of the vibrant flavors. This particular fried rice with cashews leans into a more wholesome direction, utilizing nutty brown rice to complement the creamy dressing and provide a satisfying texture.

For this specific recipe, I opted for convenient boil-in-a-bag brown rice. While any cooked rice will work beautifully, brown rice lends an extra layer of nutty flavor that harmonizes wonderfully with the cashews and peanut dressing. It also offers a slightly chewier texture and a boost of whole grains. Using boil-in-a-bag rice is simply a clever shortcut to get perfectly cooked brown rice quickly, making this healthy fried rice recipe even faster to prepare on a busy weeknight.

Essential Ingredients for Your Nutty Fried Rice

To create this incredible Vegetable Fried Rice with Cashews, you’ll need a handful of fresh ingredients and pantry staples. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card with exact measurements.

Oil: Vegetable or canola oil is ideal for stir-frying as it has a high smoke point, ensuring your ingredients cook beautifully without burning.
Broccoli Florets: Fresh or frozen work equally well. Broccoli adds a lovely crunch, a vibrant green color, and a boost of essential nutrients to this healthy fried rice.
Mushrooms: I recommend white mushrooms for their mild flavor, but feel free to experiment with cremini (baby bella) or shiitake for a deeper, earthier taste. They absorb the dressing beautifully, adding umami to the dish.
Boil-In-A-Bag Brown Rice: As mentioned, any cooked rice will do (about 4 cups). For the best fried rice texture, we highly recommend using day-old, chilled cooked rice as it’s drier and less likely to clump, resulting in perfectly separate, slightly crispy grains.
Cashews: Roasted cashews are essential for that signature nutty crunch and rich flavor profile that defines this unique fried rice dish.
Eggs: Scrambled eggs add a classic fried rice element, contributing protein and helping to bind the ingredients together for a cohesive texture.
Soy Sauce: A cornerstone of Asian cuisine, providing savory umami depth. For dietary considerations, use low-sodium soy sauce if you’re watching your salt intake, or Tamari for a gluten-free option.
Sesame Oil: A finishing oil that imparts a distinctive, nutty, and highly aromatic flavor. A small amount goes a long way in enhancing the overall taste.
Black Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper adds a subtle warmth and helps to balance the complex flavors of the dish.
Creamy Peanut Butter: The star of our unique dressing! Choose a natural, creamy peanut butter for the smoothest, most luxurious consistency in your sauce.
Water: Used to thin out the thick peanut butter into a pourable dressing consistency, ensuring it coats all the ingredients evenly.
Rice Vinegar: Adds a crucial touch of acidity and brightness to cut through the richness of the peanut butter, making the dressing well-balanced and more vibrant.
Sesame Seeds: An optional but highly recommended garnish that adds visual appeal, a delicate nutty flavor, and an extra layer of texture.

Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Delicious Vegetable Fried Rice

Making this incredible peanut butter fried rice is straightforward and quick, making it an ideal choice for a busy evening. Follow these simple steps for a perfect meal that’s bursting with flavor:

Cook Veggies: Begin by heating 1 Tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add your broccoli florets and sliced mushrooms. Sauté them for 6-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they start to brown slightly and the mushrooms become tender and release their moisture. The goal is to get some nice caramelization, which deepens their flavor and texture. Once cooked to your liking, remove the vegetables from the skillet and set them aside in a warm place. This prevents them from getting overcooked and mushy when combined with the rice later.
Prepare the Creamy Dressing: While your vegetables are cooking, take a moment to whisk together the signature peanut butter dressing. In a liquid measuring cup or a small bowl, combine the creamy peanut butter, 2 Tablespoons of soy sauce, water, rice vinegar, and 1 Tablespoon of sesame seeds. Whisk vigorously using a fork or small whisk until all ingredients are well combined and you have a smooth, pourable, and uniform dressing. This step can be done ahead of time to streamline your cooking process. Set this delicious dressing aside.
Build the Fried Rice Base: Return the skillet to the heat and add the remaining 1 Tablespoon of vegetable oil. Once the oil is shimmering and hot, add your cooked rice (ideally day-old rice for superior texture) and the roasted cashews. Stir-fry constantly for a few minutes, allowing the rice grains to toast slightly and the cashews to become fragrant and develop a deeper golden color. This crucial step helps create that characteristic fried rice texture—lightly crispy and not sticky.
Scramble the Eggs: Once the rice and cashews are lightly browned, push them to one side of the pan, creating an open space on the other side. Pour your two beaten eggs into this cleared section. Quickly scramble the eggs using your spatula, breaking them up into small, fluffy pieces as they cook. Once the eggs are fully scrambled and no longer liquid, mix them thoroughly with the rice and cashews, distributing the eggy goodness throughout the dish.
Incorporate Vegetables and Seasonings: Now it’s time to bring back the flavor and color! Add the previously cooked broccoli and mushroom mixture back into the skillet with the rice and egg base. Pour in the remaining 2 Tablespoons of soy sauce, drizzle with the aromatic sesame oil, and season with black pepper. Stir everything together gently but thoroughly, ensuring all the ingredients are well combined and evenly coated with the savory soy and fragrant sesame flavors.
Add the Peanut Butter Dressing: This is where the magic happens! Pour the prepared creamy peanut butter dressing evenly over the entire rice and vegetable mixture in the skillet. Stir continuously and thoroughly until every single component of the fried rice is beautifully coated in the rich, savory, and slightly tangy dressing. Take your time to ensure an even distribution for maximum flavor in every bite. The aroma will be absolutely incredible!
Serve Immediately: For the best experience and optimal texture, serve your hot, flavorful Vegetable Fried Rice with Cashews and Peanut Butter Dressing right away. You can garnish with extra sesame seeds, chopped green onions, or a drizzle of sriracha for a touch of heat, if desired. Enjoy this unique and incredibly satisfying meal!

Expert Tips & Tricks for the Best Fried Rice

Elevate your Vegetable Fried Rice experience even further with these handy tips and creative variations, ensuring a perfect dish every time:

Boost with Protein: If you’re looking to make this fried rice even heartier and more substantial, adding a protein is an excellent idea. Cooked chicken breast (diced), shrimp, thinly sliced pork, or even plant-based proteins like pressed and cubed tofu or tempeh would be fantastic additions. Simply cook your chosen protein separately until almost done, then add it to the skillet along with the cooked vegetables in Step 5.
Customize Your Veggies: Don’t feel limited to just broccoli and mushrooms! This recipe is incredibly adaptable, allowing you to use your favorite vegetables or whatever you have on hand. Consider adding finely diced carrots, colorful bell peppers, crisp snap peas, sweet corn, edamame, nutrient-rich bok choy, or even finely chopped cabbage. Remember to adjust cooking times based on the hardness of the vegetables – denser vegetables like carrots might need a head start in the pan.
Creamy vs. Crunchy Peanut Butter: The recipe calls for creamy peanut butter to achieve a smooth, velvety consistency in the dressing, which beautifully coats every grain of rice. However, if you enjoy more texture in your dish, feel free to use crunchy peanut butter. The small bits of peanuts will add another layer of delightful crunch that complements the cashews perfectly.
The Best Rice for Fried Rice: While boil-in-a-bag brown rice offers unparalleled convenience, the ultimate secret to truly great fried rice is using **day-old cooked rice**. Freshly cooked rice retains too much moisture, which can lead to a sticky, mushy texture when stir-fried. Chilling cooked rice in the refrigerator overnight dries it out significantly, allowing the individual grains to separate and fry beautifully, resulting in that perfect, slightly crispy texture we all love in fried rice. Any type of cooked rice (white, brown, jasmine, basmati) will work, just ensure you have about 4 cups.
Nut Allergy Friendly Alternatives: If peanuts are a concern due to allergies or preference, don’t despair! You can still enjoy the creamy, nutty essence of this dish. Simply substitute the peanut butter with sun butter (made from sunflower seeds) or wow butter (made from toasted soy). These alternatives provide a similar creamy texture and a delicious nutty flavor that is crucial to this recipe’s distinct profile. For an extra luxurious touch that perfectly complements the cashews already in the dish, you could even try using cashew butter in the dressing!
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: For truly “fried” rice and vegetables with excellent texture, it’s essential not to overcrowd your skillet or wok. If you’re preparing a larger batch, cook the vegetables and rice in smaller portions to ensure they properly sauté and brown rather than steam. This technique is key to achieving crispier vegetables and distinct rice grains.
Adjust Seasoning to Taste: Always remember to taste your food as you go! Feel free to add more soy sauce for extra savoriness, a dash of sriracha or red pepper flakes for a kick of heat, or a squeeze of fresh lime juice for an additional bright, zesty note before serving. Personalizing the seasoning makes the dish truly yours.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vegetable Fried Rice

What is boil-in-a-bag rice?

Boil-in-a-bag rice is a convenient, partially cooked rice product commonly found in most US grocery stores. It’s designed to significantly speed up the cooking process, especially for varieties like brown rice, which can typically take a longer time to prepare from scratch. While it offers great convenience, it’s important to remember that for this recipe, you simply need 4 cups of *any* type of cooked rice that you prefer or have on hand. For the best fried rice texture, we highly recommend using day-old, chilled cooked rice as it reduces moisture content and prevents clumping.

Can I use other nuts besides cashews?

Absolutely! While cashews lend a fantastic buttery crunch and complement the peanut dressing beautifully, you can certainly experiment with other nuts based on your preference or what you have available. Peanuts would be a natural fit, further enhancing the peanut butter dressing’s flavor profile. Sliced almonds or even toasted pecans could also provide a delicious textural element and a different nutty flavor. Feel free to choose your favorite nut for an added crunch and taste.

Can I add meat or other proteins to this fried rice?

Yes, absolutely! This fried rice recipe is incredibly versatile and welcomes the addition of various proteins to make it a more complete meal. Cooked and diced chicken, succulent shrimp, thinly sliced beef or pork, or even plant-based options like pan-fried tofu or tempeh would integrate perfectly. To add protein, cook it separately until it’s nearly done, then incorporate your warmed protein into the rice mixture at the same time you add the cooked broccoli and mushrooms (Step 5 of the instructions). This ensures your protein is heated through without being overcooked or drying out.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

To make this recipe truly gluten-free, you will need to ensure that your soy sauce is a certified gluten-free variety (often labeled as Tamari) and double-check the labels of all other ingredients, especially peanut butter, for any hidden gluten-containing additives. Most other core ingredients such as fresh vegetables, rice, eggs, cashews, and sesame oil are naturally gluten-free.

Can I make this Vegetable Fried Rice vegan?

Yes, transforming this recipe into a delicious vegan meal is very easy! The main adjustment needed is to simply omit the eggs. To maintain the hearty nature of the dish, you can increase the amount of vegetables or add a plant-based protein like pan-fried tofu or tempeh. Ensure your creamy peanut butter and any other sauces used are vegan-friendly. The rich, creamy peanut butter dressing makes this dish naturally satisfying even without the eggs.

What if I don’t have rice vinegar?

If you don’t have rice vinegar on hand, you can substitute it with a small amount of apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar. Since these vinegars can sometimes be stronger in flavor, it’s best to start with half the amount specified in the recipe and taste, adding more if needed. A squeeze of fresh lime juice can also work in a pinch to provide a similar bright, acidic balance to the dressing, albeit with a slightly different flavor profile.

Storage & Reheating Tips for Leftovers

This Vegetable Fried Rice is so delicious, you might not have many leftovers! But if you do, it stores beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep throughout the week.

If you have any leftovers, allow the fried rice to cool completely to room temperature (within 1-2 hours) before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it promptly in the refrigerator, where it will keep fresh for up to 5 days. This makes for a convenient grab-and-go lunch or a quick and satisfying dinner on a busy night. To reheat, simply microwave individual portions until thoroughly warm, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating. You can also reheat it in a skillet over medium heat with a tiny bit of oil, which can help restore some of its original texture and prevent it from becoming soggy.

Believe it or not, fried rice freezes exceptionally well too! This is a fantastic option for batch cooking and long-term meal planning. To freeze, ensure the cooked fried rice has cooled completely. Divide it into single-serving portions and place them in freezer-safe airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. It can be frozen for up to 3 months without significant loss of quality. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply remove a portion from the freezer and reheat it directly in the microwave from frozen, stirring occasionally, until it is steaming hot all the way through. Alternatively, you can thaw it in the fridge overnight and then reheat in a skillet or microwave. Freezing ensures you always have a quick, healthy, and satisfying meal ready whenever hunger strikes!

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Vegetable Fried Rice With Cashews

By Erin Sellin

This Vegetable Fried Rice is a vibrant, easy-to-make dish featuring a medley of fresh vegetables, crunchy cashews, and a unique creamy peanut butter dressing. It’s an unforgettable, quick, and healthy meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights and a delightful alternative to traditional takeout.

Prep: 10 minutes

Cook: 20 minutes

Total: 30 minutes

Servings: 4

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Ingredients

▢ 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
▢ 3 cups broccoli florets
▢ 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
▢ 2 packages boil-in-a-bag brown rice, cooked according to package directions (or 4 cups cooked rice of any type, preferably day-old)
▢ 1/2 cup roasted cashews
▢ 2 large eggs, beaten
▢ 1/4 cup soy sauce
▢ 2 teaspoons sesame oil
▢ 1/4 teaspoon pepper
▢ 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
▢ 1 Tablespoon water
▢ 1 Tablespoon rice vinegar
▢ 1 Tablespoon sesame seeds, plus more for garnish

Instructions

In a large skillet or wok, heat 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add broccoli florets and sliced mushrooms and cook for 6-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to brown and soften. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Meanwhile, in a liquid measuring cup or small bowl, whisk together the creamy peanut butter, 2 Tablespoons soy sauce, water, rice vinegar, and 1 Tablespoon sesame seeds until smooth and well combined. Set aside.
Add the remaining 1 Tablespoon oil to the hot skillet. Stir in the cooked rice and roasted cashews. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring continuously, until the rice grains are lightly toasted and the cashews are fragrant and golden.
Push the rice mixture to one side of the pan to create an open space. Pour the beaten eggs into the empty side. Scramble the eggs quickly, then mix them thoroughly with the rice and cashews until fully incorporated.
Add the remaining 2 Tablespoons soy sauce, the cooked broccoli and mushroom mixture, sesame oil, and black pepper to the rice. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
Pour the prepared peanut butter dressing over the entire rice mixture. Stir gently but thoroughly until everything is beautifully and evenly coated in the rich, creamy sauce.
Serve your delicious Vegetable Fried Rice with Cashews and Peanut Butter Dressing immediately, garnished with extra sesame seeds if desired. Enjoy!

Notes

Recipe Adapted From Cooking Light

You can substitute 4 cups of any type of cooked rice for this recipe; day-old chilled rice is highly recommended for the best texture.
Feel free to add cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu for a boost of protein.
For a gluten-free version, use Tamari instead of soy sauce.
To make it vegan, simply omit the eggs.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Author: Erin Sellin

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Course: Dinner Recipes

Cuisine: Asian, American

Servings: 4

Calories: 333

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