White rice and eggs is a humble dish made with few ingredients, but don’t let the simplicity fool you. This quick breakfast is deceptively delicious and satisfying, and it’s my favorite way to use leftover rice. In fact, I often make extra rice just so that I can make this dish!
Leftover rice is mixed with salted butter, then topped with fried eggs and optional ingredients like sesame oil, dark soy, and scallions. It’s a savory, budget-friendly meal that you can make in about five minutes.
And if you love rice as much as we do, you might like my pumpkin rice, one-pan sausage rice, and oven-baked rice, which is foolproof and perfect for anyone who struggles with making rice!
Eggs are a solid source of protein and nutrients, and they aren’t just for breakfast! White rice and eggs is one of my go-to dishes when I don’t feel like cooking but still want something that feels like comfort food.
Warm rice is mixed with salted butter, then topped with over-easy eggs for an easy meal that hits the spot every time. You can keep it simple or jazz it up. Some popular add-ins are gochujang, spam, and kimchi. I often serve chicken sausage on the side for additional protein.
Since the yolk becomes a sauce, it’s a main component of the dish, so we recommend over-easy or sunny-side-up eggs. Having said that, scrambled eggs, jammy eggs, and even soy marinated eggs are all delicious!
White Rice And Eggs
Ingredient prep lets you make meals like this in minutes. My baked rice is part of my weekly prep and perfect for this dish. Cooked veggies like oven-roasted broccoli or roasted mushrooms are ideal for adding volume and nutrition. Spending an hour or so prepping the ingredients you use most can make preparing meals much easier throughout the week. Read about my process here.
Main Ingredients
You only need the three ingredients listed below, but I’ve listed a few optional ingredients that I like to add.
- Rice – This is an excellent use for leftover rice, but any rice will work.
- Salted Butter – Salted butter mixed into the hot rice adds richness and flavor.
- Eggs – I recommend good-quality, pasture-raised eggs. They’re healthier and taste better.
Optional Ingredients
- Dark soy sauce has an intense flavor and a thicker consistency.
- For a subtle heat and depth of flavor, Aleppo pepper is my go-to.
- Toasted sesame oil adds delightful flavor and nuttiness. A little goes a long way, fyi.
- Like sesame oil, toasted sesame seeds add a deep, nutty flavor plus a little crunch.
- Scallion tops add a mild onion flavor, color, and crunch!
- I’ve recently started adding some of my kimchi mayonnaise on the side and love the creaminess it adds (and it’s good for your gut!)
 | Perfect Egg Pan 8" Nonstick Frying Pan, Hard Anodized Ceramic Skillet, PFAS-Free Nontoxic, Oven & Broiler Safe |
How to Make White Rice And Eggs
This recipe comes together in just a few minutes and is so easy that I can hardly even call it a recipe.
- In a small bowl, mix the soy sauce and sesame oil. Set aside.
- Heat up some leftover rice in the microwave for 40 to 60 seconds.
- When the rice is hot, stir in the salted butter and set aside.
- Cook your eggs however you like. I add a bit of spray ghee to a pan and cook them over easy.
- When the eggs are cooked to your liking, place them on top of the rice.
- Drizzle with the sauce, and sprinkle on the scallions, sesame seeds, and Aleppo pepper flakes.
Note: To ensure the white part of the egg is cooked, my little trick is to add a tablespoon of water to the pan and cover it. The water creates steam, which helps the whites cook quickly, leaving the yolk runny. If you prefer crispy edges around your eggs, omit the water and cook them uncovered over medium-high heat until the edges are crisp and the whites are set.
Recipe Variations + Helpful Tips
As I mentioned earlier, the beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity, but it’s also fun to jazz it up. Here are some ideas and helpful tips!
- Add your favorite chicken sausage on the side for an extra protein boost. Spam is popular too.
- Drizzle your favorite hot sauce for a kick of heat. We love Trader Joe’s garlic jalapeno sauce.
- For the toppings, crumbled seaweed sheets, roasted sesame sheets, kimchi, sriracha, chili crisp, or sliced avocado are all delicious.
- To make rice from scratch, try my foolproof baked rice, or use a rice cooker.
- Crack the eggs into a small dish before adding them to the pan. It’s easier to get any shells out that way.
- To make this even more budget-friendly, shop sales and stock up on your most-used ingredients when they’re at their lowest prices. We have more tips here: 25 Ways to Save Money on Groceries
If you try my white rice and eggs, I’d love it if you would leave a comment below!
White Rice And Eggs: Savory and Budget-Friendly Meal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 2 eggs
- 1 tbsp salted butter
- 2 tsp dark soy sauce
- 2 tbsp sliced scallions
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 2 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1/2 tsp Aleppo pepper flakes
- Additional butter or ghee for cooking the eggs
Instructions
For The Sauce
- In a small bowl, whisk together the sesame oil and soy sauces. Set aside.
For The Rice
- Add the rice to a bowl and microwave for about 60 seconds or until hot.
- If making rice from scratch, follow the directions on the package.
For The Eggs
- Place a small, nonstick pan over medium heat.
- When the pan is hot, add a little spray ghee or butter.
- Crack two eggs into a separate dish, and then add them to the pan.
- Cook the egg until it's done to your likng.
To Assemble The Bowl
- Spread the rice on the bottom of the bowl.
- Place the butter on top of the hot rice.
- If using scallions, add some under or on top of the eggs - or both.
- Place the cooked eggs on top of the rice and butter.
- Drizzle on the soy and sesame oil.
- If desired, sprinkle with scallions, sesame seeds, and Aleppo pepper flakes.
Compliments! Thanks