This Garlic Fried Rice with Swiss Chard puts a twist on Filipino garlic fried rice. Easy to make with 6 ingredients in about 18 minutes, you’ll love this healthy, garlicky, and naturally gluten free side dish.
Next time you’re craving fried rice, skip the takeout and gather the 6 simple ingredients in this Garlic Fried Rice with Swiss Chard recipe instead! This Filipino-inspired side dish is quick, easy, and packed with crave-worthy crispy garlic and nutrient-rich swiss chard.
The best part? This variation of Filipino fried rice, AKA “sinangag”, is best made with day-old cooked rice. It’s a fantastic recipe to turn to when you want to repurpose your leftovers, reduce food waste, and enjoy a takeout-inspired meal at home.
If you’re looking for more healthy fried “rice” recipes, check out my Instant Pot Quinoa Fried Rice and Gluten Free Quinoa Fried Rice.
Table of Contents
What is Filipino garlic fried rice (sinangag)?
In the Philippines, garlic fried rice is a staple meal that’s easy to find on the menu in restaurants. It’s traditionally prepared with nothing more than oil, garlic, rice, and salt. The finished result is simple, yet so comforting and savory.
Scrambled eggs are also a common ingredient in authentic Filipino sinangag recipes, but I left it out to keep my version plant-based and 100% vegan. That said, feel free to scramble an egg with your rice as it’s frying. There’s plenty of room to add your favorite vegetables and meat as well.
Ingredients and substitutions
- Cooked rice – Fried rice is best made with one-day-old cooked and cooled medium or long-grain rice (like basmati or jasmine) but short-grain rice (like sushi rice) and quinoa also work.
- Swiss chard – This nutrient-rich leafy green has an earthy, slightly sweet, and bitter flavor. You can use kale, spinach, mustard greens, bok choy, or napa cabbage as an alternative.
- Garlic – Fresh garlic is a simple way to elevate fried rice. The more, the merrier!
- Chili oil – It gives the rice a rich flavor and a touch of heat.
- Fresh parsley – For a final pop of fresh flavor. You can also use cilantro.
How to make garlic fried rice with swiss chard
Cook your rice (if it isn’t already) and prepare the swiss chard, garlic, and fresh parsley before getting started. Here’s how to put it all together:
Step 1: Start by sauteing the swiss chard in a large oiled cast iron skillet. Cook until the edges begin to char, then add the garlic and chili oil. Cook until fragrant.
Step 2: Add the cooked rice to the skillet. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to press it down in an even layer, covering the entire surface of the skillet.
Step 3: Cook until the edges begin to brown. Stir or flip the rice so it can fry on the other side.
Step 4: Transfer the crispy fried rice and swiss chard to a platter, garnish with parsley, and enjoy!
Tips and variations
- Freshly steamed hot rice will not work as well in this recipe because the excess moisture will make it harder to achieve the crisped edges. Instead, use day-old cooked and chilled steamed rice.
- The goal is to achieve crisped, lightly burned edges on the rice. Make sure to keep an eye on it! If you cook the rice for too long, it could burn on one side.
- Add any meat you like to the garlic fried rice, such as sausage crumbles, bacon, shrimp, shredded chicken, pork shoulder, or steak.
- There’s lots of room for vegetables as well. Add celery, corn, peas, carrots, broccoli, or mushrooms if you’re craving veggies in your fried rice.
- Leftover fried rice has an excellent shelf-life. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 or 6 days. To extend its shelf-life even further, freeze the fried rice in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container.
Serving suggestions
This fried rice recipe is a key part of any copycat takeout menu. Make it alongside all of your other favorites, such as beef and broccoli, beef stir fry, chicken cabbage stir fry, orange chicken, or glazed salmon.
Frequently asked questions
Is Filipino fried rice gluten free?
Yes, this fried rice recipe is naturally gluten free. This remains the same for authentic Filipino garlic fried rice recipes as they’re made with only 3 gluten free ingredients: rice, garlic, and cooking oil.
Can I make this with cauliflower rice?
Yes, you can replace the regular rice with cauliflower rice. For the best results, cook the cauliflower rice according to the package instructions and let it cool completely. Leave it in the fridge to dry out any excess moisture before continuing with the recipe.
Hungry for more flavorful rice recipes?
- Black Eyed Peas and Rice
- Mexican Rice
- Cilantro Lime Brown Rice
- Garlicky Carrot Brown Rice
- Mexican Rice and Beans
Garlicky Fried Rice with Swiss Chard
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- 2 cups swiss chard thinly chopped
- 8 cloves garlic thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp chili oil
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large cast iron skillet. Add Swiss chard and sauté until charred.
- Add garlic slices and chili oil and continue to sauté stirring frequently until fragrant.
- Add the cooked rice and press it down with the back of a wooden spoon or spatula until it covers the entire surface of the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes then stir the rice turning it to fry the other side. Once again press it down and cook for another 3-4 minutes.
- Transfer to a platter. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
Notes
- Freshly steamed hot rice will not work as well in this recipe because the excess moisture will make it harder to achieve the crisped edges. Instead, use day-old cooked and chilled steamed rice.
- Leftover fried rice has an excellent shelf-life. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 or 6 days. To extend its shelf-life even further, freeze the fried rice in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
