Breakfast

Breakfast Fried Rice with Sausage

Breakfast Fried Rice with Sausage is one of those comforting recipes that brings together all the best parts of breakfast—savory sausage, fluffy eggs, golden rice, and aromatic seasonings—into a warm and satisfying bowl.

It’s an unexpected yet delightful fusion of breakfast ingredients and Asian-inspired flavors. Whether you’re using freshly cooked rice or repurposing leftovers, this dish transforms simple staples into a hearty, flavorful meal.

What makes breakfast fried rice so special is how forgiving, versatile, and customizable it is. It’s a recipe you can whip up on a lazy weekend morning, a busy weekday, or when you need a quick, filling meal that tastes like effort without requiring much of it.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this dish because it satisfies on every level: it’s comforting, flavorful, filling, and endlessly adaptable. It also gives me the joy of using leftovers creatively, turning yesterday’s rice into something exciting and new.

The mix of smoky sausage, crisp veggies, rich scrambled eggs, and the savory-sweet seasoning creates a layered flavor profile that feels gourmet—even though it’s incredibly easy to make.

Plus, everything cooks in one skillet, which means fewer dishes and faster cleanup—a big win!

Why This Dish Is a Must-Try

  • ✔️ Quick, easy, and family-friendly.
  • ✔️ Uses simple pantry ingredients—no fancy list required.
  • ✔️ A fun twist on traditional breakfast foods.
  • ✔️ Saves money by using leftovers.
  • ✔️ A satisfying way to start your day with protein, carbs, and veggies.

Once you try it, you’ll want to make it part of your regular breakfast rotation.

Time, Yield & Nutrition

TypeDetails
Preparation Time10 minutes
Cooking Time15 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Servings4 servings
Calories per Serving~330–390 calories (depends on sausage type)
CourseBreakfast / Brunch
CuisineAmerican Asian Fusion

Ingredients

Main Ingredients:

  • 3 cups cooked cold rice (preferably day-old)
  • 6 oz breakfast sausage (pork, chicken, or turkey)
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • ½ cup bell peppers, diced
  • ½ cup frozen peas and carrots (optional)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons green onions, sliced

Seasonings:

  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional but recommended)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • Salt to taste

Oil for Cooking:

  • 1–2 tablespoons vegetable oil or butter

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

Step 1: Prepare the Eggs

  1. Crack eggs into a bowl and whisk.
  2. Heat 1 tsp oil in a pan.
  3. Scramble eggs until just set, then remove and set aside.

Step 2: Cook the Sausage

  1. Add sausage to the same pan.
  2. Break into crumbles with a spatula and cook until browned.

Step 3: Sauté Vegetables

  1. Add onion, bell pepper, garlic, and peas/carrots (if using).
  2. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 3–5 minutes.

Step 4: Add the Rice

  1. Add cold cooked rice directly to the skillet.
  2. Stir well to break up clumps.

Step 5: Add Seasonings

  1. Stir in soy sauce, black pepper, and sesame oil.
  2. Continue stirring until rice is evenly coated and warmed.

Step 6: Combine and Finish

  1. Add scrambled eggs back into the pan.
  2. Toss gently to combine.
  3. Top with green onions and serve hot.

How to Serve

Serve warm in a bowl with extra green onions or hot sauce. It’s delicious on its own, but you can pair it with:

  • Toast or breakfast biscuits
  • Fresh fruit
  • A side of crispy bacon
  • Coffee, tea, or orange juice

Recipe Tips

  • Use cold rice—fresh rice makes fried rice mushy.
  • Chop everything beforehand to cook quickly.
  • Nonstick or cast iron pans work best for stir-frying.
  • Taste before adding extra salt—soy sauce and sausage already add saltiness.

Variations

TypeHow to Adjust
Spicy VersionAdd sriracha, chili oil, or jalapeños.
Vegetarian VersionReplace sausage with plant-based sausage or extra veggies.
Healthy High-ProteinUse turkey or chicken sausage and add extra eggs.
Bacon or Ham VersionReplace sausage with diced bacon or ham.
Cheesy Breakfast VersionAdd shredded cheddar or mozzarella before serving.

Storage & Freezing

  • Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • Freezing: Freeze in freezer-safe bags for up to 2 months.
  • Reheating: Microwave or stir-fry with a splash of water or butter.

Special Equipment Needed

  • Nonstick skillet or wok
  • Wooden spatula
  • Mixing bowls

Optional but helpful:

  • Rice paddle
  • Meal prep containers

FAQ

Q: Can I use freshly cooked rice?
Yes, but spread it out and cool it in the fridge first for best texture.

Q: Can this be made dairy-free or gluten-free?
Yes—use dairy-free cooking oil and gluten-free soy sauce.

Q: Can kids eat this?
Absolutely! It’s mild, soft, and packed with protein.

Conclusion

Breakfast Fried Rice with Sausage is more than a meal—it’s a creative fusion of flavors that turns everyday ingredients into something exciting, hearty, and comforting. Whether you’re feeding hungry kids, meal prepping breakfast for the week, or treating yourself to a satisfying morning dish, this recipe promises bold flavor and easy preparation.

Breakfast Fried Rice with Sausage

Recipe by Rhonda AndersonCourse: BreakfastCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

15

minutes
Total time

25

minutes

Ingredients

  • Main Ingredients:

  • 3 cups cooked cold rice (preferably day-old)

  • 6 oz breakfast sausage (pork, chicken, or turkey)

  • 3 large eggs

  • 1 small onion, finely chopped

  • ½ cup bell peppers, diced

  • ½ cup frozen peas and carrots (optional)

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 tablespoons green onions, sliced

  • 👉 Seasonings:

  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce

  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional but recommended)

  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)

  • Salt to taste

  • 👉 Oil for Cooking:

  • 1–2 tablespoons vegetable oil or butter

Directions

  • Step 1: Prepare the Eggs : Crack eggs into a bowl and whisk. Heat 1 tsp oil in a pan. Scramble eggs until just set, then remove and set aside.
  • Step 2: Cook the Sausage : Add sausage to the same pan. Break into crumbles with a spatula and cook until browned.
  • Step 3: Sauté Vegetables : Add onion, bell pepper, garlic, and peas/carrots (if using). Cook until softened and fragrant, about 3–5 minutes.
  • Step 4: Add the Rice : Add cold cooked rice directly to the skillet. Stir well to break up clumps.
  • Step 5: Add Seasonings : Stir in soy sauce, black pepper, and sesame oil. Continue stirring until rice is evenly coated and warmed.
  • Step 6: Combine and Finish : Add scrambled eggs back into the pan. Toss gently to combine. Top with green onions and serve hot.