This sausage and peppers fried rice is the kind of recipe that saves dinner when you are staring at leftover rice and need something solid fast. Smoky sausage, sweet peppers, and eggs get stir-fried with rice for a meal that feels intentional, not like a backup plan.
Why You Need To Make This Sausage Fried Rice
- It turns leftovers into a real meal: Cold rice sitting in the fridge finally has a purpose. This recipe uses what you already cooked and turns it into something that actually feels planned, not thrown together.
- Big flavor without extra steps: Smoked sausage pulls a lot of weight here, so you do not need a long list of sauces or seasonings. The sausage, peppers, and soy sauce handle the flavor so dinner stays simple and reliable.
- Everyone eats it without complaints: This works for picky eaters and hungry adults at the same time. The ingredients are familiar, the flavors are balanced, and nothing feels fussy or overdone.
Fried rice, such as my Spam Fried Rice and Ground Turkey Fried Rice, is one of my favorite things to make when I need a quick meal. I often cook extra rice on the weekend or early in the week, so I have it ready to go. This Italian-inspired sausage and peppers version is one of my favorites because it is so versatile and easy to throw together with what I already have.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Avocado oil – Any neutral oil like vegetable or canola oil will work.
- Smoked sausage – Use your favorite smoked sausage such as beef, pork, turkey, or chicken.
- Yellow onion – White onion works well too.
- Bell pepper – No substitutions. Use your favorite mix of colors.
- Garlic – Garlic paste can be used if needed.
- Cooked long-grain white rice – Day old rice works best because it fries up better and does not get mushy.
- Eggs – No substitutions.
- Low-sodium soy sauce – Tamari or coconut aminos are great gluten-free options. Low-sodium soy sauce is recommended, as the sausage already contains a lot of salt.
Mandy’s Top Tip
For this fried rice, I recommend cooking the sausage, onions, and peppers first and then removing them from the pan before stir-frying the rice. This recipe uses more vegetables than most fried rice recipes, and removing them helps prevent excess moisture from making the rice soggy rather than properly fried.
Tips for Success
Use cold rice, not warm – Rice straight from the fridge fries better and keeps its texture. Warm or freshly cooked rice is more likely to clump and steam.
Do not overcrowd the pan – If your skillet is small, work in batches. Too much food at once traps steam and keeps the rice from crisping.
Let the rice sit before stirring – Once the rice hits the pan, give it a minute before moving it around. This helps it dry out and get lightly toasted instead of soft.
How to Make Fried Rice with Sausage and Peppers
This recipe is simple and moves fast. The sausage and vegetables are cooked first, then set aside so the rice can properly fry in the pan. Once the rice is hot and slightly crisp, everything is added back in with eggs and soy sauce and stirred together until just combined.
Sauté the vegetables and sausage.
Add the veggies and sausage back in.
Softly scramble the eggs.
Fry the rice.
Push to one side and add the eggs.
Season and mix well.
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More Easy Fried Rice Variations
Check out these recipes for using leftover rice.
Did you try this sausage and peppers rice? Let me know how it turned out by leaving a comment and ⭐ rating below!
Fried Rice with Sausage and Peppers
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons avocado oil divided
- 1 (14-ounce) smoked sausage sliced into 1/4 inch thick pieces
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 1 bell pepper diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 3 cups cooked long-grain white rice chilled
- 3 large eggs lightly beaten
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon of avocado oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the sausage, onion, and bell pepper and cook until the sausage is browned and the vegetables are softened.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds. Transfer the mixture to a plate and set aside.
- Add the remaining avocado oil to the pan. Add the cold rice and spread it out evenly. Let it cook undisturbed for a minute, then stir-fry the rice until heated through and lightly toasted.
- Add the sausage and vegetable mixture back into the pan and stir to combine with the rice.
- Push the rice to one side of the pan and pour in the eggs. Scramble until just set, then mix into the rice.
- Pour in the soy sauce and stir everything together until heated through.
Notes
- Day-old rice works best and helps prevent soggy fried rice.
- Low-sodium soy sauce is recommended since smoked sausage is already salty.
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Fried rice can be frozen in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely before freezing for the best texture.
- Reheat: Reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a small splash of oil or water until warmed through. The microwave works too, but stir halfway through for even heating.
Nutriton
Disclaimer: Nutrition information is estimated based on automated calculations and should be considered as an approximation. These estimates are provided as a courtesy. Please use your own brand’s nutritional values to verify accuracy.