Sheet-Pan Crispy Rice with Bacon and Broccoli
If I had a band, we'd be called The Crispy Bits. We'd all wear our hair in gelled-up spikes and we'd dress in studded pant suits. Our concerts would sell out immediately—so long as we kept it under wraps that I was lip-syncing—each time tickets went on sale, because everybody loves the crispy bits. And for good reason. Crispy bits are textural and flavor magic. This sheet-pan rice, inspired by fried rice, places crispy bits front and center thanks to a generous spatial distribution and high oven heat. Use any leftover grain you have, and mix-and-match the add-ins to your liking.
If I had a band, we'd be called The Crispy Bits. We'd all wear our hair in gelled-up spikes and we'd dress in studded pant suits. Our concerts would sell out immediately—so long as we kept it under wraps that I was lip-syncing—each time tickets went on sale, because everybody loves the crispy bits. And for good reason. Crispy bits are textural and flavor magic. This sheet-pan rice, inspired by fried rice, places crispy bits front and center thanks to a generous spatial distribution and high oven heat. Use any leftover grain you have, and mix-and-match the add-ins to your liking.
- 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup frozen green peas
- 2 tablespoons rice bran oil (or other high-heat-friendly oil),
- 3 cups cooked leftover rice (the more dried out, the better)
- 1/3 cup soy sauce plus more for drizzling
- 1 medium yellow onion peeled and finely diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 1 medium carrot peeled and finely diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 1 1/2 cups chopped broccoli (in bite-sized florets)
- 1 cup green chopped cabbage (in roughly 2x1/2-inch stri
- 1 1/2 cups finely chopped scallions (the green and light gree divided into 1 cup and 1/2 cup
- 1 1/2 cups mushrooms cleaned and chopped into bite sized pieces (i like maitake, but
- 6 ounces thick-cut bacon, sliced into roughly 1x1/2-inch p
- 1 sunny-side-up fried egg with a runny yolk per pers
- chili sauce of your choice
- Carbohydrate 17.6333533659865 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Fat 0.627166667954305 g
- Fiber 5.0333333509379 g
- Protein 7.47162334943051 g
- Saturated Fat 0.0916683335007263 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (332g)
- Sodium 42.0196667056366 mg
- Sugar 12.6000200150486 g
- Trans Fat 0.272490000598752 g
- Calories 92 calories
Step-by-step
- Heat oven to 475°F.
- Drizzle an 11x17-inch rimmed sheet pan with one tablespoon of oil and spread it around, to grease the pan.
- Add the following to the pan: rice, the remaining tablespoon of oil, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, onion, carrot, broccoli, cabbage, 1 cup of the scallions, and the mushrooms.
- Use clean hands to mix and break up the rice clumps with your fingers. (You could do this with a fork instead, but you’d be more likely to spray rice all over your kitchen.) Spread into an even layer.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes—until there are lotttts of crispy rice bits, and the carrots have just lost their bite—giving everything a gentle stir every so often to avoid letting the cabbage or the rice around the edges burn.
- Then, add the peas and bacon pieces, stir again, and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the bacon is crisped up.
- Remove from the oven.
- To serve, drizzle with more soy sauce to taste, and top with a fried egg (if using), plus some of the reserved scallions, and chili sauce of your choice.
Sheet-Pan Crispy Rice with Bacon and Broccoli: A Crunchy Delight
As a busy working mom, finding time to cook a delicious and healthy meal can feel like an impossible task. Weeknights are a whirlwind of school pick-ups, homework battles, and the never-ending laundry pile. But even amidst the chaos, I refuse to compromise on good food. That's where this sheet-pan crispy rice comes in – a lifesaver on busy weeknights!
The best part? It's unbelievably simple. This recipe leverages leftover rice, transforming it into a crunchy, flavorful masterpiece that requires minimal prep time and even less cleanup. Forget spending hours slaving over a hot stove; this dish practically cooks itself in the oven. The crispy rice, perfectly balanced with the savory bacon and tender broccoli, satisfies even the pickiest eaters in my family. My kids gobble it up faster than I can say "crispy bits!"
I love how versatile this recipe is. Feel free to swap out the vegetables based on what’s in season or what I already have on hand. Sometimes I add bell peppers, other times it’s spinach. The possibilities are endless! The key is to utilize those leftover vegetables lurking in the crisper drawer to minimize waste and maximize flavor. The crispy bacon adds a perfect salty counterpoint to the vegetables and the subtly sweet rice. This is comfort food at its finest.
Beyond its simplicity and deliciousness, this sheet-pan rice is a budget-friendly option. Using leftover rice cuts down on food costs, and the relatively inexpensive ingredients mean it won't break the bank. This is a great way to stretch your food budget without compromising on taste or quality.
I often make a double batch on the weekend, storing half for quick lunches throughout the week. It’s a satisfying and nutritious meal that fuels me through my busy days. It's perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, a casual weekend lunch, or even a packed lunch for work. It’s so versatile and satisfying that it quickly became a staple in my kitchen.
This recipe isn't just about convenience; it's about bringing my family together around a shared meal. While I'm busy juggling work and family life, this dish allows me to nourish my family with a healthy, delicious, and easy-to-make meal. And that, my friends, is the ultimate reward.
Ingredients I often adapt based on what's available:
- Leftover rice – any kind will work!
- Bacon – pancetta or even crispy chickpeas for a vegetarian option
- Broccoli – substitute with cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, or even asparagus
- Onion and carrot – experiment with other vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini
- Soy sauce – tamari for gluten-free
Beyond the recipe: This dish is a reminder that even amidst the daily grind, we can still find time for simple joys – like a delicious, comforting, and satisfying meal shared with loved ones.
