XO Sauce Fried Rice Recipe
Introduction
XO Sauce Fried Rice is a flavorful and satisfying dish that combines tender prawns, savory BBQ pork, and a rich, umami-packed XO sauce. Perfect for using up leftover rice, this recipe delivers a restaurant-quality meal right at home with simple ingredients and easy steps.

Ingredients
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 eggs, lightly whisked
- 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 small onion, diced
- 200g (7 oz) peeled and deveined prawns
- 200g (7 oz) Chinese ‘Char Siu’ BBQ Pork, diced
- 3 cups cooked rice (day old is best)
- ¼ cup finely sliced spring onion (scallions)
- ¼ cup XO Sauce, plus extra to serve
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Chinese Shaoxing cooking wine
- 1 tsp dark soy sauce
Instructions
- Step 1: Combine the XO sauce, soy sauce, Shaoxing cooking wine, and dark soy sauce in a small bowl. Set this seasoning sauce aside for later use.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a wok or frying pan over medium-high heat. Pour in the whisked eggs, stirring gently with a spatula until the eggs are nearly set. Flip the omelette carefully and cook for another minute. Transfer to a chopping board and cut into small pieces.
- Step 3: In the same wok or frying pan, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over high heat. Add the garlic and diced onion, stir-frying for about 2 minutes until the onion softens.
- Step 4: Add the prawns and stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes until they just turn opaque. Toss in the diced Chinese BBQ pork and mix well.
- Step 5: Pour in the prepared seasoning sauce and stir-fry for another minute to combine the flavors.
- Step 6: Add the cooked rice and chopped omelette pieces to the wok. Stir-fry continuously to evenly coat the rice with the sauce and heat everything through.
- Step 7: Finally, toss through the sliced spring onions. Serve the fried rice hot with extra XO sauce on the side for added flavor.
Tips & Variations
- Use day-old rice for best texture to prevent sogginess in the fried rice.
- Substitute the prawns with cooked chicken or tofu for a different protein option.
- Add vegetables like peas, carrots, or bell peppers for extra color and nutrition.
- If you can’t find XO sauce, a combination of chili sauce and dried shrimp paste can be a makeshift alternative.
Storage
Store leftover XO Sauce Fried Rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat thoroughly in a wok or microwave until piping hot before serving. Stir in a splash of water or a little extra oil to refresh the texture when reheating.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use freshly cooked rice instead of day-old rice?
Freshly cooked rice tends to be moist and sticky, which can result in clumpy fried rice. Using chilled, day-old rice helps the grains stay separate and creates a better texture.
What if I can’t find Chinese BBQ Pork?
If Chinese BBQ pork is unavailable, you can substitute it with ham, cooked pork belly, or even char siu style chicken for a similar flavor profile.
PrintXO Sauce Fried Rice Recipe
XO Sauce Fried Rice is a flavorful and savory dish combining succulent prawns, Chinese BBQ pork, and a rich homemade XO sauce, all stir-fried together with rice and eggs for a satisfying meal that’s perfect for any time of day. This recipe uses simple yet bold ingredients to create an authentic taste of Chinese cuisine with a deliciously aromatic and umami-packed profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 eggs, lightly whisked
- 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 small onion, diced
- 200g (7 oz) peeled and deveined prawns
- 200g (7 oz) Chinese ‘Char Siu’ BBQ Pork, diced
- 3 cups cooked rice (day old is best)
- ¼ cup finely sliced spring onion (scallions)
Seasoning Sauce
- ¼ cup XO Sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Chinese Shaoxing cooking wine
- 1 tsp dark soy sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the seasoning sauce: In a small bowl, combine XO Sauce, soy sauce, Shaoxing cooking wine, and dark soy sauce. Stir well and set aside for later use.
- Make the omelette: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a wok or frying pan over medium-high heat. Pour in the lightly whisked eggs and stir gently with a spatula until almost set. Flip the omelette and cook for an additional minute. Transfer to a chopping board and cut into small pieces.
- Cook the aromatics and prawns: Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in the wok or frying pan over high heat. Add the finely chopped garlic and diced onion, cooking for about 2 minutes until the onion softens.
- Add prawns and BBQ pork: Add the prawns to the wok and stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes until just cooked. Toss in the diced Chinese BBQ pork and continue stirring.
- Add seasoning sauce and rice: Pour in the prepared seasoning sauce and stir-fry everything together for another minute, making sure all ingredients are well combined.
- Combine rice and omelette: Add the cooked rice and the chopped omelette pieces to the wok. Stir-fry continuously until the rice grains are evenly coated with the sauce.
- Finish with spring onion and serve: Toss in the finely sliced spring onion and give everything a final stir. Serve hot with extra XO sauce on the side for added flavor.
Notes
- Using day-old cooked rice helps prevent the fried rice from becoming mushy and ensures a better texture.
- Adjust the amount of XO sauce according to your preferred spice and flavor intensity.
- Char Siu BBQ pork can be substituted with other types of Chinese-style roasted pork if preferred.
- If you cannot find Shaoxing wine, dry sherry can be used as a substitute.
- Be careful not to overcook the prawns to keep them tender and juicy.
Keywords: XO Sauce Fried Rice, Chinese Fried Rice, Char Siu Fried Rice, Prawn Fried Rice, Asian Stir-Fry, XO Sauce Recipe, Chinese Cuisine

