It takes just a few simple ingredients to make this iconic Filipino dish.

Its popular at breakfasttime but can be served alongside any meal.

Its also quick, easy, and a great way to use up leftover rice.

Bowl of Garlic Fried Rice (Sinangag na Kanin) next to some utensils, a plate of sliced longanisa (filipino sausage) and sliced tomatoes

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

The aroma of garlic in sinangag can wake up anyone, said my son Tim.

He has often awoken to my brunch of garlic fried rice in our New Jersey kitchen.

What Is Garlic Fried Rice (Sinangag na Kanin)?

Bowl of Garlic Fried Rice (Sinangag na Kanin) next to some utensils and plates with sides

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

Use Leftover Rice

Cooking sinangag na kanin is an ideal way to repurpose leftover white rice.

Filipino garlic fried rice uses long-grain, cooked white rice thats been refrigerated for 1 to 2 days.

Long grains do not stick together as much asshort-grained ricedoes.

Plate of Garlic Fried Rice (Sinangag na Kanin) with sunny side eggs and sliced tomatoes, and in the surroundings, another plate with another serving of rice and eggs and a plate of longanisa (Filipino sausage)

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

How to Serve

Garlic fried rice is easy to pair with a wide range of dishes.

Garlic fried rice is also delicious alongside a long list of meaty mains, vegetables, and more.

If youre using leftover rice that was seasoned with salt, reduce the salt in the recipe accordingly.

Hands fluffing a bowl of cold rice for Garlic Fried Rice (Sinangag na Kanin) recipe

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

Use your hands to fluff the grains to break apart and loosen them up.

Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon salt all over the rice.

Mix well with a spoon and set aside.

Bowl of salt-seasoned rice with a spoon for Filipino Garlic Fried Rice (Sinangag na Kanin) recipe

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

Place a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add the oil.

Using a spatula or cooking spoon, stir thoroughly to mix the garlic and oil into the grains.

This should take about 2 minutes.

Minced garlic frying in a wok while stirred using a wooden spatula for Garlic Fried Rice recipe

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

Simple Tip!

Lower the heat to medium if the skillet gets too hot.

Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt and the white pepper all over the rice.

Rice added to wok with minced garlic for Sinangag na Kanin (Garlic Fried Rice) recipe

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

Stir the rice well for seasonings to blend, about 1 to 2 minutes.

Garnish with green onion or chives, if desired.

Serve warm as an accompaniment to breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Wooden spatula stirring the garlic rice in the wok as it fries

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

Keep leftover garlic fried rice in a covered container, refrigerated.

It will last for up to 2 days.

Sinangag na kanin does not freeze well as it tends to get soggy.

Garlic Fried Rice (Sinangag na Kanin) topped with sliced green onions in the wok

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

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Plate of Garlic Fried Rice (Sinangag na Kanin) with sunny side eggs and sliced tomatoes, and in the surroundings, another plate with another serving of rice and eggs and a plate of longanisa (Filipino sausage)

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe