This easy Guyanese-inspired vegetable fried rice is a quick, flavorful dish made with seasoned rice, fresh vegetables, and bold Caribbean flavor.

Guyanese vegetable fried rice is a Caribbean-Chinese style fried rice made with steamed rice, fresh ginger, garlic, colorful vegetables, warm spices, and cassareep for depth and color. This simple, weeknight-friendly recipe works as both a satisfying main dish and a versatile side, and it can easily be customized with chicken, shrimp, or extra vegetables.

Growing up in Guyana, fried rice was never an everyday meal in our home. It was what my mom made on weekends and special holidays, the kind of dish that signaled something good was coming. We called it “ sweet mouth” food, a term used for meals that felt indulgent, celebratory, and extra special. The aroma alone told us it was not just another dinner but a true treat.

I learned how to make fried rice from my amazing mom, who taught me a traditional Guyanese method for preparing it. She always started by sautéing the rice in oil with freshly grated ginger and garlic, then adding a small splash of cassareep followed by very hot water. According to her, using hot water is the key to achieving fluffier, more distinct rice grains.

Cassareep is a thick, dark, sweet-and-spicy syrup made by slowly boiling down the juice of bitter cassava, and it adds both depth of flavor and rich color to Guyanese fried rice.

In this recipe, I follow the same traditional technique, but you can also substitute browning sauce for cassareep if needed. Browning sauce is often easier to find in grocery stores, and I’ve used it many times myself with great results.

Love this recipe? Be sure to check out my Caribbean-Style Raisin Fried Rice , One-Pan Chicken and Rice with Spinach , and Ghanaian Lamb Jollof Rice for more flavorful rice dishes inspired by Caribbean and African cooking.

Tiffany’s Helpful Tips for the Best Guyanese Fried Rice

• Use jasmine rice for the best texture and aroma. Basmati rice also works well if that’s what you have on hand.

• Steam, don’t boil, the rice. Steaming with minimal water keeps the grains firm, dry, and separate so they fry beautifully instead of turning mushy.

• Chinese five spice powder is key to authentic flavor. Look for Chief Five Spiced Powder at Caribbean markets or order it online from Amazon or Walmart.

• Always cook the rice ahead of time and let it cool completely for a few hours or overnight. Cold rice fries better and prevents clumping.

Substitutions & Variations for Guyanese Fried Rice

• Traditional Guyanese Chinese Sauce (No Soy Sauce Option)

  In Guyanese-Chinese cooking, fried rice is often seasoned with a traditional Guyanese Chinese-style sauce instead of regular soy sauce. If you’re using this sauce:

  • Use the Guyanese Chinese sauce in place of the soy sauce.

  • Omit the ground star anise from the ingredient list , as this sauce already contains star anise and other warm spices.

  • Taste as you go, since these sauces vary in saltiness and strength by brand.

• Chinese Five Spice: You don’t need a Caribbean brand. Chinese Five Spice Powder from most grocery stores or Asian markets works just as well—use a quality blend for the best aroma and flavor.

• Vegetable Variations: Add Chinese long beans (bor a) or frozen mixed vegetables (thawed and drained).

• Protein Add-Ins: Chicken, shrimp, ham, roast pork, or scrambled eggs can be added. Cook proteins separately and fold in at the end.

• Heat Level: Skip the hot pepper for mild fried rice or add extra pepper or chili flakes for more spice.

FAQ

1. What is Guyanese fried rice? Guyanese fried rice is a Caribbean-style fried rice influenced by Chinese cooking techniques and local Guyanese flavors. It is made with cooked rice, vegetables, eggs, protein, and seasonings like Chinese five spice , creating a slightly sweet and savory dish. Chinese Sauce can also be used as well.

2. What makes Guyanese fried rice different from regular fried rice? Guyanese fried rice often includes Chinese five spice, thin bora beans, and a small amount of sugar. These ingredients reflect Guyana’s multicultural food history and give the dish its signature “sweet mouth” flavor.

3. What is the best rice to use for Guyanese fried rice? Jasmine rice is the best choice because it is fragrant and holds its texture well when fried. Basmati rice also works, but the rice should always be cooked and fully cooled before frying.

4. Why do you add sugar to Guyanese fried rice? A small amount of sugar is added at the end of cooking to balance the savory flavors. This is a traditional Guyanese cooking technique that enhances the overall taste.

5. What protein works best in Guyanese fried rice? Chicken and shrimp are the most commonly used proteins, but beef, pork, ham, or tofu can also be added depending on preference.

6. Can Guyanese fried rice be made ahead of time? Yes. Guyanese fried rice can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days and reheated on the stovetop or in the microwave.