Spam Fried Rice
Busy weeknights call for quick and flavorful meals. Enter: Spam Fried Rice! This iconic dish is a delicious combination of savory Spam, fluffy eggs, and perfectly seasoned rice. It’s a fantastic way to use leftover rice, and with minimal prep and cook time, it’s a lifesaver for those nights when takeout seems tempting.
This recipe utilizes readily available ingredients like diced Spam, frozen vegetables, and pantry staples like soy sauce and oyster sauce (optional). The key to success lies in using cold or leftover rice. Cooked and cooled rice holds its shape better during stir-frying, preventing it from becoming mushy.
Our recipe delivers clear instructions, walking you through each step – from scrambling the eggs to crisping the Spam and incorporating the rice. We also offer helpful tips, like substituting oyster sauce or adding your favorite vegetables.
So ditch the delivery menu and whip up this satisfying Spam Fried Rice instead. It’s a budget-friendly, protein-packed meal that’s sure to become a weeknight favorite.
Questions I often get asked about this recipe:
Can I use ham or another protein instead of Spam?
Yes, diced ham, chicken sausage, or even tofu would work as a substitute.
I don’t have oyster sauce. Can I leave it out?
Yes, you can leave it out or add a pinch of sugar for a touch of sweetness.
What other vegetables can I add?
Chopped carrots, bell peppers, broccoli, or green beans are all great options.
My rice is fresh, not leftover. Can I still use it?
Freshly cooked rice can work, but it may be slightly mushier. To compensate, spread it out in the pan and let it cook undisturbed for a minute or two before stirring.
My Spam isn’t getting crispy. What am I doing wrong?
Make sure your pan is hot enough before adding the Spam. Don’t overcrowd the pan, and give the Spam space to brown.
What can I serve with Spam Fried Rice?
This dish is delicious on its own, but you can also serve it with a side salad or steamed vegetables.
What you need to make Spam Fried Rice:
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
2 large eggs, beaten
1 clove garlic, minced
1 (12 oz) can Spam, diced into ½ inch cubes
½ cup frozen peas
½ cup frozen mixed vegetables (corn, carrots, etc.)
2 cups cooked cold or leftover white rice (ideally cooked a day prior)
1 ½ tablespoons soy sauce
½ tablespoon oyster sauce (optional, for extra umami flavor)
¼ teaspoon white pepper
2 scallions, thinly sliced (green parts only)
How to make it:
Heat the oil: In a large skillet or wok, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
Scramble the eggs: Add the beaten eggs and cook, stirring constantly, until just set and scrambled. Remove the eggs from the pan and set them aside.
Crisp the Spam: Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the pan. Add the diced Spam and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and crispy on the edges, about 3-4 minutes.
Sauté the vegetables: Add the frozen peas and mixed vegetables to the pan with the Spam. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until heated through.
Incorporate the rice: Push the Spam and vegetables to one side of the pan. Add the cooked rice to the empty side and spread it out in a single layer. Let it cook for a minute or two, undisturbed, to allow the rice to get slightly crispy.
Season and combine: Once the rice starts to crisp, stir everything together, breaking up any clumps of rice. Add the soy sauce, oyster sauce (if using), and white pepper. Stir-fry for another minute or two, until the rice is heated through and well coated in the sauce.
Finish and serve: Stir in the scrambled eggs and sliced scallions. Cook for another 30 seconds to a minute, until everything is heated through.
Tips:
For best results, use cold or leftover rice that has been cooked and cooled in the refrigerator for at least a few hours. This will prevent the rice from becoming mushy in the stir-fry.
If you don’t have oyster sauce, you can substitute with a little extra soy sauce or a pinch of sugar.
Feel free to add other vegetables you like, such as chopped carrots, bell peppers, or broccoli.
You can adjust the amount of soy sauce and spices to your taste preference.
Latest Reviews:
Lifesaver for busy nights! – This Spam Fried Rice recipe is a lifesaver for those crazy weeknights when everyone is running around. It’s so easy to throw together, and my kids gobbled it up! I love that I can use leftover rice, and the spam adds a nice salty flavor. I didn’t have oyster sauce, but a little extra soy sauce did the trick. Thanks for a great recipe! Sarah G.
Perfect Spam Fix! – As a huge Spam fan, I was always curious about Spam Fried Rice but never tried it myself. This recipe made it super easy! The rice came out perfectly – not mushy at all – and the combo of the crispy Spam, fluffy eggs, and veggies was delicious. I added some chopped green pepper for some extra crunch, and it was a hit. Definitely recommend!Michael K.
Tasty Takeout Fakeout! – This Spam Fried Rice is the perfect takeout fakeout! It tastes just as good as what you’d get from a restaurant, but it’s so much cheaper and healthier. I followed the recipe exactly, and it turned out amazing. The sriracha on top added a nice kick, and the whole dish was super satisfying. This is going into my regular meal rotation for sure! Jessica L.
Printable Recipe:
Spam Fried Rice
This recipe is a quick and easy way to whip up a satisfying meal. It's perfect for using leftover rice, and the combination of salty spam, fluffy eggs, and savory vegetables is sure to please.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 (12 oz) can Spam, diced into ½ inch cubes
- ½ cup frozen peas
- ½ cup frozen mixed vegetables (corn, carrots, etc.)
- 2 cups cooked cold or leftover white rice (ideally cooked a day prior)
- 1 ½ tablespoons soy sauce
- ½ tablespoon oyster sauce (optional, for extra umami flavor)
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
- 2 scallions, thinly sliced (green parts only)
Instructions
- Heat the oil: In a large skillet or wok, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
- Scramble the eggs: Add the beaten eggs and cook, stirring constantly, until just set and scrambled. Remove the eggs from the pan and set them aside.
- Crisp the Spam: Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the pan. Add the diced Spam and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and crispy on the edges, about 3-4 minutes.
- Sauté the vegetables: Add the frozen peas and mixed vegetables to the pan with the Spam. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until heated through.
- Incorporate the rice: Push the Spam and vegetables to one side of the pan. Add the cooked rice to the empty side and spread it out in a single layer. Let it cook for a minute or two, undisturbed, to allow the rice to get slightly crispy.
- Season and combine: Once the rice starts to crisp, stir everything together, breaking up any clumps of rice. Add the soy sauce, oyster sauce (if using), and white pepper. Stir-fry for another minute or two, until the rice is heated through and well coated in the sauce.
- Finish and serve: Stir in the scrambled eggs and sliced scallions. Cook for another 30 seconds to a minute, until everything is heated through.
If you enjoyed this recipe, please share it on your social media! I would love for more people to try this delicious and easy-to-make recipe. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you! Shhh… Join our secret foodie group on Facebook