Best Spam Fried Rice

Growing up, I never thought Spam would become one of my go-to ingredients, but here we are! Like many Americans, I discovered that this humble canned meat can turn simple dishes into something really satisfying. When I’m looking for a quick dinner that my kids won’t complain about, Spam fried rice is always a winner. It’s the kind of meal that comes together in minutes using whatever leftover rice and veggies are hanging out in my fridge.

I learned this recipe during my college years when money was tight and cooking skills were… let’s say… still developing. Now, years later, I still make it because it’s just that good. There’s something about the way those crispy bits of Spam mix with the rice that makes this dish feel like a warm hug in a bowl. Plus, it’s one of those forgiving recipes where you can’t really mess it up – perfect for busy weeknights when you’re cooking on autopilot.

What Kind of Spam Should I Use?

While classic Spam is the traditional choice for this dish, there are actually several varieties that can work well in fried rice. The low-sodium version called for in this recipe is a smart choice since you’ll be adding soy sauce and oyster sauce later – this helps keep the salt levels balanced. Regular Spam, Spam Lite, or even Hot & Spicy Spam can work here too, though you might want to adjust your seasoning accordingly. Just make sure to dice your Spam into small, even cubes (about 1/4 inch) so they brown nicely and distribute evenly throughout the rice. For the best texture, try to get a good sear on your Spam pieces before mixing them with the other ingredients.

Options for Substitutions

This fried rice recipe is pretty forgiving and you can make several swaps based on what you have in your kitchen:

• Spam: While Spam gives this dish its signature flavor, you can swap it with ham, bacon, Chinese sausage (lap cheong), or even diced chicken. For a vegetarian version, try using firm tofu that’s been well-pressed and diced.
• Cooked rice: Day-old rice works best, but you can use freshly cooked rice if you spread it on a tray and let it cool completely. Brown rice can work too, though the texture will be slightly different.
• Oyster sauce: If you don’t have oyster sauce, try hoisin sauce or additional soy sauce mixed with a pinch of sugar. For vegetarian options, use mushroom-based vegetarian oyster sauce.
• Frozen vegetables: Feel free to swap peas and corn with any other frozen veggie mix – carrots, green beans, or mixed vegetables all work great. You can also use fresh vegetables, just make sure to dice them small.
• Sesame oil: While sesame oil adds a nice nutty flavor, you can skip it if you don’t have any. Just note that you’ll miss out on some of that traditional Asian flavor.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest mistake when making fried rice is using freshly cooked rice – it needs to be at least a day old and chilled, otherwise you’ll end up with a mushy, sticky mess instead of those perfect separate grains. Another common error is overcrowding your pan with too many ingredients at once, which leads to steaming rather than frying – work in batches if needed, and make sure your pan is hot enough before adding each ingredient. To get that restaurant-quality taste, don’t skip the step of cooking your eggs separately first and adding them back at the end, as throwing them in with the rice can make them disappear into tiny, rubbery pieces. For the best results, cut your Spam into small, uniform cubes (about 1/4 inch) so they can get crispy on all sides, and always taste for seasoning before serving since the saltiness of Spam can vary between brands.

What to Serve With Spam Fried Rice?

Since Spam fried rice is already a complete meal with protein, veggies, and carbs, you don’t need much else – but I love adding a few simple sides to round things out! A quick cucumber salad with rice vinegar and sesame seeds adds a cool, crisp contrast to the warm rice. You can also serve it with some kimchi on the side for a spicy kick, or add a fried egg on top with a runny yolk that creates an amazing sauce when it mixes with the rice. For extra veggies, try some simple stir-fried bok choy or Chinese broccoli with garlic, which pairs perfectly with the savory flavors of the fried rice.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: Let your Spam fried rice cool down completely, then pop it in an airtight container. It’ll stay good in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. The flavors actually get better after a day as everything mingles together – it’s one of those dishes that makes great leftovers!

Freeze: This fried rice freezes really well! Pack it in freezer-safe containers or bags and it’ll keep for up to 3 months. I like to portion it out before freezing so I can grab just what I need for lunch or dinner later.

Warm Up: To bring your fried rice back to life, heat it in a pan over medium heat with a splash of oil – this helps restore that nice texture. If you’re in a hurry, the microwave works too – just add a sprinkle of water and heat in 30-second bursts, stirring in between. The rice might clump a bit, but a quick stir usually fixes that!

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	15-20 minutes
Total Time	25-35 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1300-1500
• Protein: 50-60 g
• Fat: 70-80 g
• Carbohydrates: 150-160 g

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons oil (split for use)
• 3 beaten eggs
• 12 oz low sodium spam (340 g)
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 2 chopped green onions
• 1/2 cup thawed frozen peas (about 100 g)
• 1/2 cup thawed frozen corn (around 100 g)
• 4 cups cooked rice (730 g, previously prepared)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 1/4 teaspoon ground white or black pepper

Step 1: Prepare the Sauce

In a small bowl, mix all the ingredients for the fried rice sauce.

Once combined, set the sauce aside for later use.

This will allow the flavors to meld while you prepare the other components.

Step 2: Cook the Eggs

Heat a tablespoon of oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add the beaten eggs and stir until they are half cooked and still slightly wet.

Transfer the eggs to a plate and set them aside.

This step ensures soft, fluffy eggs in your fried rice.

Step 3: Cook the Spam and Aromatics

Add another tablespoon of oil to the wok.

Fry the Spam pieces until they are crisp and slightly browned, about 2-3 minutes.

Next, add the garlic and green onion, stirring for about 1 minute to release their flavors.

Step 4: Add Vegetables and Rice

Stir in the peas and corn, cooking for an additional 30 seconds.

Then, add the rice to the wok, tossing it with the Spam and vegetables until the rice grains are well separated and incorporated.

This ensures even frying and mixing.

Step 5: Combine Sauce and Eggs

Pour the prepared sauce over the fried rice mixture.

Toss well to ensure the sauce coats all the ingredients.

Add the reserved scrambled eggs, and continue to toss the rice until the eggs are heated through and everything is well mixed.

Step 6: Serve

Once everything is evenly heated and well combined, serve your fried rice hot.

Enjoy the delicious and flavorful meal either on its own or as a side dish!