This Pineapple Fried Rice with Ham has a little bit of everything: savory ham, sweet pineapple, fluffy rice, scrambled eggs, and colorful veggies. Everything gets tossed together with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil for an easy skillet dinner with a perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors.
Why This Ham and Pineapple Fried Rice Works
- Great use for leftover ham: Diced cooked ham adds plenty of savory flavor and gives leftover holiday ham a second life beyond sandwiches.
- Simple, familiar ingredients: Frozen peas and carrots, cooked ham, and leftover rice keep the ingredient prep manageable, with no specialty ingredients required.
- Easy to customize: The combination of rice, eggs, and vegetables gives this dish a flexible base for using different proteins or swapping vegetables based on what’s available.
Ham is a requirement on our Thanksgiving table. It’s my husband’s absolute favorite, but we always end up with a ton of leftovers, so I’m constantly finding new ways to put them to good use. My Ham Pot Pie and Ham and White Bean Soup are two great options, but since I’m also a huge fan of fried rice, this one was an obvious addition. It’s similar to my Spam Fried Rice, but swaps the Spam for leftover ham and adds sweet pineapple for a fun twist on a favorite.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Avocado oil – Canola oil or vegetable oil can be used instead.
- Cooked ham – Leftover holiday ham or store-bought diced ham both work.
- Red bell pepper – Any color bell pepper works.
- Green onions – A small amount of yellow onion can be used instead.
- Garlic – Fresh minced garlic is recommended, but jarred minced garlic works if that’s what you have available.
- Fresh ginger – Substitute 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger for the fresh ginger.
- Unsalted butter – Salted butter can be used, although it will add more salt to the dish.
- Day-old cooked long grain white rice – Be sure the rice is well chilled.
- Pineapple – Fresh or canned pineapple both work.
- Frozen peas and carrots – Frozen mixed vegetables can be used instead.
- Eggs – No substitutions.
- Soy sauce – Use coconut aminos as a gluten-free alternative.
- Sesame oil – No substitutions. You can omit it if you don’t have any available.
Mandy’s Top Tip
Use cold, day-old rice. Freshly cooked rice contains more moisture and can turn mushy when fried. Chilled rice holds its shape better and helps keep the grains separate as everything cooks in the skillet.
Tips for Success
Drain the pineapple well – If using canned pineapple, drain off the juice and let the pieces sit on a paper towel to absorb any excess moisture. Extra liquid can leave the fried rice soggy. Fresh pineapple will hold its shape a little better than canned.
Use a large skillet – A wide skillet gives the rice and other ingredients plenty of room to cook evenly without overcrowding the pan.
Break up the rice – Use a spatula to separate any clumps of chilled rice as it cooks so the soy sauce and seasonings are distributed evenly.
How to Make Hawaiian Fried Rice
Sauté the vegetables, ham, and pineapple, then fry the chilled rice, scramble the eggs, and toss everything together with soy sauce and sesame oil.
Sauté the fresh veggies, ham, and pineapple.
Add frozen veggies.
Soft scramble eggs.
Stir-fry rice.
Add eggs.
Combine and season.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Hot, freshly cooked rice shouldn’t go directly into the skillet because excess moisture can make the fried rice mushy. If you’re cooking rice the same day, spread it in a thin layer on a baking sheet to help it cool faster, then refrigerate until completely chilled before using.
No, the frozen peas and carrots can go directly into the skillet without thawing. They’ll heat through as they cook with the other ingredients, saving an extra step.
More Ways to Enjoy Fried Rice
Fried rice is easy to customize, and there are plenty of delicious combinations to try. Here are a few more fried rice recipes to check out.
- Cajun Fried Rice with Sausage and Shrimp
- Turkey Fried Rice with Edamame
- Smoked Sausage Fried Rice with Bell Peppers
Did you try this easy leftover ham fried rice? Let me know how it turned out by leaving a comment and ⭐ rating below!
Ham and Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 large red bell pepper diced
- 1 bunch green onions sliced and divided
- 2 cups cooked ham diced
- 1 1/2 cups pineapple diced (fresh or canned)
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger minced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
- 3 cups day-old cooked long grain white rice chilled
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
- 3 large eggs lightly beaten
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
Instructions
- Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced bell pepper and white parts of the green onions. Sauté until softened.
- Add the diced ham and pineapple. Continue cooking for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly caramelized.
- Stir in the minced garlic and fresh ginger and cook until fragrant.
- Add 1 tablespoon of butter to the skillet. Once melted, add the chilled rice and break up any clumps with a spatula. Stir-fry until the rice is heated through and lightly fried.
- Stir in the frozen peas and carrots and continue cooking until heated through.
- Push the rice mixture to one side of the skillet. Add the remaining tablespoon of butter to the exposed side and allow it to melt.
- Pour the lightly beaten eggs into the melted butter and gently stir until softly scrambled. Fold the eggs into the rice mixture.
- Add the soy sauce and sesame oil, stirring until combined. Finish with the reserved green onion tops and serve.
Notes
- Refrigerate: Store leftover fried rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Refrigerate promptly after cooking.
- Freeze: Allow the fried rice to cool, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 2 months. The pineapple and vegetables may soften slightly after thawing.
- Reheat: Reheat in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. Add a small splash of water if the rice seems dry. Individual portions can also be reheated in the microwave until steaming hot.
Nutriton
Disclaimer: Nutrition information is estimated based on automated calculations and should be considered as an approximation. These estimates are provided as a courtesy. Please use your own brand’s nutritional values to verify accuracy.