This Spam Fried Rice is exactly what I want fried rice to be. This simple skillet recipe turns a few pantry staples into a solid, flavorful meal. It’s a straightforward solution for an easy weeknight dinner that doesn’t feel boring or overcomplicated.
Why You Need To Make This Easy Fried Rice
- Pantry-friendly: Spam, rice, eggs, and frozen veggies are easy to keep on hand, which means fewer last-minute store runs and less planning stress at the end of the day.
- Great texture: Using chilled rice helps everything fry without turning mushy, and cooking the Spam first gives it a crisp edge that keeps the dish from feeling flat or greasy.
- Quick and simple: Everything cooks in stages in the same skillet, so you don’t have to manage multiple pans or complicated timing while trying to get food on the table.
Fried rice is one of my favorite quick dinners, so I almost always make extra rice just to have leftovers. That makes it easy to throw together recipes like my Breakfast Fried Rice, and I also love switching things up with non-traditional versions like my Ground Turkey Fried Rice.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Spam – You can use reduced-sodium Spam if preferred. No substitutions.
- Avocado oil – Any neutral oil, like vegetable or canola oil, works here. Sesame oil is not a good swap for cooking the Spam.
- Cooked long-grain white rice – Jasmine or basmati both work well. Brown rice can be used, but the texture will be a bit firmer.
- Garlic – Fresh garlic gives the best flavor. Garlic paste can be used in a pinch.
- Eggs – No substitutions.
- Frozen peas and carrots – Any frozen vegetable blend works. No substitutions needed if you prefer just peas or just carrots.
- Soy sauce – Low-sodium soy sauce works well. Tamari or coconut aminos can be used as a substitute.
- Sesame oil – This adds flavor at the end. No substitutions.
Mandy’s Top Tip
Make sure your rice is fully chilled before cooking so it fries instead of steaming. One- to two-day-old rice works best, but if you are short on time, spread freshly cooked rice on a sheet pan, let it cool to room temperature, then freeze it for 15 to 20 minutes to quickly chill.
Tips for Success
Give it space – Use a large skillet or wok so the rice can fry instead of steaming. Crowding the pan will kill the texture.
Brown the Spam – Let the Spam cook until golden before adding anything else. This adds flavor and keeps it from turning soft later.
Control the eggs – Push the rice to the side when adding the eggs and let them set slightly before stirring so you get distinct pieces.
Finish with sesame oil – Stir in the sesame oil at the end, and off the heat. Too much heat can mute its flavor.
How to Make Fried Rice with Spam
This recipe is simple to make and moves quickly once you start cooking. First, the Spam is browned in the skillet, then the garlic, vegetables, and rice are added and cooked until everything is heated through and lightly crisp. The eggs are scrambled directly in the pan, and the fried rice is finished with soy sauce and sesame oil.
Brown the spam.
Add the veggies.
Scramble the eggs.
Stir-fry the rice.
Pour in the eggs.
Season and serve.
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Spam Fried Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 (12-ounce) can Spam cut into ½ inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 3 cups cooked long grain white rice chilled (day old is best)
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
- 3 large eggs lightly beaten
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
Instructions
- Heat 1/2 tablespoon of the avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced Spam and cook until browned and crisp, stirring occasionally.
- Add the remaining avocado oil to the skillet, then add the chilled rice and garlic. Stir fry until the rice is heated through and lightly crisp.
- Add the frozen peas and carrots and cook until warmed through.
- Push the rice mixture to one side of the skillet and pour the eggs into the empty space. Let them set slightly, then gently scramble and stir to combine with the rice.
- Add the soy sauce and stir until evenly distributed.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the sesame oil.
Notes
- 1-2 day-old chilled rice works best.
- Refrigerate: Store leftover Spam Fried Rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Let the fried rice cool completely, then store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a small splash of water or oil, stirring until heated through. You can also microwave in short intervals, stirring between each.
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.