Spam Fried Rice
Spam gets a bad rap, but once it’s diced and pan-fried until golden and crispy, it becomes the best part of any fried rice. This Spam Fried Rice is quick, savory, and packed with umami. It’s salty, buttery, and satisfying, and it all comes together in one pan in under 30 minutes.
Sometimes there’s a good sale at Costco, and I end up with a whole pack of Spam. This is one of my favorite ways to use it, right up there with my Spam and Egg Musubi and Kimchi Fried Rice.
It’s budget-friendly, freezer-friendly, and reheats beautifully for easy lunches or dinners. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll want to keep in your back pocket for busy weeknights, lazy weekends, or those moments when you’re staring into the fridge wondering what to make.
I grew up eating fried rice on repeat. My mom made it at least once a week, usually with whatever leftovers we had. And this version? It’s right up there with my Vietnamese Fried Rice and Crab Fried Rice. It’s got everything I love—crispy rice, tender veggies, scrambled eggs, and those golden cubes of Spam that bring the whole thing together.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes with minimal prep.
- Pantry-friendly: Uses simple ingredients you probably already have.
- Family favorite: Even picky eaters love it.
- Great for meal prep: Reheats perfectly for quick lunches or dinners.
- Totally customizable: Switch up the veggies, protein, or sauces based on what you’ve got.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Please scroll ⬇️ to the recipe card for the full ingredient amounts and instructions.
- Spam: I use the classic 12-ounce can, diced into small cubes. Fry until golden and crispy for maximum flavor.
- Cooked white rice: Day-old rice works best since it’s drier and less sticky. If you’re using freshly cooked rice, spread it on a tray and chill it in the fridge or freezer for a few minutes to cool it down.
- Shallot or onion: Either works fine. Shallots give a slightly sweeter, milder flavor.
- Mixed vegetables: Fresh or frozen both work! Peas, carrots, green beans, corn, or bell peppers are great options.
- Eggs: Scramble them right in the pan for extra protein and texture.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps the rice get that nice golden color.
- Soy sauce and oyster sauce: For saltiness, umami, and depth. I usually go for low-sodium soy sauce.
- Sesame oil: Adds that nutty aroma at the end.
- Sugar, salt, and pepper: Don’t skip the sugar. It balances the salty flavors perfectly.
- Vegetable oil: For stir-frying. Any neutral oil works.
How to Make Spam Fried Rice (Quick Version)
Start by prepping all your ingredients—dice the Spam, chop the veggies, beat the eggs, and make sure your rice is cold. Once you start cooking, everything comes together fast, so it’s best to have everything ready to go.
Heat a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced Spam and cook until it’s golden and crispy. Remove it from the pan and set it aside.
In the same pan, add a little oil and sauté the onion or shallot until fragrant. Push it to one side, then add your mixed veggies and stir-fry until they’re just tender. Push those aside too, then pour in the beaten eggs. Scramble until just set, then mix everything together.
Add the cold rice, breaking up any clumps as you go. Stir-fry until it’s evenly mixed with the veggies and eggs. Pour in the oyster sauce, soy sauce, butter, sugar, and sesame oil. Season with salt and pepper, then stir until everything is well coated.
Add the Spam back to the pan and give it all a good toss. Let the rice sit for a minute or two without stirring so it can crisp up a bit, then stir and repeat if you want more crispy bits. Taste and adjust the seasoning, then serve hot. Garnish with green onions or sesame seeds if you like.
Tips for the Best Spam Fried Rice
✔️ Use day-old rice: It’s drier and less sticky, which means better texture. No leftover rice? Spread fresh rice on a tray and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
✔️ High heat is key: Don’t be afraid to crank the heat. A hot pan = better flavor and crispy bits.
✔️ Stage your ingredients: Start with Spam (it crisps up beautifully), then veggies, then eggs, and finally rice.
✔️ Let it sit: Let the rice sit for 2–3 minutes without stirring to develop those crispy bits at the bottom.
✔️ Make it your own: Swap Spam for bacon, ham, or leftover chicken. Use whatever veggies you have on hand.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Reheat: Reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or oil to rehydrate and prevent sticking. You can also microwave it in 30-second bursts, stirring in between.
Freezer: Fried rice freezes surprisingly well. Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
I love serving it with a side of kimchi, a fried egg on top, or some pickled veggies for brightness. Want to go big? Pair it with bulgogi, egg rolls, miso soup, or a quick Korean cucumber salad. If you’re feeling fusion-y, try it with miso salmon, lemongrass chicken, braised pork and eggs, air fryer Brussels sprouts, or stir fried water spinach on the side.
RECIPE
Spam Fried Rice
Ingredients
- 3 cups day old white rice, cold
- 1 (12 oz) can Spam, diced
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 shallot or ½ onion, finely diced
- 1 cup fresh or frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, green beans, corn, or bell peppers)
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- ½ tablespoon soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
Instructions
- Prep Ingredients: Dice Spam, chop veggies (if fresh), beat eggs, and use cold, day-old rice. If using freshly cooked rice, spread it on a tray and chill it to reduce moisture.
- Cook Spam: In a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat, cook diced Spam until golden and crispy. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté Veggies: In the same pan, add oil and sauté shallot or onion until fragrant. Push to one side, then add mixed veggies and stir-fry until just tender.
- Scramble Eggs: Push veggies aside, pour in beaten eggs, scramble until just set, then mix with veggies.
- Add Rice: Add rice and break up any clumps. Stir-fry until evenly mixed with veggies and egg.
- Season: Add oyster sauce, soy sauce, butter, salt, pepper, sugar, and sesame oil. Stir well to coat evenly.
- Add Spam: Return Spam to the pan. Stir and let the rice sit undisturbed for 1–2 minutes to crisp. Repeat for more crispy bits.
- Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with green onions or sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
Helpful Tips
- Use Day-Old Rice: Cold rice separates easily and crisps up better. Fresh rice tends to clump and get mushy.
- Prep First: This dish moves fast, so have everything chopped and ready before turning on the stove.
- Crank Up the Heat: High heat helps get that classic stir-fry flavor. Use a large pan so ingredients don’t steam.
- Don’t Skip the Butter: It adds richness and helps tie everything together.
- Customize It: Swap Spam for bacon, ham, or leftover rotisserie chicken. Toss in whatever veggies you have.
My whole family loves this recipe and it’s hard to find something they all eat! (The husband who doesn’t like spam, the 2 and 8year old that dont like vegetables!) Great dish very flavorful!
The whole family love this simple recipe! I will have to try different Spam versions now to experiment!
Another great fried rice recipe! Thank you for sharing!