Savory Spam, fluffy eggs, and vegetables are stir-fried with rice in a rich, savory sauce. This easy spam fried rice recipe is ready in just 30 minutes in one pan. I use cold leftover jasmine rice to keep the grains separate and fluffy instead of clumpy.
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Spam fried rice is a savory fried rice dish made with canned spam, eggs, vegetables, and seasonings. Spam is a canned luncheon meat that became popular across parts of Asia after it was introduced by the U.S. military during and after World War II, and it's now commonly used in many Asian rice and noodle dishes.
My husband loves spam like no tomorrow, as he often ate it when he lived in Malaysia. So naturally, this is a dish I make for him from time to time when he's really craving it and when I have leftover cold rice in the fridge.
When I don't have cold, day-old rice, I quickly dry out freshly cooked rice in the freezer before stir-frying.
After testing several types of rice, I found that jasmine or other long-grain white rice works best because the longer grains are less sticky than short-grain rice and hold their shape well during stir-frying.
Ingredients & Substitutes
Exact ingredient amounts are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of this page.
- Cooked Jasmine Rice: Cold, day-old jasmine rice works best because the drier grains stay separate and fluffy during stir-frying. Standard long-grain white rice also works. If using freshly cooked rice, spread it evenly on a large baking sheet and freeze uncovered for 45 minutes to dry it out, then break up any clumps with a rice paddle before stir-frying.
- Spam: I recommend low-sodium spam since the soy sauces also add saltiness. Lite or regular spam, or diced ham, also work; season with salt only if needed.
- Large Eggs
- Carrots, Corn, and Peas: Fresh or frozen vegetables both work. If using frozen vegetables, rinse them with cold water and drain well to prevent the pan temperature from dropping. Chopped green beans or broccoli florets also work.
- Shallot: ¼ cup diced onion also works.
- Green Onion
- Fresh Garlic: I prefer using fresh garlic for the best flavor, but jarred minced garlic also works.
- Vegetable Oil: Or use any neutral cooking oil with a high smoke point, such as canola, peanut, refined avocado, or sunflower oil.
- Regular Soy Sauce: Seasons the rice with a savory, salty flavor. Light or low-sodium soy sauce also works.
- Dark Soy Sauce: Gives the fried rice its deep brown color and adds savory flavor. I prefer Pearl River Bridge Superior Dark Soy Sauce as it's thicker and darker than other brands. Mushroom-flavored dark soy sauce also works.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness to the fried rice and coats the grains as it melts. Salted butter also works, but adjust the soy sauce and salt as needed. For dairy-free, use dairy-free butter.
- Salt
- Toasted Sesame Oil: Adds a rich, nutty flavor to the finished fried rice. Avoid untoasted sesame oil, which tastes milder.
Expert Tips
- Break up the rice before stir-frying. Separate any clumps beforehand so the grains cook and season evenly without getting mashed in the pan.
- Prepare everything first. Have all the ingredients measured and ready because stir-frying moves quickly, which helps prevent the ingredients from overcooking.
- Use medium-high heat. Higher heat helps excess moisture evaporate quickly, keeping the fried rice fluffy instead of soggy.
- Don't overcrowd the pan. Use a large wok or pan so moisture can escape instead of steaming the rice.
- Pour the soy sauces around the hot pan edges. This lets them sizzle briefly before mixing into the rice for a more aromatic flavor.
Instructions
Below are step-by-step instructions on how to make spam fried rice:
- Brown the spam and shallots: Heat a dry wok or large pan over medium-high heat. Add the diced spam and cook until golden brown. Then add the shallots and stir-fry until softened.
- Stir-fry the vegetables: Add the vegetable oil, half of the green onions, and garlic and stir-fry for about 10 seconds until fragrant. Then add the corn, peas, and carrots and stir-fry until heated through. Push everything to one side of the pan to create an empty space.
- Cook the eggs: Pour the beaten eggs into the empty space. Let them set for 10-15 seconds before scrambling, then break them into bite-sized pieces.
- Stir-fry and season the rice: Add the cold, day-old rice and toss to combine, breaking up any remaining clumps. Stir-fry until the rice is hot and the grains are separated. Pour the regular soy sauce and dark soy sauce around the hot edges of the pan and let them sizzle for about 2 seconds. Add the unsalted butter and toss until the rice is evenly coated and the butter has melted. Season with salt only if needed. Mix in the toasted sesame oil. Remove from the heat and garnish with the remaining green onions. Serve immediately.
Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerator: Spread the hot fried rice in a wide, shallow container to cool it quickly. Once the rice is no longer steaming, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate immediately for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Spread the hot fried rice in a wide, shallow container to cool it quickly. Once the rice is no longer steaming, transfer it to a freezer-safe bag, remove as much air as possible, and freeze immediately for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating: Reheat in a lightly oiled pan over medium heat until steaming hot throughout, stirring occasionally. Or microwave until steaming hot, stirring halfway through for even heating.
Pairing Suggestions
Serve spam fried rice with:
- Szechuan Chicken - a spicy, savory main dish.
- Egg Drop Soup - a light, comforting soup.
- Stir-fried Snow Pea Leaves - a flavorful vegetable side.
FAQ
No. A carbon-steel wok works well for high-heat stir-frying and can help develop smoky wok hei, but a large skillet or pan also works.
The rice may contain too much moisture, or the pan may be overcrowded. Use cold, day-old rice and a large pan over medium-high heat so excess moisture can evaporate.
Yes. Use spam that is labeled gluten-free, gluten-free soy sauce or tamari, and gluten-free dark soy sauce. Check each product label before using.
More Like This
Check out my other fried rice recipes:
📖 Recipe
Easy Spam Fried Rice (30 Minutes)
Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked jasmine rice cold, day-old, broken up
- 1 can spam low-sodium, diced into ½-inch cubes
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 1 cup diced carrots fresh or frozen
- ⅓ cup peas fresh or frozen
- ⅓ cup corn fresh or frozen
- 1 small shallot finely chopped
- 2 green onions finely chopped, divided
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tablespoon vegetable oil or any neutral oil
- 2 tablespoon regular soy sauce or light soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter unsalted
- ¼ teaspoon salt add to taste
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil toasted kind
Instructions
- Heat a dry wok or large pan over medium-high heat. Add the diced spam and cook until golden brown. Then add the shallots and stir-fry until softened.
- Add the vegetable oil, half of the green onions, and garlic and stir-fry for about 10 seconds until fragrant.
- Then add the corn, peas, and carrots and stir-fry until heated through. Push everything to one side of the pan to create an empty space.
- Pour the beaten eggs into the empty space. Let them set for 10-15 seconds before scrambling, then break them into bite-sized pieces.
- Add the cold, day-old rice and toss to combine, breaking up any remaining clumps. Stir-fry until the rice is hot and the grains are separated.
- Pour the regular soy sauce and dark soy sauce around the hot edges of the pan and let them sizzle for about 2 seconds. Add the unsalted butter and toss until the rice is evenly coated and the butter has melted.
- Season with salt only if needed. Mix in the toasted sesame oil. Remove from the heat and garnish with the remaining green onions. Serve immediately.
Jeanne
I made this last night for dinner! OMGosh, delicious! So easy and quick. Made some egg rolls to go with it.
Christie Lai
Thank you so much for the positive review, Jeanne! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
Soraya Garcia
So easy to make! Actually I didn't know what to do with the 2 cans of spam and when I saw your recipe I got really excited!
Christie Lai
Thank you so much for making my recipe and so glad you liked it! Glad I could help give you an idea on how to use spam.
Elizabeth
First time making Spam Fried Rice, and I'm so glad I picked your recipe to follow. It was simply delicious ☺️
Christie Lai
Thank you so much for making my recipe and for this positive review! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
tom
We always make a version of this, with red chilli, thank you for the day old rice trick
I didn't know that. Now I'll spread and freeze for one hour. Cheap n easy.
Christie Lai
Glad I could help with the tip! Thanks for the positive review!
Jeane
I made this last night, now having made it twice. It is so good and is now a regular on the family menu. I now do the prep work a few hours ahead of time- I cut up some extra carrot ( to cook with the garlic and onion/ shallot), dice up the spam and some pressed tofu dusted in cornstarch as well to stretch the protein (for family of 6). Because I have no wok, I cook the ingredients separately, and place each in a bowl and bring it all together in my skillet at the end and it works great. Thanks Christie, I'm looking forward to trying several of your recipes - you've made them very approachable. Good work!
Christie Lai
Thank you so much for leaving such a kind and positive review, Jeane! I am so thrilled to hear that you enjoy this recipe so much and I hope you enjoy my other recipes 🙂 Have a lovely day!
Amanda S Fisher
Amazing combination of flavors! Thanks for a wonderful recipe!
christieathome
Thank you so much for the kind comment, Amanda! Happy I could share this recipe with you and glad you enjoyed it!
Sarah
I made this today for the first time and it is absolutely delicious. It's cold and rainy outside and this was the bowl of comfort I was searching for. Thank you very much.
christieathome
Thank you so much for making my recipe, Sarah! I am so pleased that you enjoyed my dish 🙂 Have a lovely day!
George Moy
Christie; Hi your spam fried rice is delicious,I know I used to make it in the past, but I haven’t recently because when you buy spam at the grocery store (like Kroger) it is very expensive $3.89 for one can ,also you should let readers know sometimes when you order fried rice on a take out menu (as sides for your meal) all you will get fried rice all right,but no meat or vegetables,either.Another thing,you could make fried rice with,boil in bag rice or instant rice,(just use a sliver of water for instant rice) both rice will asorb soy sauce so easily that you should adjust how much soy sauce to season,now if you substitute the peppers (green,red, orange and yellow)it would make it more enjoyable because spam, and bacon is very salty, the green peppers will take the saltiness out with a little sweetness added to the dish.
George Moy
Also I forgot to mention to tell you instead of regular spam,you should try the new spam,that is bacon flavor spam,its like having fried bacon, but it tasted a little like Rath ham ,the bacon spam is very delicious too.
christieathome
Thanks for making my recipe! Glad you enjoyed it, George! Thanks for all this information and I'm sure the readers will find this comment helpful!
Rosemary
I love fried rice! You know it is such a great base recipe to throw different ingredients into! I definitely want to try this with some little pieces of chicken! And of course egg hehe
Letscurry
Christie, I'm planning this for a quick dinner and gonna replace spam with tofu. It's an amazing recipe to get more veggies in.
I agree with you about finding the right balance and working with our individual body rather than following the fad. We all are unique and so are our eating habits and too much of control will only backfire and make you binge more. Insightful eating is what we need but hey, life is too short to skip a packet of chips. Enjoy!
christieathome
That's wonderful! I'm so glad to hear you will try my recipe. I hope you enjoy it 🙂 It's a great foundation for any fried rice where you can swap out ingredients for what you prefer.
I'm also glad you're with me on that! It's very true, when we restrict ourselves it only leads to binge eating. Thanks for your kind comment Haseena! I truly appreciate it.
Katerina
I couldn't agree more - eating healthy is all about balance. What is the point of having the most nutritious diet if you're unhappy? I have to admit I only eat spam when we're in Hawaii (they do love their spam) but I love this idea - I don't think I'd be able to stop eating!
christieathome
Thanks Katerina! I am glad you're with me on that. It took me awhile to really get to this place of balanced wellness and I'm still learning as I go. I bet their spam is just amazing!
Never Ending Journeys
I absolutely love this recipe! Fried rice is one of my all time favorite dishes, so adding spam would take it to a whole new level. Thanks for sharing this!
christieathome
Thanks so much!! It was definitely one recipe that I was excited to share here because I'm sure so many people bought spam for the lockdown.
Rashmi
I just love fried rice... this looks so yummy... thanks for sharing the recipe dear 🙂
http://www.beautyandfashionfreaks.com
christieathome
Thank you so much! I appreciate that! It's a delicious one.
Tasia ~ two sugar bugs
I LOVE this Christie! In my opinion, it's all about balance. We have to allow ourselves to find what balance works for us. It makes me happy to know that you are sharing recipes that you love and enjoy!! This Spam fried rice looks insanely delicious too!!
christieathome
Thanks so much for reading Tasia! You're totally right. It really is about balance and I'm so happy to be sharing recipes that I truly enjoy now 🙂