Easy Spam Fried Rice

Difficulty Easy

A classic fried rice recipe with an Asian twist: Spam Fried Rice! Delicious, comforting, and on the table in only 15 minutes. The perfect way to create a filling, nourishing, and tasty meal with leftover white rice and pantry ingredients. Nothing better than salty, rich cubes of Spam tossed into a wok with scrambled eggs, sweet corn, and green onion. YUM!

What is Spam Fried Rice?

A little bit Korean, a little bit Hawaiian — Spam Fried Rice is pure Asian comfort food. A childhood favorite that always tastes good. A fast and easy recipe that can be made in 15 minutes!

Spam, the iconic canned meat, adds a rich layer of flavor to regular fried rice. Salty and savory, it’s the perfect way to make a great meal from leftover white rice and pantry items. The small Spam chunks and rendered fat will flavor the day-old cold rice beautifully.

More recipes with Spam: Spam Gimbap, Budae Jjigae (Army Base Stew), and Spam Musubi.

Transform simple fried rice into a standout meal or side dish. And put on the table in 15 minutes! Enjoy!

can of Spam

Why Spam?

Spam is a common addition to many Asian dishes. Why is it so nostalgic and beloved?

  • Flavor. Spam is salty, porky, and very flavorful. It pairs well with Asian flavors such as rice, eggs, kimchi, and soy sauce.
  • Convenience. Spam is canned and lasts a long time in the pantry.
  • History. Spam has a long history in many countries (South Korea, Hawaii, and the Phillipines) because the US military introduced it to the local population in the 1950s and 1960s. Now, it’s an iconic food item integrated into local cuisines.

Ingredients:

  • Spam. A canned, gluten-free pork product that is rich, savory, salty, and very flavorful. You’ll only need half a can for this recipe. Dice into small cubes so that every bite of rice has a bit of salty, porky flavor. Or make big chunky cubes if you prefer.
  • Rice. For fried rice recipes, day-old leftover rice works best. I recommend Jasmine rice or any other medium grain rice. Short grain rice or even brown rice also also works. Long grain rice such as Basmati is too fluffy and will break and fall apart in this dish.
  • Eggs. Fluffy scrambled eggs are a nice balance to the salty Spam.
  • Corn. Adds freshness and sweetness. Use either canned or frozen corn. Can be swapped with frozen peas or carrots, if you prefer.
  • Green onions. Use the white parts at the beginning of the cooking process and save the green ends for garnish. Can be subbed with a shallot or 1/2 small onion.
  • Soy Sauce + Oyster Sauce. The combination of these two pantry sauces adds umami depth and flavor.
  • Sugar. A pinch to balance all the other salty, umami flavors.
  • Black pepper. Freshly ground black pepper adds earthy freshness. I like to add a lot!
  • Salt. Taste and add a little at the end to ensure a well-seasoned dish.
ingredients for Spam Fried Rice

Instructions:

Although it looks like a lot of steps, it’s basically stir-frying everything in a wok.

  1. Prep ingredients. Finely dice the Spam. Chop the green onion and separate the white parts from the green ends, as they will be used in different stages of cooking. Mince the garlic. Combine the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar in a small bowl. Drain canned corn. If using frozen, place in a separate bowl.
  2. Make scrambled eggs. Whisk two eggs in a medium bowl with a pinch of salt. When the wok is hot, add 1 Tbsp oil and swirl around. Add the beaten eggs and mix with a spatula until large curds form and the eggs are 80% cooked. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
  3. Cook Spam. To the hot wok, add 1 Tbsp more oil and swirl around. Add diced spam and stir fry until it turns golden brown and slightly crispy. Mix well with a spatula so all the sides are evenly cooked.
  4. Add aromatics. To the hot wok, add the white parts of the green onion and minced garlic. Mix with the Spam until fragrant.
  5. Add rice. Add rice and break up the big chunks with a spatula if needed. Toss and mix the rice so it doesn’t stick to the sides.
  6. Season the rice. Add soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, and black pepper. Toss and mix the rice to combine.
  7. Add corn and green onion. Add the corn and the green parts of the green onion. Add scrambled eggs. Toss rice again.
  8. Serve. Before serving, taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt and black pepper if needed. Serve and enjoy!
small bowl filled with Spam Fried Rice

PRO Tips:

  • Prep everything ahead of time. The cooking time goes very fast! Don’t chop as you go or it will burn.
  • Preheat the wok. Achieve the perfect texture and flavor by heating the wok or skillet over high heat. The high heat and quick cooking will prevent the rice from becoming mushy.
  • Cold, leftover rice works best. Do not use fresh rice. Day-old rice from the fridge works best. If you don’t have any, make rice as you normally do. Then spread onto a baking sheet pan and place in the fridge for 20 minutes. The fridge will cool down the rice and remove excess moisture. Otherwise, the fried rice will be mushy and soggy.

Watch how to make it:

Helpful Kitchen Tools:

  • Wok. A carbon steel wok (affiliate)works best for fried rice. The deep cavity makes it easy to toss and mix the rice, without it spilling over the sides. To prevent sticking, make sure the wok is seasoned. Also, properly heat the wok before the start of the cooking process. If you don’t own a wok, any large skillet is a good option.
  • Large Spatula. I love a large metal spatula like the Oxo Fish Spatula (affiliate) for mixing and breaking up the rice. One of my favorite kitchen tools that I use on a daily basis.

How to serve:

Serve as an easy snack, appetizer, or side dish. My kids love it packed up for school lunches. The combination of Spam and eggs also makes it a great breakfast option.

For a light meal, serve with homemade miso soup.

Spam Fried Rice also makes a great potluck or game day food item, as it tastes good at room temperature.

Variations:

  • Make it spicy. Add a drizzle of chili oil or sriracha on top. Or, serve with a side of kimchi.
  • Add Gim (Roasted Seaweed Snack). For a solo meal, crumble an entire package of Gim (roasted seaweed snack) or sprinkle furikake on top. Adds lots of additional flavor and texture.

FAQ:

How do I store leftovers?

Leftover Spam Fried Rice can be stored in the fridge, tightly sealed, for 3-5 days. Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring about halfway through.

Can I substitute the Spam?

If you don’t eat pork, look for vegan Spam. Korean-owned Omnipork Luncheon Meat is a plant-based, Spam-like product.

Or, use another popular Spam-like product, like South Korean Chung Jung One Luncheon Meat.

More rice recipes

small bowl filled with Spam Fried Rice with spoon on the side

Spam Fried Rice

A classic fried rice dish with an Asian fusion twist: Spam Fried Rice! Delicious, comforting, and on the table in only 15 minutes. Pantry ingredients and leftover rice combine to make a filling, nourishing, and very tasty meal. Nothing better than salty, rich cubes of Spam tossed into a wok with scrambled eggs, sweet corn, and green onion. YUM!
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Course Appetizer, Side, Snack
Cuisine American, Asian, Korean
Servings 4
Calories 629 kcal

Equipment

  • Wok, stainless steel skillet, or non-stick skillet
  • Large spatula

Ingredients
  

  • 2 Tbsp oil divided
  • 2 eggs preferably organic
  • 1/2 can/ 170 grams Spam
  • 2 green onions
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 3 cups Jasmine rice *leftover cold rice from the fridge, short grain or any other medium grain rice also works
  • 1/2 cup corn canned or fresh

Sauce:

  • 1 Tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 Tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1/4 tsp sugar
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Prep ingredients. Finely dice the Spam. Chop the green onion and separate the white parts from the green ends, as they will be used in different stages of cooking. Mince the garlic. Combine the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar in a small bowl. Drain canned corn. If using frozen corn, place in a separate bowl — there's no need to defrost.
  • Make scrambled eggs. Whisk two eggs in a medium bowl with a pinch of salt. When the wok is hot, add 1 Tbsp oil and swirl around. Add the eggs and mix with a spatula until large curds form and the eggs are 80% cooked, about 1-2 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside. *Wipe out any residual scrambled egg bits with a paper towel.
  • Cook Spam. To the hot wok, add 1 Tbsp more oil and swirl around. Add diced spam and stir fry until it turns golden and slightly crispy, about 2-3 minutes. Mix well with a spatula so all the sides are evenly cooked.
  • Add aromatics. To the hot wok, add the white parts of the green onion and minced garlic. Mix with the Spam until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  • Add rice. Add rice and break up the big chunks with a spatula if needed. Toss and mix the rice so it doesn't stick to the sides, about 1-2 minutes.
  • Season the rice. Add soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, and black pepper. Toss and mix the rice to combine, about 1-2 minutes.
  • Add corn and green onion. Add the corn and the green parts of the green onion. Cook until the (frozen) corn is defrosted, about 1-2 minutes.
  • Add the scrambled eggs. Add the eggs back into the wok. Toss a few times so the eggs are mixed in. Break up the big pieces with the spatula.
  • Serve. Before serving, taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt and black pepper if needed. Serve and enjoy!

Video

Notes

Tips:
    • Prep everything ahead of time. The cooking time goes very fast! Don’t chop as you go or the Spam Fried Rice will burn.
    • Preheat the wok. Achieve the perfect texture and flavor by heating the wok or skillet over high heat. The high heat and quick cooking will prevent the rice from becoming mushy.
    • Cold, leftover rice works best. Day-old rice from the fridge works great. If you don’t have any, make rice as you normally do. Then spread onto a sheet pan and place in the fridge for 20 minutes. The fridge will cool down the rice and remove excess moisture. Otherwise, the fried rice will be mushy and soggy.
    • Store leftovers. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge, tightly sealed, for 3-5 days.  Reheat in the micowave in 1-2 minute bursts, stirring in between.

Nutrition

Calories: 629kcalCarbohydrates: 117gProtein: 14gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.04gCholesterol: 82mgSodium: 416mgPotassium: 270mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 231IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 62mgIron: 2mg
Keyword Fried Rice, Spam
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
15 minutes, All Recipes, Asian Recipes, Breakfast + Brunch, Dinner with Friends, Game Day Food, Holiday, Korean, Rice, Side, Snacks, Weeknight Meals

3 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Very easy and tasty! I think the recipe is missing when to add the egg back in. I added them back in with the green onions and corn (though I actually used peas) and it worked well 🙂

  2. 5 stars
    It’s delicious. I will definitely try this again.

5 from 3 votes (1 rating without comment)

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