Spam fried rice is a fast, satisfying one-pan meal that’s perfect for weeknights, quick lunches, or using up leftovers. Dice the Spam, crisp it in a hot skillet, and it becomes the first thing everyone reaches for—salty, savory, slightly buttery, and full of flavor.
This is also a favorite way to use leftover Spam. Everything cooks in one pan and the dish is ready in under 30 minutes. It’s versatile—think of it like other fried rice variations that transform leftovers into something special: crispy rice, tender vegetables, soft scrambled eggs, and golden pieces of Spam that tie everything together.
I grew up with fried rice as a go-to for turning leftovers into dinner, and no two batches were the same. This Spam fried rice follows that same spirit—easy to customize, forgiving, and consistently delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in under 30 minutes
- Uses simple, pantry-friendly ingredients
- Great for using leftover rice
- Easy to customize with different vegetables or proteins
- Reheats well for lunches and busy nights
Ingredients You’ll Need
Please scroll ⬇️ to the recipe card for full ingredient amounts and instructions.
- Spam: Dice into small cubes and fry until deeply golden for texture and flavor.
- Cold cooked white rice: Day-old rice works best because it’s drier and fries up crisp. If using fresh rice, spread it on a tray and chill briefly.
- Shallot or onion: Shallots are milder and slightly sweet; either works.
- Mixed vegetables: Fresh or frozen peas, carrots, corn, green beans, or bell peppers.
- Eggs: Scrambled directly in the pan for richness and structure.
- Butter: Helps the rice brown and adds richness that balances the saltiness.
- Soy sauce and oyster sauce: Add depth and umami—use low-sodium soy sauce if you want more control over salt.
- Sesame oil: A small drizzle at the end adds aroma without overpowering the dish.
- Sugar, salt, and pepper: Sugar is important to balance the savory flavors.
How to Make Spam Fried Rice (Quick Version)
Prep everything before you start: dice the Spam, chop vegetables, beat the eggs, and make sure the rice is cold. Once the pan is hot, the cooking moves quickly.
Heat a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced Spam and cook until golden and crisp on all sides. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Return the pan to medium-high heat and add a little oil. Sauté the shallot or onion until fragrant. Push it to the side, add the mixed vegetables, and stir-fry until just tender. Push those to the side and scramble the eggs directly in the pan until just set.
Add the cold rice, breaking up any clumps as you stir. Let it sit undisturbed for a minute or two to develop crispy bits. Stir in the butter, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, sesame oil, salt, and pepper, tossing until everything is evenly coated.
Return the Spam to the pan and toss to combine. For extra crispiness, let the rice sit again undisturbed for short intervals so more crispy bits form. Taste and adjust seasoning, then serve hot.
Garnish with sliced green onions or sesame seeds, and serve immediately.
Tips for the Best Spam Fried Rice
✔️ Use cold, day-old rice for better texture
✔️ Cook the Spam first so it stays crisp
✔️ Let the rice sit without stirring to build crispy bits
✔️ Keep the heat fairly high once the rice goes in
✔️ Swap vegetables or proteins based on what you have
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat in a skillet with a splash of water or oil to loosen the rice and refresh the texture. The microwave also works—reheat in short bursts and stir in between to avoid drying out the rice.
You can freeze Spam fried rice for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with kimchi, pickled vegetables, or a fried egg on top. It pairs well with other dishes if you want a larger meal—think simple sides like miso soup, a crisp cucumber salad, or spring rolls. Customize the meal to your tastes by swapping vegetables or adding more protein.
If you try this Spam fried rice, leave a comment on the recipe card and share how you made it your own.
RECIPE
Spam Fried Rice
Quynh Nguyen
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 the Spam, chop vegetables if needed, beat the eggs, and use cold day-old rice. If your rice is freshly cooked, spread it on a tray and chill to remove excess moisture.
- Cook Spam: Heat a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced Spam and cook until golden and crispy. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté veggies: In the same pan, add oil and sauté the shallot or onion until fragrant. Push to one side, add mixed vegetables, and stir-fry until just tender.
- Scramble eggs: Push the vegetables to the side, pour in beaten eggs, scramble until just set, then mix with the vegetables.
- Add rice: Add the cold rice and break up any clumps. Stir-fry until rice is evenly mixed with vegetables and egg.
- Season: Add oyster sauce, soy sauce, butter, salt, pepper, sugar, and sesame oil. Stir to coat everything evenly.
- Add Spam: Return the cooked Spam to the pan, stir to combine, then let the rice sit undisturbed for 1–2 minutes to develop crispy bits. Repeat for extra crispiness.
- Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with green onions or sesame seeds if desired and serve hot.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Use cold, day-old rice for the best texture—fresh rice tends to clump and get soft.
- Prep all ingredients before you start. Fried rice cooks fast once it hits the pan.
- Cook over high heat and use a large skillet or wok so the rice fries instead of steaming.
- Don’t skip the butter—it adds richness and helps the rice crisp.
- Swap the Spam or vegetables based on what you have on hand for easy customization.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 28 g
Protein: 5 g
Fat: 7 g