Let me tell you about my weeknight superhero—spam fried rice! This dish saved me more times than I can count when I needed something fast, satisfying, and packed with flavor. It all started back in college when my roommate and I would scavenge our tiny kitchen for anything edible. One desperate night, we threw together leftover rice, that half-forgotten can of Spam, and whatever condiments we had. Boom—magic happened! Now, years later, it’s still my go-to when life gets crazy.
The beauty of spam fried rice is how it transforms humble ingredients into something special. Crispy Spam cubes, fluffy eggs, and that irresistible sesame-nori kick come together in under 20 minutes. And here’s the best part—it actually tastes better with day-old rice (no guilt about letting leftovers sit!). Whether you’re new to cooking or just craving comfort food with a salty-sweet punch, this recipe’s got your back. Trust me, once you try my version with the crispy Spam and that final drizzle of sesame oil, you’ll understand why it’s my forever favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Spam Fried Rice
This isn’t just another fried rice recipe—it’s the one you’ll keep coming back to. Here’s why:
- Weeknight lifesaver: Ready in 20 minutes flat when hunger strikes
- Leftover magic: Turns stale rice and pantry staples into something amazing
- Flavor bomb: Salty Spam + nutty sesame + umami nori = pure comfort
- No-fuss ingredients: You probably have most of this in your kitchen right now
- Endlessly adaptable: Swap in whatever veggies or proteins you’ve got hanging around
Seriously, this dish is like a warm hug from your skillet—quick, satisfying, and packed with more personality than your average takeout.
Ingredients for Spam Fried Rice
Here’s what you’ll need to make my favorite salty-sweet fried rice (measurements matter, but don’t stress – I’ve eyeballed this many times!):
- 3 cups cooked white rice – must be cold (day-old fridge rice works best for that perfect texture)
- 1 (12 oz) can Spam – diced into little cubes (I like them crisp!)
- 2 large eggs – beaten like you mean it
- 2 tbsp soy sauce – plus more for drizzling at the end
- 1 tbsp sesame oil – the flavor game-changer
- 1 tbsp butter – or neutral oil if you prefer
- 1–2 tbsp furikake or crushed nori – those seaweed flakes make it special
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds – for that satisfying crunch
- 2 green onions – sliced thin (optional but SO good)
Ingredient Substitutions & Notes
No furikake? No problem! Here’s how to adapt:
- Butter → neutral oil works fine (I just love the richness butter adds)
- Furikake → extra nori sheets crumbled up, or skip it entirely
- Spam → ham or bacon in a pinch (but the salty Spam is magic)
- Soy sauce → tamari for gluten-free
Pro tip: That cold rice is non-negotiable – fresh rice turns mushy when fried!
How to Make Spam Fried Rice
Okay, let’s get cooking! I’ve made this so many times I could do it in my sleep, but here’s exactly how I get that perfect crispy-salty-everything-good texture every single time:
First, grab your biggest skillet (or wok if you’re fancy) and crank it to medium-high heat. Toss in those diced Spam cubes and let them sizzle away for 4-6 minutes – you want them golden and slightly crisp on the edges. This is where the magic starts! Push the Spam to one side (no need to be neat about it) and drop in your butter. When it melts, pour in the beaten eggs and scramble them right there in the pan until they’re just set – we’re going for fluffy, not dry.
Now the fun part – dump in that cold rice! Use your spatula to break up any clumps and stir everything together. Let it fry for 3-5 minutes without stirring too much – you want some of that rice to get lightly toasted. Here’s where I do my little soy sauce dance: drizzle it around the edges so it hits the hot pan first, then toss everything together. Same with the sesame oil – that nutty aroma means you’re doing it right!
Final flourish: sprinkle in the sesame seeds and furikake (or nori flakes) and give it one last toss. Taste it – need more soy? Add it now. Top with those green onions if you’ve got ’em, and serve it up hot. The whole process takes less time than waiting for delivery!
Tips for Perfect Spam Fried Rice
- High heat is your friend – that sizzle means you’re getting good texture
- Add soy gradually – you can always add more, but you can’t take it back!
- Don’t crowd the pan – if doubling the recipe, cook in batches
- Let the rice sit – after mixing, give it 30 seconds undisturbed to crisp up
- Eggs last – if adding veggies, cook them before the eggs
Remember: this recipe forgives almost everything except fresh rice – cold leftovers make all the difference!
Serving & Storing Spam Fried Rice
This fried rice is happiest straight from the pan, but here’s how I keep it tasting great later too! Pile it high in bowls with extra green onions and sesame seeds on top. Leftovers? Let them cool before refrigerating in an airtight container—it reheats beautifully with a splash of water and a quick stir-fry to bring back that just-made texture. (Though between us, I’ve been known to eat it cold straight from the fridge at midnight—no judgment!)
Spam Fried Rice Nutritional Information
Here’s the scoop on what’s in each hearty serving (about half the batch): roughly 720 calories with 45g fat (thanks to that delicious Spam and eggs), 55g carbs from the rice, and a solid 22g protein to keep you full. The sodium’s up there at 1200mg—that’s the Spam and soy sauce doing their thing! Of course, your exact numbers might dance around a bit depending on your rice quantity or how generous you are with the sesame oil (no regrets here).
Spam Fried Rice FAQs
After making this recipe for years (and fielding countless texts from friends trying it), here are the questions I get asked most:
Can I use fresh rice if I don’t have leftovers?
Oh honey, I’ve been there—but trust me, fresh rice turns gummy when fried. If you’re desperate, spread freshly cooked rice on a tray and pop it in the freezer for 15 minutes to dry out a bit. Not perfect, but better than mush!
What’s the best Spam substitute?
Ham or bacon work in a pinch, but they don’t get that same crispy-chewy magic. If you must swap, try diced Chinese sausage or even hot dogs (don’t judge—it’s surprisingly good!).
Why does my fried rice stick to the pan?
Your heat’s probably too low! Crank it up and make sure your pan’s properly preheated before adding ingredients. A well-seasoned cast iron or non-stick skillet helps too.
Can I add vegetables?
Absolutely! Toss in frozen peas, diced carrots, or chopped cabbage when you fry the Spam. Just remember: veggies first, then eggs, then rice—that’s the golden order.
Is there a gluten-free version?
Easy! Just swap regular soy sauce for tamari, and double-check your furikake blend (some contain wheat). Everything else is naturally gluten-free.
Final Thoughts
There you have it—my foolproof spam fried rice that never lets me down. Give it a try next time you’re staring into the fridge wondering what to make. And hey, if you tweak it your way, tell me how it turns out! Now go enjoy that salty, crispy, sesame-kissed goodness.
Print
Irresistible 20-Minute Spam Fried Rice You’ll Crave
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
A quick and easy spam fried rice recipe with eggs, sesame, and nori for a flavorful meal.
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked white rice (cold, day-old is best)
- 1 (12 oz) can Spam, diced into small cubes
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 tbsp soy sauce (plus more to taste)
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp butter (or neutral oil)
- 1–2 tbsp furikake or crushed nori (seaweed flakes)
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, sliced (optional)
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced Spam and cook 4–6 minutes, stirring, until browned and slightly crisp.
- Push Spam to one side. Add butter (or a little oil), pour in beaten eggs, and scramble until just set.
- Add cold cooked rice and break it up with a spatula. Stir everything together and fry 3–5 minutes until hot.
- Drizzle in soy sauce and sesame oil. Toss well until rice is evenly coated.
- Sprinkle in sesame seeds and furikake (or nori flakes). Toss again.
- Top with sliced green onions and serve hot.
Notes
- Cold rice = best texture.
- Fry Spam until crisp before adding eggs.
- Add soy a little at a time so it doesn’t get soggy.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stir-Fry
- Cuisine: Japanese-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 720
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 45g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 250mg
Keywords: spam fried rice, easy fried rice, leftover rice recipe, quick weeknight dinner, rice bowl recipe