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If there’s one meal that instantly takes me back to island vibes and comfort food at its best, it’s Spam Fried Rice. It’s fast, flavorful, filling—and honestly, just so satisfying. Salty-sweet cubes of Spam are pan-fried until crispy, then tossed with garlic, green onions, veggies, fluffy rice, and eggs. It’s a one-pan wonder that comes together in about 30 minutes!
5 Star Reviews ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“SPAM has always been a secret favorite of mine and I loved it in this fried rice, it was perfection!!” – Bella
“We really enjoyed this one, and it’s in our regular rotation now!” – Brian
“I’ve been missing out!! This rice is delicious!! Love what the spam adds!! I have found a new way to make fried rice!” – Kristyn
Why I Love This Fried Rice
Aloha! This Spam Fried Rice recipe is inspired by my visits to Hawaii—where Spam is practically a beloved food group. It’s used in everything from musubi to fried rice, and I fell in love with how it turns humble ingredients into something bold and flavorful. I love how customizable it is too—add more veggies, spice it up with sriracha, or even toss in pineapple for a tropical twist.
Whether you’re already a Spam lover or just curious to try something new, this fried rice recipe is an easy win for weeknights, lazy weekends, or meal prep. I like to pair it with Huli Huli Chicken, Kalua Pulled Pork Tacos, or Hawaiian Macaroni Salad. And maybe some Malasadas or Duke’s Hula Pie for dessert.
🩷 Kelsey
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Spam – That iconic canned pork! It crisps beautifully in the pan and brings salty-savory goodness.
- Oyster Sauce, Soy Sauce & Brown Sugar – Used as a quick marinade to glaze the Spam with sweet umami flavor.
- Sesame Oil – Adds a toasty, nutty aroma to the whole dish.
- Green Onions – Separate the white and green parts; they’re added at different times for max flavor.
- Garlic – A must for fragrant depth.
- Frozen Peas and Carrots – Classic, easy fried rice veggies.
- Edamame – For a boost of texture and protein.
- Eggs – Stirred right into the pan for richness and binding.
- Cooked White Rice – Day-old, cold rice works best for that perfect fried rice texture.
- Soy Sauce (for serving) – Optional, but I love a final drizzle!
Ingredient Additions and Substitutions
- No Spam? Use diced ham, bacon, leftover pork, chicken, shrimp, or tofu.
- Rice Options: Jasmine or basmati work best. You can also use brown rice or cauliflower rice.
- Extra Veggies? Bell peppers, baby corn, broccoli, or zucchini all taste great.
- Sauce Swap: Try teriyaki sauce or hoisin in place of oyster sauce if needed.
- Spicy Kick: Drizzle with sriracha, chili crisp, or sambal oelek.
How to Make Spam Fried Rice
- Cut the Spam into cubes and place in a zip-top bag. Whisk together oyster sauce, soy sauce, and brown sugar, then pour over the Spam. Let it marinate for 15 minutes, then drain and reserve the marinade.
- Heat sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Sauté the white parts of the green onions until soft and golden, then add the garlic and cook until fragrant. Add the drained Spam and cook until browned on all sides, about 3–4 minutes.
- Stir in the peas, carrots, and edamame. Cook until heated through. Push everything to one side. Crack the eggs into the pan, scramble, and cook through before mixing back in.
- Give everything a good stir so it’s evenly distributed.
- Toss in the rice and reserved marinade.
- Stir everything together until well combined and heated through.
Recipe Tips
- Use Cold Rice: Day-old rice gives the best texture. Fresh rice can make your fried rice mushy.
- Crisp the Spam: Let the Spam brown well for the best flavor and texture.
- Use High Heat: A hot pan is key to getting that signature stir-fry effect.
- Cook Aromatics First: Garlic and onion infuse the oil with flavor.
- Scramble Eggs Separately: Push the other ingredients aside and cook the eggs on the empty part of the pan.
- Finish with Sauce: Add reserved marinade last so the flavors coat the rice.
Recipe Variations
- Pineapple Spam Fried Rice: Add fresh pineapple chunks for a sweet Hawaiian twist.
- Spicy Fried Rice: Mix in chili oil or sriracha.
- Breakfast Version: Top with a fried egg or stir in some bacon.
- Low Carb Option: Use cauliflower rice instead of white rice.
- Vegetarian Version: Use tofu instead of Spam and swap oyster sauce for a vegetarian stir-fry sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Spam Fried Rice is especially popular in Hawaii and Japan. In Hawaii, it’s often served with pineapple or alongside other local dishes like Pineapple Chicken, Kalua Pork, or Hawaiian Beef Teriyaki.
Pan-frying is best! Slice or cube it, and cook in a hot pan until golden brown and crispy on all sides.
Nope! Just remove it from the can and pat dry if needed. Rinsing can make it harder to crisp.
Yes, but it adds a ton of flavor! If you’re short on time, you can sauté the Spam and add the sauce ingredients directly into the pan.
Absolutely! Spam Fried Rice keeps well for days, making it a great make-ahead or meal prep option.
Long grain rice like jasmine or basmati is ideal. Just make sure it’s cooked and chilled before stir-frying.
Yes! To make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free soy sauce (like tamari or coconut aminos) and make sure your oyster sauce is labeled gluten-free—some brands contain wheat. Also, double-check that your Spam variety is gluten-free, as ingredients can vary by brand and flavor.
Storing and Freezing
- To Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet with a splash of water or soy sauce.
- To Freeze: Let the rice cool completely, then portion into freezer-safe bags or containers. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
More Fried Rice Recipes
If you tried this Spam Fried Rice, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out or if you tried any variations. And if you’re new to Spam… Aloha, and welcome to the fan club. 🌺☀️🏄♀️
Spam Fried Rice
Video
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Spam
- 1/4 cup oyster sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce, plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 green onions, chopped, whites and greens separated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup carrots and peas, diced, frozen works great
- 1/2 cup edamame, shelled
- 3 eggs
- 3 cups long-grain white rice, cooked (leftover rice works best)
Instructions
- Cut the Spam into cubes and put in a Ziplock bag. Mix oyster sauce, soy sauce, and sugar until sugar is dissolved and add to the bag with the SPAM. Marinate for about 15 minutes. Drain the marinade from the bag into a small bowl. Save and set aside.
- Heat sesame oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the whites of the green onions to the hot oil and stir until clear and light brown. Stir in garlic. When garlic is lightly browned, add Spam and cook for 3-4 minutes.
- Add carrots, peas, and edamame and cook until they are tender. Scoot everything to one side of the pan and crack eggs onto the empty side. Scramble with a spatula or chopsticks.
- When the eggs are cooked, mix in with the rest of the ingredients.
- Add cooked rice to skillet and mix in thoroughly. Add leftover SPAM marinade a few tablespoons at a a time until the rice is lightly coated in sauce. Add more to taste, if desired.
- Stir well, then top with the greens from the green onions.
Notes
- Use day-old rice for the best texture—fresh rice can turn out mushy.
- Marinate the Spam if you have time! Just 15 minutes adds tons of flavor.
- Cook over high heat to get that classic stir-fried finish.
- Use sesame oil for the best flavor, but vegetable oil works in a pinch.
- Swap Spam with tofu, chicken, shrimp, or ham if preferred.
- Add-ins: Try pineapple, bell peppers, or chili sauce for a twist.
- Make it gluten-free by using gluten-free soy sauce (like tamari) and checking that your oyster sauce and Spam are certified gluten-free.
- Storage: Keeps well in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months in airtight containers.
- For a low sodium option, simply use low sodium soy sauce or even liquid aminos.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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SPAM has always been a secret favorite of mine and I loved it in this fried rice, it was perfection!!
What a fun twist on basic fried rice. I loved making this and it was so loved by all!
I’ve been missing out!! This rice is delicious!! Love what the spam adds!! I have found a new way to make fried rice!
We really enjoyed this one, and it’s in our regular rotation now! We will probably try subbing a different meat for the spam, because spam isn’t our favorite.
That’s fine! You can use chicken, shrimp, tofu, beef, pork…the possibilities are endless!