Flavourful, colorful, packed with protein and takes minutes to make. Yes, we’re talking about Spam Fried Rice. This Asian fried rice dish is a mix of the Korean Spices and Hawaiian Spam, to make you the ultimate umami fried rice you can have.
You can also essentially throw in all the leftover veggies into this dish, to clear out your fridge and fill your tummy!
What is Spam?
Spam as a protein is one of those underrated and skeptical choices that you mostly avoid putting your hands on because you have never tried it. But trust me! You’re seriously missing out on an array of wonderful dishes you could put together in minutes with the help of spam.
Spam is a type of branded preserved meat that is sold in a can. Spam is a cherished delicacy in Hawaiian culture, you could easily see spam in multiple dishes in a Hawaiian restaurant. Although a controversial choice in the mainland of the United States, it clearly is a superstar in Hawaii.
However, in recent years Spam really came into the spotlight thanks to the cooking community of Youtube. Most of us who keep in track with the new trends of food in the chef community of Youtube and Instagram have already heard of the popular dish from last year – Spam Musubi. Spam asian recipes are now the new popularity.
Which Brand Of Spam To Use?
Earlier Spam was just typically called luncheon meats. The name Spam came with the brand that just started making it. If you go into an Asian grocery store, you are going to find different brands of ‘spam’, some traditional ones might also just have ‘luncheon meats’ as the label name. Some brands of ‘spam’ just taste better than the other, but the popular spam in a can that got it the name is still a stellar winner.
Spam is a pretty nostalgic ingredient in most Asian households. A common meal for kids is sandwiches, pan-fried in soy sauce and mirin and then served with rice etc. It’s a comfort food, and it’s definitely growing in popularity to people who are not Asian as well! However, if you’re still not keen on using spam, just use ham as a substitute.
Asian Spam Fried Rice Recipe
This asian spam recipe is quick, easy and delicious. It is ready in under 20 minutes and is a great meal for those days when you need to get more veggies in your diet and also clear out your fridge.
Ingredients For Spam Fried Rice
These are all the items you need to make this hearty asian spam recipe:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 ounces Spam, diced
- ½ cup onions
- ½ cup colorful bell peppers
- ½ cup frozen corn
- ½ cup frozen peas
- ½ cup frozen diced carrots
- 3 cups cooked rice (preferably a day old)
- 1 ½ tablespoons soy sauce
- ½ tablespoon fish sauce
- ¼ teaspoon sesame oil
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Sriracha, when serving
Asian Spam Recipe For Fried Rice
To make the fluffiest spam fried rice, you need three things. Quality ingredients, technique of cooking, and a lot of love and speed. Asian spam recipes are made on the wok on high heat, so if you don’t move quickly, you burn the food. And nobody wants burned meals on their plate. In Asian cooking, every part of the recipe is important. Asian mothers say that even the wok and the way you stir your food on it adds flavor into the dish you make.
- In a large skillet or wok, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Keep the flame or heat on low for now. Add in eggs and beat them in the wok itself, until they are cooked and scrambled into small pieces.
- Set aside the egg, and in the same span heat another tablespoon of oil. Now, add your minced garlic and spam, stir often while quicking. Do this for 3-4 minutes or until your mix is a light golden brown.
- Add your choice of vegetables. We added chopped onions, some diced bell peppers for the color. We also added some leftovers of frozen corn, peas and carrots. Cook all the vegetables for 1-2 minutes or until they are tender to the fork.
- Finally, add your cooked rice. Now, always remember the golden rule of Asian cooking, especially for fried rice. A day old rice, or leftover rice is the ideal way of making fried rice.
- Toss your rice with the rest of the protein and vegetable mix. When everything is combined, add fish sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil and pepper for seasoning. Stir and combine, cooking on high heat for a minute until everything comes together. The sauce and seasoning add that strong umami flavor into the rice.
- Add back your cooked eggs and toss the rice to mix everything. Also add the green bits of the green onion for some freshness and color.
- Voila! Your Asian Spam recipe for fried rice is done. Serve this while it’s warm and for that extra kick, you can drizzle some sriracha on the top.
There you go, your easy and quick weekday recipe is done. This Asian Spam fried rice is always a hit in the family. The recipe is very convenient, especially if you juggle work and home, all on your own. This fried rice recipe takes 20 minutes top, is nutritious and filling and will have those compliments pouring in for your cooking skills!
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