Ham Fried Rice

Ham Fried Rice is a savory blend of smoky ham, fragrant jasmine rice, and vibrant vegetables. This easy, one-pot recipe is a great choice for a quick weeknight dinner or a delicious lunch, and is perfect for meal prepping. 

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Ham Fried Rice is a savory mix of juicy ham, aromatic jasmine rice, and crisp veggies. Quick to make and bursting with flavor, it’s a crowd-pleaser for any occasion. From weekday dinners to weekend gatherings, this dish always hits the spot.

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With its simple steps and accessible ingredients, Ham Fried Rice is perfect for cooks of all skill levels, but it looks and tastes as good as any Chinese restaurant. As a main dish, this ham fried rice is a light dinner or warm and filling lunch. But this is also a great recipe to take to a potluck or office party as a side dish. Full of flavor and ready in 30 minutes, this one’s definitely a winner of a dish.

Ham Fried Rice Ingredients

With just a handful of simple ingredients, you’ll make an Asian-inspired fried rice dish that will quickly become a new family favorite. 

Fried Rice With Ham Substitutions and Additions

If you need to adjust this easy Ham Fried Rice recipe to suit your preferences or dietary needs, here are some substitution and addition suggestions:

Canola Oil: While canola oil is the recommended choice for frying, you can substitute it with peanut oil for a nuttier flavor. Peanut oil has a higher smoke point, making it perfect for stir-frying.

Smoked Uncured Ham Steak: A 6-7 ounce pre-packaged uncured ham steak is perfect for this recipe. Alternatively, you can get a thick (about ½ inch thick) slice of smoked ham from your local deli counter. If you prefer a different protein or do not enjoy pork, you can substitute the ham with cooked chicken, turkey, or even tofu for a vegetarian option.

Yellow Onion: Swap yellow onion with white onion or shallots for a milder flavor, or use red onion for a slightly sweeter taste. You can also omit the onion altogether if you prefer.

Minced Garlic: Fresh garlic can be substituted with garlic powder or garlic paste for convenience. Use ½ teaspoon of garlic powder for every clove of minced garlic called for in the recipe.

Frozen Peas and Carrots: Mix up your vegetable combination by using a frozen vegetable medley of your choice. Feel free to use fresh vegetables instead of frozen. Just ensure they’re chopped into small, uniform pieces for even cooking.

Jasmine Rice: You can make fresh rice or use a bag of pre-made rice. Both will work fine. You can easily substitute Jasmine with long-grain white rice. It’s just better to use a rice that’s not too sticky.

Soy Sauce: We used standard soy sauce for this recipe, but you can certainly use light or low sodium soy sauce if desired. You can add more or less soy sauce according to your taste.For a gluten-free option, use tamari or coconut aminos in place of soy sauce. Add slowly and taste as you go so your dish maintains a good salt balance.

Sesame Oil: Sesame oil gives the dish an authentic flavor, but you can substitute with any high-quality cooking oil you’d like.

Chopped Green Onion: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds or chopped cilantro over the finished dish for added flavor and visual appeal. You can also top with a drizzle of sriracha or chili oil for a spicy kick.

How To Make Ham Fried Rice

Ready to roll up your sleeves and make this irresistible fried ham and rice? With its simple steps and flavorful ingredients, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can whip up a delicious meal that’s sure to satisfy your craving for takeout.

STEP ONE: Start by gathering all the ingredients listed in the recipe. Dice the smoked uncured ham steak into small, evenly-sized cubes so they cook more evenly. Chop the yellow onion finely and mince the garlic. If using frozen peas and carrots, measure them out and allow them to thaw slightly. In a small bowl, lightly whisk the eggs and set aside.

PRO TIP: We recommend you cook your rice the day before. This gives the day-old rice a dried texture and allows it to easily crisp up in the pan and gives the dish so much flavor. If you do use cold rice, give it an extra minute or two in the pan to make sure it heats through.

STEP TWO: Set a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add canola oil to the preheated skillet. Once shimmering, add the diced ham and cook until it develops a light sear, infusing the dish with its smoky flavor. Next, introduce the diced onions and minced garlic, stirring until fragrant. 

STEP THREE: Stir to incorporate the frozen peas and carrots, and allow the vegetables to thaw.

STEP FOUR: Turn up the heat and add the cooked jasmine rice, stirring to combine with the ham and vegetable mixture. Be sure to stir the mixture to keep it from sticking and burning on the bottom and side of the pan.

PRO TIP: For the best result, give the rice a few minutes to cook together in the skillet, about 3-4 minutes. This step allows the rice to heat through and develop a slightly crispy texture for even more flavor.

STEP FIVE: Once the rice has cooked and “fried” in the skillet, turn the heat to medium-low and push the fried rice to the outer edges of the skillet, creating a circle in the middle of the skillet.

STEP SIX: Create a space in the center of the skillet and add the remaining canola oil followed by the whisked eggs. Allow the beaten eggs to set slightly, then lightly scramble the eggs. Once they’re fully cooked, incorporate them into the rice mixture.

STEP SEVEN: Continue to keep an eye on the rice as it fries so it doesn’t stick to the pan or burn. Adjust the heat slightly if needed. Meanwhile, stir together the soy sauce and sesame oil in a small bowl. Pour the mixture evenly over the ham-fried rice. Stir to coat the entire mixture with the sauce.

STEP EIGHT: Remove the skillet from the heat and add the chopped green onions as a garnish to the top of the ham fried rice before serving. Transfer to a serving bowl or individual plates and serve while hot!

How To Serve A Fried Rice Recipe With Ham

Ham Fried Rice is one of those easy recipes you won’t believe you haven’t been making at home all along! Ram fried rice is a perfect weeknight dinner for the whole family, when served with accompanying dishes, and it makes leftover lunch something to look forward to!

Here are some ideas for how to serve this ham and rice stir fry.

Classic Presentation: Serve the Ham Fried Rice in individual bowls or on plates, garnished with additional chopped green onions for a pop of color and freshness. Pair it with a side of pickled ginger or a sprinkle of sesame seeds for added texture and flavor.

Serve with A Side Salad: Pair the Ham Fried Rice with a variety of side dishes. Crisp, refreshing cucumber slices or a tangy Asian cucumber salad provide a cool contrast to the savory rice. 

Meal Incorporations: For the best use of leftovers, stuff this fried rice into bell peppers or zucchini boats, topping them with cheese and baking until bubbly for a satisfying stuffed vegetable dish.

Make a Chinese Food Inspired Feast: This fried rice with ham recipe is a great accompaniment to more filling dishes, like beef and broccoli and honey chicken​. For a complete meal that frees up your stovetop, try an oven-baked sheet pan stir fry​. It bakes easily while you make your fried rice.

By exploring these serving suggestions and pairings, you’ll discover new ways to enjoy the deliciousness of this easy ham fried rice recipe. Whether enjoyed on its own or as part of a larger meal, it’s sure to satisfy!

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How to Store Leftover Ham Fried Rice

Whether you’re planning ahead for meal prep or looking to preserve your leftovers for later enjoyment, proper storage helps guarantee that your dish remains fresh and flavorful.

MAKE AHEAD: If you’re pressed for time during the week, you can prepare a batch of Ham Fried Rice ahead of time for convenient meal prep. Just follow the recipe as instructed and let the dish cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. It’s ready to be reheated for quick and easy meals throughout the week.

IN THE FRIDGE: To store leftover Chinese ham fried rice in the refrigerator, transfer it to an airtight container once it has cooled to room temperature. Properly stored, the fried rice will keep well in the fridge for up to 2 days. When ready to enjoy, reheat individual portions in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through. Add a splash of water or soy sauce if the rice seems a bit too dried out.

IN THE FREEZER: For longer-term storage, you can freeze portions of Ham Fried Rice for future meals. Allow the dish to cool completely before portioning it into freezer-safe containers or Ziploc freezer bags. Be sure to press out any excess air to prevent freezer burn. Frozen ham and egg fried rice will maintain its quality for up to 2 months in the freezer. To reheat, thaw the frozen rice overnight in the refrigerator before reheating it in the microwave, on the stovetop, or in a skillet until heated through, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating.

HOW TO REHEAT: If your fried rice is frozen, allow it to thaw overnight in the refrigerator. When ready to enjoy, reheat individual portions in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through. Add a splash of water or soy sauce if the rice seems a bit too dried out. 

Why This Recipe for Ham Fried Rice Is the Best

Easy fried rice with ham is more than just a simple dish. It’s a warm and inviting comfort food. With its savory blend of smoky ham, fragrant jasmine rice, and vibrant vegetables, this recipe is one you’ll make for your family again and again.

Reasons We Love This Recipe:

Quick and Easy Preparation: This one-pot recipe comes together with just a handful of ingredients and minimal cooking time. You can whip up a delicious batch in no time, so it’s perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute meals.

Budget-Friendly Ingredients: By using affordable and readily available ingredients like leftover ham, rice, and frozen vegetables, you can create a satisfying meal that won’t break the bank. 

Family-Friendly Favorite: Last but not least, Ham Fried Rice is a family-friendly favorite that appeals to both kids and adults alike.

This Ham Fried Rice recipe is a winner. With its simple ingredients and easy steps, you can whip up a delicious dish that’s packed with flavor in no time. It’s a versatile option for busy weeknights or lazy weekends, perfect for solo dinners or family feasts, so say goodbye to takeout and hello to homemade goodness!

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Ham Fried Rice

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Ham Fried Rice is a savory blend of smoky ham, fragrant jasmine rice, and vibrant vegetables. This easy, one-pot recipe is a great choice for a quick weeknight dinner or a delicious lunch, and is perfect for meal prepping. 

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 5

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Ingredients

  

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• 1½ tablespoons canola oil
• 1 cup diced smoked uncured ham steak, cut into ½-inch sized small diced cubes
• ½ cup diced yellow onion
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
• 3 cups cooked and cooled jasmine rice
• 2 large eggs, lightly whisked
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• ¼ cup chopped green onions

Instructions

 

• Preheat a large 12-inch skillet or wok on medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the canola oil, then once the oil is hot, add the diced ham. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until the ham is hot and has a light sear to the outer edges.
• Add the diced onions and garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes or until the onions are soft and the garlic is fragrant.
• Stir in the frozen peas and carrots and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to thaw the vegetables.
• Turn the heat of the skillet up to medium-high and add the cooked rice to the skillet. Mix the diced ham and vegetables with the rice and let the rice get hot and lightly brown in the hot skillet. This should take about 3-4 minutes. Be sure to stir the mixture to keep it from sticking and burning on the bottom.
• Once the rice has cooked and “fried” in the skillet, turn the heat to the skillet down to medium-low and push the fried rice to the outer edges of the skillet, creating a circle in the middle of the skillet.
• To the middle of the skillet, add the remaining 1⁄2 tablespoon canola oil, then the whisked eggs. Allow the eggs to cook for 1-2 minutes. Lightly scramble the eggs in the middle of the skillet, then once they are fully cooked, mix the scrambled eggs throughout the entire ham-fried rice mixture in the skillet.
• Stir together the soy sauce and sesame oil in a small bowl, then pour the mixture evenly over the ham-fried rice in the skillet. Stir to coat all the rice with the soy sauce mixture.
• Remove the skillet from the heat and add the chopped green onions as a garnish to the top of the ham fried rice before serving.
• We recommend you cook your rice the day before. This gives the day-old rice a dried texture and allows it to easily crisp up in the pan and gives the dish so much flavor. If you do use cold rice, give it an extra minute or two in the pan to make sure it heats through.
• For the best result, give the rice a few minutes to cook together in the skillet, about 3-4 minutes. This step allows the rice to heat through and develop a slightly crispy texture for even more flavor.

Notes

• We recommend you cook your rice the day before. This gives the day-old rice a dried texture and allows it to easily crisp up in the pan and gives the dish so much flavor. If you do use cold rice, give it an extra minute or two in the pan to make sure it heats through.
• For the best result, give the rice a few minutes to cook together in the skillet, about 3-4 minutes. This step allows the rice to heat through and develop a slightly crispy texture for even more flavor.

Nutrition

Calories: 576kcal | Carbohydrates: 95g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 92mg | Sodium: 994mg | Potassium: 350mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 2817IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 63mg | Iron: 2mg

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