Ham Fried Rice
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Posted: 08/02/24
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Quick and easy 30 minute dinner recipe that’s made in one skillet! Use up your leftover rice and ham when you make Ham Fried Rice with this go-to weeknight dinner recipe.
I love this easy Ham Fried Rice recipe because it’s great for using up leftover ham but you can also buy a package of diced ham at the store to make it. It’s a fast and easy recipe! We love it as a side dish or as a main dish – you will too, once you try it!
Make this easy rice recipe to go with beef and broccoli or orange chicken. Or, serve it alongside some egg rolls for a dinner your family will love. Fried rice is so easy to make and you can easily switch it up! I love to make chicken fried rice, but when I have leftover baked ham I whip up this recipe. So tasty and easy to make!
You Will Love This Easy Recipe!
- This recipe is a great way to use up leftover rice and leftover ham. I love making a new dish from leftovers.
- Whip up this dish in under 30 minutes. A wonderful way to make a quick meal!
- This fried rice with ham is all pulled together with a delicious sauce that makes it taste like takeout fried rice, but it’s so much better!
Ingredients
- Sesame oil – This specific oil has a great flavor and can be used in many Asian-style dishes. I use regular sesame oil, but toasted sesame oil is great, too!
- Canola oil – You can use canola oil or butter. A different kind of neutral flavored oil will work too!
- Diced onion – I like to dice up a yellow onion pretty fine so that there aren’t big chunks in the rice.
- Minced garlic – Fresh minced garlic will add so much flavor to this ham fried rice recipe.
- Frozen peas and carrots – You can also use other frozen veggies that you like to eat in stir fry.
- Diced ham – Look for diced ham at the store or use leftover ham.
- Cooked leftover white rice – It is best to use cold rice for fried rice! You can also use cold brown rice. We used a medium-grain white rice, but Jasmine rice will work great too.
- Large eggs – Whisk your eggs in a small bowl before adding it to your fried rice.
- Soy sauce – Regular or low sodium soy sauce are both fine. You can also use some coconut aminos for a low sodium option
- Sliced green onions – These are for garnish, but are optional.
Products Needed
How to Make Ham Fried Rice
Sauté: Cook the onions, peas, and carrots in the oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook it until it’s fragrant.
Mix: Add the cooked rice and ham. Stir to combine.
Scramble: Push the rice and veggies to the sides of the pan to make space for the eggs. Pour the eggs in the cleared spot and scramble them. Once cooked, stir them into the other ingredients.
Sauce: Add the soy sauce and stir.
Serve! Sprinkle the green onions over the top for garnish and enjoy!
What rice is best for fried rice?
Leftover rice is best so that the rice grains are dried out. This keeps them from getting mushy when you stir fry them. I like to use cooked white rice for this recipe but you can use brown rice or jasmine rice, too!
Does the rice have to be cold?
It doesn’t have to be cold, but it needs to be already cooked and a day old. Because you will store it in the fridge before you make the rice it will be cold when you add it to the pan – that’s fine!
What should I do if I don’t have leftover rice?
Leftover rice works best, but if you don’t have any I have a tip for using rice that you cook the same day.
Once it’s cooked, spread it out on a baking sheet to cool. This will allow the steam to escape so your rice doesn’t have as much moisture. If you have time, let it cool to room temperature before making your fried rice.
Just keep in mind that freshly cooked rice will get mushy in your fried rice. Cooling it first helps, but it won’t be exactly the same as day-old rice.
How to Store Leftover Ham Fried Rice
FRIDGE: If you use day-old rice, leftover fried rice will keep in the refrigerator for two to three days.
FREEZER: You can also freeze leftover ham fried rice! Place cooled fried rice into an airtight container or a freezer safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Variations
Don’t have any ham? No worries! You can use other ingredients to make your fried rice. Here are some ideas:
Beef: Leftover steak is great!
Chicken: Add shredded cooked chicken or pick up a rotisserie chicken.
Pork: If you don’t have ham, try leftover pork loin or cook up some bacon to add to your fried rice.
Seafood: Shrimp is great in fried rice, too!
Pro Tips for the Best Ham Fried Rice
- Make sure you use plenty of oil when you make fried rice. This will keep the rice from clumping together!
- Dice up the ham small enough so that every bite has a little bit of ham.
- Feel free to add any kind of seasonings that you want! Some ground ginger, garlic powder, and onion powder would all be tasty.
If you have all kinds of ham leftover from Easter dinner or Christmas, this ham fried rice recipe is a great way to use it up! But you don’t have to wait for a holiday – pick up some ham at the store this week so you can give it a try.
More Recipes to use up Leftovers
- Cheesy Ham and Noodle Casserole is another way to put those leftovers to use! It’s comforting and always a hit.
- Turkey Tetrazzini is a cozy casserole that is a great way to use up leftover turkey!
- Craving soup? Turkey Corn Chowder is an easy way to use up leftovers. Or, change out the turkey for chicken!
- One of my favorite things to make with leftover ham is Ham Salad. It’s a cold and creamy salad that you can use as a spread, sandwich filling, or dip!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Ham Fried Rice
Quick and easy 30 minute meal packed with ham, vegetables and rice!
Video
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 Tablespoons canola or vegetable oil or butter
- ½ cup diced onion
- 1 ½ teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 cup frozen peas and carrots
- 1 cup diced ham
- 4 cups cooked cold white rice
- 3 large eggs whisked
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- Sliced Green Onions optional for garnish
Instructions
- Heat sesame oil and canola oil or butter in a large wok or frying pan over medium heat. Add onions, peas and carrots and saute until onions are becoming translucent. Add garlic to the frying pan and cook for about 1 minute or until fragrant.
- Add in rice and ham and stir to combine.
- Push the vegetable mixture to the side of the pan. Pour the eggs into the empty side of the pan and scramble the eggs with a spatula. When eggs are fully cooked combine with vegetables.
- Then add soy sauce and stir to mix. Season with salt and pepper and garnish with green onions if desired.
- Serve immediately.
Tips
What Rice Is Best For Fried Rice?
Leftover rice is best so that the rice grains are dried out. This keeps them from getting mushy when you stir fry them.
I like to use cooked white rice for this recipe but you can use brown rice or jasmine rice, too!
Does The Rice Have To Be Cold?
It doesn’t have to be cold, but it needs to be already cooked and a day old. Because you will store it in the fridge before you make the rice it will be cold when you add it to the pan – that’s fine!
I Don’t Have Leftover Rice. What Should I Do?
Leftover rice works best, but if you don’t have any I have a tip for using rice that you cook the same day.
Once it’s cooked, spread it out on a baking sheet to cool. This will allow the steam to escape so your rice doesn’t have as much moisture. If you have time, let it cool to room temperature before making your fried rice.
Just keep in mind that freshly cooked rice will get mushy in your fried rice. Cooling it first helps, but it won’t be exactly the same as day-old rice.
How Long Does Ham Fried Rice Keep?
If you use day-old rice, leftover fried rice will keep in the refrigerator for two to three days.
Variations
Beef: Leftover steak is great!
Chicken: Add shredded cooked chicken or pick up a rotisserie chicken.
Pork: If you don’t have ham, try leftover pork loin or cook up some bacon to add to your fried rice.
Seafood: Shrimp is great in fried rice, too!
Nutrition Information
Calories: 488kcal (24%), Carbohydrates: 12g (4%), Protein: 35g (70%), Fat: 34g (52%), Saturated Fat: 11g (69%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g, Monounsaturated Fat: 13g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 238mg (79%), Sodium: 1414mg (61%), Potassium: 461mg (13%), Fiber: 3g (13%), Sugar: 2g (2%), Vitamin A: 7160IU (143%), Vitamin C: 11mg (13%), Calcium: 61mg (6%), Iron: 3mg (17%)
Danielle says
Super easy and love that I can just use my leftover ham! Thanks for sharing!
Alison says
Perfect for batch-prepping lunches. So good as leftovers!
Julie Evink says
That’s a great idea! Thanks for commenting and rating the recipe!