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Transforming holiday ham leftovers and basic vegetables into a quick, tasty, and simple ham fried rice dish is a breeze. Feel free to experiment – whether it’s supermarket ham, bacon, diced chicken, or shrimp, any of these options will work wonders throughout the year.
My Go-To Ham Fried Rice
This recipe for ham fried rice is uncomplicated, utilizing staple veggies, freezer corn, and peas. I whipped up this dish using leftover glazed ham from the weekend, but you can easily substitute it with any good ham from the store, bacon, diced rotisserie chicken, or shrimp.
This recipe serves as a versatile template for utilizing leftover ingredients and veggies. It’s my preferred go-to meal when fresh produce is running low, as I typically have onions, garlic, carrots, frozen corn and peas, rice, and bacon or ham on hand in the fridge. I often have some frozen leftover ham as well, especially post-holidays.
It’s a delicious, budget-friendly meal loved by everyone in my household. I like to pair it with garlic broccoli, leafy greens, or a simple side salad. A drizzle of garlic chili oil on top adds a nice touch.
💡You can combine this recipe with my cauliflower egg fried rice to create a low-carb version of this dish.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this ham fried rice:
- Leftover ham or regular smoked ham – diced into cubes. If you don’t eat ham, you can use leftovers from a simple corned beef recipe or cooked chicken.
- Rice – I prefer medium-grain white rice for fried rice, but you can opt for long-grain, Basmati, Jasmine, or brown rice if desired. The rice can be prepared in advance, but don’t store it in the fridge for more than 24 hours before use!
- Onions, celery, carrots – These are staples in many of my meals, and I like to add some frozen peas and corn for extra flavor.
- For flavor: garlic, ginger, salt, white pepper (more traditional for Asian recipes), soy sauce or Tamari, sesame oil, and a touch of butter, which I enjoy in rice dishes.
- Egg – A must-have in fried rice! Omit if you have an egg allergy.
How To Make Ham Fried Rice
For the complete list of ingredients, nutritional information, and instructions, refer to the recipe card below. Here are some step-by-step visuals to guide you through the process:
Step 1. Cook white rice on the stovetop, in a rice cooker, or in the Instant Pot (detailed instructions below). Allow the rice to cool on a flat plate before incorporating it into the dish for the best texture.
Step 2. Sauté veggies, ham, and aromatics in a skillet. Add frozen corn and peas (no need to thaw them, they will defrost in the skillet).
Step 3. Add the cooked rice and sauces, stirring to combine. Scramble the egg in the center and fold it into the fried rice.
Garnish with green onions (scallions) and fried shallots.
Watch The Video
Recipe Tips
- Medium-grain rice works best in my opinion. Ensure it’s cooled before adding to the skillet. Leftover cold rice works well too, providing a bit more texture, but don’t store it for more than 24 hours.
- You can use leftover glazed or baked ham, regular deli ham, bacon, leftover chicken, diced shrimp, or tofu for a vegetarian option.
- While fresh garlic and ginger are ideal, ground powders can be substituted in a pinch.
- This recipe is perfect for utilizing various leftovers – feel free to add different veggies, leftover sausage, steak, etc.
What To Serve With Ham Fried Rice
This dish is satisfying on its own, but pairs well with some vegetables. I recommend a simple stir-fried or steamed broccoli or bok choy with a hint of garlic, a fresh cucumber salad, or a basic Asian slaw to add freshness and tang to the meal.
A touch of chili oil or Sriracha on the side can provide an added kick.
More Ham Recipes
Full Recipe
Discover the complete list of ingredients, instructions, and nutritional breakdown below. If you have any questions or try out this recipe, please share your feedback in the comments and be sure to rate this recipe for easier access by others.