Need a quick breakfast that is filling, flavorful, and perfect for using leftover rice? This Spam Fried Rice is exactly what you need! Made with day-old rice, crispy browned Spam, scrambled eggs, mixed vegetables, garlic, onion, and savory seasonings, this easy fried rice comes together in one pan and is ready in no time.

There is something satisfying about transforming yesterday’s rice into something completely new. Instead of throwing leftover rice away, you can turn it into a delicious meal that the whole family will enjoy. The rice becomes wonderfully savory and slightly toasted as it hits the hot pan, while the Spam adds salty, meaty bites throughout.

This Filipino-style Spam Fried Rice is especially good for breakfast, but there is no reason to limit it to the morning. Serve it for lunch, merienda, or a quick dinner when you want something simple without cooking several separate dishes.

Watch how to cook Spam Fried Rice

What Is Spam Fried Rice?

Spam Fried Rice is a simple fried rice dish made by stir-frying cooked rice with Spam and other flavorful ingredients. In this version, scrambled eggs, mixed vegetables, garlic, onion, soy sauce, liquid seasoning, pepper, and butter are added to create a savory and satisfying meal.

Fried rice itself has roots in Chinese cuisine and has become popular throughout the world. Like many fried rice dishes, it is also an excellent way to use leftover cooked rice. Day-old rice works particularly well because it has less moisture than freshly cooked rice, allowing the grains to fry instead of becoming soft and mushy.

For Filipino home cooks, Spam is a convenient ingredient that can quickly turn ordinary fried rice into a more substantial meal. The familiar salty flavor of Spam pairs beautifully with garlic, egg, vegetables, and rice.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There are plenty of reasons to love this easy Spam Fried Rice recipe. First, it is incredibly quick. You can have a complete meal ready in around 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy mornings.

It is also economical because it makes excellent use of leftover rice. Instead of preparing a new pot of rice, simply use what you already have in the refrigerator.

The recipe is flexible, too. You can add more vegetables, use leftover meat, or adjust the seasonings according to your taste. It is one of those recipes where you can look inside your refrigerator and make delicious use of whatever is available.

Most importantly, every bite has something enjoyable: fluffy scrambled egg, browned Spam, sweet vegetables, aromatic garlic, and flavorful fried rice.

Ingredients

• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons oil
• 1/2 cup Spam, cut into small cubes
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup mixed vegetables, such as carrots, green peas, and corn
• 2 cups leftover or day-old cooked rice
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1/2 tablespoon liquid seasoning
• Pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon butter
• Additional oil, as needed

How to Make Spam Fried Rice

1. Cook the Scrambled Eggs

Crack the eggs into a bowl and beat until well combined. Heat a large frying pan or wok over medium heat and add the oil.

Once the oil is hot, pour in the beaten eggs. Gently scramble until the eggs are cooked but still tender. Transfer them to a plate and set aside.

Cooking the eggs first prevents them from getting lost among the other ingredients. You will add them back near the end so they remain visible throughout the fried rice.

2. Brown the Spam

Using the same pan, add a little more oil if necessary. Add the cubed Spam and cook until the pieces become lightly browned on the outside.

Take your time with this step. Browning the Spam gives it a delicious toasted flavor and slightly crisp edges, which adds wonderful texture to the finished dish.

3. Sauté the Aromatics

Add the minced garlic to the browned Spam. Stir-fry until the garlic becomes fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.

Add the chopped onion and continue cooking until it softens. The combination of browned Spam, garlic, and onion creates a savory base for the fried rice.

4. Add the Vegetables and Rice

Add the mixed vegetables to the pan and stir-fry for a minute or two. Then add the leftover rice.

If your rice has been refrigerated overnight, break up any large clumps with your spatula before or while adding it to the pan. Stir and toss everything together so the rice absorbs the flavors from the Spam and aromatics.

5. Season the Fried Rice

Pour the soy sauce and liquid seasoning over the rice. Stir continuously to distribute the seasonings evenly.

Add pepper according to your preference. Be careful with additional salt because Spam, soy sauce, and liquid seasoning are already salty.

Keep stir-frying until the rice is heated through and the grains are evenly coated. Avoid adding too much sauce because excess liquid can make the rice soggy.

6. Add Butter and Egg

Add the butter and stir until it melts completely into the rice. The butter gives the fried rice a richer flavor and helps bring all the ingredients together.

Finally, return the scrambled eggs to the pan. Toss everything together gently until the egg is evenly distributed.

Turn off the heat and transfer the Spam Fried Rice to serving plates.

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Tips for the Best Spam Fried Rice

The most important tip is to use day-old rice whenever possible. Freshly cooked rice contains more moisture and can easily become sticky when stir-fried. Refrigerated leftover rice has firmer, separated grains that are ideal for fried rice.

If you only have freshly cooked rice, spread it out on a tray and allow it to cool before using. Chilling it briefly can also help reduce excess moisture.

Cut the Spam into small, even cubes so each bite gets a little piece. You can brown the cubes a little longer if you prefer crispier edges.

Use a wide pan or wok so the rice has enough space to fry properly. Overcrowding the pan can cause the ingredients to steam instead of fry.

When adding soy sauce and liquid seasoning, start with the recommended amount and taste before adding more. Since Spam already provides plenty of saltiness, you want to balance the flavors rather than overpower them.

Finally, keep the heat high enough to fry the rice but stir frequently to prevent burning.

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Easy Variations

This Spam Fried Rice is easy to customize. Add chopped bacon, ham, hotdog, or leftover roasted chicken if you have them available. You can also increase the mixed vegetables for a more colorful and filling version.

For a spicy variation, add chopped chili peppers or a little chili oil. If you enjoy garlic fried rice, increase the amount of minced garlic.

You can also add chopped spring onions before serving. They provide a fresh flavor and make the finished dish look more appetizing.

For an extra eggy version, simply add another egg or two. There is no strict rule when it comes to homemade fried rice—the best version is the one your family enjoys.

Storage and Reheating

If you have leftover Spam Fried Rice, allow it to cool and transfer it to a clean, airtight container. Refrigerate promptly and consume within a few days.

To reheat, place the desired portion in a frying pan over medium heat. Stir occasionally until completely heated through. You can add a tiny amount of butter or oil if the rice seems dry.

Avoid repeatedly reheating the entire batch. Instead, take out only the portion you plan to eat and keep the remaining rice refrigerated.

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Serving Suggestions

Serve Spam Fried Rice hot as a hearty breakfast with coffee, chocolate drink, or fresh fruit. It is also delicious with Filipino breakfast favorites such as fried eggs, hotdogs, or tocino.

For lunch or dinner, pair it with fried chicken, barbecue, lumpia, or simple sautéed vegetables. You can also serve it on its own because the Spam, eggs, and vegetables already make it a satisfying complete meal.

For a simple presentation, place the fried rice in a bowl, gently pack it down, then turn it onto a plate. Garnish with chopped spring onions or a fried egg for an extra appetizing finish.

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Conclusion

This Spam Fried Rice recipe is proof that leftover rice can become something incredibly delicious. With browned Spam, fluffy scrambled eggs, colorful vegetables, aromatic garlic and onion, and savory seasonings, every bite is packed with flavor.

It is quick, affordable, flexible, and beginner-friendly — exactly the kind of recipe that makes everyday cooking easier. So the next time you find yourself with leftover rice in the refrigerator, don’t think of it as yesterday’s meal. Grab some Spam, crack a few eggs, heat up your pan, and turn it into a delicious Filipino-style fried rice the whole family will love!