This Ham Fried Rice is a 20-minute dinner made almost entirely from leftovers and freezer staples. Diced ham, cold rice, scrambled egg and frozen peas and carrots come together in one skillet with soy sauce and garlic.
It’s hard to find a more economical dinner. With food costs as high as they are, a meal built from the last of a ham and a container of leftover rice is money you’ve already spent, put to good use.
Cold rice is the key. Day-old rice from the fridge is drier, so it fries up in separate grains. Freshly cooked rice turns sticky in the pan.
Like our Veggie Fried Rice, this is a recipe you can adjust to whatever is in the fridge.
Ingredients and Swaps
- Rice: Cold, cooked rice. Day-old rice from the fridge fries up separate and chewy. White, brown or jasmine all work.
- Ham: Leftover or deli ham, diced.
- Vegetables: Frozen peas and carrots. Corn, bell pepper, broccoli and cabbage are all good additions.
- Eggs: Scrambled first, then stirred back in.
- Soy sauce: Ham is salty, so start with 2 tablespoons and taste.
Tips for Fried Rice That Isn’t Mushy
- Use cold rice. Fresh, warm rice steams and clumps. No leftover rice? Cook rice, spread it on a sheet pan and chill it for 30 minutes.
- Use your biggest pan. The rice should fry, not steam.
- Keep the heat high. Medium-high heat toasts the rice.
- Break up clumps first. Crumble the cold rice with your hands before it goes in.
Ham Fried Rice
Ingredients
Method
- Heat 1 teaspoon of the oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add the eggs and scramble until just set. Move them to a plate.
- Add the remaining oil to the skillet and turn the heat to medium-high. Add the ham and cook for 2 minutes, until lightly browned.
- Add the frozen peas and carrots and the garlic. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring.
- Add the rice, breaking up any clumps. Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring now and then, until the rice is hot and starting to crisp in spots.
- Stir in the soy sauce, sesame oil and scrambled eggs, breaking the eggs into small pieces.
- Top with the green onions and serve.
Notes
- Ham is salty, so start with 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and taste before adding more.
- Any cooked rice works: white, brown or jasmine.
- Use the largest skillet you have so the rice fries instead of steams.
- Low-sodium soy sauce is a good choice here.
How to Serve It
As a full meal, or topped with an Easy Fried Egg to stretch it further. For a meatless version, see Easy Veggie Fried Rice.
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigerate leftovers within an hour of cooking and keep for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in a skillet or the microwave until steaming hot.
- Freeze in portions for up to 2 months.
Fried Rice Questions
Can I use other meat?
Yes. Cooked chicken, bacon, sausage or shrimp all work in place of the ham.
Why is my fried rice bland?
It usually needs salt or acid. Add a little more soy sauce, a splash of rice vinegar or a pinch of sugar, and finish with sesame oil.
