Use leftover rice and turn it into restaurant-quality Ham Fried Rice in less than 30 minutes.
Fried rice has long been one of my favorite side dishes. Whether I’m ordering takeout or trying to replicate a takeout meal at home, fried rice is a simple yet delightful addition. It’s also a great way to use up any leftover rice. Of course, I’m always looking for ways to change things up and add an ingredient or two to make that version of fried rice stand out from the last time I made it. That’s what drew me to this recipe for ham fried rice, which is often on takeout menus but even better when you cook it yourself.
One thing that makes ham fried rice so great is its perfect flavor balance between meat, vegetables, and rice. Each spoonful will have a bit of each. Of course, the scrambled eggs also add taste and texture, while the garlic, onions, and soy sauce also leave their mark on the dish. Like I said, you get a little of everything with ham fried rice. Every bite offers a wide spectrum of taste, which is why I think this dish is so appealing.
Is Ham Fried Rice Healthy?
With a good mix of meat, veggies, and rice, ham fried rice can be part of a balanced and healthy diet. Of course, you will want to pay close attention to the nutritional information on the diced ham. While lean ham can be a good source of protein, it sometimes has a high amount of fat and sodium. Check the ham you’re using to ensure it doesn’t have an unhealthy amount of fat and sodium. You may also consider adding more vegetables to the dish to improve the nutritional value.
Make Ham Fried Rice A Vegetable Medley
Obviously, ham should be the focal point of ham fried rice. However, one of the best parts of this dish is having the freedom to customize your vegetable selection. If you aren’t a huge fan of peas and carrots, feel free to substitute them with other veggies based on your personal tastes. I’ve found that corn, broccoli, and cabbage all work well in this recipe and can easily replace peas and carrots. You may also consider leeks, green beans, bell peppers, bean sprouts, and zucchini. No matter your preference for vegetables, just make sure they are cut into small enough pieces to mix in easily with the rice, ham, eggs, and other ingredients.
How do I store leftovers?
As this recipe calls for day-old cooked rice, which you reheat to make this meal, it’s a dish best eaten straight away. Try not to have any leftovers, as storing and then reheating the rice for a third time is not a good idea.
Serving Suggestions
If you’re making ham fried rice as a side dish, I suggest pairing it with a Chinese-inspired main course. Some of my personal favorites include Sweet-and-Sour Chicken and Healthy Homemade Orange Chicken. Depending on your tastes, you may prefer something like Mongolian Beef or perhaps Hunan Beef. Of course, you may also look at the ham fried rice as the main course with one or two other side dishes alongside it. In that case, I recommend something like Asian Cabbage Salad or just homemade Air-Fryer Egg Rolls that always come out crispy and delicious.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 1 cup diced lean ham
- 1 cup frozen peas and diced carrots
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 3 green onions chopped (whites and greens separated)
- 3 cups cold, cooked rice preferably long-grain white or brown rice
- 1 1/2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce plus more to taste
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add beaten eggs and scramble until set. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add diced ham, frozen peas and carrots, minced garlic, and the white parts of the green onions. Stir-fry for 3-7 minutes until tender.
- Add the cold, cooked rice to the pan. Break up any clumps with a spatula. Stir-fry for 5 minutes until the rice is heated through and begins to brown.
- Return the eggs to the pan. Stir in soy sauce and sesame oil. Mix well. Cook for 2 more minutes.
- Remove from heat. Stir in most of the green parts of the green onions, then sprinkle the rest on top for garnish. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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