Ham fried rice is a flavorful and simple dish made with ham, peas, carrots, seasoned rice, and eggs topped for an easy weeknight meal!
This ham fried rice recipe is perfect for using up leftover ham and can be paired with a main dish or served as the main dish on its own! We like to pair it with cashew chicken, cafeteria noodles, and graham cracker toffee.
Ham Fried Rice
Ham Fried Rice
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Why you’ll love this recipe!
📌 Ready and on the table in 20 minutes.
📌 Great for using up leftover ham.
📌 Family friendly with many different options for serving.
Ham Fried Rice Ingredients
- Butter – Unsalted. If you use salted butter you may want to swap the soy sauce for low sodium soy sauce.
- Ham – Chopped fresh or leftover ham. You can also use store-bought ham chunks.
- Vegetables – Frozen peas and carrots.
- Garlic – Fresh cloves, minced.
- Ginger – Fresh, minced.
- Rice – Prepared rice, cold.
- Soy sauce – We like to use low sodium.
- Eggs – Large.
- Optional toppings – Green onions, chopped and sesame oil.
How do you make ham fried rice? (step-by-step directions)
⭐ First, melt butter over medium high heat in a large skillet. Add the ham and frozen peas and carrots. Cook, stirring until heated through.
⭐ Next, add the garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant. Add in the rice and cook, stirring until heated through. Stir in the soy sauce.
⭐ Then, reduce the heat to low and push everything to one side of the pan. On the other side, add the eggs and scramble. Heat the eggs until cooked through and then mix everything together.
⭐ Last, serve with a drizzle of sesame oil and top with chopped green onions.
Scroll down to the printable recipe card toward the bottom of this article for ingredient measurements and detailed cooking instructions.
Preparation
Can I make ham fried rice ahead of time?
For this recipe, the rice should be made ahead of time but for the entire dish, we like to make this meal right before serving for best results.
What can you add to ham fried rice?
This is such a versatile recipe! You can add or remove any vegetables to your liking. Throw in some extra vegetables like corn, celery or even chopped bell peppers for added flavor!
What kind of rice to use for ham fried rice?
Any kind of rice will work great as long as you make sure to cook the rice and chill it completely before adding it to the skillet. We like to cook the rice a day in advance so it’s ready to add when we’re ready to cook.
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice in ham fried rice?
Yes, you can substitute brown rice for white rice. Keep in mind that brown rice has a nuttier flavor and a chewier texture, and it may require a slightly longer cooking time.
Storage and leftovers
How long does ham fried rice last?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium heat.
Can you freeze ham fried rice?
Yep! Let the ham fried rice cool completely and place in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat in a skillet with a little bit of vegetable oil or butter.
Tips and tricks
✅ Make sure the rice is fully chilled. I like to make mine at least a full day before. This will keep your fried rice from becoming wet, mushy and too starchy.
✅ Cook the eggs separately. You don’t have to remove the rice from the pan while you cook the eggs, just move it over to one side. Make sure the egg is cooked all the way through before mixing it into the rice or you’ll end up with a sticky eggy mess.
✅ Don’t fry with sesame oil, finish with sesame oil. The best fat to cook the rice in is butter, but to get that Asian sesame flavor, drizzle a little bit on at the end.
Frequently asked questions
Is ham fried rice gluten free?
It is gluten free if you make sure to use a gluten free soy sauce. Many commercial soy sauces contain gluten. Make sure to check the label closely if you are trying to make gluten free fried rice.
It is also important to note that many gluten free soy sauces are saltier in flavor, so be careful not to add too much without tasting it first.
What are some good toppings for ham fried rice?
Beyond green onions and sesame oil, you can experiment with toppings like crushed peanuts, chopped cilantro, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for added flavor and texture.
Can I use pre-cooked or instant rice for ham fried rice?
While it’s preferable to use cold, pre-cooked rice for the best texture, you can use instant rice in a pinch. However, keep in mind that the texture may differ slightly.
How do I prevent the fried rice from sticking to the pan?
Using a well-seasoned or non-stick skillet and ensuring the rice is cold before adding it to the pan can help prevent sticking. Stir frequently during cooking to avoid any rice sticking to the bottom.
What to enjoy with ham fried rice (serving suggestions)
Ham fried rice is a perfect meal all on its own or served with another Asian inspired side. We like to make this with beef and broccoli and sesame noodles and enjoy some lofthouse cookies afterward.
Other delicious Asian inspired dishes
- Beef and broccoli
- 3 ingredient orange chicken
- Cashew chicken
- Chicken fried rice
- Peanut butter ramen
- Vegetable stir fry noodles
- See all our Asian inspired recipes!
More ham recipes to enjoy
- Ham and bean soup
- Brown sugar glazed ham
- Ham salad recipe
- Apricot glazed ham
- Cheesy scalloped potatoes and ham
- Ham and cheese croissant roll-ups
- Crock pot ham
- See all our easy ham recipes!
Tools we love
- Enameled cast iron – Perfect for these delicious one-pot meals. From stove top to oven!
- Garlic peeler – This works wonders to help with all those pesky garlic peels!
- OXO Good Grips Garlic Press – Gone are the days of mincing your garlic by hand! This awesome garlic press can both mince and slice! We heart it.
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How to Make Ham Fried Rice
Ham Fried Rice
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups chopped ham
- 2 cups frozen peas & carrots
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- ¼ teaspoon minced ginger
- 4 cups cold rice
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 3 eggs
- diced green onions optional
- sesame oil optional
Instructions
- Melt butter over medium high heat in a large skillet.
- Add the ham and the frozen peas and carrots. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until heated through.
- Add the garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add the rice and cook until heated through, about 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the soy sauce.
- Reduce heat to low. Push everything to one side of the pan. On the other side, add the eggs and scramble, heating until cooked through. Mix everything together.
- Serve with a drizzle of sesame oil and chopped green onions, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
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Ham Fried Rice
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Beth says
Ham fried rice doesn’t get nearly enough love, if you ask me. It’s one of my favorite variations. Your version is really good!
Janelle says
This one turned out great. My family loves ham fried rice and this one got devoured. Yum!
Gina says
We don’t have take-out close by – so this recipe is a HUGE win in this house. LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!
Amanda says
This is a must try. I recommend this recipe to everyone!!
Sandra says
This was the perfect dinner after the Holidays! Made it with leftover ham and everyone loved it!
Catalina says
Tried the ham fried rice, and it’s now a regular on our menu! The savory ham, the perfectly cooked rice—it’s a delicious and quick dinner option!
Erin says
Absolutely fantastic! That is definitely a must make!
Melissa says
Your recipe is so easy to put together and everyone in my my family loves it! Delicious 10/10