Quick and Easy Ham Fried Rice for Any Occasion
Sneak Preview: Turn leftover ham into a flavorful, quick, and versatile meal with this Easy Ham Fried Rice recipe. Perfect for any time of the year and customizable with your favorite ingredients.
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Breathe New Life into Leftovers with Fried Rice
What do you do with your holiday leftovers? At our house, fried rice is the ultimate way to clean out the fridge. It’s quick to make, endlessly versatile, and so delicious—you’ll keep coming back for more.
After the holidays, we often have leftover ham. The larger slices go into sliders with my Cheesy-Crusted Yeast Rolls, and the ham bone heads to the freezer for a hearty pot of beans later. That leaves the little scraps of ham and bits of veggies—perfect for fried rice.
The best part? This recipe is super flexible. The only must-have ingredient is rice. Everything else—ham, veggies, and seasonings—is up to you. Just don’t skimp on the rice; you’ll need at least 2 cups for the dish to shine. Beyond that, let your creativity run wild!
Ingredients and Substitutes
RICE:
- Leftover rice works best.
- Avoid freshly cooked rice as it can be too sticky.
HAM:
- Leftover cooked ham is the easiest
- Substitute chicken, shrimp, or tofu for variety.
MIXED VEGETABLES:
- Frozen peas, carrots, or any veggies you need to use up.
EGGS:
- Scrambled
- Provides extra protein.
SOY SAUCE:
- Adjust to taste for seasoning
- Substitute coconut aminos
SESAME OIL:
- Adds a nutty flavor
- Substitute with vegetable oil if needed
GARLIC and SCALLIONS:
- Optional but adds depth.
- Minced
SALT and PEPPER:
- To taste–remember that soy sauce is salty
Customization Ideas
- Boost Flavor: Toss in green onions or a splash of oyster sauce.
- Make It Spicy: Add a dash of sriracha or red pepper flakes.
- Go Low-Sodium: Use low-sodium soy sauce to reduce salt content.
What to Serve with Ham Fried Rice
- Add an egg roll or spring roll for an Asian-inspired dinner.
- Pair with a simple green salad for a balanced meal.
More Leftover Rice Ideas
If you have leftover rice, you may be interested in this Easy Jasmine Rice Recipe with Southwestern Flavors or this recipe for The Freshest Broccoli-Cheese Rice.
Final Thoughts
Fried rice is a lifesaver for using up leftovers and creating a quick, satisfying meal. Whether you’re working with holiday ham or weeknight extras, this recipe will become a go-to favorite. Let us know your favorite fried rice add-ins in the comments below!
More Ham Recipes
Need help troubleshooting? Email me: Paula at saladinajar.com—photos welcome!
Quick and Easy Ham Fried Rice for Any Occasion
Ingredients
- 3-4 ounces (85 g) ham, chopped
- 3 tablespoons (41 g) peanut or vegetable oil
- 2-4 tablespoons (20-40 g) chopped onion
- 1 ½ cups (188 g) fresh button mushrooms, thinly sliced
- ½ cup (70 g) frozen peas and carrots, thawed
- 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
- 2 cups (316 g) cooked rice must be cool or cold–best when leftover
- 1 large (50 g) egg, scrambled
- 2 tablespoons chopped scallions
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce low sodium
- fresh ground pepper
Instructions
- Preheat large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3-4 ounces (85 g) ham, chopped and saute. Smallest pieces should begin to turn slightly crispy lik,e bacon. Set aside.
- Add 1 tablespoon oil to hot skillet. Saute 2-4 tablespoons (20-40 g) chopped onion till soft but not brown. Set aside.
- Add 1 1/2 cups (188 g) fresh button mushrooms, thinly sliced to skillet. Saute until browned. Add 1/2 cup (70 g) frozen peas and carrots, thawed and 1 clove garlic, finely chopped. Cook another minute. Set aside.
- Add 2 tablespoons oil to skillet. When glistening, add 2 cups (316 g) cooked rice , cold. Break apart and stir quickly to coat each piece of rice with oil. Add 1 large (50 g) egg, scrambled and continue to mix quickly as the egg cooks.
- Add previously cooked meat and vegetables to rice mixture. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons chopped scallions and 2 tablespoons soy sauce over the mixture as you continue to stir and cook. Add fresh ground pepperServe immediately.
Notes
Equipment
Nutrition
All images and text ©️ Paula Rhodes for Salad in a Jar.com
I have seen bean sprouts on occasion prepackaged. What is the best way to determine the quality of bean sprouts? I have also seen them at a farmers market in bulk. I feel compelled to have them in fried rice.
Hi Cheryl,
I am not an expert on bean sprouts. I used to always use them in fried rice, but most of my local grocery stores no longer sell them due to a health scare some years ago. Perhaps you could google your question and find a good answer.
What a beautiful website. I have Easter ham calling out to me, this would be a great treatment. Your pictures and tutorial are very helpful.
This is an excellent recipe to use up the rest of that Easter ham. This fried rice looks great!
Romaine,
I have ham in the freezer that will work perfectly for this dish. I never thought about using ham. What a great idea! I will also use this recipe and subistitue chicken. This looks so good. Another great one I’m sure!!!