Pineapple Fried Rice with Spam
A sweet and savory fried rice that brings Hawaiian plate-lunch vibes to your kitchen. Crispy cubes of Spam, juicy pineapple chunks, and fluffy rice come together in one pan for a quick weeknight dinner with a tropical twist.
For 4 servings
- prep
Prep all ingredients before you start cooking.
Chop the onion, carrot, garlic, green onion, and Spam. Cube the pineapple. Beat the eggs in a small bowl. Have the cold cooked rice ready and break up any clumps with your fingers.
- fry · ~4 min
Crisp the Spam cubes.
1.Heat vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat.2.Add the Spam cubes and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and crispy on all sides (3-4 min).3.Transfer Spam to a plate with a slotted spoon, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.TIPDon't crowd the Spam — let it sit undisturbed for 30 seconds between stirs for maximum crispness. - fry · ~1 min
Scramble the eggs.
1.Pour the beaten eggs into the same pan with the Spam fat.2.Let them set for about 20 seconds, then scramble quickly with a spatula until just cooked.3.Push the eggs to one side or transfer to the plate with the Spam. - saute · ~4 min
Sauté the aromatics and vegetables.
1.Add chopped onion to the pan and cook until translucent (2-3 min).2.Add minced garlic and diced carrot, stir-fry for 1 minute until fragrant.3.Toss in the thawed peas and cook for 30 seconds more. - fry · ~5 min
Fry the rice with soy sauce.
1.Increase heat to high. Add the cold cooked rice to the pan.2.Drizzle soy sauce over the rice and toss everything together briskly.3.Spread the rice in an even layer and let it sizzle undisturbed for 45 seconds, then toss again. Repeat once more for wok hei char.4.Stir in the Spam, scrambled eggs, and pineapple chunks. Toss to combine and heat through (1-2 min).TIPDay-old cold rice is the secret to fried rice that doesn't turn mushy. Freshly cooked warm rice will clump and steam. - mix · ~1 min
Finish with sesame oil and seasoning.
1.Remove from heat. Drizzle sesame oil over the rice and toss through.2.Season with a pinch of salt and white pepper. Taste and adjust if needed.3.Fold in most of the sliced green onions, reserving some for garnish. - serve
Garnish with remaining green onions and serve hot.
What to keep in mind.
6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Use day-old, cold rice to prevent clumping and ensure each grain stays separate.
- 2Don't skip the step of letting the rice sizzle undisturbed — this creates the coveted wok hei flavor.
- 3Cut Spam into uniform bite-sized cubes so they crisp evenly in the pan.
- 4Add pineapple at the very end to keep it juicy and prevent it from breaking down.
- 5Taste before adding extra salt — Spam and soy sauce are already quite salty.
- 6For extra smokiness, cook over high heat and use a well-seasoned wok if you have one.
Adapt it for your goals.
Low-sodium
Replace Spam with turkey Spam or cubed ham, and use low-sodium soy sauce to cut the salt content without losing the Hawaiian flavor.
veganVegan
Swap Spam with firm tofu or tempeh cubes, replace eggs with scrambled tofu, and use a vegan fish sauce alternative — ideal for plant-based eaters.
spicySpicy
Add 1-2 teaspoons of sriracha or chili garlic sauce along with the soy sauce for a kick of heat that balances the sweet pineapple.
protein swapProtein swap
Substitute Spam with diced char siu (Chinese BBQ pork) or grilled chicken for a less processed but equally tasty protein.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Good Source of Vitamin A
Carrots and peas in this dish provide beta-carotene, which supports healthy vision and immune function.
Contains Digestive Enzymes
Fresh pineapple is rich in bromelain, a natural enzyme that may aid protein digestion and reduce inflammation.
Moderate Protein from Eggs and Spam
The combination of eggs and Spam contributes a moderate amount of protein to help keep you full and satisfied.
Frequently asked questions
Freshly cooked rice is too moist and will clump into a sticky mess. Spread hot rice on a tray and refrigerate uncovered for 30 minutes to dry it out before using.
