Easy to make ham fried rice is better than takeout and is ready in only 20 minutes! This flavorful weeknight dinner is made with wholesome ingredients including leftover rice, frozen veggies, and bits of ham coated in a flavorful sauce!
Table of Contents
Simple, Fresh & Healthy
While classic fried rice is a family favorite, I make this easy ham fried rice recipe with leftovers (usually a holiday ham) and it gets just as many rave reviews!
Plus, it is a great way to satisfy your Chinese take-out cravings without having to leave your kitchen! Not to mention it’s better for you, too. You can adjust the sodium levels and toss in extra veggies if you’d like.
It’s simple to make with easy, uncomplicated ingredients. Yet it’s so flavorful with the perfect texture. All you need is ham, rice, vegetables, and a simple fried rice sauce. Sometimes we add pineapple like in this pineapple fried rice!
For a weeknight dinner, it really doesn’t get any easier. Serve it on its own or pair it with any of these Asian recipes for a complete meal!
Why This Recipe Works
- Versatile. Serve this fried rice with ham as the main dish or a side dish alongside general Tso’s chicken or kung pao chicken. Have it for an easy lunch or dinner any day of the week.
- Family approved. Both kids and adults alike will devour this recipe. I’ve even had requests for it from my youngest!
- Uses leftovers. The key to perfect fried rice is to use cold leftovers. Freshly made is not dry enough and does not fry the same way!
Recipe Ingredients
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Cooked rice: Preferably leftover cold rice. I often double stovetop rice or Instant pot rice to have it on hand for this easy ham fried rice recipe!
- Unsalted butter: Butter gives it an authentic restaurant taste! You will want to use unsalted, as ham is a saltier meat.
- Vegetables: I used chopped onion, carrots, and peas. Using frozen mixed vegetables is a great timesaver!
- Eggs: Two lightly whisked and scrambled eggs add great texture and flavor.
- Cooked ham: This simple baked ham is my go-to favorite and adds the perfect savory taste!
- Soy sauce: I prefer to use low sodium soy sauce so the dish is not overly salty.
- Sesame oil: Adds another layer of toasty, savory flavor! Oyster sauce could also be used.
Variations
- Gluten free. Nearly everything in this is gluten free except for the soy sauce. Many soy sauces contain gluten, but there are a few brands that do not, just check the label.
- Brown rice. Can be substituted 1:1 in this easy ham fried rice recipe.
- Meat. If ham is not your favorite, try cooked pork, bacon, chicken, or shrimp. You could even make this vegetarian and omit the meat.
- Veggies. Additional vegetables like mushrooms, chopped broccoli, or bell pepper could be added or substituted.
- Pineapple. Ham fried rice with pineapple would give this dish a delicious sweet and salty flavor.
How to Make Ham Fried Rice
In just a few simple steps you’ll have a great meal that can be used as either a side dish or a main dish complete with grains, veggies, and protein.
- Chill rice. Prepare, then chill it in the refrigerator until ready to use. Even better, use leftovers straight out of the fridge!
- Stir fry. Add butter to a hot large skillet or wok. Stir in the onion and carrots, cook for 2 minutes, then add minced garlic and peas. Push your veggies to one side, scramble eggs, and then stir everything together. Finally, gently stir in cooked rice and ham.
- Add sauce. Add soy sauce, sesame oil, plus salt and pepper, then toss to coat. This is where a large skillet comes in handy as it reduces the risk of ingredients leaping out of the pan!
- Serve. Sprinkle green onions over top and serve warm. Chopsticks are optional!
Expert Tips
- Keep it simple. While it might be tempting to add more ingredients, the star of the dish is rice and that should be the main focus.
- Cold rice. Leftovers tends to take on the shape of the container it has been stored in! To break up the clumps, wet your hands slightly and then break up the grains by pressing them between your hands.
- Prep ahead. This recipe comes together quickly so have all your ingredients prepped and arranged stove-side, so they can be added to the hot pan quickly.
- Large work or skillet. Use a pan that almost seems too large for the amount you’re putting in it! This will allow your ingredients to heat up quickly and evenly.
- Hot pan. As for temperature, your pan should be nice and hot before you start adding ingredients. Once you hear the butter sizzle, it’s ready.
Recipe FAQs
Leftover cold rice will make the best fried rice with ham. Using leftover rice that has sat in your fridge gives the rice grains a chance to firm up, separate and then decreases the chances that moisture will cause the rice to be mushy. If you cannot wait and do not have leftover rice, after cooking rice, air it to remove moisture and then refrigerate for a few hours before using.
Technically any white or brown rice can be used, but I prefer long-grain like jasmine rice. It tends to be firmer without a sticky texture that prevents it from getting lumpy or mushy.
To prevent it from being soggy, be sure to use a large enough skillet or wok that is hot. If you add too many ingredients at once, the skillet becomes overcrowded and prevents your wok from getting hot enough.
While oil works, the butter will give the best flavor! If it’s good enough for a Hibachi chef at a Japanese restaurant, that’s a good enough reason for me to use it, too.
Storing
Easy fried rice with ham leftovers will stay good in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store in an airtight container and use it for meal prep!
You can also freeze up to 1 month in an airtight container or freezer bag, just thaw and reheat in the microwave or in a skillet.
Need more tasty rice dishes? Try this easy rice pilaf, Mexican rice, or cilantro lime rice for something new!
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Easy Ham Fried Rice
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Ingredients
- 3-4 cups cooked rice , preferably leftover cold rice
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup chopped onion
- ½ cup chopped carrots
- 1-2 teaspoons minced garlic
- ½ cup frozen peas
- 2 large eggs , whisked
- 1 cup diced (1/2-inch pieces) cooked ham , plus more if desired
- 3 Tablespoons lite soy sauce , plus more if desired
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil , or oyster sauce
- Salt , to taste
- Ground black pepper , to taste
- Green onions , for serving
Instructions
- Chill the cooked rice until ready to use.
- In a large skillet or wok, add the butter, Stir in the onion and carrots and cook 2 minutes. Add the garlic and peas. Push veggies to one side and add the eggs to the other side. Stir the eggs until scrambled and then stir together all the ingredients. Gently stir in cooked rice and ham.
- Add soy sauce and sesame oil and toss to coat. Salt and pepper, to taste. Serve while warm. Sprinkle green onions over top.
Notes
- Veggies: mushrooms, chopped broccoli and/or bell peppers
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: 30 Minute Meals, 30 Minute Meals, Asian, Dinner, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, One Pot, One Pot, Pork, Rice, Side Dishes
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is also the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook. Here you will find easy family-friendly recipes for every occasion.
this is perfect for the leftover ham I have from christmas dinner! thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe!
So glad you enjoyed the ham fried rice! Perfect way to use up the leftovers!
The perfect way to use leftover ham! So much more hearty and tastier than takeout ham fried rice. Leftovers the next day were awesome as well!
So delicious! Way better than takeout. My only wish is that I doubled the recipe because there were no leftovers!