Fried rice with ham is a delightful and easy-to-make dish that combines the savory flavors of ham with the satisfying texture of rice. It's a versatile recipe that can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish. Perfect for using up leftover rice and ham, this dish is both economical and delicious.
If you don't usually have sesame oil in your pantry, it's worth picking up a small bottle at the supermarket. This ingredient adds a unique, nutty flavor that elevates the dish. Additionally, make sure to grab some green onions if they aren't a staple in your kitchen, as they add a fresh, vibrant touch to the final dish.

Ingredients for Fried Rice with Ham
Rice: The base of the dish, providing a hearty and filling component.
Ham: Adds a savory and slightly sweet flavor, along with protein.
Peas and carrots: These frozen vegetables add color, texture, and a hint of sweetness.
Eggs: Scrambled into the dish, they add richness and additional protein.
Soy sauce: Provides a salty, umami flavor that ties all the ingredients together.
Vegetable oil: Used for cooking the ingredients, it has a neutral flavor.
Sesame oil: Adds a nutty, aromatic flavor that enhances the overall taste.
Green onions: Chopped and added at the end for a fresh, vibrant touch.
Salt and pepper: Seasonings to taste, enhancing the flavors of the dish.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When preparing fried rice, it's crucial to use day-old rice rather than freshly cooked rice. Day-old rice has had time to dry out, which helps it achieve the perfect texture when fried. Freshly cooked rice tends to be too moist and can result in a mushy dish. If you don't have day-old rice, you can spread freshly cooked rice on a baking sheet and refrigerate it for about 30 minutes to remove excess moisture.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
cooked rice - Substitute with quinoa: Quinoa is a high-protein grain that can provide a similar texture and nutritional profile.
diced ham - Substitute with diced chicken: Chicken offers a similar protein content and can be seasoned to mimic the flavor of ham.
peas and carrots (frozen) - Substitute with mixed vegetables (frozen): Mixed vegetables can provide a similar variety of textures and flavors.
beaten eggs - Substitute with tofu scramble: Tofu scramble can mimic the texture of eggs and is a good option for a plant-based diet.
soy sauce - Substitute with tamari: Tamari is a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce and offers a similar umami flavor.
vegetable oil - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil is a healthier fat option and can be used for cooking at medium heat.
sesame oil - Substitute with peanut oil: Peanut oil has a similar nutty flavor and can be used in similar quantities.
chopped green onions - Substitute with chopped chives: Chives offer a similar mild onion flavor and can be used as a garnish.
salt and pepper - Substitute with soy sauce and white pepper: Soy sauce can add saltiness and umami, while white pepper provides a milder heat.
Other Alternative Recipes
How to Store / Freeze This Dish
- Allow the fried rice to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the rice soggy.
- Transfer the cooled fried rice into airtight containers or resealable plastic bags. Make sure to remove as much air as possible to maintain freshness.
- Label the containers or bags with the date to keep track of how long the fried rice has been stored.
- Store the fried rice in the refrigerator if you plan to consume it within 3-4 days. This keeps the ham and vegetables fresh and safe to eat.
- For longer storage, place the fried rice in the freezer. It can be frozen for up to 3 months without losing its flavor and texture.
- When ready to reheat, thaw the fried rice in the refrigerator overnight if frozen. This ensures even reheating.
- Reheat the fried rice in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of soy sauce or a bit of vegetable oil to refresh the flavors and prevent sticking.
- Alternatively, you can reheat the fried rice in the microwave. Place it in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until thoroughly heated.
- For an extra burst of flavor, consider adding fresh green onions or a drizzle of sesame oil after reheating.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Stovetop Method:
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Add a tablespoon of vegetable oil or sesame oil.
- Once the oil is hot, add the leftover fried rice.
- Stir occasionally to ensure even heating, breaking up any clumps.
- Cook for about 5-7 minutes until the rice is heated through and slightly crispy.
Microwave Method:
- Place the fried rice in a microwave-safe dish.
- Sprinkle a few drops of water over the rice to prevent it from drying out.
- Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel.
- Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Check if the rice is heated through; if not, continue microwaving in 30-second intervals.
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Spread the fried rice evenly in an oven-safe dish.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil to retain moisture.
- Bake for about 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes if you prefer a slightly crispy texture.
Steaming Method:
- Place the fried rice in a heatproof bowl.
- Set up a steamer or use a pot with a steaming rack.
- Add water to the pot, ensuring it doesn't touch the bottom of the bowl.
- Cover and steam over medium heat for about 5-10 minutes.
- Stir the rice halfway through to ensure even heating.
Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Spread the fried rice in an even layer in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry for about 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Check if the rice is heated through and has a slightly crispy texture.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Large skillet: A wide, flat-bottomed pan perfect for frying and sautéing ingredients evenly.
Spatula: Useful for stirring and mixing ingredients in the skillet without scratching the surface.
Measuring cups: Essential for accurately measuring the rice, ham, peas, and carrots.
Measuring spoons: Necessary for measuring the soy sauce, vegetable oil, and sesame oil.
Knife: Used for dicing the ham and chopping the green onions.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for cutting and chopping ingredients.
Mixing bowl: Handy for beating the eggs before adding them to the skillet.
Whisk: Helps in beating the eggs to ensure they are well mixed.
Serving spoon: Ideal for serving the fried rice once it's cooked.
Salt and pepper shakers: Convenient for adding salt and pepper to taste.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Use leftover rice: Cook extra rice the day before and refrigerate it. Cold rice works best for fried rice and saves you time.
Pre-diced ham: Buy pre-diced ham from the store to skip the chopping step.
Frozen veggies: Use frozen peas and carrots to eliminate washing and chopping.
One-pan method: Cook everything in one large skillet to reduce cleanup time.
Quick scramble: Scramble the eggs directly in the pan with the ham to save a step.
Pre-measure sauces: Measure out the soy sauce and sesame oil before you start cooking to streamline the process.

Fried Rice with Ham Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 1 cup diced ham
- 0.5 cup peas and carrots (frozen)
- 2 eggs beaten
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 0.5 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 green onions chopped
- to taste Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add diced ham and cook until lightly browned.
- Push ham to one side and add beaten eggs. Scramble until fully cooked.
- Add cooked rice, peas, and carrots. Stir to combine.
- Pour in soy sauce and sesame oil. Mix well.
- Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add chopped green onions, salt, and pepper. Stir and serve hot.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
More Amazing Recipes to Try 🙂
- Porchetta Italiana Recipe3 Hours 30 Minutes
- Italian Pasta Sauce Recipe40 Minutes
- Italian Chicken Cacciatore Recipe1 Hours
- Italian Style Meatloaf Recipe1 Hours 20 Minutes
- Italian Beef Recipe4 Hours 15 Minutes
- Italian Sausage Gravy and Biscuits Recipe30 Minutes
- Spicy Italian Deviled Eggs Recipe25 Minutes
- Italian Zucchini Fritters Recipe25 Minutes
Leave a Reply