Leftover Ham Fried Rice

This easy Ham Fried Rice recipe has everything you crave about the takeout classic but with a twist! Leftover holiday ham is combined with frozen veggies, simple seasonings, and cooked rice to give you a flavor-packed and budget-friendly side dish, lunch, or dinner.

Did you host a holiday dinner and now aren’t sure what to do with all the leftovers in your fridge? Been there, done that. It’s what inspires me to continue finding new and exciting ways to repurpose holiday leftovers! Making more room in the fridge and keeping food out of the trash is just a bonus.

A glazed holiday ham is one of those classics that always leaves you with extras. I like putting the ham bone to use in this Leftover Hambone Soup, while the meat is perfect in this Leftover Ham Fried Rice. It’s a budget-friendly triple whammy since it’s made with leftover ham, day-old rice, and whatever veggies you have hanging around. 

I don’t want to brag, but all of my fried rice recipes, including my Rotisserie Chicken Fried Rice, Leftover Turkey Fried Rice, and Kimchi Fried Rice, give Chinese-American takeout a serious run for its money. They’re some of my most popular recipes!

This easy ham fried rice is no exception, either. Picture crispy bits of savory-smoky ham, scrambled eggs, and colorful veggies tossed with the fluffy, umami-flavored rice… It’s everything you want in restaurant-style fried rice and more!

Ham Fried Rice Ingredients

It’s true that this fried rice recipe is mostly made with leftovers; however, you will need a handful of pantry staples to add those restaurant-quality flavors. 

These are the simple ingredients you will need:

• Cooked white rice. The best fried rice starts with day-old, cold rice. I love medium-grain varities (especially Kokuho Rose) with less starch than short-grain rice (like sushi rice). This helps the grains stay light and fluffy instead of clumping together. You can also use a long-grain variety if that’s what you have. 
• Diced ham. This is where your leftover holiday ham shines, but any chopped-up ham works just fine. When you’re out of leftovers, opt for deli ham, ham steak, or smoked ham instead.
• Frozen vegetables. You can’t go wrong with a classic mix of peas, carrots, and corn, but any combination you like works well. No need to thaw—just toss them right in the pan. 
• Onion, garlic, and green onion lay the foundation of flavor here.
• Eggs
• Butter
• My All Purpose MSG Seasoning intensifies the restaurant-worthy umami goodness in the fried rice. You can use salt and pepper as an easy substitute if needed.
• Sesame oil. Just a drizzle of this rich, nutty oil goes a long way, so don’t overdo it.
• Soy sauce. I used low-sodium soy sauce to control the sodium, but regular soy sauce works, too. 

(full list of ingredients and quantities in the recipe card below)

Street Smart Nutrition Tip: There’s no need to panic if you don’t have day-old rice. While fresh rice can be too moist and yield mushy fried rice, you can work around this by spreading it out on a baking sheet and refrigerating it for 2 hours to dry it out before cooking.

Swaps and Substitutions

Day-old white rice is a fried rice staple, which is why you won’t find me substituting brown rice or cauliflower rice here. But if you love either of these, by all means, go for it! Just keep in mind you may not get the best texture.

Beyond the rice, there are plenty of creative ways to customize this dish, such as: 

• Extra veggies are never a bad idea! In addition to classic frozen mixed vegetables, you could try using broccoli florets, snow peas, green beans, or edamame. Even fresh veggies like shredded cabbage, sliced mushrooms, bean sprouts, and bok choy are welcome!
• Add even more leftover meat, like shredded chicken breasts, diced steak, shrimp, or tofu. Just stir it in with the ham at the end for your own version of combination fried rice. 
• Take the flavors up a notch by stirring in a small splash of oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, or fish sauce. 

I don’t recommend skipping the MSG – it’s a great way to enhance the flavor of all the other ingredients. But if you’re not cool with it, just replace with regular salt or a little more soy sauce.

Lastly, to make this fried rice recipe gluten-free, swap the soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos (remember that coconut aminos are lighter and taste slightly sweeter). 

Street Smart Nutrition Tip: Love a little sweet with your savory? Sweet, juicy pineapple pairs perfectly with savory ham. Just drain any excess juice before folding the diced pineapple in at the end to keep the rice from getting soggy.

How to Make Fried Rice with Leftover Ham

This easy ham fried rice recipe comes together in less than 30 minutes! Here’s how to do it:

1. Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Nonstick is best to avoid scorching the rice or veggies.
2. Add the chopped leftover ham and cook, stirring occasionally, until the edges start to crisp up. Transfer the crispy ham to a small bowl or plate and set aside. 
3. Sauté the onion in the empty skillet until soft and fragrant, then add the garlic and cook for another minute.
4. Add the frozen vegetables and cook until thawed, then push them to one side of the pan and add the butter to the empty space. 
5. Once the butter is melted, add the leftover rice to the pan. Stir in the soy sauce and sesame oil.
6. Create a small well in the center of the rice, crack in the eggs, and lightly scramble them. Once they’re set, fold the eggs into the fried rice.
7. Return the ham to the pan and give everything a good stir until well-combined and heated through. Fold in the green onions.
8. Spoon the ham fried rice into bowls and top with your favorite garnishes. 

The only thing left to do is dig in while it’s hot!

Street Smart Nutrition Tip: To prevent the rice from steaming and turning mushy, make this recipe in the largest pan or wok you have. And make sure you’re cooking with a hot skillet. This will give the rice its signature light, fluffy texture with delicious crispy bits.

What to Serve with Ham Fried Rice

Fill up your plate with ham fried rice and enjoy! It’s a filling and flavorful meal you can serve as a main dish or side dish. Check out these serving suggestions when you need a little inspiration:

• Make it the star of the show by serving the fried rice with plenty of toppings, like toasted sesame seeds, green onions, a drizzle of chili crisp, crispy garlic, fried shallots, furikake, a drizzle of sriracha, or a fried egg.
• For a Chinese takeout-inspired homemade feast, serve the rice next to this Easy Beef and Broccoli with Mushrooms, this Crispy Orange Tofu and Edamame, and this Sweet Miso Stir Fry with Pork Tenderloin.
• If you’d rather serve your everyday stir fry with something more exciting than plain white rice, top it on a bed of this pork fried rice instead.
• Serve the rice with vegetables on the side for a well-rounded meal. These Sauteed Green Beans with Soy Sauce Glaze, this Roasted Broccoli with Gochujang Butter, and this Mixed Green Salad with Yuzu Dressing would all be delicious.

Ham Fried Rice Storage Tips

Once your leftover ham fried rice has cooled to room temperature, transfer it to an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for 3 to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw the leftovers overnight in the fridge before reheating.

To reheat, add as much fried rice as you plan on eating to a lightly oiled skillet over medium heat and cook for about 10 minutes or until it’s warmed through. You can also quickly reheat it in the microwave, stirring every 30-40 seconds.

Leftover Ham Fried Rice

5 from 5 votes

This easy ham fried rice recipe is ready in less than 30 minutes! Use leftover ham, cooked rice, and frozen veggies to make an easy weeknight or post-holiday dinner in one skillet.

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 25 minutes minutes

Print Recipe Rate Recipe Pin Recipe

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

• 4 cups cooked white rice, chilled, day-old medium-grain white rice recommended
• 1 ½ cups leftover ham, chopped or diced
• 1 ½ cups frozen vegetables, such as peas, carrots, and corn
• 1 small yellow onion, diced, or about 1 cup
• 3 cloves garlic , minced
• 2-3 green onions, sliced
• 3 large eggs
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil
• 1 ½ to 2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
• All Purpose MSG Seasoning, or salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

• Heat a large nonstick skillet or wok over medium-high heat. If using stainless steel, preheat pan and add a small amount of neutral cooking oil if needed.
• Add the chopped ham and cook about three minutes, stirring occasionally, until the edges begin to brown. Transfer to a bowl and set aside, then return the skillet to the heat.
• Add the diced onion. Saute for 5-6 minutes or until translucent and fragrant. Add the minced garlic and cook about one minute more.
• Add the frozen vegetables and stir to combine. Once thawed (about 2-3 minutes), push the vegetables over to one side of the pan or skillet. Add the butter, and once it’s mostly melted, add the rice.
• Use the back of a spatula or wooden spoon to break apart any large clumps of rice. Add the soy sauce and sesame oil and stir until all the rice is coated.
• Clear an open space in the middle of the pan and crack the eggs into it. Break the yolks and lightly scramble the eggs. Once cooked, add back the ham from Step 2 and fold the cooked ham and eggs into the fried rice mixture.
• Once well-combined and heated through, add the green onions (reserving some for a garnish if desired).
• Serve hot with your favorite toppings (see notes for suggestions). Enjoy!

Notes

For garnish, serve with extra green onions, toasted sesame seeds, or chili crisp (optional). 

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Microwave or reheat before serving again. 

Nutrition

Calories: 341 kcal, Carbohydrates: 38 g, Protein: 16 g, Fat: 14 g, Saturated Fat: 4 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6 g, Trans Fat: 0.01 g, Cholesterol: 115 mg, Sodium: 576 mg, Potassium: 318 mg, Fiber: 3 g, Sugar: 1 g, Vitamin A: 2494 IU, Vitamin C: 7 mg, Calcium: 53 mg, Iron: 2 mg

Author: Cara Harbstreet

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Chinese, Chinese American

Keyword: Chicken Fried Rice, Ham Fried Rice, Leftover Ham, Leftover Ham Recipe

Ham Fried Rice FAQs

What gives Chinese fried rice its signature flavor?

Takeout Chinese fried rice tastes so good because of the soy sauce, sesame oil, and MSG seasoning. Together, they give the rice a deep umami flavor and slightly nutty aroma. Also, by searing the rice, meat, and veggies until they’re slightly caramelized (called the Maillard reaction), each bite develops its restaurant-quality crispy textures and deep, wonderful flavors.

What if my fried rice is too salty?

Combining leftover ham, MSG seasoning, and soy sauce together can give this ham fried rice a salty flavor. If it’s too salty for you, try adding a small amount of unsweetened rice vinegar to balance it out, or use less soy sauce. You can also add more day-old rice to dilute the saltiness without losing flavor.

So there you have it—a batch of ham fried rice that not only tastes amazing but also reduces food waste. I think it’s the perfect weeknight dinner and one of my favorite leftover ham recipes.

If you’re looking for more ways to use up your holiday leftovers, you’ll also love my Leftover Turkey Ramen Bowls with 7-Minute Eggs, Ham and Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash, and Leftover Turkey Spring Rolls with Fresh Veggies.

As always, thanks for stopping by the Street Smart Nutrition blog! Here’s to fearlessly fighting food waste and eating more nourishing meals.