Easy Ham Fried Rice {Better Than Takeout}

This easy Ham Fried Rice Recipe is loaded with veggies and a perfect way to use up leftover ham and leftover rice. It can easily be adapted so the entire family will love it! It’s so much better than takeout and can be ready in under 30 minutes. 

If you’re looking for something to serve with your fried rice, be sure to try our Homemade Orange Chicken, Spicy Peanut Chicken and Noodles, Cashew Chicken, or our Asian Beef Kabobs.

“Better Than Takeout” Ham Fried Rice Recipe

If you love Chinese food takeout, you’re gonna love this great recipe for quick and easy Ham Fried Rice. It’s made with loads of vegetables, ham, eggs, and leftover rice. 

This fried rice is my favorite side to make when it’s time to clean out the fridge! It’s a great leftover Christmas ham idea, and a way to use up veggies that need to get used. Plus, it only takes a few minutes to throw together and is even gluten-free.

Key Ingredients You Will Need

• Butter – This is for cooking the egg so it will taste great with butter, but you can easily substitute avocado oil or olive oil.
• Sesame Oil – this is to add at the end. A little bit adds a lot of flavor.
• Minced Garlic – fresh minced garlic tastes best.
• Onion – white and yellow onions have the best flavor when cooked.
• Carrots – it’s best to cut these fairly small.
• Ham – any kind of ham will work, including leftover ham from holiday dinners.
• Broccoli – cut into small bite-sized pieces.
• Rice – this should be cooked and cooled. Leftover rice is actually ideal.
• Eggs – any kind of large eggs will work.
• Soy Sauce – you can use regular or Tamari sauce.
• Teriyaki Sauce– this adds great flavor but is optional.

How to Make Ham Fried Rice

1. Scramble the eggs. In a wok or nonstick saute pan on the stove, melt the butter and then add the eggs and scramble until cooked. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
2. Cook the onions and veggies. Add the vegetable oil and cook the onions until transparent. Add garlic and vegetables, then cook for 1-2 more minutes.
3. Add the rice and ham. Move the vegetables to the side of the pan and add a little more oil. Add the chilled rice and mix it in with the veggies. Add the diced ham.
4. Fry the rice. Mix it all together. Let the rice and veggies on the bottom of the pan become golden brown before stirring.  Once golden, stir. Do this several times until the rice is a little more “fried.”
5. Serve. Remove from the heat and add the seasonings and flavorings. Season with salt and pepper, plus any extra soy sauce and/or sesame oil if desired. Mix in scrambled eggs. 

Recipe Tips

• You can use loads of vegetables.  I shoot for about the same amount of veggies as rice.  As long as I cut my veggies up so they are small bite-size, my kids don’t even notice.
• You can use just about any meat in this dish including shrimp, steak, or chicken.
• The ham is a little better when it’s cut up and in small bite-sized pieces and it gives off a great flavor to the other components of the fried rice.
• Use whatever veggies your family loves.  Anything from zucchini to carrots to water chestnuts!
• Be sure to add your egg when the rice is fried already.
• Sesame oil is a great flavor to add at the end of cooking fried rice.  It has a great flavor!

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Storing and Reheating Instructions

• Refrigerator: store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: you can actually freeze fried rice, too. Store in freezer bags or another airtight container for up to 2 months.
• To reheat: you can reheat in the microwave or in a small pan over medium heat. You’ll probably need to add a touch of water or broth.

More Easy Dinner Recipes

• Chicken Thighs
• Tuscan Chicken
• Chicken Enchiladas
• Chicken Chili
• Easy Chicken Marinade
• Pantry Meals
• Pesto Pasta
• Chicken Recipes
• More Pork Recipes
• More Easy Dinner Recipes

This Easy Ham Fried Rice recipe is loaded with veggies and a perfect way to use up leftover ham and leftover rice. It can easily be adapted so the entire family will love it! It’s so much better than takeout and can be ready in under 30 minutes.