Easy Leftover Ham Fried Rice

Transform your holiday leftovers into a vibrant, one-pan dinner with this Easy Leftover Ham Fried Rice. By pairing savory diced ham with fresh carrots, onions, and aromatic ginger, you can create a satisfying “flavor reset” that feels entirely different from your traditional Easter feast. It’s a quick, family-friendly meal that ensures none of that delicious ham goes to waste!

🍚 The Ingredients

This dish utilizes a mix of savory holiday leftovers, fresh garden aromatics, and classic pantry staples to create a perfectly balanced and flavorful one-pan dinner. Find ingredient notes (including substitutions and variations) below.

📝 Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

• Leftover Ham: Any variety of holiday ham works beautifully, whether it’s honey-glazed, smoked, or spiral-sliced. If you don’t have leftovers, thick-cut deli ham or Canadian bacon are excellent substitutes.
• Day-Old Jasmine Rice: Using cold, dry steamed rice is the secret to achieving that distinct fried rice texture without it becoming gummy. If you only have fresh rice, spread it on a baking sheet and pop it in the freezer for 15–20 minutes to dry it out before cooking.
• Peanut Oil: This is the preferred choice for its high smoke point and nutty aroma, but you can easily swap it for canola, vegetable, or grapeseed oil.
• Oyster Sauce: This ingredient provides a rich, savory “umami” depth that mimics restaurant-style fried rice. If you don’t have it, you can substitute it with Hoisin sauce or an extra splash of soy sauce mixed with a pinch of brown sugar.
• Fresh Ginger and Garlic: While fresh aromatics offer the most punch, you can substitute ¼ teaspoon of ground ginger and ½ teaspoon of garlic powder in a pinch.
• Sweet Peas: Frozen peas are ideal because they add a pop of bright green color and sweetness; there is no need to thaw them, as they will heat through instantly when tossed with the hot rice.
• Soy Sauce: To make this dish gluten-free, simply swap the soy sauce for Tamari or coconut aminos.

Refer to the recipe card (with video) below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

🔥 Tips and Tricks for Perfect Ham Fried Rice

• The Golden Rule of Cold Rice: Always use cold, day-old rice. Freshly cooked rice contains too much moisture, which will cause the dish to become gummy and mushy. If you didn’t plan, cook a fresh batch, spread it out on a large baking sheet, and place it in the freezer for 15–20 minutes to dry out the grains before frying.
• Mise en Place is Essential: Stir-frying is a high-heat, fast-moving process. Have all your ingredients—the diced ham, chopped veggies, minced aromatics, and whisked eggs—prepped and sitting in bowls next to the stove before you turn on the burner.
• The “Small Dice” for Carrots: Since this recipe uses fresh carrots, ensure you dice them very small (about the size of a pea). This allows them to soften and become tender-crisp in the pan at the same rate the onions cook, eliminating the need to par-boil them.
• Sear the Ham First: Don’t skip the step of browning the ham. Searing the ham cubes in the peanut oil creates crispy, caramelized edges and infuses the oil with smoky flavor that carries through the entire dish.
• Use High Heat: To get that signature “restaurant-style” toasted flavor, keep your heat on medium-high to high. You want the rice to “crackle” and fry in the pan rather than steaming.
• The Egg “Well” Technique: Pushing the rice to the outer edges of the pan to create a “well” in the center allows the eggs to cook directly on the hot surface of the pan. This ensures you get distinct, fluffy ribbons of egg rather than a coating that makes the rice look yellow and wet.
• Watch the Salt: Easter hams are often heavily salted or honey-glazed. Between the ham, the soy sauce, and the oyster sauce, you likely won’t need to add any extra salt. Always taste a bite of the finished dish before reaching for the salt shaker!

👩🏼‍🍳 How to Make Leftover Ham Fried Rice

1. Step 1: Heat the oil in a wok (or large skillet) over high heat. Add the cubed ham and stir-fry until it gets crispy and lightly browned on the edges. Remove and set aside.

2. Step 2: Add a little more oil and add the carrots and onion. Stir-fry until soft, about 3 to 4 minutes.

3. Step 3: Add the minced garlic and ginger and stir-fry for another 30 seconds.

4. Step 4: Add one more tablespoon of oil, and then stir in the day-old rice.

5. Step 5: Stir in the crispy ham.

6. Step 6: In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, sesame oil, and oyster sauce. Pour over the fried rice and stir to combine.

7. Step 7: Stir in the peas and half of the scallions.

8. Step 8: Push the fried rice to one side of the wok. Add the beaten eggs to the open space in the wok and cook until starting to scramble. Stir into the rice. Serve at once with extra scallions for garnish.

🍽️ How to Serve

• Serve Immediately: Fried rice is best enjoyed piping hot, straight from the wok or skillet, while the rice grains still have their “toasted” texture and the ham is slightly crispy.
• Fresh Garnishes: Top each bowl with a generous handful of fresh sliced scallions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for added crunch and visual appeal.
• Add Some Heat: For those who like a spicy kick, serve with a side of Sriracha, chili garlic sauce, or a drizzle of crispy chili oil to cut through the richness of the ham.
• Light Side Pairings: Balance the savory, salty flavors of the fried rice by serving it with homemade scallion pancakes, authentic hot and sour soup, or braised bok choy.
• Family Style: Transfer the rice to a large communal serving bowl and let everyone scoop their own portions, making it a casual and easy post-holiday dinner.
• A Bright Finish: A tiny squeeze of fresh lime juice just before eating can brighten the deep umami flavors of the soy and oyster sauces.

🙋🏽‍♂️ Frequently Asked Questions

😋 Other Ways to Use Up Leftover Ham

Ready to make the best fried rice this side of Chinatown? Go for it!

And when you do, be sure to take a photo of it, post it on Instagram, and tag @HowToFeedaLoon and hashtag #HowToFeedaLoon!