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Quick Savory Ham Fried Rice Recipe 20-Minute Easy Dinner with Sesame Soy Sauce

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A quick and easy savory ham fried rice with scallions and sesame soy sauce, perfect for busy weeknights. This recipe uses simple pantry staples and comes together in about 20 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups cooked white rice (preferably day-old or chilled)
  • 1 cup ham, diced (leftover ham or smoked ham steak)
  • 4 scallions, sliced thinly (white and green parts separated)
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • Ground black pepper to taste
  • Optional: ½ cup frozen peas or carrots

Instructions

  1. Prep all ingredients first: Dice ham, slice scallions (keep white and green parts separate), mince garlic, and thaw/drain peas or carrots if using. (About 5 minutes)
  2. Heat skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, coating the surface evenly.
  3. Pour beaten eggs into the hot pan and let sit undisturbed for about 30 seconds until starting to set, then scramble gently until just cooked but still moist. Remove eggs and set aside.
  4. Add another tablespoon of vegetable oil to the pan. Stir-fry diced ham and minced garlic for 2-3 minutes until ham browns and garlic is fragrant but not burnt.
  5. Break up chilled rice clumps with fingers and add rice and optional veggies to the pan. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until heated through.
  6. Drizzle 1 tablespoon soy sauce and 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil over the rice. Stir quickly and evenly to coat all grains. Add ground black pepper to taste.
  7. Return cooked eggs to the pan and gently fold into the rice.
  8. Add sliced white parts of scallions and stir-fry for another minute. Just before serving, top with green parts of scallions for freshness and crunch.
  9. Taste and adjust seasoning with extra soy sauce or pepper if needed. Serve hot immediately.

Notes

Use day-old or chilled rice for best texture to avoid sogginess. Add soy sauce and sesame oil after rice is hot to prevent sogginess. Keep heat medium-high to avoid steaming the rice. Adding scallions in two stages (white parts early, green parts at the end) gives great flavor contrast. If rice sticks, add a splash of water or extra oil. For gluten-free, use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce. Vegetarian options include tofu or mushrooms replacing ham.

Nutrition

Keywords: ham fried rice, quick dinner, easy fried rice, sesame soy sauce, scallions, leftover ham, weeknight meal

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