Quick & Easy Hawaiian Fried Rice with Ham and Pineapple: Your Go-To Leftover Ham Recipe

Are you in the mood for the delicious, comforting flavors of Chinese takeout but prefer a convenient, budget-friendly meal you can create in your own kitchen? This fantastic Hawaiian Fried Rice with Ham and Pineapple recipe is your answer. It’s not just a satisfying dish that hits all the right notes of sweet and savory; it’s also an incredibly clever and delicious way to use up leftover ham, especially after holiday feasts like Easter or any family gathering. This recipe promises a quick, flavorful, and wonderfully satisfying meal that everyone will love!

The Post-Holiday Ham Dilemma: Solved with Creative Cuisine!

It’s a scenario many home cooks know well: the joyous holiday meal has ended, the guests have departed, and you’re left with a significant amount of delicious ham. While the initial feast might include a ham steak dinner, a lamb chop dinner, perhaps some au gratin potatoes for two, or even some delightful hot cross buns and a small carrot cake for dessert, the question inevitably arises: what to do with all that leftover ham?

Finding fresh, exciting ways to repurpose holiday ham can sometimes feel like a daunting task. You might have already exhausted the usual suspects: ham and cheese soup, baked eggs with ham and cheese, or even ham and cheese waffles. While these are all fantastic options, there’s always room for a dish that offers a completely different flavor profile – something that feels new and exciting. This Hawaiian Fried Rice recipe is precisely that innovative solution. It transforms your leftover ham into the star of a vibrant, tropical-inspired meal, saving you from menu-planning fatigue and adding a unique twist to your post-holiday dining.

Why This Hawaiian Fried Rice Recipe Is a Must-Try

A Delicious Harmony: The Sweet and Savory Pineapple Debate

The combination of ham and pineapple often sparks a spirited debate, particularly when found on pizza. However, in many cuisines, including traditional Hawaiian dishes, the sweet and tangy notes of pineapple are celebrated for their ability to perfectly complement the salty, savory richness of ham. This harmonious pairing creates a beautifully balanced flavor profile that is both intriguing and incredibly delicious. If you’re a fan of this delightful blend, much like with my Hawaiian Pizza Pasta, then you’re in for a real treat with this fried rice recipe. The pineapple tidbits release their natural sweetness and a subtle tang, which wonderfully cuts through the richness of the ham and the umami depth of the soy sauce.

For those who might be skeptical, I truly encourage you to give this combination a chance. You might be surprised at how well it works! And, of course, for the staunch traditionalists who prefer their ham without the tropical twist, the pineapple is entirely optional. You can easily omit it and still enjoy a fantastic, flavorful ham fried rice. However, embracing the pineapple is what truly elevates this dish to its “Hawaiian” namesake and sets it apart from typical fried rice.

Faster Than Delivery, Fresher Than Takeout!

One of the most compelling reasons to make this Hawaiian Fried Rice is its incredible speed and ease. It’s designed to be a quick side dish or a satisfying main course that you can put together in less time than it takes to order and wait for Chinese food delivery. This recipe channels the spirit of those thrilling Food Network challenges where home cooks race against the clock to create delicious meals. With a bit of strategic preparation, you’ll find yourself enjoying a hot, fresh, and flavorful meal before a delivery driver even makes it to your door.

The secret to this rapid cooking time lies in “mise en place” – a French culinary term meaning “everything in its place.” Before you even turn on your skillet, make sure all your ingredients are prepped, chopped, and measured. Dice your ham, carrots, and green onion (separating white and green parts), mince your ginger and garlic, and drain your pineapple. Once the cooking starts, the process moves very quickly, and you won’t have time to stop and chop. This organized approach ensures a smooth, stress-free cooking experience and a delicious meal on your table in record time.

The Secret to Perfect Fried Rice: Day-Old Rice (or a Brilliant Shortcut!)

For truly authentic and perfectly textured fried rice – where each grain remains distinct and slightly chewy, rather than clumpy – the culinary wisdom dictates using leftover, cooked rice that has been refrigerated overnight. This chilling process dries out the surface of the rice grains, preventing them from steaming and sticking together when stir-fried in a hot pan. It’s a game-changer for achieving that desirable restaurant-quality texture.

However, let’s be realistic: not everyone consistently has a container of perfectly aged, day-old rice waiting in their fridge. This is where incredibly convenient and innovative products like Veetee Rice come to the rescue, offering a fantastic shortcut without compromising quality. While you can typically microwave a tray of Veetee Rice in just 2 minutes for a quick side, for fried rice, you can often cook it directly in your skillet without any prior preparation! Simply crumble the rice from the tray into your hot pan. Stir it for a few minutes until it’s heated through and develops a slight crispness, and voilà – you’re well on your way to a perfect fried rice dinner. For this recipe, I specifically used their white long grain rice, which is ideal for stir-frying. You can easily find Veetee products in a store near you using their helpful store locator, making this delicious meal even more accessible.

Crafting Your Hawaiian Fried Rice: Key Ingredients & Expert Tips

The Essential Cast of Flavors

• Diced Ham: This is your star protein and a brilliant way to use up those leftovers. For optimal flavor and texture, aim for small, roughly 1/2-inch pieces. If you don’t have holiday ham, readily available options like ham steak or pre-packaged diced ham work perfectly. The saltiness of the ham is crucial for balancing the sweetness of the pineapple.
• Pineapple Tidbits: Canned pineapple tidbits are incredibly convenient. Be sure to drain the juice thoroughly to prevent your fried rice from becoming watery and to ensure the desired texture. If you prefer, fresh pineapple, finely diced, can also be used for an even brighter and tangier flavor profile.
• Cooked Rice: As discussed, cold, day-old rice is ideal. If opting for a shortcut, a quick-cook option like Veetee Dine-In Long Grain White Rice is a fantastic choice, offering convenience without sacrificing the desired grainy texture.
• Aromatics & Crisp Vegetables:
  • Green Onion: Divided into white and green parts. The white part is sautéed early on to build a flavorful base, while the green part is stirred in at the very end as a fresh, vibrant garnish.
  • Carrots: Finely diced carrots add a touch of natural sweetness, a pleasant textural crunch, and a beautiful pop of orange color to the dish.
  • Fresh Ginger Paste or Minced Ginger: This is a non-negotiable ingredient for authentic Asian-inspired flavor. Its warm, spicy notes elevate the entire dish.
  • Garlic: Freshly minced garlic provides a pungent and aromatic foundation, enhancing the depth of flavor.
  • Shelled Peas: Whether frozen or fresh, peas contribute a lovely burst of green, a subtle sweetness, and a soft texture that complements the other ingredients.
• The Sauce & Binding Elements:
  • Soy Sauce: The primary seasoning for fried rice, it delivers a crucial umami punch and the right amount of saltiness. You can adjust the quantity to your personal taste.
  • Egg: Scrambled directly into the hot pan, the egg adds richness, a velvety texture, and helps to bind all the wonderful ingredients together, creating a cohesive and satisfying meal.
• Butter: Used for sautéing the initial ingredients, butter adds a delicious, slightly nutty, and rich base flavor that enhances the overall taste of the fried rice. If using unsalted butter, a pinch of salt can be added to the dish.

Serving Suggestions & Creative Variations

This Hawaiian Fried Rice is incredibly versatile and can be adapted to suit various meal preferences. Many, like myself, find it hearty and satisfying enough to enjoy as a standalone main course. Its balanced flavors and diverse textures make it a complete meal on its own. However, if you’re planning a more elaborate dinner or simply want to round out your meal, here are some excellent pairing and variation ideas:

• As a Side Dish: It makes a fantastic and unique side dish for a variety of meals, especially those with an Asian or tropical flair.
• With Added Protein: Elevate it to a more substantial dinner by serving it alongside grilled chicken, pan-seared shrimp, or even baked tofu.
• Asian-Inspired Feast: For a complete takeout-style experience at home, pair your Hawaiian Fried Rice with other complementary dishes like General Tso’s Chicken Baked Wontons or spring rolls.

Personalize Your Plate: Make It Your Own!

One of the joys of cooking is the ability to customize a recipe to your exact preferences. Don’t hesitate to experiment with this Hawaiian Fried Rice:

• Boost the Veggies: Feel free to add other finely diced vegetables such as bell peppers, corn kernels, mushrooms, or thinly sliced cabbage for extra nutrients and texture.
• Heat It Up: If you enjoy a bit of spice, a dash of sriracha, a pinch of red pepper flakes, or a drizzle of chili oil can add a delightful kick.
• Alternate Proteins: No ham on hand? No problem! Cooked chicken, shrimp, pork, or even plant-based proteins like tempeh or firm tofu can be excellent substitutes.
• No Pineapple Preference: As mentioned, if pineapple isn’t your favorite, simply leave it out for a delicious classic ham fried rice. You might consider adding a touch more sugar or a different fruit like mandarin oranges for a touch of sweetness.
• Explore Other Leftovers: While this recipe focuses on ham, remember that other holiday leftovers can inspire new dishes. For instance, leftover lamb can be wonderfully transformed into flavorful Gyro Rice Bowls!

Hawaiian Fried Rice Recipe

Yield:
4 servings

Prep Time:
15 minutes

Cook Time:
15 minutes

Total Time:
30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon butter (add pinch of salt if unsalted)
• 1 green onion, chopped white part only (reserve green for garnish)
• 1 carrot, peeled and diced
• 1/2 cup diced ham
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger paste or minced ginger
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 cup shelled peas (frozen or fresh)
• 1/2 cup canned pineapple tidbits, juice drained
• 1 tray Veetee Dine-In Long Grain White Rice
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 egg

Instructions

1. In a large skillet or wok, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add the chopped white part of the green onion and the diced carrots. Sauté for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the carrots begin to soften and become slightly tender-crisp.
2. Add the diced ham, fresh ginger paste (or finely minced ginger), minced garlic, shelled peas, and the thoroughly drained pineapple tidbits to the skillet. Continue to cook for another 1 minute, stirring constantly to allow all the flavors to meld and the ingredients to heat through evenly.
3. Crumble the Veetee rice (or add your cold, day-old cooked rice) directly into the pan with the other ingredients. Stir everything together well, ensuring the rice grains are thoroughly coated with the butter and aromatics. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is heated through and has a slightly firm, separate texture. Pour in the soy sauce and stir vigorously to combine it evenly throughout the fried rice.
4. Push the entire rice mixture to one side of the skillet, creating a clear, empty space on the other side. Crack the egg into this cleared section and quickly scramble it with your spatula. Once the egg is mostly cooked and in small pieces, gently fold and mix it into the main rice mixture. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, ensuring the egg is fully incorporated and cooked through.
5. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the reserved chopped green part of the green onion for a final burst of fresh flavor and vibrant color. Serve your homemade Hawaiian Fried Rice immediately and savor every delicious bite!

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Final Thoughts on Your Homemade Takeout Alternative

This Hawaiian Fried Rice with Ham and Pineapple is truly more than just a recipe; it’s a smart, delicious, and incredibly practical solution for transforming simple ingredients and holiday leftovers into something truly extraordinary. It perfectly blends the convenience of a quick-cook meal with the vibrant, exotic flavors of Hawaiian and Asian cuisine. This dish is ideal for busy families, budget-conscious cooks, or anyone who simply appreciates a flavorful, satisfying meal that comes together without fuss.

Say goodbye to the expense and wait times of traditional takeout, and say hello to a homemade dish that rivals your favorite Chinese restaurant, all while making the most of your kitchen staples. The next time you find yourself with a surplus of ham or a craving for a taste of the tropics with an Asian twist, remember this recipe. It’s an easy win for your taste buds, your schedule, and your wallet. Enjoy the delightful journey of creating this flavorful and memorable meal!

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Veetee Rice. Thank you for supporting me and the companies I work with as sponsored posts help pay for the costs of running Chocolate Moosey, including website hosting and groceries for recipe development.