Delicious Hawaiian Fried Rice: Your Ultimate Leftover Ham & Pineapple Recipe

Craving the vibrant flavors of Chinese takeout without breaking the bank? Look no further than this incredibly easy Hawaiian Fried Rice recipe, featuring a delightful blend of savory ham and sweet pineapple. It’s not only a fantastic way to satisfy your cravings but also the perfect solution for transforming leftover ham into a mouthwatering meal. Forget about expensive delivery and hello to a quick, flavorful dish you can whip up at home!

Transforming Holiday Leftovers into a Culinary Delight

The culinary calendar is often marked by holidays and special occasions, and with them, an abundance of delicious food. While we may still be a few weeks away from Easter, it’s never too early to start thinking about post-celebration meal planning. You’ve likely already mapped out your impressive holiday feast, perhaps including a succulent honey-glazed ham steak dinner, tender lamb chops, creamy garlic parmesan au gratin potatoes for two, and delightful desserts like lemon cherry hot cross buns or a classic small carrot cake.

But what about the days that follow the festivities? The inevitable question arises: what to do with all those delicious leftovers? If you’re like many home cooks, you often find yourself with a generous amount of leftover ham. This can be a fantastic culinary opportunity, providing enough ham to create one, or even two, additional meals. The good news is that much of your menu planning is already complete! The challenge, however, is finding creative and exciting ways to use that ham beyond the usual suspects like ham and cheese soup, baked eggs with ham and cheese, or ham and cheese waffles.

The Great Debate: Ham and Pineapple Together?

The combination of ham and pineapple is a topic that often sparks lively debate, particularly when it comes to pizza. Some are staunch advocates, while others remain firmly opposed. Personally, I am a huge fan of this unique sweet, salty, and savory harmony. It’s a flavor profile I adore, showcased beautifully in dishes like my popular Hawaiian Pizza Pasta. So, where do you stand on this delicious dilemma? If you’re nodding enthusiastically, then prepare to be thrilled by this Hawaiian Fried Rice recipe! If you’re on the fence or prefer to skip the sweetness, rest assured, you can easily omit the pineapple and still enjoy a fantastic ham fried rice.

Why Hawaiian Fried Rice is Your Go-To Meal

This Hawaiian Fried Rice is more than just a recipe; it’s a culinary revelation. It serves as an incredibly easy, flavorful, and budget-friendly side dish that can easily transform into a satisfying main course. When the craving for Chinese takeout strikes, but you need to keep a close watch on your spending, this recipe steps up as the perfect solution. It offers all the comforting flavors and textures you love from your favorite local restaurant, without the delivery fees or the wait time.

I’m often reminded of those exciting Food Network challenges where amateur chefs were tasked with preparing Chinese dishes in the exact amount of time it would take to order and receive delivery. While television often involves clever editing, I can confidently tell you that with this Hawaiian Fried Rice recipe, you can absolutely beat the delivery driver to your dinner table. Its quick cooking time and straightforward preparation make it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or whenever you need a delicious meal in a hurry.

The Art of Mise en Place: Preparation is Key

The secret to successful fried rice lies in efficient preparation, a culinary concept known as “mise en place.” This fancy French term simply means “everything in its place,” and it’s absolutely crucial for a dish that cooks as quickly as fried rice. Before you even think about turning on your skillet, ensure all your ingredients are prepped and ready to go. This includes chopping your ham, dicing your carrots, mincing your garlic and ginger, draining your pineapple, and having your peas and rice measured out. Once the cooking process begins, it moves very fast, and you won’t have a moment to spare for chopping or searching for ingredients. Having everything prepped beforehand ensures a smooth, stress-free cooking experience and perfectly cooked fried rice every time.

The Foundation: Perfect Rice for Fried Rice

Traditionally, the key to truly excellent fried rice is using leftover, day-old cooked rice. The slightly dried-out grains from refrigerating rice overnight prevent the dish from becoming mushy and allow the grains to separate beautifully, absorbing the flavors of the other ingredients more effectively. However, in the hustle and bustle of daily life, I rarely have leftover rice conveniently on hand. This is where modern conveniences like Veetee Rice become an absolute lifesaver.

Veetee Rice offers a fantastic solution, typically requiring just 2 minutes in the microwave for perfectly cooked rice. But here’s a pro tip: you can also cook it directly in your skillet without any prior microwaving! Simply crumble the rice into the pan, let it cook for a few minutes while stirring, and you’re well on your way to a delicious dinner. For this Hawaiian Fried Rice, I opted for their white long grain rice, which provides an ideal texture. You can easily find a store near you that carries Veetee products using their convenient store locator. If you don’t have Veetee or day-old rice, you can cook fresh rice, spread it thin on a baking sheet, and let it cool for about 30 minutes to an hour to dry it out slightly before using.

Serving Suggestions and Creative Variations

While I thoroughly enjoy savoring several generous helpings of this Hawaiian Fried Rice as my main course, its versatility means you can easily pair it with other dishes to create a more substantial meal. Consider serving it alongside crispy General Tso’s Chicken Baked Wontons for a truly satisfying homemade “takeout” experience. The subtle sweetness and savory notes of the fried rice complement a variety of Asian-inspired entrees.

No leftover holiday ham? No problem at all! Don’t let that stop you from enjoying this fantastic recipe. Most grocery stores nowadays offer small, pre-sliced ham portions that you can easily dice, or even pre-chopped ham, making preparation even quicker. You can also experiment with other protein sources. Chicken, shrimp, or even tofu can be excellent substitutes, though the ham and pineapple combination is truly what gives this dish its signature “Hawaiian” flair.

And for those rare instances when you find yourself with leftover lamb instead of ham, you’re just one step closer to creating delicious Gyro Rice Bowls, offering another exciting way to repurpose holiday meats into entirely new and enticing meals. The beauty of fried rice is its adaptability, allowing you to use whatever ingredients you have on hand.

Tips for Achieving Perfect Homemade Fried Rice

Crafting perfect fried rice at home is simpler than you might think, especially with a few key techniques:

• High Heat is Your Friend: Use a large skillet or wok over medium-high to high heat. This ensures the ingredients stir-fry quickly and develop a slightly smoky flavor without steaming.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cooking in batches if necessary prevents the temperature from dropping and ingredients from steaming instead of frying.
• Old Rice is Gold: As mentioned, cold, day-old rice is ideal. Its drier texture keeps the fried rice from becoming gummy.
• Prep Everything Ahead: Mise en place truly shines here. Once you start cooking, things move fast.
• Use a Good Oil: A neutral oil with a high smoke point like vegetable, canola, or grapeseed oil is best for stir-frying.
• Season as You Go: A little soy sauce at different stages helps build layers of flavor. Taste and adjust!
• Scrambled Egg Technique: Pushing ingredients to one side and cooking the egg separately before incorporating it ensures it’s cooked perfectly without making the dish clumpy.
• Garnish for Freshness: Fresh green onions or cilantro added at the very end brightens the dish both visually and flavor-wise.

Unpacking the Flavors: Key Ingredients Explained

Each ingredient in this Hawaiian Fried Rice plays a crucial role in building its irresistible flavor profile:

• Ham: The star protein, providing a robust, savory, and slightly smoky base. Leftover holiday ham is perfect, but any good quality diced ham works wonders.
• Pineapple Tidbits: These little bursts of tropical sweetness are what truly make this dish “Hawaiian.” They offer a delightful contrast to the savory ham and vegetables, adding a juicy tang. Make sure they are well-drained to avoid excess moisture.
• Rice: The canvas for all the flavors. Long grain white rice is typically preferred for its distinct grain separation.
• Green Onion (Scallions): The white parts are cooked early to release their aromatic flavor, while the green tops are reserved for a fresh, pungent garnish, adding color and a subtle oniony bite.
• Carrots & Peas: Adding a pop of color, sweetness, and essential vitamins, these vegetables contribute to the texture and nutritional value of the dish. Frozen peas are convenient and cook quickly.
• Fresh Ginger & Garlic: The aromatic backbone of most fried rice recipes, providing a warming, zesty, and pungent depth that is distinctly Asian. Fresh is always best for maximum flavor.
• Soy Sauce: The primary seasoning, imparting umami, saltiness, and a beautiful golden-brown color. Use a good quality soy sauce for the best results.
• Egg: Scrambled and incorporated, it adds richness, protein, and a lovely texture to the fried rice, binding the ingredients together subtly.

Hawaiian Fried Rice

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, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add the white part of the green onion and diced carrots. Cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the carrots begin to soften.
2. Stir in the diced ham, fresh ginger paste (or minced ginger), minced garlic, shelled peas, and drained pineapple tidbits. Continue to cook for 1 minute, allowing the flavors to meld and the ingredients to heat through.
3. Crumble the Veetee Dine-In Long Grain White Rice (or cold, day-old cooked rice) directly into the pan. Stir everything well to ensure the rice is coated with the butter and aromatics. Cook for 2-3 minutes, breaking up any clumps, until the rice is heated through and slightly softened. Pour in the soy sauce and mix thoroughly.
4. Push the rice mixture to one side of the skillet, creating a clear space in the center. Crack the egg directly into this gap and quickly scramble it. Once the egg is mostly cooked, incorporate it into the rice mixture, stirring everything together. Cook for another 2-3 minutes or until the egg is fully cooked and integrated into the fried rice.
5. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the reserved green part of the green onion for a fresh finish. Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade Hawaiian Fried Rice!

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Conclusion: A Must-Try Recipe!

Whether you’re looking for a clever way to utilize leftover holiday ham, a quick and economical alternative to your usual takeout, or simply a delicious and satisfying meal that’s packed with flavor, this Hawaiian Fried Rice recipe is an absolute winner. Its blend of savory ham, sweet pineapple, and perfectly seasoned rice creates a taste sensation that’s sure to become a family favorite. It’s easy to make, highly customizable, and offers a fantastic balance of textures and flavors. So, gather your ingredients, fire up your skillet, and get ready to enjoy a taste of the tropics right in your own kitchen!

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.