I feel like fried rice is the universally loved Chinese food. Not only does it have a great flavor, but it's a simple one-pot recipe that is ready in just 30 minutes. Well, forget about Chinese takeout because this easy ham fried rice is a simple dish to make at home and a great way to use holiday leftovers.
Fried rice can be served as a main dish for breakfast or dinner. It's also great as a side dish for a full Asian inspired meal You're going to love this quick and easy gluten free dinner for busy weeknights!
If you have more holiday leftovers, check out my favorite leftover ham recipes: ham broccoli and rice casserole or this ham and white bean soup.
Is Fried Rice Gluten Free?
Restaurant fried rice is not gluten free. Regular soy sauce typically contains wheat or is contaminated with wheat. To make gluten free fried rice, you must use soy sauce that is specifically marked gluten free. Tamari is another suitable substitution.
Ingredient Notes
This homemade fried rice recipe uses just a few simple ingredients and it's both gluten free and dairy free.
- Day-Old Rice - You absolutely must use leftover rice. Cooking rice, then refrigerating it, changes the starch in the rice. It's what allows fried rice to be loose instead of clumped together. I used long grain white rice, but jasmine rice or brown rice will also work great. If you don't have leftover rice, cook fresh rice and spread it on a baking sheet then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before making this recipe.
- Ham - I used some leftover ham that I had stuffed in the back of my freezer. If you don't have leftover ham, just pick some up at the store. I recommend a ham steak versus lunch meat style, since you will want a thicker cut. If you're following a gluten free diet, make sure to use a brand that is marked gluten free - I like Kentucky Legend or Smithfield.
- Soy Sauce - Many newly gluten free people don't realize that regular soy sauce is not naturally gluten free. If you need to follow a gluten free diet, just make sure to buy gluten free soy sauce or Tamari. It should be easy to find these in the Asian section of your grocery store or in a dedicated Asian market.
See recipe card for a full list of ingredients with measurements.
Substitutions & Variations
- Extra veggies - Add your choice of vegetables to this dish. The great thing about fried rice is how it can help you use up leftovers in creative ways.
- More eggs - If you like more egg pieces or you want to serve this for breakfast add in a few more eggs. There are no additional changes needed for the recipe.
How to Make Ham Fried Rice
This quick dinner is made all in one pan with only 20 minutes of cooking time. You're going to love how easy it is to make!
- STEP 1: Heat sesame oil and vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add in the ham and cook until lightly browned, about 3-4 minutes. Remove the ham to a bowl and set aside.
- STEP 2: Add the white part of the onions and the diced carrots and saute for 5 minutes.
- STEP 3: Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
- STEP 4: Stir in the frozen peas and cook for about 2 minutes until they are warmed through.
- STEP 5: Move the vegetables to one side and add the lightly beaten eggs to the other side. Cook the scrambled egg until set and mix in to the vegetables.
- STEP 6: Add the cooked rice and ham into the pan. Heat until warmed, about 2-3 minutes.
- STEP 7: Add the soy sauce and white pepper. Stir until well mixed and cook for about 2 minutes.
- STEP 8: Finally, remove the pan from heat and stir in the remaining green onions.
Storage
Allow leftover fried rice to cool to room temperature before storing. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, sprinkle a little bit of water over the rice so that it won't dry out, and then reheat it in the microwave.
More Asian inspired recipes to consider:
If you try this recipe, please leave a 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 star rating and let me know how you liked it in the comments below.
Recipe
Ham Fried Rice
Equipment
- 12-inch Skillet or Wok
Ingredients
- 3 Cups Cooked Rice previously chilled
- 1 Tablespoon Vegetable Oil
- 1 Tablespoon Sesame Oil
- 1 ½ Cups Ham diced
- ¾ Cups Carrots diced
- 3 Green Onions thinly sliced, white & green separated
- 3 cloves Garlic minced
- ¾ Cup Frozen Peas
- 2 Eggs lightly beaten
- ¼ Cup Gluten Free Soy Sauce plus more for serving
- ¼ teaspoon White Pepper
Instructions
- Heat the vegetable oil and sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add in the ham and cook until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Remove the ham from the pan and set aside.1 Tablespoon Vegetable Oil, 1 Tablespoon Sesame Oil, 1 ½ Cups Ham
- Add the white part of the onions and the diced carrots to the pan and saute for 5 minutes, until softened and tender. If the pan is dry, you can add a bit more oil.3 Green Onions, ¾ Cups Carrots
- Add the garlic and cook while stirring constantly for 30 seconds.3 cloves Garlic
- Stir in the frozen peas and cook until warmed through, about 2 minutes.¾ Cup Frozen Peas
- Push the vegetables to one side of the pan, then pour the eggs into the clear side. Use a spatula to scramble the eggs and cook until set. Mix the eggs into the veggies.2 Eggs
- Add the cooked rice and ham to the pan and stir until well combined. Heat through, stirring occasionally for about 3 minutes.3 Cups Cooked Rice
- Finally, add the soy sauce and white pepper and stir until well mixed. Cook for about 2 more minutes.¼ Cup Gluten Free Soy Sauce, ¼ teaspoon White Pepper
- Remove the pan from heat and stir in the green part of the onions. Serve immediately with extra soy sauce if desired.
Notes
Tiffany is the recipe developer, stylist and food photographer behind Well Fed Baker. As a lifelong baker who had to go gluten free and dairy free in 2016, Tiffany strives to share allergen friendly recipes that never feel like they are free from anything.
Walter Shelhamer says
My daughter is gluten free, so we are pretty much gluten free in the house even though my wife and I don't need to be. I am always looking for new recipes to avoid falling into the routine of fixing the same five or ten dishes. It's better than take out!
I love this! I'm always on the hunt for new dishes too. 🙂