This Hawaiian Fried Rice comes together in about 30 minutes and is made using one pan that your family will love! Trust me, it’s like taking a mini-vacation every time you serve it!
Ingredient Breakdown
Let’s gather everything you need for this tasty dish! I promise, you’ll find that these ingredients offer a ton of flavor while still being budget-friendly and easy to prepare. Here’s what you’ll need:
4 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce: A staple in any Asian-inspired dish. The low sodium variety helps keep things from getting too salty while still adding a delicious umami flavor.
1/2 tablespoon sesame seed oil: This oil adds a lovely nutty flavor that complements the soy sauce beautifully. If any other oil is on hand, like canola or olive oil, you can substitute it, but don’t skip the sesame if you can help it!
1 teaspoon hot sauce: Just a little kick! Feel free to adjust according to your family’s spice tolerance.
1 tablespoon vegetable oil, divided: We’ll use half to sauté our veggies and the other half for frying the rice.
1 red bell pepper, diced: Colorful and sweet! If you have green or yellow bell pepper, they work just fine too.
2 cups diced ham: A fantastic protein source and a great way to use up leftovers if you have any.
2 green onions, diced: These add a fresh bite and great color. Don’t forget to save some for garnish!
3 cloves garlic, minced: Fresh garlic gives a beautiful aroma that fills your kitchen, wonderful!
5 cups cold, cooked white rice: Day-old rice is best for fried rice as it’s less sticky. If you’re short on time, you can use freshly cooked rice; just ensure it’s cooled first to prevent mushy clumps.
3 large eggs: A classic addition for that comforting, custardy texture in fried rice. You can also scramble some extra eggs for protein!
1 cup pineapple pieces: Sweet and juicy. I love the pop of flavor they bring, but if you’re not a fan, feel free to skip.
Let’s Get Cooking!
Mixing the Sauce (2 minutes): In a small bowl, stir together the soy sauce, sesame oil, and hot sauce. Set this aside because it adds a delightful, savory flavor to your fried rice.
Sautéing the Veggies (5-7 minutes): Grab a large non-stick skillet and heat 1/2 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, toss in your diced red bell pepper and sauté until it’s crisp-tender, about 5 to 7 minutes. You’ll love the vibrant color it brings!
Adding Ham and Aromatics (3 minutes): Next, stir in the diced ham and the white parts of the green onions. Cook and stir (don’t forget to scrape the yummy bits off the bottom) until the ham is slightly browned. Oh, the smell is going to be amazing! Now add your minced garlic, stirring for another minute until fragrant.
Setting Aside the Goodness (1-2 minutes): Pour this beautiful mixture into a bowl and set aside. We’re just getting started!
Getting the Rice Ready (8 minutes): In that same skillet, heat the remaining vegetable oil until hot, then add in your cold, cooked rice. Fry the rice, stirring frequently, and breaking up any clumps. Keep cooking until it’s heated through and slightly crispy, about 8 minutes. Trust me; this step makes all the difference!
Scrambling the Eggs (2-3 minutes): Now, push the rice to one side of the skillet. Crack your eggs onto the other side and scramble until lightly cooked. Then, mix those scrambled eggs right into the rice; it adds such a great texture!
Bringing Everything Together (3-5 minutes): Stir in your aromatic ham and veggie mixture. Pour your soy sauce mixture over the rice and mix well until everything is heated through and combined beautifully. It’s like a little friendship party in the pan!
Finishing Touches (1-2 minutes): Turn off the heat and fold in the pineapple pieces and the green parts of the onions. This adds a burst of color and sweetness. Now let’s serve that up!
Not to mention, the best part is, my kids adore it! They beg for seconds, and that’s saying something since my little ones can be a tad picky. So, making dishes like this is a win for everyone!
If you loved this Hawaiian Fried Rice, be sure to check out my Mushroom Rice, my Rice Patties, or my Cajun rice! Each of these dishes has that same promise of being quick, easy, and delightfully family-friendly!
Serving and Storage Tips
What to Serve With This
Hawaiian Fried Rice pairs beautifully with:
A fresh side salad: Think citrusy dressings to balance the flavors.
Teriyaki chicken: A nice savory addition that complements the pineapple in your rice.
Egg rolls or spring rolls: For a full-on delicious feast!
Storage and Reheating
Storing: This dish keeps well in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days, just be sure to store in an airtight container.
Reheating: To enjoy again, simply pop it in the microwave for a couple of minutes or reheat in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. Add a splash of water or a teeny bit of oil to help loosen it up!
Freezer-friendly: Yes! If you’d like to freeze it, just store it in an airtight container, and it’ll be good for about 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating!
Tips for Success
Quick & Easy
This recipe truly comes together in under 30 minutes, perfect for those weeknight dinners when you’re juggling homework, extracurriculars, and maybe even a little bit of self-care.
Budget-Friendly
With simple, affordable ingredients, this recipe won’t break the bank. You can find these items at any grocery store! Plus, you can use whatever brings you joy from your pantry!
Customizable
The secret to a delicious Hawaiian Fried Rice lies in its adaptability. Don’t have ham? No problem! You can swap in chicken, shrimp, or even tofu. Feel free to experiment with any veggies you have on hand, like peas, carrots, or snap peas. You name it!
Comfort Food
This dish is loaded with tons of flavor and textures that’ll satisfy everyone around your dinner table, especially after a long day!
To wrap things up, this Hawaiian Fried Rice is an incredible treat that feels both comforting and exotic all at once. Maybe you’ll even find yourself craving it on those hectic weeknights, just like I do!
Happy cooking, friends! Feast on this dish, and let the flavors transport you to warm sandy beaches and sunny skies, no plane ticket required!
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Hawaiian Fried Rice
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: None
Description
A delightful Hawaiian Fried Rice that comes together in about 30 minutes, perfect for a quick weeknight meal that’s flexible and budget-friendly.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon sesame seed oil
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, divided
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 2 cups diced ham
- 2 green onions, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 5 cups cold, cooked white rice
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup pineapple pieces
Instructions
- In a small bowl, stir together the soy sauce, sesame oil, and hot sauce. Set aside.
- Heat 1/2 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced red bell pepper and sauté until crisp-tender, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Stir in the diced ham and the white parts of the green onions. Cook and stir for about 3 minutes until the ham is slightly browned, then add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Transfer the mixture into a bowl and set aside.
- In the same skillet, heat the remaining vegetable oil until hot. Add the cold, cooked rice and fry, breaking up any clumps, until heated through and slightly crispy, about 8 minutes.
- Push the rice to one side and scramble the eggs on the other side until lightly cooked, then mix them into the rice.
- Stir in the ham and veggie mixture, pour the soy sauce mixture over, and mix until everything is heated through.
- Fold in the pineapple pieces and the green parts of the onions before serving.
Notes
This recipe is customizable; feel free to use chicken, shrimp, or tofu instead of ham and add any veggies you prefer.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-frying
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 160mg