SPAM eggs and rice is a simple yet popular dish in Hawaii. While traditionally served for breakfast, it’s also great for lunch, dinner, or even a snack!
Updated February 09, 2018
MAKE LOW CARB SPAM EGGS AND RICE BY USING CAULIFLOWER RICE!
PEOPLE FROM HAWAII LOVE SPAM
When Eric and I first started dating, he took me grocery shopping because I broke my arm on our first date and couldn’t drive. When we walked in the store I shouted “SPAM!” at the sight of a tower of blue cans stacked eight feet tall.
My first reaction to the SPAM display was sticker shock, because the salty canned pork was so much cheaper in Hawaii. My second reaction was “If that’s the sale price I’m getting 10 right now!’
Eric laughed, but he quickly realized I was serious as I used my good arm to shuffle cans of SPAM into the cart like a mad woman. He looked confused and asked what on earth I would make with SPAM.
Without hesitation I began rattling off a list of some of my favorite foods from Hawaii. SPAM musubi, SPAM fried rice, somen salad, and of course, SPAM eggs and rice.
Every morning at Moanalua High School, I’d go down to our gym where the coach was cooking breakfast in the concession stand. I’d smell the fried SPAM and plunk down $1.50 to get a scoop of rice, a couple scrambled eggs, and a slice of fried SPAM.
Whenever I was heading out to surf, or making a long car trip (long is relative when you live on an island), I’d stop by a Loco Moco restaurant and get a big plate of SPAM, eggs and rice.
So not only does SPAM eggs and rice taste good, but I associate a lot of memories with it. It’s also really easy to make and Eric often chooses it if he’s the one cooking dinner.
WANT PERFECT SCRAMBLED EGGS? CHECK OUT OUR POST ON HOW TO SCRAMBLE EGGS.
HOW BAD IS SPAM FOR YOU?
Perhaps you’re wondering, “What is SPAM?” Or “Isn’t SPAM bad for you?”
SPAM is a canned precooked meat. Most of the SPAM varieties are made of pork, though there is a turkey one available. Although SPAM is high in protein, the recommended serving size contains 28% of your daily saturated fat and 1/3 of your daily sodium, so it’s not a health food.
Oven roasted turkey SPAM is much lower in saturated fat if you’re looking for a healthier option. It’s only 2 WW freestyle points per serving. Original SPAM is 6 WW freestyle points.
By combining SPAM with other ingredients (like in SPAM eggs and rice) I’m able to stretch it to last longer and be healthier.
IS SPAM KETO FRIENDLY?
SPAM is definitely low carb. Like most meats, its high proteins and low carb count let it fit into a low carb diet. But SPAM does contain small amounts of potato starch and sugar so it is not technically a keto food. Whether or not you include SPAM in a keto diet depends on your personal macros and how much of a purist you are.
If you would like to try it, you can make a great low carb SPAM eggs and rice with cauliflower rice.
HOW DO HAWAIIANS EAT SPAM?
SPAM is a staple in Hawaii. In fact they consume more SPAM than any other state. It is not actually a traditional Hawaiian food though. The love of SPAM started during World War II when fresh meat was difficult to obtain.
You’ll find SPAM, eggs and rice on the breakfast menu at many fast food restaurants in Hawaii. And any Hawaiian restaurant on the mainland is sure to offer SPAM musubi on their menu.
While SPAM eggs and rice is typically served with two slices of SPAM, we like to cube ours. It’s easier to mix everything together. It’s also a lot easier for the kids to eat. If we serve them slices, we end up having to cube it up anyway.
I know SPAM can be a little scary if you’ve never had it before, but play around with this versatile cheap meat. Your wallet will thank you and so will your family. For more SPAM fun, check out Jaden’s Ode To SPAM!
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HOW TO MAKE SPAM EGGS AND RICE (PRINTABLE RECIPE)
SPAM, Eggs, and Rice
SPAM eggs and rice is a simple yet popular dish in Hawaii. While traditionally served for breakfast, it's also great for lunch, dinner, or even a snack! Feel free to use Turkey SPAM if you want to lighten up the recipe.
Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked rice
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 TBS rice vinegar
- 1 TBS sugar
- 1 TBS fish sauce
- 1 can SPAM
- 8 eggs
- spray oil
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Start your rice cooking first. I get mine going in the Instant Pot.
- Mix soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and fish sauce in a bowl.
- Cut your slices of SPAM into 1/2 inch cubes and marinate in the soy sauce mixture.
- When rice has about 10 minutes to go, whisk your eggs.
- Heat a non-stick skillet on medium high and spray with cooking spray. Pour the eggs in. Scramble them with a little salt and pepper, and then put onto a plate. (See how to scramble eggs). Place plate of eggs in the microwave to keep warm.
- Using a large slotted spoon, remove SPAM from marinade and cook in same skillet until a golden brown crust forms on the cubes. (Don't dump marinade in or it will burn)
- Scoop rice onto a plate and top with eggs and SPAM.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
6 ServingsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 414Saturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 258mgSodium: 1659mgCarbohydrates: 35gSugar: 2gProtein: 18g
Sounds tasty… I remember my parents used to take SPAM along when we went camping, and we would have it with macaroni and cheese. I loved it.
looks good but your right in small amounts in the UK when I worked as a dietitian i had to tell folks to be careful of canned meats he he
My husband would love this post! That combination of foods is his favorite. Thanks for sharing.
LOL. Filipinos loooove span or canned meats for that matter. This is perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner. I remember eat something similar when I was younger.
LOL thats true im a filipino!! i would know
Hahaha, always happy to meet a fellow spam eater 🙂
WE LOVE SPAM & EGGS! We also love spam sushi…and above all we love Hawaii. good to be foodie friends, best, s
SPAMMMMMMMM
every mother’s day, scott and the boys make me bfast in bed…Spam and Egg omelette!
Sounds like a yummy combination!
Okay spam has always scared me, but MAN that looks GOOD!
ok, I may be making thise tomorrow morning! I really miss Hawaii sometimes … and Spam Musubi! 🙂
you’ve got quite a history with spam! Love spam, it’s so versatile and yummy.
Hi dianasaur, I love spam and rice. Serve mine with pickled cucumbers, sliced tomatoes, fried eggs, and maggi sauce (my best friend's recipe).
I haven't tried it in macaroni and cheese, I'll have to investigate that Jen.
You're welcome Julie!
Steamykitchen, you are one lucky mommy. Don't be afraid Mommy Gourmet!
I'm feeling the SPAM and Hawaii love people.
Hi again diana,
Here's my best friend's spam & eggs recipe:
Reduced fat spam, sliced and fried till crispy
steamed white rice
fried eggs (anyway you like)
marinated cucumbers (sliced English cucumbers, marinated in sugar and white vinegar, adjust quantities to your liking)
sliced plum tomatoes
serve with Maggi Sauce (http://www.importfood.com/sama6701.html)
Yay for SPAM!!! Loco moco is one of our all time favorites.
I’m eating it right now! I grew up eating this as my mom is from Guam and, like Hawaii, the Philippines and other Pacific island nations I’m sure, SPAM is a common staple. The only real difference is we fry the eggs over-medium, plop them down on the steaming bed of rice, and pop the yolks so that it runs down into the rice. Put your fried slices (not chunks) of SPAM over this and it’s absolute heaven!! Hafa adai!!
That sounds delicious Akira. In Hawaii slices of SPAM are more traditional but my husband likes the chunks because he feels like he’s getting more meat in every bite. Thanks for sharing, I’ll definitely try the runny yolk method sometime.
We absolutely LOVE rice and spam! Great article and thank you for the recipe! Spread the word!
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/240590805067594722/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jd2HbdDMX-U
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1H80tyPVc3RkyXt__Ee-5A
I made this beautiful dish because I was eager to try out this mysterious and ambiguously esteemed food named SPAM. My friends encouraged me to try eggs and spam, to which I found your recipe. Superb dish! So filling and delicious. I accidently made an omelet instead of scrambled eggs, but that in no way hindered the quality.
Made this and it was delicious I tried spam once never tried it again until now This spam eggs and rice dish made me love spam because of the different things you can add to it