7 Unique Ways to Cook Spam: From Frying to Soup

7 Unique Ways to Cook Spam: From Frying to Soup

When it comes to canned protein, spam often gets a bad reputation as mystery meat. However, those who know how to cook spam see its true potential in various dishes. Its versatility makes it a staple in many households, especially in Hawaii, where spam musubi is a popular snack that you can find anywhere—from convenience stores to gas stations. In this article, we’ll explore seven different ways to cook spam, from fried to soup, making it a worthy ingredient to have in your kitchen.

Fried Spam

Pan-frying spam is one of the most well-known ways to cook this canned treat, and it is the key ingredient to an old-fashioned breakfast. Here’s how to cook fried spam to perfection:

1. Take the canned meat out and slice it about 1/4 inch thick, depending on your preference.
2. Start preheating a pan on medium-high heat.
3. Place the slices evenly on the pan.
4. After 2-3 minutes, flip the meat until it turns crispy and golden brown.
5. Once cooked, remove from the heat and place your spam slices onto a plate lined with a paper towel to absorb any excess oils.

For a classic breakfast dish, try making some spam and scrambled eggs. Crack eggs into the pan and scramble them up, trying to break the egg into smaller chunks. When the eggs are almost done, add the sliced spam to the pan and give it a quick stir to evenly distribute it. Season with your favorite spices and herbs. Enjoy with a side of toast or rice.

Spam Musubi

Spam musubi is a popular food item in Hawaii and is similar to sushi. It is so well-loved on the islands that you can even find it at McDonald’s! Don’t worry though, it’s not as complicated as sushi and is easy to make at home.

1. Take the canned meat out and slice it into 1/4 inch thick pieces, then season with soy sauce and sugar mixture.
2. On a sheet of plastic wrap, place a piece of nori sheet, then a layer of rice on top of it.
3. Add a slice of spam on top of the rice and cover it with another layer of rice.
4. Wrap the nori around the rice and spam to secure everything in place.
5. Finally, roll it into a tight package and let it sit for a few minutes to let everything stick together.
6. Cut the roll into pieces and serve.

Spaghetti Carbonara with Spam

Using spam as a protein in pasta dishes is an easy way to elevate a basic meal. You can substitute spam for cured meats like pancetta or bacon. For those who love Italian pasta dishes, here’s a recipe for spaghetti carbonara with spam:

1. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions.
2. Fry the sliced spam in a pan and wait until it turns crispy.
3. In a mixing bowl, whisk eggs and Parmesan cheese.
4. Add the cooked spaghetti and the cooked spam in the bowl and mix until it’s even.
5. Serve it in a plate with more parmesan cheese sprinkle on top.

Spam Stir Fry

Spam also works great in stir fry dishes. It’s an easy way to add a protein to a vegetable-heavy meal without adding too many extra calories. Here’s a simple recipe for a spam and veggie stir fry:

1. Stir fry chopped vegetables in a heated pan with soy sauce and garlic.
2. Add sliced spam to the pan and continue to stir fry everything together on high heat.
3. Finally, drizzle some sesame oil before serving.

Grilled Cheese and Spam Sandwich

It’s not just bacon or ham that can go well with grilled cheese—spam also compliments this classic dish perfectly. Try this easy recipe for a grilled cheese and spam sandwich:

1. Take bread, butter one side and place it into a pan with the buttered-side down.
2. Put cheese slices on top of it.
3. Place sliced spam on top of the cheese.
4. Add more slices of cheese on top of the spam.
5. Top with another slice of bread, buttered side up.
6. Cook until the cheese melts and the bread is crispy, and flip over to cook the other side until golden brown.

Spicy Spam Ramen

If you want to add a little spice to your ramen, using spam can be a great way to enhance the flavor. Here’s a recipe for spicy spam ramen:

1. Cook ramen noodles according to package instructions and set aside.
2. In another pan, fry the sliced spam until crispy and browned. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same pan, sauté garlic and ginger then add chili paste, soy sauce, and sugar. Mix well.
4. Put cooked ramen noodles in the same pan and mix them evenly with the spicy sauce. Add water as needed to loosen the texture.
5. Serve it in a bowl with spam slices on top and a sprinkle of green onions.

Conclusion

Spam can be a great ingredient to play around with in the kitchen. From breakfast to dinner, there are a lot of ways to use this canned protein to add flavor and variety to your meals. Whether you’re making a breakfast sandwich or a spicy soup, don’t be afraid to give spam a try! Cook it up with some vegetables to make a balanced plate, and you’ll have a tasty and filling meal.