11 Slamming Spam Recipes That Will Have You Wanting More

Love or hate it, Spam has developed a cult following since being invented in 1937. Though the salty canned meat may be repulsive to some, its versatility and flavor can be used to elevate a great number of dishes. It can also hold its own as the star of a dish — commonly enjoyed with a side of white rice and a fried egg. What's your favorite recipe using Spam? Let us know in the comments.

Related: Strange But Surprisingly Tasty Local Foods to Try

The rumors are true: The Aloha State runs on Spam musubis. Before visiting Hawaii, I had only heard of how much locals there loved Spam; it wasn't until I saw Spam musubis being sold at every convenience store that I realized the magnitude of it. They're also simple to put together. Lightly fry spam in some soy sauce and brown sugar, use the meat to sandwich white rice, and wrap it with seaweed. You can buy a rice press on Amazon for less than $8 to make perfectly shaped Spam musubis every time you put on "50 First Dates." 

Recipe: Favorite Family Recipes

Related: Every Dish on the Panda Express Menu, Ranked

The beauty of fried rice is that you can add or subtract as many ingredients as you like, and no one can say you're doing it wrong. To make Spam fried rice, fry two beaten eggs and sauté cubed Spam in some soy, oyster sauce, and brown sugar. Toss the eggs and meat with your cooked rice (leftover rice is best) with some peas and carrots (or whatever veggies you prefer). Enjoy. 

Recipe: Christie at Home

Perhaps the most classic Spam dish is suited perfectly for breakfast and couldn't be easier to make: Lightly fry Spam in some oil and soy sauce and serve with a side of rice and fried or scrambled eggs. Pro tip: Add spice and sweetness by drizzling on some Sriracha and shaking on a bit of furikake, a dry Japanese condiment. 

Recipe: Eating Richly

This one will set your taste buds on fire, but in the best way. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook your Spam for 3 to 5 minutes or until browned. Top each slice with cheese and serve on your choice of bread (we recommend brioche burger buns) and enjoy with toppings such as caramelized onions, vegetables, spicy mayonnaise, or a fried egg. 

Recipe: Serious Eats

If you like adding bacon to your mac and cheese, try swapping it out for Spam. To re-create this recipe, add fried spam (sautéd for 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown) to cooked macaroni and top with cheese and butter. Try adding sprinkles of nutmeg, cayenne pepper, and a dash of Dijon mustard. 

Recipe: All Recipes

Slices of Spam, green onions, and a fried egg in a savory broth make cheap, store-bought ramen restaurant-worthy. Cook noodles according to the ramen package directions (don't forget to add the seasoning packet), combine with your fried Spam and top the noodles with fried or boiled eggs; garnish with green onions. 

Recipe: Omnivore's Cookbook

Enjoy the zesty combination of this Korean classic with julienned carrots, cucumbers, and spinach. Place a sheet of the dried seaweed called nori and layer rice and Spam (cut into strips) with the vegetables. Roll it into a cylinder, cut into bite-size pieces, and enjoy. You can buy a rolling mat to ensure a perfect shape every time. 

Recipe: Two Plaid Aprons

Re-create these spicy, tangy tacos by first sautéing Spam over medium-high heat until lightly browned. Add taco seasoning and a little bit of water, then lower the heat to a simmer and let the Spam continue cooking for a few minutes. Warm up your tortillas and serve with toppings such as avocado, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, onions, and olives. Top with some lemon juice and Sriracha (optional).

Recipe: All Recipes

This Hawaiian Spam skillet recipe will have you daydreaming of piña coladas and beautiful beaches. In a large skillet, cook your Spam for a few minutes and add bacon, pineapple, mango, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and garlic powder. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes or until browned. Serve over a bed of rice and drizzle balsamic glaze for more umami. To be extra fancy, try serving it in a carved out pineapple. 

Recipe: Spam

If you're a fan of deep-fried foods, this one's for you. Coat sliced Spam in a beaten egg mixture and dredge it with some flour or corn starch. Repeat this step twice to ensure your Spam is fully coated. Drop into a deep-frying pan filled with oil and let fry for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden and crispy. Serve with dipping sauce of your choice (we recommend a tangier sweet sauce to counteract the saltiness of the Spam).

Recipe: Panlasang Pinoy

Budae Jigae, also known as army stew or army base stew, is a popular Korean dish that incorporates processed foods such as spam, sausages, canned baked beans, and sliced cheese. The dish was invented by locals after the Korean War as a way to sell food to American soldiers longing for familiar ingredients. The recipe is easy to make: Throw everything in a pot with some chicken stock and let it cook for about 8 minutes. Add the tofu and cheese last, as they will cook the quickest. 

Recipe: My Korean Kitchen