Turn holiday ham leftovers and basic veggies into a quick, delicious and easy ham fried rice. Try something different. You can use ham, bacon, diced chicken, or shrimp from the store at any time of the year.
Ham fried rice is a delicious way to use up leftover rice and holiday ham. The smoky, salty flavor of diced ham complements the peas, carrots, eggs, and other fried rice ingredients. It’s an easy weeknight meal or quick reheatable lunch. But just how long does leftover ham fried rice last in the fridge before going bad?
Read on for tips on proper storage, signs of spoilage, and exactly how many days ham fried rice lasts in the fridge.
How to Store Leftover Ham Fried Rice
To maximize freshness and shelf life, proper storage of ham fried rice leftovers is key. Here are some storage tips
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Let the fried rice cool completely before transferring to a storage container. Don’t pack hot rice into the fridge – this can cause condensation which leads to spoilage.
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Use shallow airtight containers so the fried rice will cool quickly when refrigerated. Glass or hard plastic work best.
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For large batches, divide fried rice into smaller individual portions in containers This prevents having to reheat the whole batch each time.
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Make sure containers have tight fitting lids to prevent leaks, spills, and contamination.
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Refrigerate ham fried rice immediately, within 2 hours of cooking Don’t leave it out on the counter.
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Place containers towards the back of the fridge, not on the door where temperature fluctuates.
Proper refrigeration at 40°F or below is crucial for maximizing how long fried rice lasts.
How to Tell When Ham Fried Rice Has Spoiled
Despite proper storage methods, leftovers eventually spoil. Here are signs that ham fried rice has gone bad and needs to be thrown out:
- Sour or “off” odor
- Mold growth
- Change in color, such as graying, greening, or darkening
- Unpleasant taste when sampling a bite
- Presence of slime or mushy texture
When reheating fried rice, inspect carefully for any of the above signs of spoilage before eating. Don’t taste test fried rice that smells or looks questionable.
Trust your senses! They can detect microbiological contamination or growth. When in doubt, throw it out.
How Long Does Ham Fried Rice Last in the Fridge?
Now for the big question – exactly how long is ham fried rice safe to eat when stored in the refrigerator?
- Freshly cooked ham fried rice will last for 3 to 5 days in the fridge.
- Fried rice made with cooked, leftover rice will last for 3 to 4 days in the fridge.
- For maximum freshness and quality, try to eat ham fried rice within 3 days.
The shelf life depends somewhat on the freshness of the ingredients used:
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Freshly cooked rice lasts longer than week-old rice. Don’t use rice that’s older than 4-5 days.
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Just-opened produce like peas and carrots keeps longer than veg that’s been in the fridge awhile.
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Freshly sliced, vacuum-packed ham has a longer shelf life than deli ham.
While properly stored ham fried rice can last 3-5 days, the texture and flavor quality begins decreasing each day. For absolute peak taste and texture, consume within 3 days. After that, it’s still safe to eat but the rice will dry out and ingredients become less vibrant.
After 4-5 days in the fridge, it’s best to throw away leftover fried rice even if there’s no visible mold. Don’t take chances with foodborne illnesses!
Tips for Enjoying Leftover Ham Fried Rice All Week
Leftover ham fried rice makes quick, easy meals and lunches throughout the week. Here are tips for enjoying it to the fullest:
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Portion into individual containers for grab-and-go portions. This also allows reheating smaller amounts so rice stays fresher.
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Reheat thoroughly until piping hot, at least 165°F. This eliminates any bacteria.
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Add a fried egg on top of reheated fried rice. The runny yolk sauce gives leftover rice new life!
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Stir in extra veg or protein like frozen peas, carrots, bell peppers, or cubed ham to refresh older rice.
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Toss with soy sauce or sesame oil to rehydrate drier fried rice later in the week.
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Make fried rice lettuce cups by spooning into lettuce leaves for a fresh taste.
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Use in fried rice omelets to give older rice new purpose.
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Add to stir fries instead of plain rice to finish dishes with flavor.
With proper storage and some creativity, leftover ham fried rice stays delicious for 3-5 fridge days. Follow these tips to enjoy every single grain!
How To Make Ham Fried Rice
Find the full list of ingredients, nutritional info, and instructions in the recipe card below. Here are some step-by-step pictures to guide you along. The process is simple:
Step 1. Follow the steps below to cook white rice on the stove, in a rice cooker, or in an Instant Pot. Let the rice cool on a flat surface before you use it. This will give it the best texture.
Step 2. Saute veggies, ham and aromatics in a skillet. Add frozen corn and peas (don’t bother with thawing them out, they will defrost in the skillet).
Step 3. Add the cooked rice and sauces and stir through. Scramble the egg in the middle and fold it into the fried rice.
Garnish with green onions (scallions) and fried shallots.
- Medium-grain rice works best in my opinion. Make sure it’s cooled down before adding to the skillet. It also works with cold rice that has been sitting around for more than 24 hours, but it has a bit more bite to it.
- For a vegetarian version, you can use diced tofu, bacon, chicken, glazed or baked ham, or deli ham that you already have.
- It’s best to use fresh ginger and garlic, but ground-up powders could work in a pinch.
- This recipe is great for getting rid of all kinds of leftovers—you can add different vegetables, steak, sausage, and more.
My Go-To Ham Fried Rice
This is an easy ham fried rice recipe using up staple veggies and freezer corn and peas. I used glazed ham from the weekend that I had left over to make this rice, but you can use any good ham from the store, bacon, diced rotisserie chicken, or shrimp.
You can use this recipe as a template to use up leftover ingredients and veggies. I often have onions, garlic, carrots, frozen corn and peas, rice, bacon or ham in the fridge, so this is my go-to meal when I’m running low on fresh food. I often have some frozen leftover ham too, especially after the holidays.
It’s a tasty, budget-friendly dish that everyone in my family loves. I serve it with a side of garlic broccoli or leafy greens or a simple side salad. I love a little garlic chili oil on top.
If you make this dish with my cauliflower egg fried rice, you can make a low-carb version of it.
Here is what you need to make this ham fried rice:
- Leftover ham or regular smoked ham – diced into cubes. If you don’t like ham, you can use cooked chicken or corned beef from a simple corned beef recipe instead.
- But you can use long-grain, Basmati, Jasmine, or brown rice instead if you want. I like medium-grain white rice for fried rice the best. To keep rice fresh, don’t put it in the fridge for more than 24 hours before you use it.
- I almost always have onions, celery, and carrots because they are used in so many meals. I also like to add frozen peas and corn.
- Garlic, ginger, salt, white pepper (this is more common in Asian cooking), soy sauce or Tamari, sesame oil, and a little butter are good for flavor. I love putting a little butter on rice.
- Egg—you have to have an egg in fried rice! You can leave it out if you don’t like eggs.
How To Cook Rice For Fried Rice When You Don’t Have Time To Refrigerate Overnight
FAQ
Can you eat fried rice 5 days later?
Can I eat 4 day old fried rice?
How long can you keep rice fried rice in the fridge?
How long does ham fried rice last?
Allow the Ham Fried Rice to cool and then package it in airtight containers and refrigerate it immediately. Use leftover fried rice within 4 days for the best quality and for food safety concerns. This Easy Ham Fried Rice is hearty enough to serve as a meal in itself but also makes a delicious side dish choice. And, don’t forget the Sriracha!
How long can ham be without refrigeration and still be safe?
Most food experts recommend that ham, should not be left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. After that time, you should discard it.
Can ham fried rice be refrigerated?
Store leftover ham fried rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the fried rice in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw the rice in the refrigerator for 24 hours before reheating and serving the fried rice. To reheat the fried rice, add it back to a skillet on the stove over medium heat.
How long can you keep fried rice in the refrigerator?
The ideal duration for keeping fried rice in the refrigerator is typically between 5 to 7 days. This time frame ensures that the rice maintains its quality and minimizes the risk of bacterial growth. Storage Condition