4 Ways to Cook Spam - wikiHow (2024)

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1Working with Spam

2Stir-Frying Spam

3Baking with Spam

4Using Spam in Burgers or Sandwiches

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14 Recipe Ratings

Co-authored byJessica GibsonReviewed byMarrow Private Chefs

Last Updated: August 15, 2023References

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If you're looking for new ways to use up that last can of spam, you've got lots of options. Since spam is already cooked before it's packaged, you simply need to heat it up and add it to your meal. Try stir-frying spam with eggs, rice, or green beans for a fast and filling dish. You can also dice spam before baking with it in casseroles or roasts. To make a hearty lunch, cook a flavorful sandwich or burger using your favorite toppings and condiments.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Working with Spam

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  1. 1

    Choose a flavor of spam to cook. You're probably familiar with the salty flavor of classic spam, but did you know that there are other spam products to pick from? Consider cooking with any of these flavors:[1]

    • Bacon
    • Oven-roasted turkey
    • Hickory smoke
    • Hot and Spicy
    • Jalapeno
    • Teriyaki
    • Black pepper
    • Chorizo

    Tip: If you're watching your nutrition, spam sells Lite and Less-Sodium varieties.

  2. 2

    Keep cans of spam in the pantry and refrigerate opened spam. If you haven't opened your can of spam, store it in the pantry at room temperature and use it before the expiration date listed on the package. Once you open the can, refrigerate the spam and use it within 3 to 5 days.

    • You should also refrigerate any leftover spam that you've baked, fried, or cooked. Use them within 3 to 5 days.

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  3. 4 Ways to Cook Spam - wikiHow (6)

    3

    Cut or slice the spam for most recipes. Open the can and slide the spam out onto a cutting board. Then use a knife and carefully cut the spam into slices or cubes. You can slice or chop the pieces into any size you like.[2]

    • If you're going to bake the spam, consider leaving it whole. Then you can roast it and slice it once it's hot throughout.
  4. 4 Ways to Cook Spam - wikiHow (7)

    4

    Heat the spam for up to 5 minutes. If you're slicing or chopping the spam, it will reheat quickly. You can microwave or stir-fry the spam until it's hot throughout. This should take up to 5 minutes if you're heating spam on the stove. If you're microwaving it, heat the spam for 30-second increments until it's hot.

    Variation: If you're baking the whole spam, roast it at 375°F (191°C) for about 20 minutes.

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  1. 4 Ways to Cook Spam - wikiHow (9)

    1

    Scramble eggs with cubed spam for a quick breakfast. Whisk 4 eggs with 14 cup (59ml) of milk and pour it into a skillet. Heat the eggs over medium-high heat and stir occasionally until they set. Then scoot the eggs to one side of the skillet and add a can of diced spam to the empty side of the skillet. Cook the spam for a few minutes so the spam gets hot. Serve the eggs and spam with toast or biscuits.[3]

    • You could use sliced spam instead of cubed spam.
    • For garnish, sprinkle chopped chives over top.
  2. 4 Ways to Cook Spam - wikiHow (10)

    2

    Cook spam, eggs, and cold rice to make spam fried rice. Heat a little oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook a can of diced spam along with your choice of vegetables. Stir in 2 cups of cooked rice and cook the mixture until the rice is hot throughout. Drizzle a little soy sauce over the fried rice just before serving.[4]

    • For extra protein, add 2 beaten eggs and scramble them until they're as cooked as you like.
  3. 3

    Stir-fry spam with garlic and noodles for a simple meal. Slice 1/2 of a can of spam into strips and cook them in a skillet over medium-high heat for 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in 1 clove of minced garlic and fry it for about 30 seconds. Then toss in 1 pound (450g) of cooked ramen. Season the noodles with garlic oil and soy sauce according to your taste.[5]

    • You can easily double this recipe if you'd like to make 2 servings.
  4. 4 Ways to Cook Spam - wikiHow (12)

    4

    Toss stir-fried green beans with spam for a filling side dish. Heat a drizzle of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir 1 can of cubed spam along with a little ground or fresh ginger. Then mix in trimmed string beans and cook them for 3 to 5 minutes so the beans soften.

    • Instead of seasoning the stir-fry with salt, use soy sauce.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Baking with Spam

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  1. 1

    Make twice-baked potatoes with spam. Bake about 6 russet potatoes in the oven until they're soft in the center. This should take about 1 hour at 375°F (191°C). Then remove the potatoes and cut them in half lengthwise. Scoop out the centers and mash them with salt and pepper. Stir in a can of diced spam and fill the potato skins with the mixture before serving them.[6]

    • For extra flavor, sprinkle the tops of the filled potatoes with shredded cheese, such as cheddar or pepperjack.

    Variation: To include more vegetables, sauté bell pepper strips or broccoli florets until they're soft. Then add them to the mashed potato mixture.

  2. 2

    Wrap dough around spam and roast it to create spam wellington. Instead of using expensive beef and puff pastry, push 2 whole spams on a baking sheet so they're touching. Sprinkle about 1/2 cup (100 g) of brown sugar over them and cover the spam with a can of biscuit dough. Bake the spam wellington at 350°F (177°C) for 30 minutes.[7]

    • The spam wellington should be golden brown once it's finished cooking.
    • Let the spam wellington rest for 10 minutes so the hot glaze doesn't burn you.
  3. 3

    Add chopped spam to your favorite casserole. For a flavorful pasta dish with more protein, dice a can of spam into small pieces and stir it into your prepared noodles. Consider using the spam in tuna noodle casserole, macaroni and cheese, or carbonara.[8]

    • Stir diced spam into cold noodle dishes as well. For example, add it to cold pasta salad.
  4. 4

    Bake a filling breakfast pizza with spam and eggs. Lay refrigerated pizza dough into a deep-dish pizza pan or skillet and bake it for 10 minutes at 350°F (177°C). Then whisk 5 eggs with 14 cup (59ml) of milk and pour it into the baked crust. Bake it for another 10 minutes so the eggs set. Sprinkle diced spam and your choice of toppings over the breakfast pizza and bake it for 3 to 5 minutes.[9]

    • For toppings, try shredded cheese, sliced tomatoes, chopped onion, or sliced olives.
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Using Spam in Burgers or Sandwiches

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  1. 4 Ways to Cook Spam - wikiHow (19)

    1

    Slice spam to make a classic spam sandwich. One of the simplest sandwiches to make with spam is spam between 2 pieces of buttered bread. Slice the spam and warm it in the microwave or in a skillet until it's hot throughout. Then butter 2 pieces of bread and layer the spam in between them.[10]

    • If you prefer, you don't have to heat the spam since it's already cooked.
    • Try adding a slice of spam to your next grilled cheese sandwich.

    Tip: White bread is a classic choice for making spam sandwiches, but you can use any bread you like. For example, try rye, sourdough, or whole-wheat for a more filling sandwich.

  2. 2

    Replace eggs, chicken, or tuna to make a spam salad sandwich. Instead of making a cold egg, chicken, or tuna salad sandwich, replace the protein with a can of diced spam. Mix the diced spam with pickle relish, mayonnaise, and your favorite seasonings before spreading it on bread.

    • You can also serve the spam salad with crackers or vegetable sticks.
  3. 3

    Grill sliced spam to create a spamburger. Instead of grilling a ground beef patty, open a can of spam and slice it into 4 equal pieces. Heat your gas or charcoal grill to medium-high and lay the spam slices on the grate. Grill the spam for 5 to 7 minutes and use tongs to turn them about halfway through the cooking time. Then arrange 1 slice between a hamburger bun and serve it with your favorite condiments.[11]

    • Try classic burger condiments, such as ketchup, mustard, relish, and cheese. You can also top the burger with flavorful ingredients such as sauerkraut or kimchi.
  4. 4 Ways to Cook Spam - wikiHow (22)

    4

    Create a Hawaiian spamburger with pineapple and hot sauce. For a burger with salty-sweet flavor, grill 4 slices of spam until they're hot throughout. While the spam is grilling, spread mayonnaise and a squirt of hot sauce, such as sriracha, on a bun. Then place a hot slice of spam on it. Top it with a piece of Swiss cheese and press the other bun on top.[12]

    • For spamburger that's even more filling, you can also put a standard ground beef patty between the buns.
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  • Question

    Is it wise to pre cook spam for a cafe?

    4 Ways to Cook Spam - wikiHow (23)

    Community Answer

    As Spam is precooked in the can, you can serve as is. However, for best results, you should put it in a skillet on medium high heat for 5 minutes, flipping half way through.

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  • Question

    Can spam be deep fried?

    4 Ways to Cook Spam - wikiHow (24)

    Community Answer

    Yes it can. Try cutting it into strips like french fries, then deep frying them.

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    Thank you for your feedback.
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  • Question

    Is spam healthy?

    4 Ways to Cook Spam - wikiHow (25)

    Community Answer

    No. The fat and salt content in store-bought spam is too high, and the meat itself is mostly made of off-cuts.

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    Thank you for your feedback.
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      About This Article

      4 Ways to Cook Spam - wikiHow (35)

      Reviewed by:

      Marrow Private Chefs

      Culinary Experts

      This article was reviewed by Marrow Private Chefs and by wikiHow staff writer, Jessica Gibson. Marrow Private Chefs are based in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. It is a chefs’ collective comprised of an ever-growing number of chefs and culinary professionals. Though regionally influenced primarily by coastal, traditional southern, cajun, and creole styles and flavors, the chefs at Marrow have a solid background in all types of cuisine with over 75 years of combined cooking experience. This article has been viewed 424,415 times.

      14 votes - 86%

      Co-authors: 18

      Updated: August 15, 2023

      Views:424,415

      Categories: Meat

      Article SummaryX

      To cook Spam in the oven, start by placing it in a baking dish and seasoning it. For an easy glaze, mix sugar, water, mustard, and vinegar, and pour it over the top of the Spam. Then, bake the Spam for 20 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Alternatively, you can cook Spam in oil on a stovetop. Just heat the oil over medium-high heat, dice the Spam, and fry it in the oil for 3 minutes. To learn how to cook Spam in the microwave, scroll down!

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      4 Ways to Cook Spam - wikiHow (2024)

      FAQs

      4 Ways to Cook Spam - wikiHow? ›

      You can microwave or stir-fry the spam until it's hot throughout. This should take up to 5 minutes if you're heating spam on the stove. If you're microwaving it, heat the spam for 30-second increments until it's hot. Variation: If you're baking the whole spam, roast it at 375 °F (191 °C) for about 20 minutes.

      What can I do with a can of Spam? ›

      Spam is actually a wonderful source of quick protein, often used in place of bacon or ham in recipes like tacos, burgers, stir-fries, quesadillas, and other simple, family-friendly recipes. So grab a can, and let's get Spammin'!

      What is the most popular way to eat Spam? ›

      Sandwiches are the most popular vehicle used to deliver SPAM® products to your chompers.

      Is Spam very unhealthy? ›

      Frequently indulging in high-fat foods like Spam without making adjustments to other parts of your diet could potentially increase your overall calorie intake and contribute to weight gain in the long run. Compared to other protein sources, Spam is high in fat and calories but low in protein.

      How to make Spam tastier? ›

      Frying the Spam before constructing the sandwich not only improves its texture and flavor, but also helps give the cheeses a head-start on melting. Add some griddled onions to the mix, replace the Wonderbread with rye, and you've got yourself one fine Spammy-melt.

      What's the best way to cook Spam? ›

      You can microwave or stir-fry the spam until it's hot throughout. This should take up to 5 minutes if you're heating spam on the stove. If you're microwaving it, heat the spam for 30-second increments until it's hot. Variation: If you're baking the whole spam, roast it at 375 °F (191 °C) for about 20 minutes.

      How many years will a can of Spam last? ›

      Shelf-stable canned ham (such as Spam) lasts 2 to 5 years on the shelf. After opening, it will generally be good for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.

      Is Spam worse than bacon? ›

      Bacon Contains More Fat Than Spam

      One 2-ounce serving of the original Spam variety contains 180 calories and just a handful of micronutrients like zinc, potassium, iron, and copper. It also boasts 16 grams of fat. Bacon, on the other hand, has about 263 calories in a 2-ounce portion with an estimated 19.6 grams of fat.

      What state eats the most Spam? ›

      Hawaii. Residents of the state of Hawaii have the highest per capita consumption in the United States, bringing in sales of 7 million cans of Spam per year.

      Is Spam worse than ham? ›

      Spam should be consumed in moderation. However, it is only barely less healthy than normal deli ham, so long as you don't factor in the damage Spam will do to your nostrils while cooking it.

      What does Spam stand for? ›

      Some say SPAM stands for Specially Processed American Meat, others believe it is a portmanteau for spiced ham, while others say it stands for Shoulder of Pork and Ham. As it relates to email, spam is not an acronym. What does the term spam refer to? Spam refers to unwanted, unsolicited junk emails.

      Why is Spam so popular in Hawaii? ›

      The true root of the island's love for SPAM® products goes back to World War II, when the luncheon meat was served to GIs. By the end of the war, SPAM® products were adopted into local culture, with Fried SPAM® Classic and rice becoming a popular meal.

      Can I eat Spam raw? ›

      You can eat Spam raw since all canned foods are pasteurized during the process. Also, you can eat raw spam straight from the can, but the smell can be quite unpleasant. Spam is a canned meat that is made of minced pork as well as processed in ham.

      What to do with an open can of Spam? ›

      Store it in the coldest part of your fridge, and it should stay fresh for a decent amount of time. If you've already taken the Spam out of the can, it's a good idea to transfer it into an airtight container. This will prevent the Spam from spoiling by minimizing its contact with the outside environment.

      How do I get Spam out of the can? ›

      One of the easiest hacks is to gently squeeze the can on its sides to help its walls release from the Spam. Doing this and lightly tapping the can will unstick your Spam and allow it to slide out in one solid piece. You may have to work at it for a few minutes to get the Spam out, but eventually, it should budge.

      What does Spam actually stand for? ›

      They mentioned that SPAM stands for "Specially Processed American Meat". To the residents of the UK during the war, I reckon that's what SPAM meant to them, which is a very accurate description, and there's nothing wrong with that.

      How many slices can you get out of a can of Spam? ›

      A: If you cut the meat properly i.e. lengthwise, you get 9 slices that look like the bottom on the can. If you have a brain cramp and cut the meat sideways, You get 9 small slices and a mental kick in the butt.

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