Day-After Christmas Fried Rice Using Holiday Leftovers

This recipe for Day-After Christmas Fried Rice is our family’s most beloved post-holiday tradition. Every year on December 26th, we wake up to a fridge absolutely packed with the glorious remnants of our Noche Buena feast: a Tupperware of leftover ham, shredded roast chicken, and a massive bowl of rice. The thought of eating another plate of the exact same meal, however, can feel a little daunting. I wanted to find a way to transform those leftovers into something new and exciting.

My first attempt at a holiday fried rice was a chaotic mess. I just chopped up all the leftovers and threw them into a pan with some rice. The sweet holiday ham clashed with the savory chicken, and the whole thing became a bit of a greasy, disjointed pile. It was edible, but it wasn’t the delicious, cohesive meal I was hoping for. It was a far cry from the perfect Day-After Christmas Fried Rice I had envisioned.

The breakthrough came when I started treating it like a proper Filipino sinangag, but with a festive twist. The key was to use cold, day-old rice (bahaw), which fries up beautifully. I diced the ham and chicken into small, uniform pieces so you get a little bit of everything in each bite. The most important part was the sauce: a simple mixture of soy sauce and a tiny pinch of sugar to complement the salty ham and savory chicken, tying all the holiday flavors together. This was the secret to a truly great Day-After Christmas Fried Rice.

This recipe is the perfected version of that tradition. It has become the meal we all look forward to even more than the feast itself. This Day-After Christmas Fried Rice is the most delicious way to honor our holiday leftovers, turning them into a comforting, savory, and utterly satisfying breakfast (or lunch, or dinner!) that keeps the festive spirit going.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Here’s why you will be obsessed with this Day-After Christmas Fried Rice recipe:

• The Ultimate Use for Leftovers: It’s the most delicious and creative way to use up your leftover Noche Buena ham, chicken, and rice.
• Reduces Food Waste: This Christmas Fried Rice gives your holiday leftovers a brand new life, ensuring nothing goes to waste.
• Ready in 15 Minutes: After a day of big cooking, this meal is a lightning-fast and easy way to get a satisfying meal on the table.
• A Perfect Blend of Flavors: It beautifully combines the sweet, salty, and savory flavors of your holiday feast into one cohesive dish.

Health Benefits

This Day-After Christmas Fried Rice is a smart and balanced way to enjoy your leftovers. It combines protein from the leftover ham or chicken with carbohydrates from the rice for a complete and energizing meal. You can easily boost the nutritional value by tossing in any leftover vegetables you might have, like carrots or green beans. It’s a much more wholesome choice than simply reheating leftovers with heavy sauces or gravies.

The Perfect Occasion for Day-After Christmas Fried Rice

This recipe was born for the day after the big feast, but it’s perfect for many moments.

• The Official December 26th Breakfast: There is no better way to start the day after Christmas.
• A Quick Post-Holiday Lunch or Dinner: It’s the perfect easy meal when you’re all cooked-out from the holiday preparations.
• A Go-To for Any Holiday Leftovers: This recipe works great after New Year’s or any big family gathering.
• A Budget-Friendly Meal: It’s a delicious way to stretch your holiday food and get another amazing meal out of your ingredients.

This Day-After Christmas Fried Rice is your key to transforming holiday leftovers into a new, delicious, and eagerly awaited family tradition.

Chef’s Notes: After Holiday Ham Fried Rice

• Use cold, day-old rice for best texture – Fresh rice tends to clump and turn mushy; chilled rice separates easily.

• Crisp ham before mixing – Browning edges adds smoky depth and prevents sogginess in the final dish.

• Season eggs lightly with soy sauce – This keeps rice golden and fluffy while adding subtle umami.

• Cook vegetables quickly to retain color – A short sauté keeps peas, carrots, and corn vibrant and crisp.

• Break rice clumps with spatula – Gentle tossing ensures even heating and prevents sticking.

• Add eggs at the end for coating – Softly scrambled eggs bind rice grains, creating signature fried rice texture.

• Taste and adjust seasoning carefully – Ham is naturally salty, so add kosher salt sparingly.

• Optional garnishes elevate freshness – Green onions, cilantro, or crispy shallots add brightness and crunch.

• Pair with light sides for balance – Steamed greens or cucumber salad complement the richness of ham.

• Vegan-friendly swaps available – Replace ham with smoked tempeh or mushrooms, and eggs with tofu scramble.

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After Holiday Ham Fried Rice

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: Lunch, Main CourseCuisine: American, ChineseDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

15

minutes

Calories

350

kcal

Total time

25

minutes

Dive into this delightful After Holiday Ham Fried Rice, a perfect way to transform your leftover festive ham into a quick, tasty, and healthy one-dish meal. Bursting with colorful vegetables, fluffy rice, and richly flavored ham, this recipe promises a golden, fluffy texture without the sogginess of soy sauce. Ideal for busy weeknights or post-holiday clean-up, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to make and highly customizable. You’ll love how the savory ham and fresh veggies mingle with fluffy scrambled eggs for a satisfying dish that brings all the comfort of home cooking.

Ingredients

• Proteins Eggs

• 1 ½ cups diced leftover holiday ham cubed into 1-inch pieces

• 4 large eggs lightly beaten, optionally separating two whites for a lighter texture

• Vegetables

• 2 cups frozen vegetable mix peas, diced carrots, and corn kernels

• ½ medium yellow onion chopped into medium dice

• 1 large garlic clove finely minced

• Staples Seasonings

• 3 tablespoons peanut oil or any high smoke point cooking oil (canola, vegetable)

• 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce reserved just for beating into eggs

• kosher salt to taste

• white pepper to taste

• optional garnishes chopped fresh cilantro or green onions, crispy fried shallots

• Base

• 3 cups leftover cooked white rice preferably refrigerated overnight, separated with a fork before use

• Alternative Ingredients

• Ham: Substitute with cooked turkey or cooked chicken breast for a leaner protein alternative. For a vegetarian option use sautéed mushrooms or smoked tofu.

• Peanut Oil: Use avocado oil or grapeseed oil for a similar high-heat cooking substitute.

• Frozen Vegetable Mix: Fresh diced carrots peas, and sweet corn can replace frozen if available. Alternatively, substitute with bell peppers, broccoli florets, or snap peas for variation.

• Soy Sauce: Use tamari or coconut aminos for gluten-free or soy-free replacements; remember it’s only mixed into the eggs so minimal flavor change on rice.

• Kosher Salt: Sea salt or Himalayan pink salt work fine as substitutes.

• White Pepper: Black pepper is a fine alternative though it has a stronger flavor and darker specks in the rice.

Directions

• Egg Preparation – Beat and Season: In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce until smooth and uniform. This subtly seasons the eggs while keeping the rice itself pure and fluffy. Set aside. (Approx. 5 minutes.)
• Ham Crisping – Render and Brown: Heat 1 tablespoon of peanut oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced ham cubes and fry until the edges start to caramelize and a bit of fat renders out, about 3-4 minutes. Transfer ham to a plate and reserve oil in pan. (Approx. 5 minutes.)
• Aromatics and Vegetables – Sauté and Soften: Add remaining oil to the skillet with ham oil and warm over medium heat. Toss in minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add diced onions and frozen vegetable mix and sauté until vegetables are tender but still crisp, about 2-3 minutes. This allows vegetables to retain a fresh texture and color. (Approx. 3-4 minutes.)
• Rice Incorporation – Heat Through and Season: Stir in the cold cooked rice, breaking up any clumps with a spatula. Continuously stir and toss the rice with vegetables on medium-high heat to warm through evenly but avoid sticking or mushiness. Season the mixture lightly with kosher salt and white pepper, tasting to adjust. (Approx. 3-4 minutes.)
• Final Mixing – Coating and Melding: Add the softly cooked eggs to the rice mixture. Stir vigorously to coat each grain of rice with egg, ham, and vegetables. This step builds the signature texture and flavor characteristic of authentic fried rice. Taste, adjusting salt or white pepper, and optionally add chili flakes or powder for a spicy kick. (Approx. 2 minutes.)
• Serve and Garnish – Personal Touch: Remove from heat once everything is evenly cooked and heated through. Transfer to serving dish and garnish with fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, or crunchy shallots for added texture and freshness. Serve immediately for best taste and texture. (Optional resting 2 minutes if needed.)

Equipment

• nonstick pan
• Mixing bowls
• chef’s knife
• cutting board
• measuring cups and spoons
• spatula

Notes

• For best results, make sure your rice is fully cooled and preferably refrigerated to prevent clumping and mushiness. Avoid using freshly made hot rice unless it is properly dried and cooled beforehand. Always taste your fried rice during seasoning to avoid over-salting, especially because leftover ham tends to be salty. For extra flavor, you can add chopped green onions or a splash of toasted sesame oil at the end, but keep it minimal to maintain the authentic light color. This fried rice pairs beautifully with a simple side of steamed green vegetables or a light Asian-style cucumber salad. If you want more protein, adding cooked shrimp or diced chicken adds a hearty touch. To make it vegan, swap eggs for crumbled firm tofu and replace ham with smoked tempeh or mushrooms.

Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 350kcal
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.5g
• Monounsaturated Fat: 3.2g
• Cholesterol: 180mg
• Sodium: 620mg
• Potassium: 320mg
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 3g
• Protein: 22g
• Vitamin A: 600IU
• Vitamin C: 8mg
• Calcium: 50mg
• Iron: 2mg

FAQs: After Holiday Ham Fried Rice

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