Steam Cooking Spam: Is It Possible?

Spam is a canned meat product made from ham and pork shoulder. It is a popular food item due to its long shelf life, ease of preparation, and versatility. While it is safe to eat straight out of the can, many people prefer to cook it before consuming it. Various cooking methods can be used, including frying, baking, microwaving, and steaming.

Steaming is a viable option for cooking Spam. One way to do this is to use a saucepan with a lid. Simply heat the pan over medium heat, add a little oil, and then place the Spam in the pan. Cover the pan and cook the meat for a few minutes until it is heated through. Another option is to use a rice cooker. After washing and soaking the rice, add water or vegetable stock to the cooker, along with the desired amount of Spam. Set the cooker to the appropriate setting and let it cook until the rice and Spam are ready.

Can you steam cook spam?

Steam cooking spam in a saucepan

Spam is a pre-cooked meat product, so it can be eaten straight from the can. However, if you want to heat it up, steaming is a great option. Here is a guide to steam-cooking spam in a saucepan:

Preparing the Spam

Before you start, you'll need to open the can of spam and slide the meat out onto a cutting board. Then, use a knife to carefully slice the spam into pieces. You can cut the spam into thin, even slices or chop it into cubes, depending on your preference.

Steaming the Spam

• Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. There's no need to add oil or water to the pan.
• Place the sliced spam in the pan, laying the pieces flat in one or two layers.
• Let the spam cook until you hear it sizzle.
• Flip the spam and cook the other side until you hear it sizzle again. If you have multiple layers, "reshuffle" the pieces so that a warm piece is in the middle. You can use tongs or your fingers to do this, as the meat won't be very hot.
• Using non-stick tongs, break up the meat and flip it around so that it's no longer flat.
• Continue cooking for another minute, using tongs to mix the meat every 20 seconds to prevent burning.
• Your spam is now ready to eat!

Tips:

• Remember that spam is already cooked, so you just need to warm it up. There's no need to overcook it.
• If you prefer your spam crispy, you can fry it in a pan with a little oil instead of steaming it.
• If you want to add cheese, sauce, or seasoning to your spam, add it after you've flipped and reshuffled the meat.

Microwaving spam

Spam is a canned meat product that has been around since 1937. It is made of pork, ham, salt, water, potato starch, sugar, and sodium nitrite. It is fully cooked and safe to eat straight out of the can. However, if you want to heat it up, you can use a microwave. Here is a guide on how to microwave spam:

Steps to Microwave Spam:

• Remove the spam from the can using a can opener or a knife. Be careful of the sharp edges. You may need to run a knife around the edges to loosen it.
• Slice or dice the spam according to your preference. You can cut it into thin slices, cubes, or strips.
• Place the spam on a microwave-safe plate or bowl. Avoid using metal or foil containers as they can damage the microwave and cause fires. Use a single layer of spam and avoid overlapping the pieces.
• Cover the spam with a paper towel or a microwave-safe lid to prevent splatters and keep the moisture in. Do not use plastic wrap or wax paper as they can melt.
• Microwave the spam on high power for 1 to 3 minutes, depending on the amount and thickness. Check and flip it every 30 seconds for even heating. Do not overcook, as it can dry out.
• Enjoy your hot and juicy microwaved spam! You can eat it plain or add condiments like mustard, ketchup, or mayo. You can also use it in sandwiches, salads, or stir-fries.

Tips for Microwaving Spam:

• Always remove spam from the can before microwaving. The can is made of metal and can cause sparks or fires in the microwave.
• Microwaving spam is a quick and easy way to heat it up, but it won't get a crispy, brown exterior.
• If you want a crispy texture, you can fry the spam first and then reheat it in the microwave.
• Microwaving spam for 30-second increments is recommended to ensure even heating.
• Leftover microwaved spam can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Frying spam

Preparing the Spam:

• Start by removing the Spam from the can and placing it on a cutting board. You can use a can opener to make it easier to get the meat out.
• Cut the Spam into your desired thickness. You can slice it into thin rounds or thicker strips, depending on your preference. Thinner slices will cook faster and result in a crispier texture.
• If you want to add extra flavour to your Spam, you can season the slices with your favourite spices. Some popular options include garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, or even a pinch of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.

Frying the Spam:

• Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium to medium-high heat. You can add a small amount of vegetable oil or peanut oil to the pan if you like, but it's not necessary as Spam is already cooked and contains oil.
• Place the Spam slices in the pan, making sure they don't overlap. You may need to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
• Cook the Spam slices for about 2-5 minutes on each side, or until they develop a crispy, golden-brown exterior. Adjust the heat as needed to prevent burning.
• Once cooked, transfer the fried Spam to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil.

Serving Suggestions:

• Fried Spam is a versatile dish that can be served in many ways. You can serve it as a main course alongside rice, noodles, or your favourite side dishes.
• For a classic Hawaii-inspired breakfast, serve fried Spam with eggs and rice, or try it in a Spam musubi (rice and Spam wrapped in nori).
• Fried Spam is also great for sandwiches or sliders, and can be added to stir-fries or chopped up for salads.
• For a tasty treat, cut the Spam into thick matchsticks and deep-fry them. Serve with a spicy Sriracha mayo for dipping.

Boiling spam

However, boiling spam will cause it to lose some of its flavour, so it is recommended to fry the spam before boiling it to give it that unique fried spam taste.

One recipe recommends boiling the spam and then frying it with a panko coating. To do this, mix panko, bread crumbs, pepper, salt, and Italian seasoning in a shallow dish. Coat the boiled spam with the mixture, pressing it into the meat. Fry the coated spam in a skillet with olive oil for about two minutes on each side, then top with sauce and cheese and place under the broiler until the cheese is melted.

Another recipe recommends boiling the spam and then frying it with eggs. To do this, beat some eggs in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the spam to the pan with the raw egg and cook for about ten minutes, until the eggs are solid. Sprinkle cheese over the eggs while they are still hot so that the cheese melts.

It is important to note that boiling spam will not affect its texture. It will not fall apart, even when boiled for hours.

Cooking spam in an air fryer

Air frying is a quick and easy way to cook spam without using lots of oil. It's also a great way to achieve a crispy exterior while keeping the inside juicy.

Ingredients:

• 1 can of Spam (12 oz)
• Brown sugar
• Shoyu (Japanese soy sauce) or soy sauce
• Mirin (optional)
• Sesame oil (optional)

Method:

Prepare the Spam:

Slice the Spam into 8 equal pieces. If you want to get creative, you can also cut the Spam into thin strips or fries.

Make the Marinade (optional):

Mix brown sugar and shoyu in a shallow pan. Place the Spam slices in the marinade and let them sit for 10-15 minutes. This step is optional but will add a smoky and sweet flavour to your Spam.

Preheat the Air Fryer:

Set your air fryer temperature to between 370-400°F and let it heat up.

Air Fry the Spam:

Arrange the Spam slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching. Cook for 5 minutes, then flip each slice and cook for another 5 minutes. For crispier Spam, increase the cooking time slightly.

Serve:

Remove the Spam from the air fryer and let it cool slightly before serving.

Serving Suggestions:

• Spam Musubi: Layer short-grain rice, furikake, and Spam, then wrap with nori seaweed sheets.
• Sandwich: Serve Spam in a sandwich with your favourite condiments.
• Rice Bowl: Serve Spam with white rice and a fried egg, or with vegetables such as cucumber, avocado, green onion, and nori.
• Salad: Chop up the Spam and add it to a salad.
• Potatoes: Pair Spam with pan-fried potatoes.

Tips:

• For crispy and evenly cooked results, be sure to flip the Spam halfway through the cooking time.
• You can add your favourite spices and seasonings to your Spam. If you do, add a touch of oil so that the herbs stick to the surface.
• You don't need to preheat the air fryer with this recipe. The preheating can be done with the Spam already inside, which will take about 2-3 minutes.

Enjoy your delicious and crispy Air Fryer Spam!

Frequently asked questions