Spam and Potato Stir-Fry: The Secret to Perfectly Cooked Potatoes
Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside! Spam and Potato Stir-Fry Recipe | Simple Seasoning for Maximum Flavor!
A delicious stir-fry featuring everyone’s favorite Spam and potatoes. I’ll share a special tip for keeping the potatoes from falling apart while stir-frying! With simple seasoning, you can achieve a fantastic taste, perfect as a side dish for rice or a snack for kids.
Main Ingredients
- 260g Potatoes (about 1 medium)
- 230g Onion (about 1/2 medium)
- 50g Carrot
- 100g Spam
- 110g Bacon
- 10 cloves Garlic
Seasoning
- 2 Tbsp Perilla Oil (Deulgireum)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 1 Tbsp Oyster Sauce
- Pinch of Black Pepper
- 2 Tbsp Perilla Oil (Deulgireum)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 1 Tbsp Oyster Sauce
- Pinch of Black Pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s prepare the ingredients for a delicious Spam and potato stir-fry. The potato I used was quite large, weighing 260g, and half an onion came out to 230g, so a medium-sized onion would be about right. You can also add bok choy or scallions for a fragrant touch when vegetables are in season. I’m using whole garlic cloves instead of minced garlic, as minced garlic can sometimes clump and look messy during stir-frying.
Step 2
Peel the potatoes and cut them into long, thin strips about 5mm thick. In a large bowl, add 800ml of water and 1 tablespoon of salt, stir until dissolved. Then, add the julienned potatoes and let them soak for 10 minutes. After soaking, rinse the potatoes gently under cold water and drain them thoroughly in a colander. This step is crucial for preventing the potatoes from breaking apart while stir-frying, keeping their shape beautifully.
Step 3
Slice the Spam into approximately 1cm thick pieces. Cut the bacon into strips about 2cm wide. Slice the onion into strips about 1cm thick, similar to the potatoes. Cut the carrot into thin slices about 2mm thick and 5cm long. Cutting all ingredients into similar sizes ensures they cook evenly.
Step 4
Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of perilla oil. Add the drained potatoes and whole garlic cloves. Instead of stirring immediately, gently shake the pan or stir slightly to coat the potatoes evenly with oil. This prevents them from sticking to the pan and helps them brown nicely.
Step 5
Spread the oiled potatoes evenly across the bottom of the frying pan. Laying them in a single layer without overlapping allows heat to distribute evenly, cooking them more deliciously.
Step 6
Cover the frying pan with a lid and cook over medium heat for about 1 minute. This short period will start to cook the potatoes halfway through, making them tender on the inside.
Step 7
Remove the lid and add the prepared bacon and Spam. Stir-fry together for about 1 minute. The fat rendered from the bacon and Spam will blend with the potatoes, adding richer flavor.
Step 8
Now it’s time to add 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce for that umami boost. The potatoes are already lightly seasoned from the salt soak, and the bacon and Spam are also quite salty, so oyster sauce alone is usually sufficient. Taste and add a tiny pinch of salt if you prefer it saltier.
Step 9
This is the final stir-frying stage! Just before turning off the heat, add the sliced onions and carrots. Quickly stir-fry everything together (‘hwiriruk’) until well combined. It’s best to stir-fry over high heat for a short time to prevent the vegetables from becoming too mushy.
Step 10
Turn off the heat, drizzle with 1 tablespoon of sesame oil for a nutty aroma, and sprinkle with a pinch of black pepper to finish. Give it one last gentle mix to combine all ingredients. Your delicious Spam and potato stir-fry is ready!
Step 11
This finished Spam and potato stir-fry is incredibly delicious, with the perfect harmony of salty Spam and bacon, the soft texture of potatoes, and the subtle sweetness of the vegetables. It’s wonderful served over rice like a donburi, or as a popular side dish for bento boxes. It’s a fantastic meal that both kids and adults will love.
