Add this Hawaiian favorite to your next dinner spread and you’ll have everyone coming back for seconds!
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My first encounter with musubi was with a recipe I tried from my co-op’s bi-monthly magazine. It was absolutely delicious, and I’ve made it several times since. Except, my co-op’s recipe called for tofu instead of Spam. Frankly, that was just fine by me. I had never had Spam before, but by the looks of all the pictures I’d seen of this salty protein, I wasn’t missing much. But when I learned that Spam musubi was considered a Hawaiian staple, I just had to try the real deal.
Spam musubi is all about the marinade, a simple mix of soy sauce, sugar, and oyster sauce. This gives the spam a distinct umami flavor with a touch of savory sweetness. Then, of course, there is the sticky sushi rice and the nori sheet that holds everything together. Best of all, it’s fairly easy to make and is always a hit among friends and family!
Is Spam Musubi Healthy?
Oh, I wish it was because it’s so delicious. Unfortunately, Spam contains a fair amount of fat. It’s also a processed meat, so the salt count is pretty high. I’d definitely recommend using low-sodium soy sauce or even coconut aminos for this recipe. And feel free to swap the Spam with tofu for a tasty (and healthy) alternative.
White rice or Sushi rice?
Long-grain white rice usually isn’t that sticky and falls apart fairly easily. However, if you can’t find any sushi rice, medium-grain white rice can be a suitable substitute. That said, it won’t bind as well as sushi rice. To make white rice stickier, rinse it less before cooking to retain more starch and add more water during the cooking process.
Sushi rice isn’t always available at your regular grocery store, so you may have to venture out to the local Asian market. This small inconvenience is totally worth it because when making Spam musubi, sushi rice reigns supreme. Sushi rice is quite sticky, which helps the rice hold together better when forming the musubi. This stickiness maintains the shape and integrity of the musubi. Never made sushi rice before? That’s okay. I’ve got an easy-to-follow recipe right here.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 can Spam (12 ounces)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup oyster sauce
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 6 cups cooked sushi rice
- 4 sheets nori (roasted seaweed, cut into halves or thirds)
INSTRUCTIONS
Marinate
Slice and marinate Spam.
Cook
Fry Spam until crispy.
Assemble
Layer rice and Spam, and wrap with nori.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
If making ahead, store the rice and Spam separately and wrap in nori just before serving. Leftovers should be good in the fridge for up to 3 days before the sushi rice loses its texture.
The marinade will inevitably seep into the nori, so assemble the musubi right before eating to keep the nori crispy.
For sure! I like adding a slice of avocado and a thin layer of scrambled eggs to mine! Yum.
That’s no big deal. You can shape the rice using plastic wrap and your hands, an empty Spam can with both ends removed, or even a DIY mold made from sturdy cardboard covered in foil!
Serving Suggestions
Spam musubi is the perfect addition to any Hawaiian-themed meal. A Spicy Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl works well. If you’re especially hungry, why not make a few Hawaiian Pizza Burgers? Or go for something lighter like these Vegan Mango Summer Rolls. And after all that food, you’ll probably be thirsty, so wash it down with a refreshing Blue Hawaiian Cocktail! Aloha!
Spam Musubi
Ingredients
- 1 can Spam 12 ounces
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup oyster sauce
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 6 cups cooked sushi rice
- 4 sheets nori roasted seaweed, cut into halves or thirds
Instructions
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Slice the Spam into 8-10 slices. Mix soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar until sugar is dissolved. Marinate Spam slices in the mixture for about 15 minutes.
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Drain off marinade and fry Spam slices over medium heat until slightly crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side.
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Place a strip of nori on a clean surface. Place a musubi mold across the middle of the nori.
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Add sushi rice to the mold, pressing down firmly to about 1-1.5 inches thick. Remove the mold.
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Place a slice of cooked Spam on top of the rice. Wrap one side of the nori over the Spam, then wrap the other side, sealing with a bit of water if needed.
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Serve warm. Optionally, you can dip in soy sauce or enjoy as is.
Nutrition
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