Spam musubi is Hawaii’s favorite grab-and-go snack: a slice of sweet-and-salty glazed Spam pressed between warm rice and wrapped in a strip of crisp nori. It’s simple, satisfying and perfect for lunch boxes, road trips and party platters.
Prep: 35 min
Cook: 5 min
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 can (12 ounces) reduced-sodium Spam, cut into 8 slices
- 2 teaspoons packed brown sugar, divided
- 4 teaspoons soy sauce
- 4 nori sheets, cut in half lengthwise
- 4 cups hot cooked short-grain rice
- Furikake, optional
Preparation
Step 1
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Lay the Spam slices in the pan, sprinkle them with half of the brown sugar and brush the tops with soy sauce. Cook until the undersides are golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Turn the slices, sprinkle with the rest of the brown sugar and brush again with soy sauce. Keep cooking until both sides are glazed and caramelized, 2 to 3 minutes more.
Step 2
Set one half-sheet of nori on a cutting board, rough side facing up. Dip a musubi mold in water and set it crosswise in the center of the nori. Spoon in 1/4 cup of the hot rice and press it down firmly with the mold’s lid. Add a slice of glazed Spam, then another 1/4 cup of rice, and press firmly again. Lift the mold away.
Step 3
Wrap the ends of the nori up and around the rice block. Repeat with the remaining nori, rice and Spam. Serve right away with extra soy sauce and a sprinkle of furikake if you like, or wrap each musubi tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Notes:
No oil is needed in the pan since Spam releases plenty of fat as it cooks. If the slices start to stick, lower the heat, add a splash of water and cover briefly to loosen them. Placing the nori rough side up helps it grip the rice, while the shiny side stays on the outside. No musubi mold? Line the empty Spam can with plastic wrap and use it as a press. For variations, mix furikake into the rice, add a thin layer of omelet under the Spam, or swap in chicken katsu.
Nutrition Facts
1 serving: 509 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 32mg cholesterol, 614mg sodium, 84g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 13g protein.