Corned Beef Hash using SPAM

Me: Can you make corned beef hash with SPAM?

ChatGPT: Oh yes — absolutely! 😄 You can make a fantastic corned beef–style hash with SPAM, and it turns out crispy, savory, and every bit as satisfying as the traditional version.

Here’s how to do it 👇

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🥓 SPAM Hash (Corned Beef Hash Style)

Servings: 3–4
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes

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Ingredients

• 1 (12 oz) can SPAM (Classic, Low Sodium, or Hickory Smoked all work great)
• 3 cups diced potatoes (or frozen hash browns)
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp oil (vegetable, canola, or bacon grease)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Optional add-ins:
  • ½ green bell pepper, diced
  • ½ tsp paprika or smoked paprika
  • Dash of Worcestershire sauce or hot sauce
  • Shredded cheese or fried eggs for topping

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Instructions

1. Prep the SPAM:

   • Cut the SPAM into small cubes (about ½ inch).
   • If you like it extra crispy, you can briefly fry the cubes in a dry skillet for 2–3 minutes first, then remove and set aside.

2. Cook the potatoes:

   • Heat the butter and oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
   • Add the diced potatoes and let them cook undisturbed for several minutes to form a crispy crust.
   • Stir occasionally until golden and tender (about 10–12 minutes).
   • If using frozen hash browns, cook until browned and crispy.

3. Add onions (and peppers, if using):

   • Stir in the onion and cook another 3–4 minutes until softened and fragrant.

4. Add SPAM:

   • Add the SPAM cubes back to the skillet.
   • Stir everything together, pressing down gently with your spatula to get that nice crusty layer.
   • Let it fry undisturbed for 3–4 minutes, then stir and repeat until everything’s browned and crispy.

5. Season and serve:

   • Add black pepper and taste before salting (SPAM is already quite salty).
   • Optional: a few dashes of Worcestershire or hot sauce bring out a nice corned beef flavor.
   • Serve topped with fried or poached eggs, and maybe a little shredded cheese or parsley.

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💡 Tips & Variations

• Sweet potato hash: Swap in diced sweet potatoes for a slightly sweet, smoky version.
• SPAM & eggs skillet: Crack 2–3 eggs directly on top of the hash, cover, and cook on low until the eggs are set to your liking.
• Add crunch: Sprinkle crushed breakfast hash browns or even a little panko before serving for an extra-crispy finish.

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