Homemade SPAM

Homemade Spam

Homemade Spam is one of my favorite convenience foods! It’s tender, full of flavor, and so much better than the store-bought canned version. I recently made a big batch and ended up with about 50 slices. The top portions were vacuum-sealed and frozen for later, while the bottom went straight into my husband’s lunches for the week. (And yes — there’s even a little heart-shaped slice for extra love!)

Ingredients (Makes 1 large loaf ≈ 2.5–3 lbs)

* 2¼ lbs ground pork (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)

* ¾ lb ground ham (or finely chopped ham)

* ⅓ cup potato starch (or cornstarch)

* ⅔ cup ice water

* 2½ teaspoons kosher salt

* ¾ teaspoon pink curing salt (Prague Powder #1) — optional but recommended for color and longer keeping

* 2½ tablespoons sugar

* 1½ tablespoons garlic powder

* 1¼ teaspoons onion powder

* ¾ teaspoon white pepper

* ¾ teaspoon paprika

Instructions

1. Grind the pork and ham together until very fine (almost paste-like) using a food processor or meat grinder.

2. Mix the potato starch with the ice water to make a slurry. In a separate bowl, combine all the dry seasonings.

3. In a stand mixer or large bowl, add the ground meat, slurry, and seasonings. Mix thoroughly for 3–4 minutes until the mixture becomes very sticky and well emulsified.

4. Press the mixture firmly into a greased loaf pan (or several smaller pans). Smooth the top and cover tightly with foil.

5. Bake in a water bath at 325°F (165°C) for about 1½ hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).

6. Cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours (overnight is best) so it firms up for clean slicing.

7. Remove from the pan and slice thinly (about ⅛-inch thick for classic Spam-style slices).

Storage

* Refrigerator: Up to 2 weeks in an airtight container.

* Freezer: Vacuum-seal the slices or portions and freeze for up to 6 months.

To Serve

Fry the slices until crispy and golden. Enjoy in sandwiches, fried rice, breakfast with eggs, musubi, casseroles, or right from the pan!

This homemade version is more affordable, fresher, and incredibly versatile. Perfect for meal prep and stocking the freezer!