How to Make a Delicious Spam Musubi in 6 Easy Steps

If you’re a fan of Hawaiian cuisine, you’ve probably heard of the spam musubi. This tasty treat is a popular snack in Hawaii and has become increasingly popular across the world. It’s a simple dish that combines the flavors of spam, rice, and nori seaweed. In this article, we’ll take you through the step-by-step process of how to make a delicious spam musubi in relaxed English.

Firstly, let’s clarify what Spam is. It’s basically a canned meat that is made from ground pork and ham. It’s salty, savory, and a little bit sweet, making it the perfect ingredient for this recipe. To make a spam musubi, you will need some cooked white rice, nori sheets, and spam slices. You can also add some seasoning or sauce to add some depth to the flavor. With just a little bit of preparation, you can make this delicious and easy snack, so let’s get started!

Ingredients Needed to Make Spam Musubi

One of the reasons why Spam Musubi is a popular dish is because the ingredients needed to make it are relatively easy to find. Most of the ingredients required are readily available in grocery stores. What’s more, they are affordable, which means that you can make this delicacy on a budget. Below are the primary ingredients you need to consider:

1. Canned Spam

Canned Spam is the core ingredient of this mouth-watering dish. One can of Spam will make approximately six Spam Musubis. You can purchase this canned meat in any grocery store or online. It comes in different flavors, including Garlic, Black Pepper, Teriyaki, and Cheese. So, select your preferred flavor and use it to prepare your Spam Musubi.

2. Short Grain Rice

Short-grain rice is the most preferred variety to use for Spam Musubi since it has a sticky texture that holds everything in place. When you cook it, it needs to be firm, but not too sticky. You can get this item in most grocery stores, at the Asian food section.

3. Seasoning

Spam Musubi typically uses soy sauce as seasoning. You can also use mirin, which adds sweetness to the dish or seasoning of your own choice, which makes it unique and to your flavor preference.

4. Nori Sheets

Another vital ingredient in making Spam Musubi is Nori sheets. They are thin, dried seaweed sheets that wrap the Spam and rice, giving it the finished product’s distinct look. You can find nori sheets in the Asian foods aisle at any grocery store.

5. Sugar

Add granulated sugar to the mixture that you put on the Spam so that it can caramelized when you grill the Spam.

6. Furikake

Furikake is a dry mixed seasoning. It may contain a variety of ingredients such as fish, egg, vegetables, and seaweed. Furikake is sprinkled on top of the rice to add taste and nutrition. You can easily find it at any Asian grocery stores.

7. Rice Vinegar

Rice vinegar adds a tangy taste to the rice and helps to preserve it. You can purchase it in grocery stores.

8. Japanese Mayonnaise

Japanese mayonnaise is much creamier and sweeter than its Western counterpart. It adds unique flavor to the spam musubi.

9. Water

Water is an essential ingredient for preparing the rice.

10. Equipment Needed to Prepare the Dish

To make your Spam Musubi, you’ll need a Musubi Maker, Rice Cooker, a Frying Pan, a Bowl, and a pair of sharp scissors.

Each of these ingredients is crucial to the overall success of this delectable dish. Make sure to have them all before you start. In the next section of this article, we will look at how to make Spam Musubi.

Preparing the Ingredients for Spam Musubi

Spam musubi is a simple yet scrumptious snack that requires only a handful of ingredients. The dish is perfect for those who are in a hurry or those looking for a quick bite on the go. Here are the steps to prepare the ingredients for this delicious Hawaiian dish:

1. Gather Your Ingredients

Spam musubi requires only a few ingredients, which can easily be found in the local grocery store. You will need some sushi rice, nori seaweed sheets, soy sauce, sugar, and, of course, Spam. You may also opt to add some additional items like scallions, cucumber, or mayonnaise to take your musubi to the next level.

2. Cook Your Rice

The base of your musubi is sushi rice, which can be cooked on the stove or rice cooker. Rinse your rice in cold water until the water runs clear. Then, add the rice to your pot with the right amount of water and bring it to a boil. Cover your pot with a tight-fitting lid and let it simmer until the water is completely absorbed.

3. Season the Rice

Once the rice is cooked, it’s time to season it. In a small bowl, combine soy sauce and sugar and stir until the sugar dissolves. Add the soy sauce mixture to the cooked rice and mix it thoroughly until each grain is coated.

4. Slice Your Spam into Even Pieces

Open the can of Spam and remove it from the container. Slice it into even pieces using a sharp knife. You can make your musubi with whichever portion size you prefer.

5. Fry Your Spam

Heat a frying pan or griddle over medium heat and add your sliced Spam. Fry it until it gets crispy and golden brown, flipping it over to cook both sides evenly.

6. Prepare Your Nori

Nori sheets come in different sizes, but it’s best to use a full sheet for each musubi. Cut the nori to the length of your Spam slices to make it easier to wrap.

7. Layering Your Ingredients

Now that all the ingredients are prepared, it’s time to assemble your musubi. Start by placing a sheet of nori on a cutting board, then add a layer of rice. The rice should be about one-third the thickness of the Spam. Add your cooked Spam slice and gently press it down, so it is stuck onto the rice. You can add another layer of rice on top of the Spam if desired.

8. Wrap Your Musubi

Fold the nori in half, pressing it together to keep the ingredients in place. Press down to ensure that the ingredients are sticking together. Then, use the remaining nori to bind the sides together.

9. Slice into Portions

To serve, take out a sharp knife and slice your musubi into desired portions. Slicing should be done with a single, clean, and firm motion to ensure your musubi remains in its shape.

10. Enjoy Your Spam Musubi

Lastly, the only thing left to do is to enjoy your homemade Spam musubi. It can be eaten as a snack on its own or as part of a larger meal. The preparation process can be a bit long, but the finished product is worth every second!

Ingredients and Equipment Needed

When it comes to making a spam musubi, you don’t need a lot of fancy equipment or hard-to-find ingredients. Here are the basics:

Note: You can also add your own twist by using different types of protein, such as bacon or teriyaki chicken, and adding various fillings like avocado, egg, or cucumber.

Preparing the Spam

The first step to make a spam musubi is preparing the spam. Open the can of spam and remove it from the can. Cut the spam into eight equal slices, approximately 1/4 inch thick.

In a frying pan over medium heat, cook the spam slices until they are golden brown on each side, about 2-3 minutes per side. Once they are done cooking, set them aside on a plate.

Cooking the Rice

Now, to cook the sushi rice, add the uncooked rice and water to your cooking pot. Bring the water to a boil and then reduce the heat to low. Let the rice simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until all the water has been absorbed.

In a small bowl, mix together the rice vinegar and sugar until the sugar has dissolved. Once your rice is cooked, pour this mixture over your rice and gently mix together.

Shaping the Musubi

Next, it’s time to shape your musubi. Take your sushi mold or rectangular container and line it with a sheet of nori. Spread a thin layer of rice over the nori, leaving a border of approximately 1/2 inch on all sides.

Place a slice of spam on top of the rice and cover the spam with another layer of rice, pressing down gently. Fold the nori over the rice and spam and press down to seal.

If you don’t have a sushi mold or rectangular container, you can use your hands to shape the rice and spam into a rectangle.

Serving the Musubi

Finally, it’s time to serve your spam musubi. Use a sharp knife to cut your musubi into slices, approximately 1 inch thick. Serve with a side of soy sauce for dipping and enjoy!

Tips: If you plan to serve your spam musubi later, wrap each slice individually in plastic wrap to ensure freshness.

Closing Thoughts

I hope you enjoyed learning how to make a spam musubi! It’s the perfect snack whether you’re on-the-go or just craving something salty and savory. Don’t be afraid to get creative with the toppings and make it your own. Thank you for reading and please come back soon for more delicious recipes and culinary adventures. Aloha!