Luncheon Meat or spam can be whipped up into very tasty dishes. Here is one version – cubed luncheon meat dry fried with some spices and curry powders to result in a masala-like coating over every piece. Best enjoyed with dhall or rasam and some rice!

Growing up, we occasionally had lunchecon meat on the table. Mum used to stif fry cubes of luncheon meat with some eggs and we enjoyed it with rice and additional dishes. Fast forward, some number of years later and I met my (now) husband, someone I realised who LOVED luncheon meat. So like my mum, I found ways for luncheon meat to make its ocassional appearance on the dinner table. Enter this luncheon meat masala.

It’s a relatively quick dish to make. Firstly, I cube the luncheon meat and set aside. Then I dice a tomato, slice an onion and get some ginger/garlic paste ready. I use a combination of garam masala, chilli, turmeric, coriander and cumin powders. Get a handful of curry leaves and some cardamoms and cloves. You can also add in a green chilli. Let’s begin.

In a wok, add some oil and in go the spices and curry leaves. Add in sliced onions and fry for a few minutes. Once the onions start to brown (not burn), I add in the ginger and garlic paste.

In go the diced tomatoes, let soften then add in the luncheon meat and mix. Lower heat. In go the spice powders and a splash of water to get everything combined well.

Keep stirring for 10 minutes frequently or until the cubes are dry and brown. If it catches at the bottom, scrape up the bits and mix in. At this point, you can season with salt if you wish. Different brands of luncheon meat contain different sodium levels so TASTE to see if you need to season with salt. Add in chopped coriander and you’re DONE!

We hugely enjoy this with rice, a vegetable, some dhall or rasam. It truly is comfort food to me and brings back childhood memories of myself enjoying my mum’s version back home many years ago.

Another favourite is slicing up the luncheon meat, dipping in egg and frying that up. Goes great in sandwiches or as a side to some simple noodles.

Other ideas include luncheon meat fries and luncheon meat fried rice. All favourites of the Mr. Let me know if you try this recipe! Good luck:)

Here are two other ideas using canned food. Click here or go here.

Luncheon Meat Masala

Soft cubes of luncheon meat (spam) coated in a savoury spice-infused masala mix. Perfect with rice and some dhall!

5 from 3 votes

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Ingredients

1 400g can luncheon meat cubed
1 medium onion sliced
1 tomato diced
1 tbsp ginger + garlic paste If not, take equal amount of garlic and ginger and pound to form paste
1 green chilli optional
curry leaves
2 cloves
1 cardamom

Curry Powders - mix together in bowl

1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp coriander powder
1 tsp chilli powder adjust according to your preference
1/2 tsp garam masala
Salt to season

Instructions

Heat about 3 tbsp oil, when heated add in cloves and cardamom followed by curry leaves. Add onions and fry for about 5 minutes. Add in ginger and garlic paste and fry for 1 minute.
Add green chilli (if using) and tomatoes and allow to slightly soften then add in luncheon meat. Mix well to combine. Add in curry powders and lower heat. I like to add a splash of water here to allow everything to mix well. Cook for 10 minutes until luncheaon meat is dry. Taste and season with salt if needed. Garnish with chopped coriander.