Instant Pot Spam Musubi

What’s to love about Spam?

I can feel the warm summery sun, pristine turquoise waters, and gleaming white sands calling my name…

Aloha!!

Hawaiians love their Spam ever since the World War II.

Inspired by the traditional Japanese o-nigiri aka o-musubi (white rice ball wrapped in nori seaweed), the ever so popular Hawaiian lunch or “to go” snack Spam Musubi was born!

What’s Spam Musubi?

It’s literally a yummy Japanese Hawaiian Rice Sandwich: Rice + Spam wrapped with Nori (Seaweed).

How can something so simple be so yummy?!

The best part? Anyone can make this at home – yes, even kids!! This inexpensive & portable snack is super easy & quick to make.

Time to host a Hawaiian sushi party!

You’ll Enjoy Instant Pot Spam Musubi Because:

• Super easy & quick to make – even kids can make Spam Musubi
• Simple ingredients: Rice + Spam + Nori + Musubi Sauce
• Yummy comfort food
• A taste of paradise – Hawaii!! 😉

Instant Pot Spam Musubi are Great for:

• Breakfast, Lunch (i.e. work lunch, school lunch), Snack (i.e. after-school snack or “to go” snack), Dinner (why not? hehe~)
• Picnics, Potlucks, Gatherings, Parties, Sleepovers…
• Outing, Camping with your Instant Pot…

Ingredients for Instant Pot Spam Musubi

• 2 cups (470g) medium grain Calrose rice
• 2 cups (500ml) cold water
• A can Spam, cut into 7 to 10 pieces 
• 3 pieces nori, cut into 9 long strips
• Optional: Furikake (dry Japanese seasoning)

Spam Musubi Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons (30ml) Japanese soy sauce or light soy sauce (not low sodium)
• 2 tablespoons (25g) granulated sugar
• Optional: 2 tablespoons (30ml) Mirin (Japanese sweet cooking rice wine)

Tools for Instant Pot Spam Musubi

• Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker
• Pyrex glass measuring cup
• Silicone Basting Brush
• Plastic food wrap
• Skillet

Instructions for Instant Pot Spam Musubi

Step 1
Rinse Rice

2 cups (470g) medium grain Calrose rice

Gently rinse Calrose rice under cold water. Drain very well.

Step 2
Pressure Cook Calrose Rice

2 cups (470g) rinsed & drained medium grain Calrose rice
2 cups (500ml) cold water

Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker

Place 2 cups (470g) medium grain Calrose rice and 2 cups cold water in Instant Pot Pressure Cooker.

Close lid and pressure cook at

• Pressure Cooking Method: High Pressure for 6 minutes
• Pressure Release Method: Turn off the heat and Full Natural Release (roughly 10 mins)

Open the lid carefully.

Fluff and set aside to cool to touch.

Step 3
Create Spam Musubi Sauce

Spam Musubi Sauce:
2 tablespoons (30ml) Japanese soy sauce or light soy sauce (not low sodium)
2 tablespoons (25g) granulated sugar
Optional: 2 tablespoons (30ml) Mirin (Japanese sweet cooking rice wine)

Pyrex glass measuring cup

While the rice is pressure cooking, mix 2 tbsp Japanese soy sauce, 2 tbsp granulated sugar, and (optional) 2 tbsp mirin together in a glass measuring cup.

Step 4
Cut Nori

3 pieces nori, cut into 9 long strips

Cut 3 pieces of nori into 8 – 9 long strips.

Step 5
Prepare Spam

A can Spam, cut into 7 to 10 pieces 

Open a can of spam, cut spam into 7 – 10 pieces.

Wash & set the spam can aside as we will use it as a mold for the rice.

Step 6
Brown Spam Slices

Spam pieces

Skillet
Silicone Basting Brush

In a medium heat skillet, brown each side of the spam pieces for 1 – 2 minutes.

Brush sauce mixture onto each side of the spam pieces and caramelize for 10 – 20 seconds per side.

Set aside on a plate.

Step 7
Create Spam Musubi

Cooked calrose rice
Optional: Furikake (dry Japanese seasoning)
Browned spam slices
Nori pieces

Spam can
Plastic food wrap

First place a piece of plastic food wrap in the spam can.

Pack portions of cooked Calrose rice in the spam can in the plastic food wrap (top left in the photo below).

Then cover the rice with food wrap, and use your fingers to tightly press down the rice (top right in the photo below).

Remove wrapped rice from the spam can by pulling the food wrap upwards.

Unwrap the rice and add a layer of Furikake (as shown in above photo).

Place a piece of browned spam slice on top of the rice and wrap a piece of nori around the rice (as shown below).

Rub out a few grain of rice on the end of nori strip as glue to seal the ends if necessary.

*Pro Tip: If you make it a day ahead and put it in the fridge, the rice will turn hard. So it’s best enjoyed the day of. 🙂

Ta da! You’ve made the famous Hawaiian Snack – Spam Musubi!!

That was easy, right? Enjoy your yummy Instant Pot snack! 🙂

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