SPAM is very underestimated. Slice it up and crisp it up in a hot skillet, then make these SPAM tacos! Topped with pineapple and red pepper, these tacos are seriously delicious.
I see it as a parent’s duty to expose my kids to things I know they might not like (tuna melts!). The last thing I want is to make her think that every dinner is custom made.
And sometimes Dad feels like something unusual and delicious. And on those nights, they just have to gulp it down and try SPAM tacos!
What exactly is SPAM?
SPAM is a pre-cooked canned pork that is actually quite similar to ham. If you look at the SPAM can, it only has six ingredients: cooked pork, salt, water, potato starch (to keep it moist), sugar, and sodium nitrite (a common preservative).
SPAM gained popularity during World War II and remains popular in many countries. It has lost some of its popularity in the US but has recently made a comeback. Hawaii in particular is home to some delicious SPAM dishes, including many versions of SPAM sushi!
SPAM is perfect for tacos
I’m not sure if the creators of SPAM even knew about tacos, but they made something very tasty in the shape of a taco.
To reduce that richness in these tacos, I paired the SPAM with pineapple, bell peppers, and crispy kale. All of these things are in these tacos for a reason!
Spicy foods also pair well with crunchy SPAM, which is where the Dad Add comes in below.
Do you have to cook SPAM?
SPAM is pre-cooked and can be eaten straight from the can with a spoon. But, like… not. Please do not.
SPAM tastes much better when cooked and is especially good when thin and crunchy and served with other things. Like, you know, in a taco.
How to assemble SPAM tacos
These are super easy to make tacos. The key is to cook your SPAM first so it has time to crisp up.
Remove the meat from the can and cut into matchsticks about 1/4 inch thick. Place these in a pan with some olive oil and cook over medium-high heat until crispy, about 10 minutes.
Then remove the SPAM strips and add the pineapple and red pepper. You want fruits and veggies to get some color, but don’t forget to cook them. A little crunch is good.
Finally, put the SPAM strips back into the pan and mix everything together. Assemble your tacos with flour tortillas, sour cream, crispy cabbage, queso fresco, and cilantro. Yummy.
How to store leftovers
If you have leftover filling or want to make it ahead of time, you can definitely do that. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
However, I would not recommend putting the filling in the microwave to reheat. It can seriously explode. Instead, heat the filling in a skillet over medium heat to keep the SPAM crispy.
The father adds: Habañero Guacamole!
This is dynamite guacamole. Habañeros are spicy but also have nice fruity flavors that pair well with SPAM. However, this is definitely not a family-friendly guac. It’s pretty spicy!
Be careful when handling habañero peppers. I recommend using gloves or at least washing your hands and cutting surfaces after you’re done with this and before proceeding to the next task.
My favorite version of these tacos is a very light dollop of sour cream and a big dollop of this guacamole, followed by cabbage, SPAM filling, and toppings. Yummy.
The children’s certificate
Well, that went as expected. My children have zero experience with SPAM. Little did they know it can get a bad rap sometimes. But they still didn’t touch it.
In the photo above I was trying to capture my 4 year old who kept singing, “I want the black meat! I want the black meat!” It took me a long time to realize he was talking about ground beef, my regular taco meat.
I’m not sure I would call it “black meat” but that’s what it’s called in our family now! (Next on Eat Your Food: BLACK MEAT TACOS!)
No, but seriously, my kids had chicken noodle soup for dinner that night.
And yes. They’re wearing pajamas because it was PJ day at school. I didn’t try to feed them SPAM tacos at 7am.
Still, I stick to my goal of serving my kids things that are outside of their comfort zone. And these tacos are super tasty, so they’re going to have to suffer again and again. And maybe someday they’ll try them and jump on the SPAM train with me!
5 more tacos to try!
- Bang bang shrimp tacos
- Tacos with sweet potatoes and black beans
- Vegetarian tacos
- Beef tacos de lengua
- fish tacos
Hawaiian SPAM tacos with pineapple
If you add the father: Be very careful when handling habañero peppers. They are very sharp. I recommend using gloves to protect your hands and a separate cutting board. If you don’t, wash your hands immediately afterwards to avoid cross-contamination.
ingredients
- Dad adds: habañero guacamole
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1 habañero pepper, deseeded and chopped
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1/4 cup chopped red onion
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2 tablespoons chopped coriander
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1 lime, juice only
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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2 large ripe avocados
- tacos
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1/2 tablespoon olive oil
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1 (12-ounce) container of SPAM, cut into matchsticks
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2 cups fresh pineapple, chopped
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1 red bell pepper, cut into matchsticks
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1/2 head kale, shredded (about 2 cups)
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4 ounces queso fresco, crumbled
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1 cup sour cream
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Fresh coriander, garnish
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12 small flour tortillas
method
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Let the father habañero add guacamole:
In a medium bowl, mix together the chopped habañero, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, and salt. Mash with a fork.
Add ripe avocados and puree until the guacamole comes together. Some slices are good, but it should be creamy and dipable.
Guacamole can be made a day in advance. To store, place plastic wrap directly on the surface of the guacamole to slow oxidation and refrigerate.
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Make the taco filling:
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and SPAM strips. Cook until the strips are beginning to crisp and brown, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove the strips from the pan and add the pineapple and peppers. Cook for an additional 6 to 8 minutes, until the red peppers are softening slightly and the pineapple is beginning to brown in spots.
Return the strips to the pan and toss to combine. Keep warm until serving.
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Assemble the tacos:
Warm tortillas by wrapping them in damp paper towels and microwave for 10 seconds. Then add a dollop of sour cream (and/or guacamole) to each tortilla. Garnish with a handful of shredded cabbage, 2-3 strips of crispy SPAM, and sautéed pineapple and peppers. Garnish the taco with queso fresco and cilantro. Serve warm!
