Recipes

Crispy Rice with Ham and Greens

Rating:
Did you try this recipe? Be the first to rate it!

Servings

4-6

Prep Time

20 min

Cook Time

25 min

Description

There’s something incredibly satisfying about crispy rice—those golden edges, the nutty aroma, the savory crunch in every bite. Add in smoky, flavorful ham and tender greens, and you’ve got a weeknight dinner that’s comforting, hearty, and full of contrast in all the right ways. This crispy rice recipe brings together everything you love about Southern-style flavors and clever cooking with just one appliance: the Instant Pot.

Ingredients

  • 12-14 slices Coleman Uncured Ham Steak
  • 2 cups basmati rice
  • 6 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1 ½ teaspoons sea salt
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • Italian parsley for garnish, chopped
  • 1 large bunch spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

1
Preheat oven to 250° F.
2
Place the rice in a fine-mesh sieve and rinse rice with cold water for several minutes, until it runs clear. Transfer rice to a medium bowl and cover with warm water, letting it sit while you chop the parsley.
3
Brush the bottom of your Instant Pot or pressure cooker with 1 tablespoon of the melted butter. Drain the rice and spread evenly over the bottom of the pot. Sprinkle rice with salt and pour in 2 cups of water.
4
Cover and cook on high pressure for 4 minutes. Release the pressure manually, remove the lid, drape a clean kitchen towel on top of the pot, and loosely replace the lid or place a large plate on top. Let the rice sit for 10 minutes.
5
Meanwhile, sauté ham slices in a large skillet until slightly browned and warmed through. Remove ham from skillet, place on an oven-proof platter, and keep warm in oven until ready to serve. Using the same skillet over medium heat, place 1 tablespoon of the oil and add roughly chopped, greens, stirring gently until slightly wilted. Add crushed red pepper flakes and salt and pepper to taste. Place lid over skillet and remove from heat, to keep warm until ready to serve.
6
Stir remaining olive oil into remaining melted butter. Remove the kitchen towel from the pot. Using a chopstick or the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes through the rice until you hit the bottom of the pot so that steam can escape. Pour butter and oil mixture over the rice. Turn on sauté function and cook until rice is browned and crispy on the bottom, 10-12 minutes.
7
Turn pressure cooker off and, using a rubber spatula, loosen the rice from the sides and bottom of the pot. Remove pressure cooker pot using potholders to avoid being burned. Either hold a large platter over the pot and flip it so rice falls onto the platter with its crunchy side up, or else just spoon rice from pot to platter, placing the crunchy side up.
8
Place greens and ham slices on platter alongside of rice. Garnish with parsley. Serve immediately.

Tips

If you don’t have an Instant Pot or pressure cooker, this recipe is easy to make in a Dutch oven or other heavy-bottomed pan with tight-fitting lid. Simply adjust cooking time for the rice in #4 above from 4 minutes to 10 minutes.

This recipe is gluten-free!

Products in This Recipe

Whether you’re serving this crispy rice with ham and greens fresh from the pot or crisping up leftovers for round two, this dish is a perfect example of how bold flavors can still come together with ease. Let’s break down what makes it shine.

The Star of the Show: Coleman Ham

This dish hinges on a quality cut of meat—and Coleman ham delivers big flavor without added nonsense. Its savory richness infuses the rice and greens as it cooks, balancing the slightly bitter greens with deep, smoky notes. As the dish finishes, bits of ham caramelize just enough to contrast with the crispy rice edges. It’s the kind of ingredient that pulls everything together and leaves people asking for seconds.

Ham in a dish like this isn’t just a protein source—it’s a flavor anchor. Its saltiness seasons the crispy rice, and its meaty bite adds depth without requiring a complicated sauce or long list of extras.

One-Pot Dinner, Minimal Effort

The beauty of this crispy rice with ham and greens recipe lies in how hands-off it is. A few basic steps—sautéing, adding broth and rice, layering in the greens—and your Instant Pot does the rest. You’ll be amazed how well the rice cooks through while the greens soften just enough to absorb all the meaty, aromatic flavor.

Once done, a quick transfer to a pan helps crisp up the bottom and edges. But even that’s optional—some Instant Pots have a sauté function that can handle the crisping step too. Either way, the process is fast and flexible.

For more Instant Pot recipes, check out our Recipes page!

Step-by-Step Prep Walkthrough

Start by chopping your Coleman ham into bite-sized pieces. Sauté it in the Instant Pot with a drizzle of olive oil until it begins to brown and release its aroma. Remove the ham and set it aside for later.

Next, add diced onions, garlic, and a touch of red pepper flakes to the pot. Sauté until soft and fragrant, then add your rinsed rice. Stir it to coat in the oil and aromatics, letting it toast lightly for extra flavor.

Pour in your broth—chicken or vegetable both work—and nestle the ham back in. Seal and pressure cook for a few minutes, then release and gently fold in chopped greens like kale, mustard greens, or collards. Replace the lid and let everything steam together briefly, allowing the greens to wilt and meld with the rice.

Finally, if you’re after that golden crunch, transfer the mix to a hot skillet, pressing it down gently. Give it a few minutes undisturbed to form that signature crispy rice base.

No Instant Pot? No Problem

You can still enjoy this dish even without a pressure cooker. On the stovetop, follow the same steps in a large pot—just increase the simmer time until the rice is fully cooked and the liquid is absorbed. To finish, either use the same pot to crisp the bottom over low heat or scoop the cooked rice into a cast iron skillet to form the crust that makes crispy rice so delicious.

A Dutch oven works beautifully for this as well, especially if you want an oven-finished crispy layer. Just bake uncovered at a high temperature for a few minutes to develop the golden crust on your crispy rice.

Storing and Using Leftovers

One of the best parts about this crispy rice recipe is how well it keeps. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. To reheat, pop it in a skillet with a splash of water or broth and press it down to recreate those crispy edges.

You can also freeze this dish in portioned containers. Just thaw and reheat in a pan for an easy weekday lunch or quick dinner. And for extra crunch, try topping leftovers with a fried or poached egg for a filling breakfast twist.

Why Choose Coleman Ham?

Coleman ham isn’t just tasty—it’s meat you can feel good about. Raised without antibiotics or added hormones, their pork comes from American family farms that follow higher animal welfare standards. The result? A cleaner, more honest product with fewer ingredients and no unnecessary fillers.

The ham used in this recipe is uncured, naturally smoked, and free from artificial preservatives. That means every bite delivers real flavor and wholesome quality, whether you’re serving it in a holiday centerpiece or folding it into a weeknight dinner like this one.

Coleman is also American Humane Certified, meaning they adhere to strict guidelines for raising and treating animals with care and respect. You’ll taste the difference in every bite.

Wrapping Up a New Dinner Favorite

This crispy rice with ham and greens recipe is a simple way to turn a few humble ingredients into something memorable. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just planning for leftovers, it’s a dish that’s cozy, flavorful, and deeply satisfying.

Pair it with a side salad, roasted veggies, or simply serve it on its own straight from the skillet. However you plate it, one thing’s for sure—it’ll earn a permanent spot in your dinner rotation.

Ready for More Coleman Recipes?

Looking for more ways to use Coleman ham? Our catalog of recipes has you covered! As always, Coleman Premium meats are the key to making any recipe stand out. Take a look at these leftover ham recipes to get inspired!

Find Coleman products near you with our store locator and enjoy high-quality, all-natural ingredients in every bite! Not available in stores near you? We’ve got you covered with our Coleman Online Shop so high quality, natural meats are always on the menu!

More Recipes from the Kitchen

Herb Crusted Pork Chops

Herb Crusted Pork Chops

Summer Corn Chowder with Bacon

Corn and Bacon Chowder

Shrimp and Sausage Paella on the Grill

Shrimp and Sausage Paella on the Grill

Get Our Cookbook For FREE!

Snag the FREE Coleman cookbook, Nourish, and unlock a world of flavor. As a bonus, you’ll be the first to savor our freshest recipes, insider articles, exclusive product launches, and irresistible promotions. Don’t miss out – join our community of food enthusiasts today!
{{ reviewsTotal }}{{ options.labels.singularReviewCountLabel }}
{{ reviewsTotal }}{{ options.labels.pluralReviewCountLabel }}
{{ options.labels.newReviewButton }}
{{ userData.canReview.message }}
Overview

This website uses cookies and similar technologies to analyze, personalize, and improve your experience when using our website. We also allow the use of third-party cookies including for advertising and marketing purposes. For more information about our practices, please refer to our Privacy Policy.