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Dairy Free
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Gluten Free
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Sugar Free
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Vegetarian
Pineapple Fried Rice Under 30 Minutes
Sweet and savory? Sign me up! This Fresh Pineapple Fried Rice with Cashews is the best combination of both worlds of flavor and takes under 30 minutes to prepare!
Going out to eat Thai is an adventure for me. There are always so many fun flavor combinations that I have never considered, so I like to order something new every time. Naturally, pineapple fried rice (or some variations) comes by quite commonly in Thai menus, so I couldn’t hold myself back from recreating it at home and sharing it here for you.
You can make the presentation of the fried rice so much fun! I’ve seen it served in a pineapple boat (also called a pineapple shell or pineapple bowl): you can carve out the pineapple and fill it with the rice. It’s a great way to make eating this rice fun, especially for kids.
Table of Contents
Why is this the best pineapple fried rice recipe?
Enjoying this juicy pineapple rice at the restaurant, I thought, “there must be so many ingredients in this! How is it possible to simplify it with regular on-hand ingredients?” And so, I brought it down to 13 ingredients that are typically on hand at home, whether it’s pantry staples like rice (naturally), sesame seed oil, soy sauce, chili flakes, sesame seeds, and cashews. There’s also fresh produce that is easy to find at the grocery store: eggs, onion, bell pepper, pineapple, peas, lime, and some fresh green onion.
The type of rice you use in this recipe is the chef’s choice.
You can use brown rice, which is filled with nutrients, or white rice, which doesn’t provide as many benefits but is just as popular. Basmati rice or Thai jasmine rice are also great options. I recommend that you use day-old rice. It might sound strange, but it’s actually the best. The day before I make this authentic Thai pineapple dish, I like to make a nice dinner with rice as a side dish. I can make sure there’s enough rice for the next day by cooking more rice than needed for dinner.
This delicious dish is great to have in the fridge for busy weeknights when you don’t have too much time to cook up a meal. It heats up quickly and always makes great leftovers. That’s a great way to avoid food waste.
Whether it’s your first time or your second time making this Thai dish, I want you to know that you can customize the veggies in this recipe. Adding diced carrots or even a protein is entirely optional if you’d like to change up the macros. If you enjoy those sweet pineapple chunks most of all, don’t hesitate to add more! This recipe can quickly become a personal favorite for you.
The pineapple in this fried rice is added in with onions and peppers. It’s sauteed in a skillet and caramelizes before you add garlic, chili flakes, and cashews.
Chili flakes add the spice in this easy fried rice recipe. You can add more if you like.
A tasty Avocado Tomato Salad with Cucumber is the perfect side, while No-Bake Berry Cheesecake in Glasses is the perfect make-ahead dessert.
What do I need to make this pineapple fried rice with crunchy cashews?
Rice: Use brown rice or white rice
Eggs: Just two large ones
Sesame seed oil: I like to use the organic one, don’t substitute with olive oil, it is a completely different taste.
Onion: unsweetened yellow onion
Red Bell pepper: The red tastes and looks great
Garlic cloves: minced of course
Soy Sauce: If you would like, use the less sodium one or gluten-free option.
Pineapple cubes: From a fresh pineapple, not the frozen pineapple. Pineapple is a superfruit!
Green peas: frozen or fresh (I use the frozen, it’s easier)
Lime juice: From 1 lime
Nuts: Cashews, I haven’t tried with other nuts
Chili flakes: For a little bit of spice
and you will need green onions and sesame seeds
Prep Time is Just 10 minutes.
Here are some more Rice recipes your taste buds will love:
One Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe
Simple and Healthy Cauliflower “Rice” with Veggies
Pineapple Fried Rice for 30 Minutes
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 Tbsp sesame seed oil
- ½ yellow onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1½ cups pineapple, cubed
- 1 large clove garlic, minced
- ¼ tsp chili flakes
- ¼ cup cashews
- 2 cups brown or white rice, cooked & chilled (you can even cook it a day before)
- ½ cup peas, frozen
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 small lime just juice
- green onion, for serving
- sesame seeds, for serving
Instructions
- Whisk the eggs in a small bowl.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, heat 1 tbsp oil. Add the eggs and stir every 15 sec. Take the skillet off the heat when the eggs are still slightly wet and transfer them to a clean bowl.
- To the same pan add one more tbsp of oil. Add onion, peppers, and pineapple and cook for about 5 minutes. Onions will soften and pineapple caramelize.
- Stir in garlic, chili flakes, and cashews and cook until fragrant, 1 minute more.
- Stir in rice and peas, then add lime juice, soy sauce.
- Cook for about 2 minutes more to blend all flavors and warm the rice. Add scrambled egg to the rice.
- Serve with green onions and sesame seeds.
I’ve always served simple fried rice with sweet and sour chicken but this recipe is kind of an all-in-one. You get all the flavor profiles and it’s so good. Plus I get to skip making a whole other dish!