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Dairy Free
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Sugar Free
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Vegetarian
Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe
This sweet and savory pineapple fried rice recipe is a winning combination of flavors and takes only 30 minutes to prepare! Enjoy this mouthwatering side dish that’s bursting with fresh pineapple, cashews, and even more delicious Thai flair.
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe
Going out to eat foods from different cultures is always a happy adventure for me, and Thai is one of my favorite flavor experiences. There are always so many fun combinations that I had never considered, so I try to order something new every time.
Pineapple fried rice – or some variation of it – is quite common on Thai menus, so after a while I was inspired to recreate it at home to save money and enjoy it more often! If you’ve ever tasted pineapple, you can imagine how succulent this dish must be. Saute the incredible fruit with the onion so they both caramelize right before you add the Thai flavors – and there – you’ve got the ultimate marriage of sweet and savory!
You can also make a real presentation out of this fried rice by serving it in a pineapple boat (also referred to as a pineapple shell or pineapple bowl), which is a carved-out pineapple. Fill it with this pineapple fried rice recipe and you’ve got a great way to wow your guests, or make eating this rice fun – especially for kids!
Key Ingredients for Pineapple Fried Rice
While I was 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?” Turns out, I was actually able to streamline this recipe to include only ingredients that are typically on hand at home. Here you’ll find pantry staples and fresh produce that are easy to find at your normal grocery store!
- Rice: Use brown rice or white rice
- Eggs: Two large ones
- Sesame seed oil: I like to use the organic one, don’t substitute with olive oil, as it is a completely different taste
- Onion: Unsweetened yellow onion
- Red Bell pepper: The red tastes and looks great
- Green Onions
- 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 frozen pineapple. Pineapple is a superfruit and you’ll want to enjoy it at its freshest!
- Green peas: Frozen or fresh (I use the frozen, it’s easier)
- Lime juice: From one lime
- Nuts: Cashews, I haven’t tried with other nuts
- Chili flakes: For a little bit of spice
- Sesame seeds
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
How to Make This Thai Fried Rice
Step 1: Whisk Eggs
Whisk the eggs in a small bowl.
Step 2: Cook Eggs
In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil and then add the eggs while stirring every 15 sec. Take the skillet off the heat when the eggs are still slightly wet and transfer them to a clean bowl.
Step 3: Saute Veggies and Pineapple
To the same pan, add more oil. Add onion, peppers, and pineapple, and cook for about 5 minutes. The onions will soften and the pineapple will caramelize.
Step 4: Add Spices
Stir in the garlic, chili flakes, and cashews and cook until fragrant. This will take about 1 minute more.
Step 5: Add Rice and Peas
Stir in the rice and peas, and then add lime juice and soy sauce.
Step 6: Cook
Cook this for about 2 minutes more to blend all the flavors and warm the rice. Add the scrambled egg to the rice.
Step 7: Serve
Serve your dish with green onions and sesame seeds. Enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
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.
You can! I also meal prep this dish. The day before I make this authentic Thai pineapple dish, I like to make a nice dinner with rice as a side. I cook more rice than is needed for dinner and then use the leftovers to create this dish the next day!
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.
Chili flakes add the spice in this easy fried rice recipe. You can add more to taste until it’s the spiciness you desire.
A tasty Avocado Tomato Salad with Cucumber is the perfect complement to this dish, and so are Seared Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Cheese! A nice Chopped Thai Salad would be nice, or you can enjoy this rice alongside a One Pot Thai Coconut Vegetable Soup. You could also make this Easy Cauliflower and Chickpea Curry with Butternut Squash to serve with your rice!
And of course, we can’t forget dessert, so try some No-Bake Berry Cheesecake in Glasses. It’s the perfect make-ahead dessert!
Substitutions and Variations
You can customize the veggies in this recipe according to your own preferences! Adding diced carrots, or even a protein, is entirely optional if you’d like to change up the macros. You can also adjust the spiciness, add your favorite Thai dressing, or swap the cashews for peanuts. I know some people love the eggs in fried rice, so you can add even more if you’d like.
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 and your family.
Here are some more Rice recipes your taste buds will love:
Other Tasty Rice Recipes to Try
If you tried this Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you enjoyed it in the📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!
Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe
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.2 large eggs,
- 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.2 Tbsp sesame seed oil
- 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.2 Tbsp sesame seed oil, ½ yellow onion,, 1 red bell pepper,, 1½ cups pineapple,
- Stir in garlic, chili flakes, and cashews and cook until fragrant, 1 minute more.1 large clove garlic,, ¼ tsp chili flakes, ¼ cup cashews
- Stir in rice and peas, then add lime juice, soy sauce.2 cups brown or white rice,, ½ cup peas,, 1 small lime, 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- Cook for about 2 minutes more to blend all flavors and warm the rice. Add scrambled egg to the rice.2 large eggs,
- Serve with green onions and sesame seeds.green onion,, 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!