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This Thai pineapple fried rice is one of my favorite recipes for busy days! It’s super easy to make, healthy, and so yummy. Plus, it’s SO colorful! Eating this pineapple rice will be like taking a trip to Thailand!

The recipe for this Thai pineapple fried rice reminds me so much of our last trip to Thailand and sunny days at the beach! It was one of my favorite meals there and of course I had to make my own homemade version as soon as I got back home.

Why This Thai Pineapple Fried Rice Works:

The pineapple provides this fried rice with juicy sweetness.

provides this fried rice with juicy sweetness. Curry powder and soy sauce add flavor and spiciness.

and add flavor and spiciness. Red bell pepper and carrots give it some nice crunch and color.

and give it some nice crunch and color. Green onions and fresh cilantro leaves provide it with even more flavor and freshness.

and leaves provide it with even more flavor and freshness. Green peas add some nice protein.

add some nice protein. Leftover rice does not only make this pineapple fried rice recipe easier but it also does not clump together like freshly cooked rice would.

This Pineapple Rice Is:

vegan

gluten-free if you use tamari instead of soy sauce

if you use tamari instead of soy sauce light and healthy

and so delicious – I just love its sweet and tangy taste!

– I just love its sweet and tangy taste! super easy to make

to make ready in only 15 minutes .

. a great side or even a whole meal just by itself.

even a just by itself. perfect for busy weeknight dinners

great for hot summer days

the perfect meal for Thailand fans like me

What You Need For This Thai Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe:

You don’t need any fancy or hard to find ingredients for this pineapple fried rice. You should be able to find everything in any regular grocery store.

You need:

basmati rice (it’s best with cooked rice from the day before)

one onion

garlic

carrots

bell pepper

frozen peas

fresh pineapple chunks

cashews

soy sauce

curry powder

green onions

salt and black pepper

red pepper flakes

fresh cilantro

As always, you can find the full recipe for this vegan fried rice and the ingredient list in a separate, printable recipe box at the end of this post.

How to Make Pineapple Fried Rice:

STEP 1: I like the Thai pineapple fried rice best with left-over rice from the day before. So cook the rice according to the instructions on the package and store it in an air-tight container in the fridge until you use it.

STEP 2: Cook the frozen peas for about 2-3 minutes on the stove top or in the microwave.

STEP 3: Cut the red bell pepper and the carrots into thin stripes. Finely chop the onion and the garlic.

STEP 4: In a large pan, heat the oil and sauté the onion for about 3 minutes.

STEP 5: Then add the garlic, the carrots, and the bell pepper. Cook for 3 minutes.

STEP 6: Then stir in the cooked rice and season with the curry powder and the soy sauce.

STEP 7: Next, add the pineapple, the peas, the green onion, and the cashews. Season with salt, black pepper, and if using red pepper flakes. Stir until well combined.

STEP 8: Serve with fresh cilantro and more green onions on top. Enjoy!

Thai Fried Pineapple Rice in a Pineapple Shell

We had this so many times during our time in Thailand. Usually right at the beach and not on plates, but in pineapple shells.

Do you want to serve your pineapple rice in a pineapple shell like I did? It’s more authentic this way and doesn’t it look super pretty?

Making a pineapple shell out of fresh pineapple is super easy. Just follow these three easy steps:

STEP ONE: Using a sharp knife, cut off about 1/3 of a fresh pineapple.

STEP TWO: Make a cut around the edge of the pineapple to make the pineapple bowl. Be careful not to cut through the bottom of the pineapple.

STEP THREE: Cut the pineapple into six pieces. Carefully use a spoon to remove the pineapple pieces. Congrats, you’ve got a pineapple bowl!

Recipe Notes:

This Thai fried pineapple rice is best when you use left-over rice from the day before. Unlike freshly cooked rice, chilled leftover rice doesn’t clump together or become mushy when being fried.

Make sure the pineapple you use for this recipe is ripe. Check out this article that tells your more about how to find out if a pineapple is ripe.

For a gluten-free version use tamari instead of soy sauce.

If you want you can also add some protein to this pineapple fried rice. I saw that they sometimes add chicken or shrimps in Thailand. My vegan suggestions are fried tofu or tempeh.

Prep all ingredients before you start the actual cooking process. The fried rice comes together super quickly, so you won’t have much time for chopping once you’ve started cooking.

If you’re looking for a healthier version, you can also substitute the white basmati rice with brown rice. This would also be a good choice for people suffering from diabetes as brown rice has a way better glycemic index.

This recipe works best in a wok or in a cast iron skillet.

Thai Pineapple Fried Rice – FAQ:

Can you freeze pineapple fried rice?

Yes, you can freeze pineapple fried rice. It won’t be as fresh, but it will still be good. However, do not freeze the cilantro and green onions as they won’t freeze well.

It works best to freeze the fried rice in ziplock bags. Just take it out of the freezer a few hours before you want to eat it and then reheat it for easy lunches and dinner.

I always think fresh is best, but if you’ve got a lot of leftovers, this is definitely an option!

What makes pineapple fried rice yellow?

I used curry powder to give this pineapple fried rice its yellow color.

Where does pineapple fried rice come from?

Fried rice is typical of central Thai cuisine. Pineapple rice is one of many popular regional variants.

Can I use canned pineapple instead of fresh pineapple?

I would always recommend using fresh pineapple for this pineapple fried rice. Fresh is just best!

However, the recipe also works with canned pineapple chunks. Just make sure to use canned pineapple without additional sugar. Otherwise the recipe will turn out too sweet.

Other Vegan Asian Recipes You Might Like:

I LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU GUYS!

I hope you like this Thai pineapple fried rice recipe as much as we do around here.

If you give it a try, I’d love to know what you think about it. Just leave me a comment and a star rating below. Your comments really make my day!

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Sina – xx