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    Home » Thai

    Published: Feb 23, 2015 · Modified: Aug 3, 2023 by Smruti · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

    Thai Pineapple Fried Rice

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    Thai Pineapple Fried Rice is loaded with vibrant and colorful vegetables, tofu and sauces that taste and smell super amazing.

    Served in a pineapple boat, this 20 minute recipe is easy to make and Vegan friendly.

    Thai Pineapple Fried Rice served in a sliced pineapple boat on a black plate and some more rice on the side with a fork.

    Fried rice is always so popular in Asian restaurants. There are several kinds of Fried rice like Basil Fried Rice, Vegetable Fried Rice, Schezwan Fried Rice and Burnt Garlic Fried Rice.

    These pair wonderfully with Asian curries or even by themselves. These are all so easy to make and generally come together in under 30 minutes. Stir-fried on high temperature in a large pan or wok; these are named after the prime ingredient in them.

    Basil, Schezwan sauce, burnt garlic or even mushroom and Sriracha are popular to add in fried rice.

    However, there is one delicious rice that is like these and yet a little different. Yes I am talking about Pineapple Fried Rice. A savory rice with a hint of sweetness balanced by all the Umami sauces.

    Jump to:
    • What is Pineapple Fried Rice
    • Why this recipe works
    • Ingredients and Substitutions
    • How to make this recipe
    • Expert Tips and Notes
    • How to pick the right pineapple
    • Storage
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Pairings
    • More Thai Recipes that you will love
    • Thai Pineapple Fried Rice

    What is Pineapple Fried Rice

    A popular Thai takeout recipe, pineapple rice is a kind of fried rice. It has pineapple chunks and some pineapple juice to get the signature taste and flavor.

    This recipe is an adaptation of the original to make a vegetarian and vegan friendly version. It is full of colorful vegetables, sweet chunks of pineapple, tofu for protein and a salty yet slightly sweet sauce that brings everything together.

    Serve it with a side dish like this Gochujang Vegetables and Tofu or Black Pepper Tofu for a complete meal.

    Why this recipe works

    • It is super easy to make in under 20 minutes.
    • This rice is Vegan friendly.
    • We can make this with all kinds of Vegan proteins.
    • It is packed with flavor from vegetables, tofu and of course half a medium pineapple.
    • The signature sweet and savory taste is perfect for all Thai food lovers.
    • The rice is not overly spicy, making it kids friendly.
    • It is easy to customize in terms of vegetables, sauces and proteins.
    • The rice is perfect to serve in a chic pineapple boat, making it a great Thai centerpiece.
    • It is a great recipe to use leftover rice.

    Ingredients and Substitutions

    Ingredients for pineapple fried rice; pineapple, rice, vegetables and seasonings arranged on a black surface.
    • Rice: Any white or brown rice works for the recipe. Cook it and let it cool before using. Leftover rice is perfect too.
    • Pineapple: This is definitely a key ingredient. I like to use fresh pineapple but canned works equally well. Dice the pineapple and also have about ¼ cup pineapple juice. It helps add a lot of flavor to the recipe. Moreover, using fresh pineapple gives a cute 'pineapple boat' to serve the rice too.
    • Vegetables: Vegetables are totally optional in the recipe. If using, peas, corn, carrots, cabbage and peppers work well. However, adding mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower, etc. is always an option. You can leave them out completely too.
    • Aromatics: The rice gets its flavor from garlic and onions. These are not mandatory but work great for flavor.
    • Tofu: I like to add Firm tofu is to up the protein content. However, leave it out of you do not like it. Or substitute with another protein of your choice.
    • Sauces: We use the basic soy sauce, white vinegar and chili sauce. These really have no substitute so we should add them. Vegetarian stir-fry sauce is an option to include too.
    • Cashews: These are great for crunch but not mandatory. For a nut-free version, skip these.
    • Sesame Oil: Like most Asian recipes, we use sesame oil to make the rice. Vegetable oil works as well.

    See the recipe card for detailed ingredient information, measurements and nutrition.

    How to make this recipe

    1- In a pan add 2 tablespoon sesame oil and heat it. Once hot, add 3-4 cloves minced garlic and sauté till fragrant.

    2- Then add ½ medium diced onion and ¼ each green, red and yellow diced peppers. If using cashews, add ¼ cup now. Mix well and cook till they are soft.

    Collage steps to make Thai Pineapple Fried Rice; sauté garlic and aromatic in sesame oil in a pan.

    3- Next add the vegetables and tofu.

    • ½ cup peas
    • ¼ cup corn kernels
    • ½ medium carrot (peeled and diced)
    • ½ cup firm tofu (diced)

    4- Mix well and cook for 6-7 minutes, stirring intermittently. Also add the 1 teaspoon salt and sauces.

    • 1 tbsp red chili sauce
    • 1 tsp soy sauce
    • 1 tsp vinegar
    Collage steps to make Thai Pineapple Fried Rice; add vegetables and cook well.

    5- Then add ¼ diced pineapple and ½ cup chopped cabbage. Mix well.

    6- Add in 1 cup cooked rice along with ¼ pineapple (juiced).

    Collage steps to make Thai Pineapple Fried Rice; add pineapple and cooked rice.

    7- Mix everything well and cook for 2-3 minutes.

    8- Turn down the flame, top with cilantro and scallions. Then serve with your choice of curry.

    Collage steps to make Thai Pineapple Fried Rice; add sauces and mix everything well before serving.

    Expert Tips and Notes

    • Leftover rice works best for the recipe. Moreover, rice that is straight out of the refrigerator works the best.
    • Heat oil on a pan before adding the ingredients. The perfect fried rice needs a really hot wok or pan with hot oil.
    • As the recipe calls for adding all the ingredients quickly in successions; prepare everything before starting the cooking. Thus, nothing will burn while preparing for the next step.
    • The rice can be made with tofu or any other protein you like. It can also be made with just a couple of vegetables and pineapple.
    • Fresh pineapple makes the best rice. Moreover, it gives us an amazing boat to serve the rice too. However, canned pineapple works too.
    • To make the recipe gluten-free; use certified gluten-free soy sauce. Or use tamari that is generally gluten-free.
    Pineapple fried rice served in a blue plate topped with cilantro, scallions and pineapple bits with a spoon and bowls with scallions and sauce on the side.

    How to pick the right pineapple

    Picking a pineapple is quite easy once you look out for a couple of things. And once you start enjoying fresh pineapple, canned ones simply do not make the cut.

    • Check the color. Ripe pineapples are yellow in color while unripe ones are green. More yellow the pineapple, more ripe it is. However, brown pineapple are generally past their ripe stage and now over ripe.
    • See the color of the leaves. Bright firm green leaves mean the pineapple is fresh. Dry and withered leaves mean the pineapple is over ripe.
    • Check for firmness. Give the pineapple a slight squeeze. If it does squeeze but not completely it is perfect. Super squishy means an over ripe pineapple and super firm means unripe.
    • Smell the bottom of the pineapple. A perfectly ripe pineapple smells sweet and floral at the base. Unlike the raw ones that have no smell and overripe ones smell rotten.

    Pro-Tip: Once you have the perfect pineapple, simply overturn it in a jar or vase for a day before cutting. This helps distribute the juices at the base throughout the fruit and yields a super sweet pineapple in all corners.

    Storage

    While pineapple rice is best enjoyed fresh, it is possible to store it to enjoy later.

    Simply transfer room temperature rice to an air tight container and refrigerate. Remove from refrigerator and serve after heating in the microwave. This rice is best to store only for one or two days. Fresh pineapple tends to taste weird after.

    And of course, the rice is not great to freeze. It does not thaw back to the same texture or flavor.

    Side view of half cut pineapple filled with pineapple fried rice on a gray plate with bowls of sauce and scallions on the side.

    Recipe FAQs

    What is Pineapple Fried Rice?

    A Thai delicacy, Pineapple fried rice is made with cooked rice, protein, vegetables and pineapples. It is a quick tossed recipe that makes a complete meal or part of a meal.

    Is pineapple fried rice vegan?

    Yes the recipe for pineapple rice is naturally Vegan.

    How do we make pineapple fried rice more flavorful?

    Add some vegetarian stir-fry sauce for a bold Umami flavor in pineapple fried rice.

    Can we use canned pineapple to make pineapple fried rice?

    Yes indeed. Fresh pineapple makes the rice super flavorful but canned pineapple works equally well. I like to use pineapple in it's juice rather than in syrup to make them less sweet.

    Pairings

    Pineapple rice is great by itself. However, it is great to pair with a lot of tofu and vegetable curries. Here are some pairing suggestions

    • Tofu Kee Mow | Garlic Tofu
    • A mix of spicy Hot Pot broth with broccoli, tofu, noodles in a bowl with chopsticks.
      Instant Pot Vegetarian Hot Pot
    • Black Pepper Tofu
    • Vegetables and Tofu in Gochujang Sauce

    More Thai Recipes that you will love

    • Instant Pot Tom Yum Soup
    • Vegan Thai Drunken Noodles (Pad Kee Mow)
    • A brown bowl filled with Instant pot Jasmine Rice and a fork in it served with some red Thai curry on the side.
      Instant Pot Jasmine Rice
    • A white plate with tofu curry and steamed rice topped with cilantro and green onions.
      Instant Pot Peanut Tofu Curry with Rice
    A black platter with sliced pineapple filled with pineapple fried rice and served with chili sauce in a white bowl with the rice.

    I love seeing when you share my recipes!

    Tag me on Instagram @herbivorecucina or mention #herbivorecucina so I can enjoy them virtually with you! You can also find me on Pinterest, Facebook, Tik Tok, and YouTube.

    Love this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the recipe card below & if you REALLY like it, consider a review in the comments whilst you are there, thanks!

    Thai Pineapple Fried Rice
    Thai Pineapple Fried Rice served in a sliced pineapple boat on a black plate and some more rice on the side with a fork.

    Thai Pineapple Fried Rice

    Smruti
    Thai Pineapple Fried Rice is loaded with vibrant and colorful vegetables, tofu and sauces that taste and smell super amazing.
    Served in a pineapple boat, this 20 minute recipe is easy to make and Vegan friendly.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Asian, Thai
    Servings 5
    Calories 320 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • ¼ medium pineapple (diced)
    • ¼ medium pineapple (juiced)
    • 1 cup rice (cooked and cooled)
    • ½ cup firm tofu (diced)
    • ½ medium onion (chopped)
    • ¼ medium green pepper (chopped)
    • ¼ medium yellow pepper (chopped)
    • ¼ medium red pepper (chopped)
    • ½ cup peas
    • ¼ cup corn kernels
    • ½ medium carrot (peeled and diced)
    • ½ cup cabbage (chopped)
    • 3-4 cloves garlic (minced)
    • ¼ cup cashews (optional)
    • 1 tablespoon red chili sauce
    • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
    • 1 teaspoon vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 2 tablespoon sesame oil

    Instructions
     

    • In a pan add oil and heat it. Once hot, add garlic and sauté till fragrant.
      2 tablespoon sesame oil, 3-4 cloves garlic
    • Then add onions and peppers. If using cashews, add them in now. Mix well and cook till they are soft.
      ½ medium onion, ¼ medium green pepper, ¼ medium yellow pepper, ¼ medium red pepper, ¼ cup cashews
    • Next add the vegetables and tofu.
      ½ cup firm tofu, ½ cup peas, ¼ cup corn kernels, ½ medium carrot
    • Mix well and cook for 6-7 minutes, stirring intermittently.
    • Then add diced pineapple and cabbage and mix well.
      ¼ medium pineapple, ½ cup cabbage
    • Add in the cooked rice along with the pineapple juice. Also add the salt and sauces.
      ¼ medium pineapple, 1 cup rice, 1 tablespoon red chili sauce, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon vinegar, 1 teaspoon salt
    • Mix everything well and cook for 2-3 minutes.
    • Turn down the flame, top with cilantro and serve with your choice of curry.

    Video

    Notes

    • Leftover rice works best for the recipe. Moreover, rice that is straight out of the refrigerator works the best.
    • Heat oil on a pan before adding the ingredients. The perfect fried rice needs a really hot wok or pan with hot oil.
    • As the recipe calls for adding all the ingredients quickly in successions; prepare everything before starting the cooking. Thus, nothing will burn while preparing for the next step.
    • The rice can be made with tofu or any other protein you like. It can also be made with just a couple of vegetables and pineapple.
    • Fresh pineapple makes the best rice. Moreover, it gives us an amazing boat to serve the rice too. However, canned pineapple works too.
    • To make the recipe gluten-free; use certified gluten-free soy sauce. Or use tamari that is generally gluten-free.
    Note: Nutrition values are my best estimates using an automated calculator. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 8gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gSodium: 630mgPotassium: 327mgFiber: 4gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 1418IUVitamin C: 79mgCalcium: 72mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Thai

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      Tofu Panang Curry
    • Vegan Thai Red Curry

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. lechat says

      March 10, 2022 at 8:30 pm

      Very easy
      Surely will give it a try
      Does it taste sweet?

      Reply
    2. Smruti Ashar says

      March 10, 2022 at 8:30 pm

      Do try and share how it turns out for u! It does not taste too sweet given the use of Chili Garlic Sauce.

      Reply
    5 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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