Prep: 5 As a busy mom of 3, there’s nothing I love more than an easy weeknight dinner that is flavorful, hearty, and comes together in just 30 minutes. This Thai Pineapple Fried Rice recipe has been my family’s favorite for YEARS and hits all the checkboxes! It’s great as a vegetarian option, but I also love pairing it with chicken, shrimp, or tofu. If you’ve been searching for the perfect quick and easy healthy dinner idea, then you’ll love this pineapple curry fried rice recipe that works every time!
I love fried rice. Who doesn’t? But if you’re needing to switch up your everyday chicken and veggie fried rice, then you’ll love this delicious Thai Pineapple variation! It’s full of healthy ingredients, but it comes together so easily it almost seems too good to be true. The flavors are next-level, and the meal is filling. Even my picky kids love this one!
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Thai Pineapple Fried Rice
If I ever had to choose just one meal to make every night for dinner, it would be this Thai Pineapple Fried Rice recipe. It’s incredibly easy to make, comes together in just 30 minutes. and it’s SO full of flavor!
The savory fried rice, spiced curry, and sweet pineapple balance each other perfectly. Add some hearty eggs, crunchy cashews, and veggies, and this is truly the BEST meal! I’m obsessed and my family loves it, too.
Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe Ingredients
The ingredients for this recipe are simple and easy to find! You can also make this your own by subbing some of the ingredients and adjusting them. Here’s what you’ll need to make Thai Pineapple Fried Rice:
A few notes about some of the ingredients in this recipe:
Jasmine Rice – Jasmine Rice from Mahatma® Rice is our go-to for this recipe because of its perfect fluffy texture! We’re loving the delicious flavors and fragrance that Jasmine Rice (opens in a new tab) from Mahatma® Rice brings to this Thai Pineapple Fried Rice recipe.
Bell Pepper – We used red bell pepper, but any type or color will work as well!
Cashews – The cashews are a total must for this recipe. They add a crunchy and sweet flavor that takes it to another level! Don’t have cashews on hand? Try walnuts or sliced almonds instead.
Pineapple – We recommend using fresh pineapple cut into small cubes. However, canned pineapple also works great!
Soy Sauce – Feel free to easily make this recipe gluten-free by using Tamari instead.
Honey – Make this recipe vegan by omitting the eggs and subbing agave for honey!
The best rice to use for fried rice
Jasmine rice is one of the best types of rice for fried rice. It’s grains are sturdy and result in a fluffy texture that separates easily, making it perfect for fried rice!
As mentioned above, we love using Jasmine Rice (opens in a new tab) from Mahatma® Rice for this and other fried rice recipes!
Tip: It’s best to use rice cooked the day before for fried rice recipes. However, using freshly cooked rice works great, too!
How to Make Pineapple Thai Fried Rice
Here’s how to make Thai Pineapple Fried Rice in 5 easy steps:
1. Cook the garlic, peppers, cashews, onions, and pineapple. Set aside.
2. Scramble the eggs. Set aside.
3. Cook the rice.
4. Stir-fry the rice with soy sauce, honey, curry powder, and ground pepper.
5. Add the other ingredients back in!
Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe Variations
Spicy Pineapple Fried Rice: Add some heat with Thai chili peppers or sriracha! You can also stir in red pepper flakes or a spoonful of red curry paste to give your rice that fiery kick.
Pork Pineapple Fried Rice: For a savory twist, add ground pork or thin slices of pork tenderloin. The rich flavor pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the pineapple and a dash of hoisin sauce or soy sauce can take it up a notch!
Shrimp Pineapple Fried Rice: Juicy, sautéed shrimp makes this dish feel extra special. Simply toss shrimp into the skillet and cook until pink, then mix in with the rest of the ingredients. It’s a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and seafood goodness.
Vegan Pineapple Fried Rice: Skip the eggs and use tofu or edamame as your protein source. Sub agave syrup for honey, and you’ve got a plant-based version that’s just as satisfying.
Cashew Chicken Pineapple Fried Rice: Combine crispy chicken pieces with roasted cashews for an extra crunchy and filling variation. The mix of tender chicken and nutty cashews adds both texture and heartiness to the dish.
What to pair with this recipe
This recipe is DELICIOUS as a vegetarian meal on it’s own. The cashews and eggs add protein, while the rice and oil adds healthy carbs and fat. However, there are many other ways to pair this recipe:
- Cooked chicken
- Cooked shrimp
- Crispy tofu
- Add in edamame
Pineapple Fried Rice Thai Serving Suggestion
Serve your Pineapple Fried Rice in a pineapple bowl for a fun twist! Simply hollow out a fresh pineapple, scoop out the flesh (perfect for your fried rice!), and use the shell as a serving dish.
You can also pair this healthy dinner with Thai basil chicken, satay skewers, or a simple cucumber salad for a complete meal. A side of sweet chili sauce or peanut sauce is also a great way to elevate the flavors even more!
How to Store Thai Pineapple Fried Rice
If you have leftovers, storing this Pineapple Fried Rice is easy:
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in a skillet or microwave until warmed through.
- Freezer: You can also freeze it for up to 3 months! Make sure to cool the rice completely before placing it in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
TIP: Reheat this recipe in a skillet for the best texture, adding a splash of soy sauce or water to prevent the rice from drying out.
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Pineapple Curry Fried Rice
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup Jasmine Rice (opens in a new tab) from Mahatma® Rice
- 2 Tbsp coconut oil
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 medium bell pepper (chopped)
- 1 cup cashews
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1 cup cubed pineapple (approx 1/4" cubes)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp honey
- 1 Tbsp curry powder
- 1/2 tsp ground pepper
Instructions
- Cook the rice according to directions.
- Heat up 1/2 of the coconut oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add in the garlic and saute for a few minutes.
- Add in the chopped bell pepper, green onion, and cashews and continue cooking for another 5-7 minutes.
- When the bell pepper begins to soften, add in the pineapple and continue to cook for another 5-7 minutes.
- Set aside.
- Add the remaining oil to the pan and scramble the eggs.
- Set aside.
- While the eggs are cooking, mix the soy sauce, honey, ground pepper, and curry powder.
- Add the cooked rice to the skillet along with the sauce mixture and stir-fry for about 5 minutes.
- Add the ingredients back in and stir-fry for another 5 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Make this recipe gluten-free by subbing Tamari for the soy sauce.
- Want to make this recipe vegan? Omit the eggs and sub agave syrup for the honey!
- It’s best to use rice cooked the day before for fried rice recipes. However, using freshly cooked rice works great, too!
Nutrition
Did you make this? I’d love to see!
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This is a great recipe! Iused leftover pork loin diced . Also i used about half of a can of pineapple tidbits and froze the rest of the can – as that worked well for another night.Shredded carrots work well as an addition as well. Thanks!
You’re welcome, Janet. Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you for sharing this recipe! This dish has become a family fav!! I added another egg, diced chicken breast and frozen peas.
Great additions! Thanks for giving this recipe a try!
Really delicious! The proportions and instructions are excellent. Love the dash of honey and curry together. Just like the pineapple friend rice from my favourite Thai restaurant. Yummy!
Thanks for the review! I’m glad you enjoyed this recipe. 🙂
Cooked or dry rice? I scoured for the answer… =(
The rice should be dry!
This was a good recipe. My husband, toddler, and I enjoyed it. I didn’t realize our eggs had expired by 2 months, so we didn’t get to try it with eggs, but I can only imagine how wonderful that would have tasted. It was great without. I think next time we would add more pineapple since it’s one of my fave fruits. Thanks for the recipe!
Very good and not too difficult to prepare and cook. Mine didn’t look quite as appetizing as the one in the photo (I’m not great at cooking fried rice), but it was tasty. I added chicken to mine and it complimented the pineapple nicely.