Pineapple fried rice is a dish that combines the fragrant jasmine rice with the sweet and tangy pineapple, along with chicken, shrimp or tofu, and crunchy cashews or peanuts. It is seasoned with curry powder, fish sauce, soy sauce, and lime juice to give it a spicy, savory, and refreshing flavor. It is a popular Thai dish that can be made in just 30 minutes!
Ingredients
- Rice. You will need cooked jasmine rice that has been chilled overnight in the fridge. This will help remove excess moisture and make the rice more fluffy and separated.
- Oil. Use an oil that can withstand high heat, such as coconut, avocado, peanut, or vegetable oil.
- Protein. You can use chicken, shrimp, or tofu as your protein source. If using tofu, you can make it crispy by following this recipe.
- Pineapple. Fresh pineapple is best for this dish, as it has more natural sweetness and juiciness than canned or frozen pineapple.
- Curry powder. You can use yellow curry powder or madras curry powder, which is hotter and more flavorful. Adjust the amount according to your preference and taste.
- Pepper. You can use black or white pepper to add some heat to the dish. White pepper is more common in Thai cuisine and has a more subtle flavor than black pepper.
- Fish sauce. This is a key ingredient in Thai cooking that adds a salty and umami flavor to the dish. Different brands of fish sauce may vary in saltiness and quality, so start with a small amount and adjust as needed.
- Soy sauce. This adds more saltiness and color to the dish. You can use light or dark soy sauce, depending on how dark you want your fried rice to be.
- Vinegar. This adds some acidity and brightness to the dish. You can use white vinegar, rice vinegar, or apple cider vinegar.
- Sugar. This balances out the saltiness and sourness of the dish. You can use brown sugar, coconut sugar, honey, or agave nectar.
- Onion. You will need a medium onion, diced finely.
- Vegetables. You can use any quick-cooking vegetables you like, such as bell peppers, carrots, peas, zucchini, green beans, or asparagus. Cut them into small pieces so they cook evenly.
- Green onions. You will need some green onions, sliced thinly, for garnish and extra flavor.
- Cashews or peanuts. You will need some roasted cashews or peanuts for crunch and nuttiness. You can chop them coarsely or leave them whole.
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the curry powder, sugar, pepper, vinegar, fish sauce, and soy sauce until well combined. This is your fried rice sauce. Set it aside for later.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of oil. When the oil is hot, add the garlic and cook for about 15 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Add your protein of choice (chicken, shrimp, or tofu) and stir-fry with the garlic until cooked through and lightly browned. This may take 5 to 6 minutes for chicken or tofu, or 2 to 3 minutes for shrimp. Transfer the protein to a plate and keep warm.
- Wipe out the same skillet with a paper towel and heat another tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until soft and caramelized, about 2 minutes.
- Add the pineapple chunks and cook until they are slightly charred and juicy, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add the chopped vegetables and green onions and cook until they are crisp-tender, about 3 to 4 minutes more.
- Add the cooked rice and toss everything together until well combined.
- Pour the fried rice sauce over the rice mixture and stir-fry until everything is well coated and heated through.
- Sprinkle the cashews or peanuts over the top and serve hot with lime wedges if desired.
Enjoy your homemade pineapple fried rice!
