Easy Pineapple Rice Recipe (2024)

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A sweet and spicy pineapple rice recipe bursting with tropical flavors with a savory spin. Naturally gluten-free and vegan.

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❤️ Why You Will Love This Recipe

  • This uniquely tasty pineapple rice recipe is bursting with sweet, spicy, savory and umami notes making it a true explosion of flavor and a delight to eat, especially when you are in the mood for something a little different.
  • This rice makes a perfect side dish or even a main dish for vegetarians and vegans.
  • You can make this rice is just about half an hour, making it a great choice for a busy weeknight.
  • Naturally gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, soy-free and nut-free.
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🍍 Ingredients and Substitutes

Oil: I love to use a neutral-tasting oil like avocado oil, but any oil will work. Olive oil is another great choice! If you are not vegan or dairy-free, you can also use butter if you prefer.

Ginger and garlic: Ginger and garlic not only complement pineapple, but add a great flavor base to the rice itself.

Rice: A white long grain rice like basmati rice or jasmine rice works best in this recipe.

Pineapple: I love to use fresh pineapple and cut it into chunks, but you can also buy the pre-cut frozen pineapple chunks for similar results.

Sriracha: This mild garlicky hot sauce really works well with the other flavors in this recipe. If you do not have sriracha, you can use whatever hot sauce you have on hand or prefer in a pinch.

Coconut aminos: Coconut aminos add a bit of umami flavor and works really well with sriracha. If you do not have coconut aminos, you can use soy sauce or even tamari if needed. Just be certain these are gluten-free certified if necessary.

Sugar: I love to use coconut sugar, but you can use regular white sugar or even maple syrup or honey if preferred. If on a no added sugar diet, you can simply omit it.

Red pepper flakes: Red chile flakes add most of the spiciness in this recipe. Feel free to omit if you are not a fan of spice.

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🍚 How to Make Pineapple Rice

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  1. Start by sautéeingthe ginger and garlic in oil in a medium saucepan.
  2. Add the rice, stir and cook it until toasty.
  3. Add the pineapple and remaining ingredients (sans water), and cook for 1 minute longer.
  4. Add the water, turn the heat to high, bring to a boil, reduce to simmer, cover and cook.
  5. Let sit for a few minutes before fluffing with a fork and serving.
  6. Enjoy!

🍽️ Serving Ideas

  • You can serve this pineapple rice as is as a side dish to accompany a main course.
  • You make this rice recipe the main course for vegans and vegetarians and can even mix in some cripsy tofu or tempeh or even sprinkle with some hemp seeds before serving for additional protein. If you are not vegan or vegetarian, you can mix in some cooked chicken.
  • I love to make a wrap with this rice and a thin layer of hot sauce for extra spice power.
  • Serve with a refreshing papaya salad to keep that fruity kick going!
  • You can repurpose leftover pineapple rice to make a vegan pineapple fried rice by sauteing the leftover rice in oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until beginning to brown.
  • Top with a delicious pineapple habanero salsa for extra pineapple flavor and spice!
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Where does pineapple rice come from?

A few different versions of pineapple rice can be found in Thailand and is believed to be the origin of the first pineapple rice.

How do I store pineapple rice?

Pineapple rice will store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. You can can simply reheat it in a skillet over medium heat until warm throughout.

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Pineapple Rice

A sweet and spicy pineapple rice recipe bursting with tropical flavors with a savory spin. Naturally gluten-free and vegan.

4.91 from 20 votes

Print Pin Rate Save

Course: Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Thai

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 28 minutes minutes

Total Time: 33 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Author: Kristen Wood

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon oil I like to use avocado oil or olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 2-inch knob fresh ginger root grated or minced
  • 1 cup white rice I like to use Jasmine or Basmati
  • 2 cups fresh or frozen pineapple chopped
  • 1 tablespoon sriracha or any red chile-based hot sauce
  • 1 tablespoon coconut aminos or soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon coconut sugar or any sweetener of choice
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon red chile flakes
  • 1 ½ cups water

Instructions

  • In a saucepan over medium heat, add the oil, garlic and ginger.

  • Saute for 5 minutes, while stirring.

  • Add the rice and toast it, while stirring frequently, for 2 minutes longer.

  • Add the pineapple, sriracha, coconut aminos, sugar, salt, and red chili flakes.

  • Saute for 1 minute longer, while stirring.

  • Add the water, turn the heat to high and bring all to a boil.

  • Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer (medium-low), place a lid on and simmer for 15 minutes or until all water has evaporated.

  • Turn off the heat and let the rice rest with the lid on for 5 minutes longer before serving.

  • Fluff with a fork and enjoy!

Notes

Please see the full post above for valuable information!

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 251kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 0.4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 764mg | Potassium: 157mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 90IU | Vitamin C: 42mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1mg

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Kristen Wood

Kristen is a writer, photographer, recipe developer, and certified functional nutrition expert. She is also the author of Fermented Hot Sauce Cookbook, Vegetarian Family Cookbook, and Hot Sauce Cookbook for Beginners. Her work has been featured in various print and online publications including Elle, Chicago Sun-Times, Martha Stewart, MSN, Healthline, and many more. Kristen is also a syndicated writer for The Associated Press.

Easy Pineapple Rice Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret ingredient to restaurant fried rice? ›

Cooking bits of chopped vegetables, seasoning, soy sauce, and oil, seems easy enough. However, when making fried rice at home, there's one ingredient you may be overlooking: Sugar.

How to Flavour packet rice? ›

Chop up some leafy herbs like parsley, basil, mint, or whatever suits your flavor palette, and stir them in just before serving the rice. You can also use the same herbs as a garnish, or toast them in butter to drizzle over your ready-to-serve bowl of instant rice.

Why is pineapple fried rice so good? ›

Pineapple is a common ingredient in many fried rice recipes, particularly in Southeast Asian cuisine. The sweetness of pineapple can balance the savory flavors in the dish, providing a delicious and unique taste.

What makes Chinese fried rice taste so good? ›

To give your dish that signature fried rice taste, you'll need to drizzle in sesame oil and soy sauce, but feel free to use as much or as little as you wish. You can even mix in things like garlic powder, ginger root, or Sriracha sauce and chili pepper for a bit of a kick.

What can I add to fried rice to make it taste better? ›

Top the fried rice with up to 2 of the following.
  1. Chopped cashews or peanuts.
  2. Chili oil.
  3. Fresh cilantro.
  4. Lime juice.
  5. Sliced scallions.
  6. Toasted sesame oil.

What is the difference between fried rice and Chinese fried rice? ›

The usage of rice

But in Chinese rice, it is suggested to use leftover cooked rice to avoid the rice from being sticky. In Fried Rice, most quick-service restaurants (QSRs) use long-grain white rice like Basmati, whereas Jasmine Rice is used in Chinese Rice.

What is a good seasoning to add to rice? ›

Spices
  • Cumin.
  • Curry powder.
  • Paprika.
  • Red pepper flakes.
  • Garlic powder.
  • Onion powder.
  • Chili powder.
  • Cajun seasoning.

What goes good on rice? ›

1. Italian Flavors are Always a Good Idea
  • Pesto sauce.
  • Alfredo sauce.
  • Shredded Parmesan or Mozzarella cheese.
  • Tomatoes.
  • Basil or Italian seasoning mix.
  • Mushrooms.
  • Pepperoncini.
  • Green olives.

How do you make instant rice taste good? ›

Zest up your liquid: add lemon or lime juice to the water/liquid or sprinkle in fresh herbs like chopped cilantro or basil. Cook the grains by adding flavored oils (coconut oil, sesame oil, chili-infused and olive oil are some of our favorites) to the liquid.

What is the best rice for fried rice? ›

The fine, long grains of jasmine rice with its delicate flavour are perfect for fried rice. Precook the rice at least 30 minutes, but preferably one day, before making fried rice and keep it uncovered in the fridge.

What is the origin of pineapple fried rice? ›

iterations of it all around the world. While some. recipes use little more than a dash of soy sauce, this.

Where does pineapple rice come from? ›

Boluo fan
Alternative namesPineapple rice
Place of originChina, Thailand
Region or stateYunnan
Created byDai people
Main ingredientsGlutinous rice (purple and/or white), pineapple, raisins, almonds, coconut milk, rock sugar, salt
3 more rows

What is fried rice usually made up of? ›

It is usually made with Jasmine rice, long grain, or basmati rice. The rice is stir-fried with vegetables(carrots, spring onions, peas, green and red bell peppers), eggs, meats of choice(chicken, beef, shrimp), and spices like chili, curry powder, and salt.

What is the difference between Chinese fried rice and Thai fried rice? ›

Thai fried rice is made with Thai jasmine rice, while Chinese fried rice is made with regular long grain white rice, or a blend of white rice. The other difference is that Thai fried rice is often seasoned with fish sauce, oyster sauce, and/or soy sauce. Chinese fried rice are not seasoned with fish sauce.

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