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Thai Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe (Vegan)

August 6, 2018 by Sina 22 Comments
Last updated on: January 7, 2019

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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!

Thai pineapple fried rice in a pineapple shell with another pineapple in the background

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.
  • Curry powder and soy sauce add flavor and spiciness.
  • Red bell pepper and carrots give it some nice crunch and color.
  • Green onions and fresh cilantro leaves provide it with even more flavor and freshness.
  • Green peas 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.

pineapple fried rice in a blue bowl with a fork with a pineapple in the background

 

This Pineapple Rice Is:

  • vegan
  • gluten-free if you use tamari instead of soy sauce
  • light and healthy
  • so delicious – I just love its sweet and tangy taste!
  • super easy to make
  • ready in only 15 minutes.
  • a great side or even a whole meal 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. 

Ingredients for Thai pineapple fried rice on a marble countertop (cooked rice, pineapple chunks, carrots, bell pepper, cashews, peas, and green onions)

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.

chopped onions are being sauted in a cast iron pan with a wooden spoon

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

Sauted onions, garlic, and carrots and red bell pepper stripes in a cast iron skillet with a wooden spoon

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

auted onions, carrots and red bell pepper, cooked rice, and curry powder in a cast iron skillet

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

Thai fried rice in a cast iron skillet with peas, pineapple chunks, and cashews on top

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.

Thai fried pineapple rice in a cast iron skillet with a wooden spoon

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

Thai Pineapple Fried Rice in a Pineapple Shells with a Blue Bowl of Rice in the Background

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:

A pineapple being cut into a bowl

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

A pineapple being cut into a bowl

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.

A Hand Spooning Pineapple Pieces out of a Pineapple to Make a Pineapple Bowl

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 in a Pineapple Shell with Green Onions and Cilantro on Top

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:

  • summer rolls with mango and mint
  • vegan bibimbap 
  • vegan congee with tempeh
  • 50 vegan Asian recipes (roundup)
  • vegan butter chicken

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!

You like my recipes and want to see more? Then follow me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest! 

Sina – xx

 

Thai Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe (Vegan)
5 from 7 votes
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Thai Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe (Vegan)

This Thai pineapple fried rice recipe is one of my favorites for busy days! Super easy, healthy, and so yummy. Plus, it's SO colorful!
Course Main Course
Cuisine Thai
Keyword how do you make Thai pineapple fried rice, recipe for Thai pineapple fried rice, vegan Thai pineapple fried rice
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Servings 3 servings
Calories 325 kcal
Author Sina

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Basmati rice (equals 3 cups cooked rice)
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves of garlic, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 2 carrots, cut into thin sticks
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, cut into thin sticks
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas
  • 1/2 cup cashews
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon curry powder
  • 1 cup pineapple, cut into small pieces
  • 2 green onions, cut into rings
  • salt, to taste
  • black pepper, to taste
  • red pepper flakes (optional)
  • fresh cilantro (optional)

Instructions

  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. Cook the frozen peas for about 7 minutes.
  2. In a large pan, heat the oil and sauté the onion for about 3 minutes. Then add the garlic, the carrots, and the bell pepper. Cook for 3 minutes.
  3. Then stir in the cooked rice and season with the curry powder and the soy sauce. 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. Serve with fresh cilantro. Enjoy!

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.
Nutrition Facts
Thai Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe (Vegan)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 325 Calories from Fat 126
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 14g 22%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4g
Monounsaturated Fat 7g
Sodium 354mg 15%
Potassium 385mg 11%
Total Carbohydrates 44g 15%
Dietary Fiber 6g 24%
Sugars 14g
Protein 9g 18%
Vitamin A 96%
Vitamin C 132%
Calcium 7%
Iron 17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This Thai pineapple fried rice is one of my favorite vegan dinner recipes or one of my favorite vegetarian recipes in general! Find more vegan recipes at veganheaven.org #vegan #friedrice #Thairecipes
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Filed Under: All Recipes, Entrées, Recipe, Rice and Quinoa Tagged With: easy vegan fried rice, is fried rice vegan, pineapple fried rice, Thai pineapple fried rice, Thai pineapple fried rice recipe, vegan fried rice, vegan fried rice recipe, vegetarian pineapple fried rice

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Comments

  1. Wanderlust Vegans says

    May 2, 2017 at 7:59

    Oh yum does this ever look delicious. It sounds perfect for a lovely springs day. I will definitely be trying this recipe.

    Reply
  2. Becky Striepe says

    May 2, 2017 at 13:59

    YUM! I love pineapple fried rice and this twist on it.

    Reply
  3. Sarah, Vegan Chickpea says

    May 2, 2017 at 17:15

    What a beautiful presentation, wow! I love pineapple, especially after spending a couple months in Hawaii where it’s everywhere! I’ll be pinning this too. :)

    Reply
  4. Sarah, Vegan Chickpea says

    May 2, 2017 at 17:15

    What a beautiful presentation, wow! I love pineapple, especially after spending a couple months in Hawaii where it’s everywhere! I’ll be pinning this too. :)

    Reply
  5. Mel @ avirtualvegan.com says

    May 2, 2017 at 20:47

    I love the presentation in a pineapple. It looks so pretty! The rice sounds delicious too. Can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
  6. Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says

    May 2, 2017 at 23:53

    Sina, I am so excited about this recipe! We get pineapple fried rice like this at our local Thai restaurant. They make it vegan for us. But now I can make it at home!

    Reply
  7. Jasmine says

    May 8, 2017 at 21:41

    This is so beautiful, I love when it is served in a pineapple!

    Reply
  8. Lucy says

    June 13, 2017 at 23:24

    I just made this for lunch and it was ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!!
    Presented in pineapple boats for visual pizzazz and for added flavor.

    Reply
  9. Crissy says

    June 15, 2017 at 2:51

    Wow, this was so delicious! I’ve never had fried rice like this before. I loved the cilantro, curry, cashews, and pineapple. I can’t wait to make this again, so good.

    Reply
  10. Christina says

    June 22, 2017 at 22:33

    Like send from heaven. Recently started eating more vegan, because I got tired of the hassle of buying, prepping and cooking meat.
    And I also found out that pineapple are good for my body type so this really is a win-win situation.
    Can’t wait to try it out :)

    Reply
  11. apurva sethi says

    August 8, 2017 at 8:48

    you are great sine! this is so good. cheers!

    Reply
  12. Kathryn says

    August 14, 2017 at 1:11

    I’m making this for the second time in 3 weeks. We recently switched to a vegetarian lifestyle and this will be a staple year round.

    Reply
    • Sina says

      August 22, 2017 at 22:53

      Yay! So glad you like it this much, Kathryn!! :-)

      Reply
  13. Natalya says

    January 6, 2018 at 2:07

    Doing a cleansing month, so going vegan. This recipe was pretty good. Def a keeper!!!!
    Even the little ones ate it! If I was making it just for adults, I would up the curry and ,maybe, add some ginger! Looking forward to checking out other recipes on this blog

    Reply
  14. Kodi says

    May 9, 2018 at 23:33

    This looks wonderful! I can’t wait to try it! What would you make with it?

    Reply
  15. Katherine says

    June 13, 2018 at 2:16

    Yummy, yummy, yummy! Made this last Sunday and my kids and hubby really loved it as well! Going into our weekly routine! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
  16. Janice Blackwell says

    July 14, 2018 at 15:25

    Made this wonderful dish this morning. My family does not jump into eating foods outside their norm but they loved this. I had it for breakfast, my husband will have it as his midmorning snack and my mom plans to enjoy the dish for lunch. I am new to cooking vegan meals and this is my second choice from your site. I also made the tomato and white bean salad twice. Another hit with my family. My goal is to cook every dish in this article. Thank you for your wonderful blog and all of these easy recipes in one place.

    Reply
  17. Nathalia Milis says

    July 27, 2018 at 15:25

    I just made it for lunch and was very tasty, super easy and what a wonderful presentation! Thanks for sharing

    Reply
  18. Sabrena says

    September 14, 2018 at 2:04

    Everyone in my family of 5 enjoyed this recipe. I’ll be adding to a regular rotation.

    Reply
  19. Kimberly says

    October 23, 2018 at 19:31

    Loved it!

    Reply
  20. Hashmanis says

    December 24, 2018 at 9:23

    Delicious! I added some extra vegetables but I’m sure it would have been very good without them, too. Hashmanis

    Reply
  21. M says

    February 13, 2019 at 14:24

    It was delicious! But it came out a bit dry. But not bad recipe! Could use some salt

    Reply

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Sina-Veganheaven

Hi, Thanks for stopping by! I'm Sina and this is my recipe blog where I share heavenly simple and sinfully delicious vegan recipes.

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