This pineapple fried rice is loaded with Thai flavors, sweet pineapple and lots of Asian style vegetables for a healthy flavorful side dish or meatless meal.
I’m having severe post vacation blues, you guys.
Like it always hits me when we come back to disgustingly cold NY after a winter vacation somewhere sunny and warm but this time around, I can’t stop thinking about Cabo.
I legit fell in LOVE with that place.
Cabo has been on my travel bucket list for quite some time.
I think it was some lifestyles of the rich and famous type show way back in the day with Robin Leach’s voice in the background and a panning shot of the famous Arch out in the water that hooked me.
While I wax poetically about living in Florida 8 years ago, Cabo has everything that Florida didn’t, like actual interest in the geography with rocks, cliffs, beach and desert all in one (versus Florida’s boring flatness), a fun, lively culture and a really chill west coast attitude that distinguishes the Baja from mainland Mexico.
I woke up every morning there to watch the sunrise while the whales breached off in the distance (amazing!) plotting how I could somehow convince Ulysses to give up his pension (and the 17 years left he has tied to the job that gives it to him) and just move there.
Life is too short to live in shit holes like NY when there are places on this earth like Cabo.
We stayed at Welk Resorts Sirena Del Mar and I couldn’t have been happier with our choice. It was almost like a boutique hotel meets timeshare.
A relaxing change of pace from those huge, overwhelming, gross buffet style all-inclusive type places.
From the staff to the accommodations to the food to the spa and even the free wifi (it was faster than at my house!) we literally didn’t have a single complaint.
You know when you get home from vacation everyone always asks “would you go back?”.
I honestly can’t think of many places I’ve answered yes to that question.
Without hesitation though, Cabo is one that makes the cut.
I’m already plotting ways to make it happen. I will be back.
In the meantime, I’m going to hole up inside with the wood stove kicking and put things like pineapple in my fried rice to make me think I’m somewhere tropical and that it’s not actually going to snow this weekend.
Grilled Hawaiian Chicken would work too – I’ve never been to Hawaiian but I’ll happily take Hawaiian vibes over New York right now!
Love this Thai Pineapple Fried Rice recipe?
Try these other 20 minute meals like: sweet & spicy pork ramen stir fry | jalapeno mango chicken skillet | spicy beef & red pepper rice bowl.
And if you want another takeout fake-out recipe – try these Chinese spare ribs too!
For a lower-carb rice side dish with big flavor like this pineapple fried rice, try curry cauliflower rice instead.
And make sure to check out the best ways to reheat fried rice for any leftovers of this recipe.
Thai Pineapple Fried Rice
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups cooked white rice
- 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 1 1/2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon red chili paste
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- zest of 1/2 a lime
- juice of 1/2 a lime
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 1 cup shelled edamame
- 1 cup sugar peas
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 20 ounce can pineapple chunks, drained (or use fresh, about 2 cups)
- chopped peanuts for garnish
- torn fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Whisk the soy sauce, fish sauce, hoisin, honey, red chili paste, garlic, lime zest and juice together in a small bowl, set aside.
- Place the sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the red pepper, carrots, edamame and sugar peas to the skillet, toss to combine and cook for about 5 minutes, tossing occasionally until softened.
- Add the ginger and onion powder to the pan, toss again to combine.
- Turn off the heat, add the pineapple, rice and sauce and toss until everything is well coated in the sauce mixture.
- Transfer to a serving bowl, top with peanuts and cilantro and serve.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
Pineapple fried rice is my favorite! It’s the closest I’m gonna get to the tropics ;) Cant wait to try this version!
A lovely recipe. Thank you.
Dear Gina, your fried rice sounds wonderful and I love all the colors in it. This is a perfect side dish and I cannot wait to try it next time. xo, Catherine
Yum! This recipe looks wonderful and super family-friendly!
I love all the flavors in this dish and I am definitely going to have to try this out for dinner!
I was just talking about Durian Fried Rice on my post today and here you are with Thai Pineapple Fried Rice. What a fun way to bring tropical weather in and this one is so colorful! Love this…and Cabo, too!
I’m totally trying this for dinner!
Sounds like y’all had a blast in Cabo! And – sounds like I’d have a blast indulging in this fabulous fried rice! Love love love the combo of pineapple soy sauce and chili paste!
So many incredible flavors in this dish! Id love to try it with cauliflower rice!
great idea! I might give that a shot too!