Here’s a quick and easy vegetarian rice meal recipe made with green peas, red bell pepper, carrots, jasmine rice and sweet juicy pineapple all tossed in a sweet and savory Thai fried rice sauce. It’s healthy, filling and oh so delicious!
To add a burst of fresh flavor, try it with my Thai Mango Salad, and for dessert, try my Rubies in Coconut Milk.
Jump To
What is Pineapple Thai Fried Rice?
Pineapple Fried Rice is a quick and easy to make Thai dish that is super delicious and a great recipe to use up leftover rice and make into a tasty dish.
There are many versions of fried rice all around the world but this dish is of Thai origin.
This version is a Thai-style pineapple fried rice made with diced veggies, sweet and savory sauce, day-old Jasmine rice and fresh pineapples.
It’s a super delicious, healthy and quick-one pan meal that is perfect for a vegetarian family dinner!
Health Benefits of Pineapple
- Boosts the immune system: Pineapple is full of vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant that makes the immune system stronger and helps the body fight off infections and diseases.
- Supports Digestive Health: Pineapple has an enzyme called bromelain, which helps break down proteins. This makes it easier to absorb nutrients and eases digestive pain.
- Anti-Inflammatory Properties: The bromelain in pineapple also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation in the body and ease the effects of conditions like arthritis and sinusitis.
Tips and Procedures
Preparation:
- It is best to use chilled leftover rice in stir fries because it doesn’t clump together, so cook the rice in advance if time allows. To chill the rice as soon as possible, spread it across a parchment paper-lined rimmed baking sheet and let it cool, uncovered, in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- It is best to use the fresh pineapples but canned pineapple is perfectly acceptable.
- Use a large skillet or wok so you can enthusiastically toss the ingredients.
Ingredient Modification:
- If needed, add more soy sauce in this recipe. If it’s too salty for your taste, add more lime juice.
- Feel free to add some cashews, baked or fried tofu to serve as protein.
Storage:
- Place the leftover fried rice in shallow, airtight containers and refrigerate within 2 hours. The fried rice should last for about 5 days.
- To freeze the cooled leftover fried rice, transfer it to a zip-close freezer bags, and squeeze out as much air as possible. Defrost the rice in the fridge then reheat it before serving.
- To reheat the leftover fried rice, place it in a saucepan and sprinkle a little water over it. Cook and stir constantly over medium heat until hot.
Ingredients
- vegetarian oyster mushroom sauce
- light soy sauce
- brown sugar
- canola oil
- onion
- garlic cloves
- red bell peppers
- green peas
- carrots
- jasmine rice
- pineapple
- salt and pepper
- spring onions
Instructions
Prepare the ingredients before you get started because this comes together very quickly.
Combine oyster mushroom sauce, soy sauce, and brown sugar in a small bowl. Set aside:
Heat oil in a wok or large pan over high heat:
Add onion and sweat for 1 minute:
Stir in minced garlic, red bell pepper, green peas, and carrots; for additional 2 minutes on continuous stirring:
Add the rice and cook for 10 minutes, stirring constantly:
Pour in the sauce and the pineapples:
Stir to combine thoroughly:
Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped spring onions or cilantro before serving. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
It is best to use a long grain rice because it holds its shape and stays separate when stir-fried such as Basmati rice but Thai fried rice is usually made with medium-grain jasmine rice. It is ideal to refrigerate a day old rice for fried rice because it evaporates and the rice gets drier and starch reduces.
It’s the turmeric that makes the fried rice yellow and the addition of this special ingredient makes this dish more healthy because of its incredible health benefits.
Any cookable vegetables that you want can be added in this fried rice and it would look more appetizing if you use colourful veggies – on theme with this tropical dish.
Vegetarian Pineapple Fried Rice
Ingredients
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian oyster mushroom sauce
- 2 teaspoons light soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
Fried Rice
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 2 ounces onion minced
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced
- 2 ounces red bell peppers finely diced
- ½ cup green peas
- ¼ cup carrots finely diced
- 2 ½ cups day-old jasmine rice
- 9 ounces fresh pineapples finely cubed
- salt and pepper to taste
- ⅛ cup spring onions chopped
Instructions
- Combine oyster mushroom sauce, soy sauce, and brown sugar in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Heat oil in a wok or large pan over high heat.
- Add onion and sweat for 1 minute.
- Stir in minced garlic, red bell pepper, green peas, and carrots; for additional 2 minutes on continuous stirring.
- Add the rice and cook for 10 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Pour in the sauce and the pineapples.
- Stir to combine thoroughly.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish with chopped spring onions before serving.
