Best Thai Pineapple Fried Rice
Try Thai pineapple fried rice, a mouthwatering dish with a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors that can be made in just 30 minutes. Enjoy it on its own or as a side dish with your favorite Asian cuisine or summer barbecue.
Thai pineapple fried rice is a delightful dish that you simply must try, especially if you have leftover rice. This scrumptious recipe combines aromatic ingredients such as fish sauce, oyster sauce, curry powder, and turmeric powder.
The addition of fresh pineapple chunks creates a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors that will tantalize your taste buds and awaken your senses.
Fried Rice in a Pineapple Boat
Serving Thai fried rice in a pineapple boat adds a festive and tropical touch, making it the perfect dish for parties, especially those with a Southeast Asian cuisine or tropical theme.
Don’t be fooled by its exotic appearance, as this dish is incredibly simple to make and can be ready in just 30 minutes.
If you like fresh pineapple, check out my pineapple salad with cucumber. It’s light and refreshingly delicious!
Optional pork floss topping
My fried rice is taken to the next level with the addition of Pork floss, which is finely shredded and dried pork that adds a wonderful depth of flavor.
While it’s completely optional, I highly recommend trying it out for the sweet and salty taste and crunchy texture it brings to the dish.
This topping was inspired by a Thai restaurant in Hong Kong, where the best pineapple fried rice I’ve ever had was served with pork floss on top. However, feel free to omit the pork floss if you prefer.
Ingredients List
- leftover rice — Jasmin rice is ideal (it is Thai style fried rice, after all) but you can use whatever rice you have. I recommend using day-old cold rice. The slightly dried out rice will yield a chewier and less mushy texture than freshly cooked rice.
- pineapple — Fresh is far better than frozen or canned. If you want to use carved pineapple as a vessel to hold the fried rice, cut it in half lengthwise and scoop out the fruit.
- fish sauce and oyster sauce — For flavor and seasoning.
- curry powder and turmeric powder — Aromatic spices. They give a beautiful golden hue and add a layer of earthy flavor to the rice.
- garlic, ginger, shallot, & chili — Aromatics. Brings warmth and that irresistible aroma to the dish.
- vegetables — You can use whatever veggies you find suitable for making fried rice. I used peas, green onion, and red pepper.
- protein — I chose shrimp, but chicken or pork would make a great substitution.
- pork floss (optional) — To garnish. It also adds additional taste and texture.
Tips for Selecting a Sweet Pineapple
- Look for a pineapple with flat eyes (the diamond shape on the skin). Choose one with spiky points pressed down from the surface instead of sticking out.
- The leaves should be bright green (not brown).
- Squeeze the pineapple gently. The skin should be firm, but with a little give.
- A good pineapple will have a sweet smell.
- If your pineapple is green, it’s not yet ripe. Give it a few days until you see yellow coloring around the eyes and the base. It might take up to a few days to ripen.
How to make Thai Pineapple Fried rice
Step 1. Cut a fresh pineapple in half lengthwise. Scoop out the fruit and leave a hollow space in the middle — this will be our vessel for the fried rice. Dice the pineapple fruit into 1/2 inch chunks and reserve 1 cup.
Step 2. To make the fried rice sauce, mix fish sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, curry powder, and turmeric powder in a small bowl; set aside.
Step 3. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add shallot, garlic, ginger, and chili and stir-fry until fragrant; about 30 seconds.
Step 4. Add shrimp, green onion, and red pepper. Continue stir frying until the shrimp turn opaque; about 1-2 minutes.
Step 5. Add rice and peas. Toss to break up the rice. Drizzle another tablespoon of oil if the mixture seems dry. Continue to stir-fry the rice until it is mixed well.
Step 6. Incorporate everything well by tossing and drizzling the sauce around.
Step 7. Lastly, add the pineapple chunks and heat through. Garnish with cilantro. Serve pineapple fried rice in fresh pineapple boats and garnish with pork floss if using.
Perfect Pairings
Here are some delicious dishes that pair perfectly with Thai pineapple fried rice:
- Beef Massaman Curry
- Thai Red Curry with Chicken
- Green Papaya Salad
- Grilled Fish with Soy Lime Chili Sauce
- Peri Peri Chicken
Delicious Thai Recipes to Try
If you’re a fan of Southeast Asian cuisine, then you’ll love these mouth-watering Thai recipes. These dishes are packed with aromatic ingredients and bold flavors that are sure to satisfy your cravings for Thai food.
- Fragrant Thai Basil Fried Rice
- Classic Thai Green Papaya Salad (Som Tam)
- Quick Thai Beef and Basil Stir-Fry
- Light Thai Glass Noodle Salad (Yum Woon Sen)
- Crispy Thai Crab Cakes
Best Thai Pineapple Fried Rice
Ingredients
For fried rice sauce
- 1 1/2 tbsp fish sauce
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp curry powder
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
For fried rice
- 2-3 tbsp oil
- 2 shallots, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp ginger paste
- 1-2 Thai red chili, finely chopped, optional
- 8 oz shrimp, cleaned
- 2 green onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup red pepper, chopped
- 4 cup cooked white rice
- 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
- 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks , see a note below
- 2 tbsp cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 cup pork floss, to garnish, optional
Equipment
Instructions
- To make the fried rice sauce, mix fish sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, curry powder, and turmeric powder in a small bowl; set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add shallot, garlic, ginger, and chili and stir-fry until fragrant; about 30 seconds.
- Add shrimp, green onion, and red pepper Continue stir frying until the shrimp turn opaque; about 1-2 minutes.
- Add rice and peas. Toss to break up the rice. Drizzle another tablespoon of oil if the mixture seems dry. Continue to stir-fry the rice until it is mixed well.
- Drizzle the sauce around and toss until everything is well incorporated.
- Lastly, add the pineapple chunks and heat through. Garnish with cilantro. Serve pineapple fried rice in fresh pineapple boats and garnish with pork floss if using.
Loved it! I didn’t use pineapple, not a fan, used brown rice and leftover pork roast. I also threw in some crimini mushrooms. The sauce was great