Pineapple Fried Rice

4.52 from 27 votes

This Pineapple Fried Rice is a quick, flavorful dinner that’s ready in just 20 minutes. Juicy shrimp, crunchy cashews, and sweet pineapple come together in a dish that’s as easy as it is delicious. Give it a try tonight—it’s a recipe you’ll want to make again and again!

Prep Time15

Cook Time5

Total Time20

Course: Rice

Cuisine: Thai Recipes

Keyword: pineapple fried rice

Servings: people

Author: Bee Yinn Low

Ingredients

2 tablespoons oil
2 cloves garlic minced
1 teaspoon Thai shrimp paste optional
4 oz. shrimp shelled and deveined, tail-on
8 oz. leftover steamed rice
4 oz. fresh pineapple cut into small cubes
1/2 red chili or green chili, finely sliced, optional
1 tablespoon fish sauce
1/4 teaspoon dark soy sauce
2 tablespoons cashew nuts
Cilantro for garnishing

Instructions

Heat a wok and add cooking oil. Stir-fry the garlic and shrimp paste (if using) until aromatic. Add the shrimp and stir-fry until half-cooked. Add the rice, pineapple pieces, and chili (if using), and do a few quick stirs.
Add fish sauce and dark soy sauce, and stir to blend well with the rice. Stir-fry for another minute, then add the cashew nuts and stir to combine. Dish out, garnish with cilantro, and serve immediately.

Notes

I recommend using leftover or overnight rice. It helps the rice stay nice and grainy, not mushy, giving the fried rice that perfect texture I love.
Fresh pineapple is a must for me, but if you’re using canned, just make sure it’s packed in 100% juice, not syrup. And be sure to drain and rinse it before tossing it in!
Fish sauce is key! It adds that authentic Thai flavor, so don’t skip it. Be sure to check out the ingredients section above for my top brand recommendations.
I always serve it with lime wedges—just squeeze fresh lime juice over the rice right before serving.

Nutrition