Vegan Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe (2024)

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Easy vegan pineapple fried rice made with perfectly stir fried veggies, a simple sweet and savory tamari sauce and tons of flavor. Healthy, filling, gluten free and makes perfect leftovers.

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Pineapple Fried Rice

Here’s to the perfect back pocket weeknight meal! Rain or shine, you know that a comforting bowl of pineapple vegetable packed vegan fried rice delivers like a boss!

Having fresh tropical fruit available year round I like to make use of it in some savory dishes as well. Not to worry if you don’t happen to live in the Tropics you can most certainly pick up some frozen pineapple at the grocery store for this dish.

About the Rice

Most any plain leftover chilled rice can be used here. I prefer to use a nutritious whole grain brown rice, sometimes short grain sometimes long grain depending what I have in the pantry. Black and red rice is also nice, we avoid all white rice so I never even have any in the kitchen anyways. It’s best to cook it the night before ands it as needed throughout the week.

The Pineapple

Fresh is best they say when it comes to pineapple but really frozen is just as good. Remember to thaw it out first of course and allow the juices to drain away so you can get a nice caramelization on the pineapple chunks while stir frying it.

About the Veggies

I love the combo of sweet bell peppers, red onion, purple cabbage and green peas. The flavors perfectly compliment the sweetness of the caramelized pineapple here, however there are many are delicious variations that will work here. Think broccoli, mushrooms, carrots, green string beans, whatever veggies rock your taste buds.

Stir-Fry Sauce

A simple mixture of tamari sauce, maple syrup, a touch of garlic and a little pinch of ginger. Add some heat with chili flakes or a little hot sauce, whichever you prefer.

Add In Ideas

  • tofu scramble for an egg-free eggy flavor
  • roasted broccoli or cauliflower wings
  • crispy tofu nuggets
  • peanut tofu
  • mung beans or green beans
  • smoky tempeh bits
  • sweet and sour tofu
  • soy curls carnitas
  • chickpeas or mushrooms
  • vegan chicken.

FAQ

  • What is fried rice? A rice dish of Chinese origins where leftover rice is mixed with stir fried vegetables and sauce to create a brand new hearty dish.
  • How do I make it oil-free WFPB and Plantricious compliant? Since we are using brown rice already (not white) all you need to adapt is to stir fry / sautee your veggies with a little drop of water or veggie broth instead of oil.
  • Can I make it soy free? Definitely, simply replace the tamari sauce with equal parts of coco aminos and don’t add any tofu to the recipe. Alternatively you can use this peanut sauce or make for my peanut noodle salad.

how to make vegan pineapple fried rice

  • STEP 1: Start with a hot cast iron skillet that has been seasoned well, this way you won’t need to even use any oil. Quickly sir-fry / the pineapple chunks until little caramelization takes place. Once the desire color is achieved transfer to a bowl.
  • STEP 2: Add the bell pepper and onion to the hot skillet stirring quickly until they start to get some color. Work quickly and take good care not to burn anything. If you feel the pan is getting too hot and anything sticks just add a little splash of water to get things moving. Scoop put the onion and pepper and reserve together with the pineapple.
  • STEP 3: In the same skillet add the purple cabbage and stir fry just a minute or so until it starts to wilt. Move it to the side and add a little drop of oil (use water for WFPB & Plantricious diets) and add the garlic. Cook until just fragrant quickly stirring so it won’t burn.
  • STEP 4: Add the cooked rice to the skillet together with the green peas and pour in the sauce. Remove from heat and the reserve veggies gently mixing everything.
  • STEP 5: Sprinkle in some fresh cilantro, scallions and sesame seeds and enjoy!

Rice Storage + Reheating

Rice dishes make really great leftovers that are easily stored up to 5 days in a lidded glass container. Can be reheated on the stove top on low heat adding a little bit of water or veggie stock to get things moving. A microwave works in a pinch as well, just don’t reheat in plastic.

Vegan Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe (9)

5 from 6 votes

Vegan Pineapple Fried Rice

Easy vegan pineapple fried rice made with perfectly stir fried veggies, a simple sweet and savory tamari sauce and tons of flavor. Healthy, filling, gluten free and makes perfect leftovers.

Print Recipe

Prep Time:10 minutes mins

Cook Time:20 minutes mins

Total Time:30 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 4-5 cups brown rice cooked and chilled
  • 2 cups pineapple chunks fresh or frozen
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 3/4 cup green peas (frozen & thawed in hot water)
  • 1 cup purple cabbage shredded
  • 1/2 red onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced

Stir Fry Sauce

Garnishes: scallions, sesame seeds, lime wedges, fresh cilantro, fresh chili peppers.

    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • In a small bowl whisk together all the stir-fry sauce ingredients and set aside.

    • Start with a hot cast iron skillet that has been seasoned well, this way you won’t need to even use any oil. Quickly sir-fry / the pineapple chunks until little caramelization takes place. Once the desire color is achieved transfer to a bowl. (If you don't have a seasoned cast iron skillet use whatever skillet you have available with a drizzle of sesame oil or a drop of water).

    • Add the bell pepper and onion to the hot skillet stirring quickly until they start to get some color. Work quickly and take good care not to burn anything. If you feel the pan is getting too hot and anything sticks just add a little splash of water to get things moving. Scoop out the onion and pepper and reserve together with the pineapple.

    • In the same skillet add the purple cabbage and stir fry just a minute or so until it starts to wilt. Move it to the side and add a little drop of oil (use water for WFPB & Plantricious diets) and add the garlic. Cook until just fragrant quickly stirring so it won’t burn.

    • Add the cooked rice to the skillet together with the green peas and pour in the sauce. Remove from heat and add in the reserve veggies gently mixing everything.

    • Sprinkle in some fresh cilantro, scallions and sesame seeds and enjoy with a fresh squeeze of lime!!

    Video

    Notes

    • To make it oil-free WFPB and Plantricious compliant all you need to adapt the recipe is to stir fry / sautee your veggies with a little drop of water or veggie broth instead of oil. Make sure to use a whole grain rice like brown, black or red.
    • Make it soy-free by replacing the tamari sauce with equal parts of coco aminos and don’t add any tofu to the recipe. Alternatively you can use this peanut sauce i make for my ramen noodle salad.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 557kcal | Carbohydrates: 119g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 410mg | Potassium: 633mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 966IU | Vitamin C: 50mg | Calcium: 81mg | Iron: 3mg

    Course: Main Course

    Cuisine: Chinese

    Keyword: fried rice, plant based, vegan,, wfpb

    Servings: 6 people

    Calories: 557kcal

    Author: Florentina

    Plant-Based Recipes:

    Vegan Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe (2024)

    FAQs

    What is the secret ingredient to restaurant fried rice? ›

    Cooking bits of chopped vegetables, seasoning, soy sauce, and oil, seems easy enough. However, when making fried rice at home, there's one ingredient you may be overlooking: Sugar.

    What is the secret to non mushy fried rice? ›

    Let the rice stand for one to two hours until it's cooled to room temperature. Resting and cooling your rice allows excess moisture to evaporate, which also helps keep grains from clumping. If you want to do this a day or two ahead, let the rice cool completely, then refrigerate it in an airtight container.

    What are some secrets for perfect fried rice? ›

    4 Secrets for Making Perfect Fried Rice
    • Start with a Seasoned Wok. Seasoned woks are naturally nonstick, which allows you to cook with less oil. ...
    • Use Cold Brown Rice. You'll need 2 cups of cooked rice for 4 servings of fried rice. ...
    • Prep Ahead. ...
    • Cook over High Heat.
    Jul 21, 2023

    Why does Chinese restaurant fried rice taste better? ›

    The answer: high heat, expert tosses, and something known as 'wok hei. ' As J. Kenji López-Alt writes for Serious Eats, expert cooking with a wok (and the gas range it requires) is one of the main reasons that fried rice from a Chinese restaurant tastes so much better than what you can make at home.

    Why is pineapple fried rice so good? ›

    The sweetness of pineapple can balance the savory flavors in the dish, providing a delicious and unique taste. Additionally, pineapple contains enzymes that can help tenderize meat, making it a great addition to fried rice dishes that include meat.

    What is the origin of pineapple fried rice? ›

    from Chinese people living in Thailand.

    Where did pineapple fried rice originate? ›

    iterations of it all around the world. While some. recipes use little more than a dash of soy sauce, this.

    What is fried rice syndrome? ›

    Fried rice syndrome is food poisoning caused by a bacterium known as Bacillus cereus (B. cereus). This microscopic germ likes to live on starchy foods like rice and pasta, but it can set up shop on nearly any food. All this bacterium needs is the right combination of time and improper temperature.

    Why do you need to refrigerate rice before frying? ›

    In fact, it's critical. Unlike freshly cooked rice, which forms soft, mushy clumps when stir-fried, chilled leftover white rice undergoes a process called retrogradation, in which the starch molecules form crystalline structures that make the grains firm enough to withstand the second round of cooking.

    Does rice have to be cold to make fried rice? ›

    1) Use cold rice: You've gotta plan ahead and use thoroughly-chilled cooked rice. A fresh batch of warm (or even lukewarm) rice will not fry well when it hits the hot pan, and will result in soggy and sticky clumps — no good. So leftover refrigerated rice is ideal!

    Which spice is good for fried rice? ›

    The Perfect Nigerian Fried Rice
    • 2 bay leaves.
    • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary (optional)
    • 2 Tasty Cubes.
    • 1 teaspoon salt.
    • 1 teaspoon white pepper (substitute other ground pepper)
    • 2 teaspoon curry powder (divided)
    • 1 teaspoon thyme.

    What oil is best for cooking fried rice? ›

    It is key to the authentic flavor of this dish. Peanut oil. this is another ingredient that adds authentic flavor to this recipe, but if you have a peanut allergy in your household you can substitute canola oil or additional sesame oil for the peanut oil.

    What gives restaurant fried rice its flavor? ›

    Signature flavor

    To give your dish that signature fried rice taste, you'll need to drizzle in sesame oil and soy sauce, but feel free to use as much or as little as you wish. You can even mix in things like garlic powder, ginger root, or Sriracha sauce and chili pepper for a bit of a kick.

    Why does homemade fried rice not taste like restaurant? ›

    You're using too many ingredients

    Traditionally, fried rice is a simple dish that spotlights the grain itself. To facilitate this, most restaurants add only a few other ingredients to the dish.

    What gives Japanese fried rice its flavor? ›

    Typically seasoned with soy sauce. In Osaka, fried rice seasoned with Worcestershire sauce is called Sauce Yakimeshi (ソース焼き飯).

    Why does Chinese food taste better at a restaurant? ›

    Restaurants will have a long list of ingredients prepped, including stocks, sauces, lots of different spices, dark, light, and regular soy sauce, etc. Many home cooks will skimp/compromise on some of these for convenience, unless it's a special occasion.

    References

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