Thai Pineapple Fried Rice

Look, sometimes you want a meal that feels like a vacation without actually leaving your kitchen. This Thai pineapple fried rice is exactly that – a quick escape that takes less than 30 minutes and uses stuff you probably already have hanging out in your fridge.

The magic here is in the caramelized pineapple and those crispy cashews. It’s not trying to be some ultra-authentic restaurant dish, just a really good home-cooked meal that happens to be packed with flavor. Plus, it’s a great way to use up leftover rice and whatever vegetables are about to go south in your crisper drawer.

I’m telling you, this is the kind of recipe that makes you look like you know what you’re doing in the kitchen, even if you’re usually more comfortable ordering takeout. It’s forgiving, adaptable, and honestly pretty hard to mess up.

What You’ll Need

• 2 tablespoons coconut oil or quality vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 1 ½ cups chopped fresh pineapple
• 1 large red bell pepper
• ¾ cup chopped green onions
• 2 cloves garlic
• ½ cup raw unsalted cashews
• 2 cups cooked brown rice
• 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium tamari
• 1-2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce
• 1 small lime
• Salt
• Fresh cilantro leaves

Steps

1. Heat a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Have an empty bowl ready nearby.
2. Add 1 teaspoon oil and scramble the eggs until lightly set, about 30-60 seconds. Transfer to the empty bowl.
3. Add 1 tablespoon oil and cook pineapple and red pepper until caramelized, 3-5 minutes. Add green onions and garlic, cooking until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
4. Reduce heat to medium, add remaining oil, and toast cashews until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add rice and cook 3 minutes.
5. Return egg mixture to pan, stirring to combine. Add tamari, chili sauce, and lime juice. Season to taste.
6. Garnish with cilantro and lime wedges before serving.

Substitutions That Actually Work

• No brown rice? White rice works fine.
• Allergic to cashews? Try almonds or skip nuts entirely.
• No fresh pineapple? Canned works in a pinch.

Making It Diabetes-Friendly

Use cauliflower rice instead of regular rice, and go easy on the sweet elements. The protein and healthy fats will help balance blood sugar.

Tips & Storage

Store in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Reheat in a skillet to maintain that slightly crispy texture. Pro tip: A little extra chili sauce never hurts.