Shrimp Fried Rice with Pineapple

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This Thai-style shrimp fried rice with pineapple hits all the sweet, tangy, and spicy notes and is delicious served with sautéed shrimp for a complete meal.

Shrimp fried rice with pineapple can literally be on your table in minutes and is made with pantry and refrigerator staples. Unlike some fried rice dishes, this one feels fresh and bright, not heavy or greasy.

Instead of soy sauce, Thai-style shrimp fried rice is flavored with fish sauce which give it its signature salty umami flavor. That bit of saltiness is balanced with a pop of heat from chili sauce and the sweetness of pineapple.

If you haven’t tried pineapple in your fried rice before, get ready to have your socks blown off. Unlike the wackiness of pineapple on pizza (a trend I will never get behind) the pineapple is perfectly suited to the Asian flavors and ingredients in this dish.

Chopped, fresh pineapple is of course delicious, but I often opt to use crushed pineapple in the can. This flavor is not at all compromised and the result is just as tasty.

The other secret to the best shrimp fried rice is starting with chilled, cooked rice. Whenever I make a batch of jasmine rice I always make extra to pop into the frig for a future batch of fried rice.

If you don’t have leftover rice, be sure to plan ahead to give your rice enough time to cool after you cook it. This will prevent the rice from breaking apart or becoming over-cooked and gummy.

This flavorful side dish can easily be turned into a complete (and quick) meal by adding some sautéed or grilled shrimp and a handful of fresh veggies that can double as garnish. I love the coolness of cucumber and a squeeze of lime, but some blanched green beans or asparagus would be tasty additions too!

Let’s make shrimp fried rice with pineapple

1. Sauté the onion in coconut oil, add the garlic and sauté one more minute.
2. Stir in the shrimp and cook until it turns pink and then add the chili sauce, brown sugar, and fish sauce.
3. Mix in the cooked rice and stir well.
4. Stir in the pineapple, cilantro, and scallions. Season and serve.

Tips for success

• Be sure to have all your ingredients prepped and prepared before you start as this is a very quick-cooking dish.
• Cold rice is best for this recipe! If you don’t have leftover rice in the frig, be sure to completely cool (chilled is even better) your rice before making the fried rice.
• Use high heat and frequent stirring for the best results.
• Fresh, chopped pineapple is great for this recipe, but canned crushed pineapple works just as well.
• Serve this shrimp fried rice with diced cucumber and lime wedges for an added pop of brightness.
• Serve with sautéed or grilled shrimp to make it a meal.

More Thai favorites

• Thai Basil Chicken
• Thai-Style Coconut Curry
• Thai Turkey Burgers
• Thai Salad in a Jar
• Thai-Style Crab Cakes

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Shrimp Fried Rice with Pineapple

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

15 mins

Total Time

25 mins

 

This Thai-style shrimp fried rice with pineapple hits all the sweet, tangy, and spicy notes and is delicious served with sautéed shrimp for a complete meal.

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Thai

Keyword: fried rice, shrimp fried rice

Servings: 6 Servings

Calories: 400 kcal

Author: Cathy Roma | What Should I Make For…

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp coconut oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lb peeled and deveined raw shrimp, (tails removed), chopped
• 1 Tbsp Thai chili sauce
• 1 Tbsp light brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup fish sauce
• 6 cups jasmine rice, cooked and cooled (about 2 cups uncooked)
• 16 oz fresh, chopped pineapple or crushed pineapple (in the can)
• 1/4 cup cilantro, minced(reserve a little for garnish)
• 5 scallions, sliced (reserve a little for garnish)
• 1 cucumber, chopped (for garnish)
• lime wedges (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Heat a wok over a high heat until very hot. Add the coconut oil and swirl around the pan.

2. Add the onion to the pan and cook until golden, about 2 mins. Add the garlic and cook 1 more minute. Stir frequently as it cooks.

3. Stir in the shrimp and cook until it turns pink, about 2-3 mins.

4. Add the chili sauce, brown sugar, and fish sauce. Add the rice and stir well.

5. Cook, stirring frequently, until the rice is hot. Stir in the pineapple, cilantro, and scallions. Season to taste with kosher salt and pepper. Serve hot.

Recipe Notes

• Be sure to have all your ingredients prepped and prepared before you start as this is a very quick-cooking dish.
• Cold rice is best for this recipe! If you don’t have leftover rice in the frig, be sure to completely cool (chilled is even better) your rice before making the fried rice.
• Use high heat and frequent stirring for the best results.
• Fresh, chopped pineapple is great for this recipe, but canned crushed pineapple works just as well.
• Serve this shrimp fried rice with diced cucumber and lime wedges for an added pop of brightness.
• Serve with sautéed or grilled shrimp to make it a meal.

Nutrition Facts

Shrimp Fried Rice with Pineapple

Amount Per Serving

Calories 400 Calories from Fat 54

% Daily Value*

Fat 6g9%

Saturated Fat 4g25%

Cholesterol 191mg64%

Sodium 1387mg60%

Potassium 377mg11%

Carbohydrates 63g21%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 15g17%

Protein 21g42%

Vitamin A 235IU5%

Vitamin C 16mg19%

Calcium 164mg16%

Iron 3mg17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.