Pineapple Fried Rice - Mighty Mrs | Super Easy Recipes (2024)

You'll love this quick and easy pineapple fried rice featuring pineapple tidbits, diced ham, and bell peppers. It's perfect for using up leftover ham or white rice. Meal prep for the week for lunch or dinner or make it fresh in just 25 minutes!

Add a tropical twist to your dinner table with this yummy fried rice featuring pineapples and ham.

★ Why You'll Love this Recipe ★

Pineapple Fried Rice is a delicious meal or serve it as a hearty side. This dish is simple to prepare and is ready to enjoy in just 20 minutes.

You'll start with basic cooked white rice and layer in flavor with butter, teriyaki sauce and a little sesame oil for flavor and a nice silky texture.

Egg, ham, pineapple, bell peppers and green onions layer in creating a colorful and savory dinner with a pop of sweet juiciness from the pineapple.

Compete with veggies and protein, this rice dish is a balanced meal all in one bowl making an easy weeknight dinner.

This is a great use for diced ham or leftover ham, as well as leftover white rice.

★ Ingredients You'll Need ★

You'll need just 9 total ingredients to make this loaded Hawaiian fried rice. It's simple and very easy to make when you start with cooked white rice.

Here's a look and everything you'll need:

• Rice. Cooked white rice is ideal. To save time, you can use minute rice or pre-cooked rice, or leftover Chinese food rice!
• Ham. Diced ham of any kind works. I do find better quality hams offer more robust flavor.
• Pineapple. This is the game-changer. Pineapple adds a unique tropical touch that complements the ham perfectly and adds a fun twist to your typical fried rice. Canned tidbits is what work well but you can use fresh pineapple or bigger pineapple chunks if you prefer.
• Bell peppers. The tri-color packs of peppers add awesome flavor, freshness and amazing color! You can use green peppers if you prefer. They are a little less sweet, more bitter. Use the mini peppers if you don't want to have leftover cut peppers or you can use 1 pepper in a single color if you prefer.
• Green onions. You'll separate these into tops and bottoms. The white parts cook with the rice and then the green parts make a lovely garnish.
• Butter and sesame seed adds richness and flavor and keeps rice from clumping or becoming mushy.
• Teriyaki sauce. This sauce pairs nicely with the pineapples and ham and creates that signature yellow-brown color and seasons the rice making it taste oh-so-good.
• Egg. Maybe my favorite part of fried rice is the little bits of egg mixed in. Can't forget this ingredient! Also adds some nice protein making this a hearty dish.

My kids don't like onions in their fried rice, but if you do, then you can definitely add onion in with the peppers. Half of an onion, diced.

★ How to Make this Recipe ★

This pineapple fried rice is very easy to make in just 25 minutes.

Here's a look at the steps:

• Start will cooked yet chilled rice.
• Saute ham and bell peppers.
• Add pineapples.
• Crack and scramble eggs in the pan.
• Add teriyaki sauce, butter and oil.
• Toss to combine.
• Garnish and serve!

Simple as that.

★ Tips and FAQs ★

Is this dish also known as Hawaiian Fried Rice?

Yes, some call this dish Hawaiian fried rice, although this fried rice is more of an Asian profile with a tropical twist, adding pineapples. This isn't a dish originally served in Hawaiian but does use the popular Hawaiian fruit!

What makes this fried rice different from regular fried rice?

This pineapple fried rice incorporates a touch of the tropics with the addition of pineapple, ham and bell peppers, giving this rice a sweet and savory profile. This combination distinguishes it from traditional fried rice, which often features vegetables like peas and carrots and pork, shrimp, or chicken.

Can I substitute the ham with another type of meat?

While ham and pineapple are a great match flavor-wise, you can certainly substitute the ham with other proteins such as cooked chicken, shrimp, or even bacon for a different flavor profile. You could also add these in addition to the ham.

Be sure to use pre-cooked meats with this recipe.

Can I use fresh or canned pineapple for this recipe?

Either fresh or canned pineapple can be used, depending on your preference and availability. Fresh pineapple adds a vibrant sweetness, while canned pineapple provides convenience and a consistent flavor.

Is there a vegetarian or vegan version of this fried rice?

Yes, you can make a vegetarian or vegan version of pineapple fried rice by omitting the ham and using plant-based protein alternatives such as tofu or tempeh. You can also add extra vegetables like eggplant, carrots, peas, (or really anything that sounds good to you!) for added flavor and texture.

How do I prevent the rice from becoming mushy?

To prevent the rice from becoming mushy, it's important to use cold, pre-cooked rice.

Ideally, use rice that has been cooked and cooled in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight. This helps the grains maintain their structure and separate during the frying process. The sesame oil will also coat the rice and provide some separation. Add more oil if needed.

Can I make this pineapple and ham fried rice ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare this pineapple fried rice ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

When reheating, add a splash of water to help loosen the rice and restore moisture.

This fried rice is great reheated so it's an ideal meal-prep lunch or dinner.

What are some optional add-ins to enhance the flavor?

You can customize your pineapple fried rice by adding ingredients such as minced garlic, onion powder or grated ginger for additional flavor. You can also incorporate other tropical fruits like mango or coconut for a unique, more Hawaiian twist. For added texture try water chestnut, and/or mung bean sprouts.

Is pineapple fried rice spicy?

Pineapple fried rice is not spicy, but if you want to add some heat, try diced jalapeños, or a drizzle of sriracha sauce during cooking or as a garnish.

Can I serve pineapple fried rice as a main dish or side dish?

Pineapple fried rice can be enjoyed as either a main dish or a side dish, depending on your preference and what other dishes you're serving. It pairs well with grilled meats, seafood, or tofu, and can also be served alongside other Asian-inspired dishes.

Can I freeze leftovers?

While you can freeze leftover pineapple fried rice, the texture of the rice and veggies may change slightly upon thawing and reheating. To reheat, thaw the rice overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat it in a skillet or microwave until heated through.

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