Instant Pot Thai Pineapple Fried Rice

Our Instant Pot Thai pineapple fried rice recipe brings home this delicious restaurant favorite in an effortless recipe. With its savory blend of veggies, sweet and tart juicy pineapple pieces throughout, and carefully balanced spice blend, this dish will get even your pickiest of eaters to devour their veggies. Your family will beg for this delicious Thai fried rice recipe!

What is Thai Pineapple Fried Rice?

Thai pineapple fried rice is one of several stir fries that come from Thailand. The rice has a savory, sweet heat and is loaded with fresh veggies.

Our pineapple fried rice recipe is vegan. You get some healthy fat from the oil and nuts, and protein from the cashews and peas. But if you like more protein sources, you can easily add in tofu pieces or other sources of protein.

What goes in Pineapple Fried Rice - Ingredients

When you make pineapple fried rice, you will need the following ingredients on hand.

• Jasmine rice - You can use freshly cooked rice or leftover rice to make this version of Thai fried rice.
• Water - You can use tap water, it is used to cook the rice.
• Vegetable oil - You could use canola oil or other type of oil if you prefer.
• Curry powder - Use your preferred type of curry.
• Roasted whole cashews - If you can’t find whole cashews, then you could use halved cashews.
• Red Thai chill - You just need to slice it thinly. If you can’t find a Thai chili, you could use another type of hot pepper.
• Garlic cloves - Mince it or use a garlic press.
• Onion - You can use your preferred type of onion.
• Red bell peppers - If you prefer, then you could use another type of bell pepper.
• Peas - We use frozen peas since they are easy to work with.
• Pineapple pieces - We prefer using fresh pineapple, but you could use canned instead.
• Green onion - You can slice it or cut it into wheels.
• Soy sauce - You can use regular or light or sub in a gluten free version.

Why make Thai Fried Rice in the Instant Pot

When we make pineapple fried rice, we often cook the jasmine rice in the Instant Pot. The Instant Pot takes a lot of guess work and frustration out of making rice, so we highly recommend getting one if you like to make a lot of rice dishes.

How to make Thai Pineapple Fried Rice in an Instant Pot

When you want to make the best tasting Thai pineapple fried rice, you will want to follow these easy steps:

• First, rinse the rice under cold water by gently scrubbing the rice with your fingertips in a circling motion. Once rinsed, pour out the milky water and continue to rinse until water is clear, which will take about 4 to 5 times. When done, make sure to drain it well.
• Next, add the rice and water to an Instant Pot. When ready, close the lid, turn the venting knob to the sealing position and pressure cook at high pressure for 3 minutes.
• When the timer goes off, allow a natural release of pressure for 10 minutes. 
• After 10 minutes, turn the venting knob to the venting position to release the remaining pressure and then carefully open the lid.
• Next, use a fork to fluff the rice, then spread the rice on a baking sheet pan and pop it in the refrigerator or freezer to cool for a few minutes till you prep the veggies.
• When the rice is cooling, stir the soy sauce together with the curry powder in a small bowl and then set aside.

• Next, heat oil in a wok or large nonstick skillet over high heat.
• Add garlic, Thai red chili, and onion and then cook for 1 minute.
• Next, add in the bell pepper and cook for another 1 minute.
• After a minute, add peas and give it a stir.
• Next, add the pineapple, rice, cashews, and sauce. Cook, stirring constantly, for about 2 minutes or until rice grains go from being wet with sauce to sort of caramelized.
• Finally, stir through green onions then serve in a bowl!

How to make Thai Pineapple Fried Rice in a Stove Top

When you want to make Thai pineapple fried rice with freshly cooked rice, then you will want to follow these easy instructions:

1. First, rinse the rice under cold water by gently scrubbing the rice with your fingertips in a circling motion. Once rinsed, pour out the milky water and continue to rinse until water is clear, which will take about 4 to 5 times. When done, make sure to drain it well.
2. Once rinsed, follow the instructions for cooking rice found on the packaging. It is generally a 1 to 1-1/2 ratio of water to rice when cooking on the stove top.
3. Next, use a fork to fluff the rice, then spread the rice on a baking sheet pan and pop it in the refrigerator or freezer to cool for a few minutes till you prep the veggies.
4. When the rice is cooling, stir the soy sauce together with the curry powder in a small bowl and then set aside.
5. Next, heat oil in a wok or large nonstick skillet over high heat.
6. Add garlic, Thai red chili, and onion and then cook for 1 minute.
7. Next, add in the bell pepper and cook for another 1 minute.
8. After a minute, add peas and give it a stir.
9. Next, add rice, pineapple chunks, cashews, and sauce. Cook, stirring constantly, for about 2 minutes or until rice grains go from being wet with sauce to sort of caramelized.
10. Finally, stir through green onions then serve in a bowl!

How to make Pineapple bowl

When you make Thai pineapple fried rice, it is very easy to serve it in a bowl. You can simply scoop the fried rice into bowls for your family to eat, or you can add additional flare to each bowl. 

Some serving ideas include:

• Pick fancy or fun bowls to serve the fried rice in
• Add additional green onion strips, cashews, crushed pineapple, or tofu to the top of the fried rice
• If you use fresh pineapple, you could serve the rice in a cored pineapple, just cut it in half to make a bowl or slice it lengthwise to make a boat.

Pro tips and tricks

When you want to make the best tasting pineapple fried rice recipe, follow these simple tips and tricks:

• Use freshly cut pineapple 
• Though you can use day old rice, it tastes best with freshly made rice
• Make sure to thoroughly rinse the rice before cooking it to help it become fluffier

FAQs

Other Instant Pot recipes you may like

When you are hungry for more Instant Pot recipes or other great tasting recipes, then you will want to check out these other great eats:

• Panang Curry
• Masamam curry
• Fried Rice
• Thai peanut curry
• Quinoa Pineapple Fried Rice
• Spicy Thai noodles recipe

Let us know what you think

If you make this delicious recipe, let us know how it went! When you make this, be sure to take a pic and tag us on Instagram @dbellyrulesdmind or Facebook @thebellyrulesthemind!