There’s something about the sweet tang of pineapple mixed with savory and smoky flavors that just hits the spot every time. This Savory Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe is one of those dishes I make when I want a quick, crowd-pleasing meal that feels special and satisfying.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This Savory Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe has quickly become a staple in my kitchen — it balances the perfect mix of sweet, salty, and umami with textures that keep you coming back for more. Plus, it’s great for using up leftover rice and whatever veggies or protein you have on hand!
- Flavor Explosion: The pineapple adds a juicy sweetness that contrasts beautifully with salty ham and savory soy sauce.
- Easy Weeknight Meal: Ready in under 40 minutes, making it perfect for busy evenings or last-minute dinner plans.
- Flexible Ingredients: Love shrimp or chicken? Swap out the ham! You can also add more veggies or keep it meatless.
- Texture Heaven: Crispy rice, tender pineapple, crunchy cashews, and fluffy scrambled eggs make each bite exciting.
Ingredients & Why They Work
When it comes to fried rice, using fresh, quality ingredients really shines here. The interplay of salty, sweet, and nutty flavors is what makes this Savory Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe so irresistible. Here’s a little breakdown of the key components.
- Soy Sauce: It’s the backbone of the umami flavor that turns simple rice into something special.
- Chicken Broth: Adds depth without overwhelming the dish, especially in the sauce blend.
- Honey: Provides a subtle sweetness that balances the salt and heat perfectly.
- Ham Steak: Offers a smoky, savory protein that pairs brilliantly with pineapple.
- Leftover Rice: Drier rice works best to get that desirable crispy texture. If you don’t have leftovers, I’ll show you how to cook it right here.
- Pineapple Chunks: Fresh or canned both work—just be sure to drain and pat dry well to keep the rice from getting soggy.
- Cashews: These crunchy nuts add a wonderful contrast and nutty finish to every bite.
- Vegetables (Onion, Carrots, Bell Pepper, Garlic): They bring brightness, color, and freshness to balance the richness of the dish.
Make It Your Way
I love swapping the ham for shrimp when I want to mix it up and add a lighter protein. You’ll find this dish so versatile — you can amp up the spice with more hot sauce or keep it mild for kids. Plus, adding shredded cabbage or using cauliflower rice are fun twists that keep things fresh.
- Variation: I once made this rice with grilled chicken strips instead of ham, and the smoky char added an amazing flavor.
- Vegetarian: Skip the meat, add more veggies like green peas or snap peas, and it’s just as delicious.
- Spice Level: Adjust the hot sauce quantity or swap for sriracha to dial up the heat.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Savory Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe
Step 1: Prep all your ingredients
This is an old kitchen rule I live by — read through the recipe and get everything prepped before turning on the heat. Chop your veggies, dice the ham, slice the green onions, and drain the pineapple chunks well. Combining the sauce ingredients ahead lets you pour the magic in smoothly later. Having everything at arm’s reach means no scrambling or burnt food!
Step 2: Scramble fluffy eggs
Melt butter over medium-low heat in an 8-inch nonstick skillet. Whisk your eggs and cook gently, stirring often, until softly set but not dry – perfectly fluffy eggs add a lovely texture punch. Remove and set aside so they don’t overcook as you build your fried rice.
Step 3: Cook the ham and add wine
Heat about 1 tablespoon of peanut oil in a wide skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in the diced ham and let it get a bit of color — that browned exterior amps flavor big time. Set the ham aside, then lower the heat to medium and pour in the white wine. Use a spatula to scrape the skillet’s bottom and let the wine reduce by half to concentrate those flavors.
Step 4: Sauté the vegetables and garlic
Drop in the onions first and soften them for about 3 minutes, then add carrots, red bell pepper, and minced garlic. Cook just until the veggies are tender-crisp — this keeps their vibrant color and fresh bite that contrasts nicely with the savory rice base.
Step 5: Stir-fry the rice with sauce
Add your cold leftover rice to the pan along with the prepared sauce. Turn the heat to medium-high and stir constantly for a few minutes. The key here is to get the rice hot without clumping or steaming too long — you want everything nicely coated and just the right amount of sauce absorbed.
Step 6: Finish with ham, pineapple & eggs
Lower the heat to medium and toss in the browned ham, drained pineapple chunks, and scrambled eggs. Give everything a gentle toss until warm through, then take it off the heat. Finally, sprinkle sliced green onions and crunchy cashews for an irresistible finishing touch.
Top Tip
From my experience, the secret to making the best Savory Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe lies in your rice and pineapple prep. I can’t emphasize enough how drying leftovers or properly cooking fresh rice sets you up for fried rice success.
- Use Day-Old, Dry Rice: It might sound weird, but cold, dry rice fries up with the perfect crispness. Freshly cooked rice that's warm is more likely to clump and get mushy.
- Drain Pineapple Thoroughly: Soggy pineapple adds unwanted moisture that softens your rice. I roll pineapple chunks in paper towels to dry them before tossing in.
- High Heat & Constant Stirring: Your skillet should be hot enough to quickly sear the rice and ingredients. Keep stirring so everything cooks evenly without burning.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Give your rice space to fry rather than steam. If your pan is small, do it in batches for best results.
How to Serve Savory Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe
Garnishes
I’m a big fan of finishing with sliced green onions and chopped cashews, which add fresh pops of color and crunchy textures I crave. Sometimes, I also sprinkle a little toasted sesame seed or a squeeze of lime for brightness. These simple touches truly elevate the dish.
Side Dishes
Because this fried rice is packed with flavor and protein, I often serve it with an easy side like steamed broccoli or a crisp Asian cucumber salad to add some cool freshness. For a heartier meal, crispy spring rolls or potstickers make beautiful partners.
Creative Ways to Present
For special dinner parties, I love serving this in hollowed-out pineapple halves — it looks vibrant and exotic and doubles as a casual conversation starter. You can also serve it family-style on a large platter garnished with extra cashews and herbs for easy sharing.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After dinner, I let leftovers cool completely and store them in airtight containers in the fridge. This fried rice keeps well for up to three days and actually tastes even better after the flavors have had time to meld overnight.
Freezing
If you want to save some for longer, freezing works great too. Portion the rice into freezer-safe containers or bags, and it’ll keep for up to three months. When you thaw and reheat, the cashews might lose some crunch, but the flavors stay delicious.
Reheating
I prefer reheating this fried rice in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of oil or water to avoid drying it out. Microwave works in a pinch but can make it a bit mushy if overdone. Stir often until hot and steamy, and it’s good to go!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Fresh pineapple works wonderfully and adds a bright, juicy flavor. Just make sure to remove as much moisture as possible by patting it dry with paper towels to keep your rice from becoming soggy.
Long grain white rice is ideal because it fries up nice and separate without clumping. Using day-old, leftover rice you’ve refrigerated overnight is best for getting that perfect crispy texture.
Definitely! Simply omit the ham and add extra vegetables such as peas, cabbage, or tofu for protein. The sauce and pineapple bring plenty of flavor on their own for a delicious vegetarian version.
The key is using cold, dry rice and making sure to drain any wet ingredients, especially pineapple. Also, cook over high heat with frequent stirring to promote crispiness, and don’t overcrowd your pan to avoid steaming the rice.
Final Thoughts
This Savory Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe feels like a warm hug on a plate. The way sweet, salty, crunchy, and tender come together always makes me smile. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do, and maybe it’ll become one of your go-to meals for busy nights or special occasions. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll want to keep this recipe close — it’s just that good.
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Delicious Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Description
Pineapple Fried Rice is a delightful combination of sweet pineapple chunks, savory ham, and fluffy scrambled eggs tossed with fragrant rice and a flavorful sauce. This easy stir-fry recipe offers a perfect balance of sweet and savory tastes and makes a satisfying main dish or side for any meal.
Ingredients
Sauce
- 0.25 cup soy sauce
- 0.25 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 0.5 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
- 0.125 teaspoon ground ginger
Fried Rice
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons peanut oil, divided
- 8 ounces ham steak, diced (about 1 heaping cup)
- 0.33 cup dry white wine
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 0.75 cup carrots, julienned and roughly chopped
- 1 small red bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups leftover rice (preferably cold)
- 20 ounces pineapple chunks (about 1.5 cups), drained
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 0.33 cup cashews, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Prep Work: Combine all sauce ingredients in a bowl and set aside. Drain pineapple chunks well and cut into smaller pieces if desired. Measure out all remaining ingredients before beginning to cook.
- Scramble the Eggs: Melt butter in an 8-inch nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Add whisked eggs and cook, stirring gently, until just set. Remove eggs from skillet and set aside.
- Cook Ham: Heat up to 1 tablespoon peanut oil in a wide skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced ham and cook for about 3 minutes, allowing it to develop some color. Remove ham from skillet and set aside. Turn the heat off temporarily.
- Deglaze Pan: Add white wine to the skillet and set heat to medium. Use a spatula to scrape any browned bits from the pan. Let the wine reduce by half, about 3-4 minutes.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add diced onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add carrots, red bell pepper, and garlic; cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- Cook Rice with Sauce: Add chilled leftover rice to the skillet along with the prepared sauce. Increase heat to medium-high and stir continuously for about 3 minutes until most of the sauce liquid is absorbed and rice is heated through.
- Combine All Ingredients: Reduce heat to medium. Add cooked ham, pineapple chunks, and scrambled eggs to the rice mixture. Toss gently to coat and heat through, about 2 minutes.
- Finish and Serve: Remove skillet from heat. Garnish with sliced green onions and chopped cashews. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use day-old leftover rice or freshly cooked rice that has been cooled and dried to ensure the best texture for fried rice.
- A wide skillet or wok with plenty of surface area helps fry the rice evenly and quickly.
- For perfectly cooked rice: boil 2 cups chicken broth, add 1 cup white long grain rice, cover and simmer on low heat for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 10 minutes.
- You can substitute brown sugar for honey in the sauce if needed.
- If you prefer, use olive or canola oil instead of peanut oil.
- Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, or Sauvignon Blanc are recommended wines, or use chicken broth as a non-alcoholic alternative.
- Dry pineapple chunks by patting them with paper towels to prevent soggy rice.
- Cauliflower rice or shredded green cabbage can be added as healthy variations.
- leftovers store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Try different proteins like chicken, beef, or shrimp for variations of fried rice.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 13 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
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