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A simple weeknight dinner, vegan pineapple fried rice is easier than take-out! Brown rice, peas, carrots, and pineapple are sautéd in a spicy sauce, and topped with fresh scallions! It’s a complete meal in one pan!

fried rice topped with pineapples scallions, and cashews

Who doesn’t love fried rice? It is my son’s favorite thing to order when we get Chinese or Thai take-out, and I swear my husband has dreams about it!

The combination of flavorful rice, with bits of veggies, and spices, is enough to make you call in for take-out when the cravings arise!

For the longest time, I thought fried rice was reserved for the occasional take-out night. I never tried making it on my own. Not to mention it’s not the healthiest option with all the added oil, salt, MSG, and white carbs.

However, when I became vegan, I no longer ordered the infamous fried rice take-out. Most recipes include fish sauce!

That was when I decided to make my own at home! Once I started making my own fried rice at home, I realized how easy it is to make!

Making this infamous take-out dish at home allows you to alter the ingredients to improve the health benefits, and reduce the fat and calories!

The result is a super flavorful, high fiber, nutrient rich version of a take-out favorite! Add this recipe to your weekly vegan meal prep!

Why you’ll love this Vegan Pineapple Fried Rice…

A great recipe to make with leftover brown rice!
Comes together in less than 20 minutes when you have pre-made rice.
One pot meal!
Way healthier than take-out!
A combination of sweet and spicy flavors!
Oil-Free
Gluten-Free
Low in fat and calories
An easy family friendly dish!

Recipe Ingredients and Notes

pineapple fried rice ingredients: scallions, peas and carrots, brown rice, pineapple, garlic, spices, cashews, fish sauce, and vegetable stock

Brown Rice: Use 1 cup of dried brown rice, or 3 cups of cooked brown rice. For a short cut, make the rice the day before. Allow to cool, and store in an airtight container. Another option is to use a brown rice freezer bag. They cook in the oven in about 3 minutes.

Pineapple: Depending on the season use fresh or canned pineapple. If using canned pineapple, buy pineapple chunks in juice. Drain and rinse the pineapple chunks before adding to the pan.

Spices: A combination of curry powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and vegan fish sauce add flavor and color to the fried rice.

Vegetables: Diced onion, garlic, peas, carrots, and scallions add color and flavor to the dish.

Cashews: Add crunch, texture, and protein. I prefer to use raw whole cashews, that I chop to sprinkle on top.

Tools and Equipment

This super simple recipe is a one-pot meal! All you need is a large fry pan to sauté the rice and vegetables.

How to Make Vegan Pineapple Fried Rice – Step by Step

Step 1: Cook brown rice according to package directions. One cup of dried brown rice will produce 3 cups of cooked rice. You can also make the rice a day in advance to save you time! If making the rice the day you plan to serve, it will take 35-45 minutes to prepare the rice. Or you can also use a brown rice steam bag to save time!

Step 2: Add diced onions to a large pan on medium-high heat. Sauté for 3 minutes or until soft. Add the minced garlic, and sauté an additional minute.

Step 3: Add cooked brown rice. Stir to combine with the onions and garlic. Add curry powder, onion powder, garlic powder, vegan fish sauce, and cayenne pepper. Sauté for 3 minutes.

Step 4: Stir in frozen peas and carrots, and chopped pineapple. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, or until peas and carrots are cooked through.

fried rice in pan with pineapple, peas, and carrots

Step 5: Place fried rice in serving bowls. Top with chopped cashews and scallions. Enjoy!

vegan pineapple fried rice in black bowls with chopsticks

Top Tips for Making the Best Vegan Pineapple Fried Rice

Fried rice tastes best when made with day old rice. This also cuts down on total prep time!
Use fresh ripe pineapple, or canned pineapple chunks in juice (not syrup). If you’re pineapple isn’t ripe, you’ll end up with a bitter flavor.
If you don’t have vegetable stock to sauté the onions and garlic, use water, or soy sauce.

Where does pineapple fried rice originate?

Pineapple fried rice is a traditional Thai recipe. The difference between Chinese fried rice, and Thai fried rice, is that Thai fried rice is traditionally made with fish sauce, while Chinese fried rice is traditionally made with soy sauce.

To keep this recipe more in keeping with a Thai fried rice, this recipe calls for vegan fish sauce. However, if you don’t have this on hand, you can substitute soy sauce or tamari.

Is this vegan pineapple fried rice healthy?

Lower in Fat and Calories: One serving of this dish is only 180 calories and 3 grams of fat. A traditional recipe that uses oil, and white rice will likely run 400 calories and 15 grams of fat!

High in Fiber: Using brown rice, which is a whole grain, increases the fiber and overall nutrient content of this dish.

Rich in Vitamins and Nutrients: Cashews and peas add plant protein. Carrots are a good source of beta-carotene, potassium, and antioxidants.

How to Serve

This dish is a complete meal with complex carbohydrates, vegetables, and protein. This dish would taste great with Thai Curry Soup, or topped with air fryer tofu for added protein!

For a beautiful presentation, scoop out the flesh of the pineapple, and serve in a pineapple boat.

pineapple fried rice in black bowls with chopsticks and a side of chopped cashews

How to Store and Keep

Make Ahead: Prepare the brown rice ahead of time! Then prepare fried rice in less than 15 minutes.

After Cooked: Allow the rice to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Frozen: To freeze this recipe for later, transfer to a freezer safe bag. Make sure all air is out of the bag before sealing. Label with the contents and date. It will keep in the freezer for 2-3 months.

Reheat: If reheating from the refrigerator, add a touch of water to a microwave safe container, and warm in the microwave or stovetop. The water will bring back the moisture to the rice. If reheating from frozen, transfer to a fry pan. Add a few tablespoons of water, and heat until warmed through.

Variations and Substitutions

Added Protein: Add extra firm tofu to add additional protein.

Gluten-Free: Most vegan fish sauces are gluten-free, however, I recommend reading the label to be sure. Another vegan option is tamari.

No vegan fish sauce: No problem! Simply sub soy sauce or tamari.

vegan fried rice in black bowl topped with scallions and cashews

Check out these other flavorful vegan main dishes!

If you’ve tried this vegan pineapple fried rice recipe, please rate the recipe and let me know how it turned out. You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for more plant-based family recipes your whole family will enjoy!

Vegan Pineapple Fried Rice with Cashews