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!

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
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.
Step 5: Place fried rice in serving bowls. Top with chopped cashews and scallions. Enjoy!
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.
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.
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!
Recipe
Vegan Pineapple Fried Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown rice 3 cups cooked
- ¼ cup vegetable stock
- 1 medium onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
- ½ cup pineapple cut into bite sized pieces
- ¼ cup raw cashews chopped
- 2 tablespoon vegan fish sauce or soy sauce or tamari
- ½ teaspoon curry powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 scallions chopped
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 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 an additional 35-45 minutes to prepare the rice. Or you can use a brown rice steam bag to save time!
- Add diced onions to a large pan on medium-high heat. Sauté for 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic, and sauté an additional minute.
- Add cooked brown rice. Stir to combine with the onions and garlic. Add turmeric powder, onion powder, garlic powder, vegan fish sauce, and cayenne pepper. Sauté for 3 minutes.
- Stir in frozen peas and carrots, and chopped pineapple. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, or until peas and carrots are cooked through.
- Place fried rice in serving bowls. Top with chopped cashews and scallions. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- 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.
Mariah
Yummy! I made it tonight. Loved seeing this recipe because it was different than the usual stir-fries I make. I am wondering though – you have curry in the recipe but then it says turmeric later on. Which is it? Thanks! I’ll be making it again!
Anjali
Pineapple fried rice is one of my favorite takeout orders, but with this recipe I can recreate that takeout feel at home!! This turned out to be super flavorful, was really easy to make, and my whole family loved it!
veenaazmanov
This fried rice is surely special and unique. Love the combination of Pineapple and cashew making this fried rice a little different and superior too. My kids to love it.
Vicky
What an amazing recipe with such a variety of flavors!
Patty at Spoonabilities
I love the brown rice in this recipe and the combo of flavors and pineapple! My new favorite fried rice has arrived!
Beth
Yummy! My hubby is going to love this recipe! I can’t wait to give this a try! Looks so delicious and tasty!