Pineapple Shrimp Fried Rice Recipe

We love any dish that is centered around rice. Fried rice is one of the most popular dishes in Asian cuisine, and you can serve it in several different ways. This recipe for fried rice includes some veggies and pineapple, and the citrus taste pairs so well with the shrimp. One of the most wonderful things about this recipe is that you can just use leftover rice, making it easy and economical. Who doesn't love the sound of that?

Recipe developer Catherine Brookes is the brains behind this pineapple shrimp fried rice recipe, and we think everyone needs to write her a lovely thank-you card, because it's that good. "I love the mixture of sweet, tangy and salty flavors in this fried rice," Brookes raves. "It's a tasty complete meal and you can keep the leftovers for lunch the next day." Not only is it delicious, but it incorporates many of the essential food groups, making it equally as nutritious. If you're looking for a way to use up the rice that has been sitting in your fridge, look no further than this wonderful recipe!

Let's get this wonderful dish started. The first thing you need to do is take out a pen and paper and make a list of ingredients you will need to get from the store. Start with some sesame oil, and then make a list of things you will need to get in the produce section, like onion, red pepper, and garlic. You will also need to pick up some shrimp and frozen peas. Moving down the list, be sure to have or get few cups of leftover cooked rice. You will also need a can of pineapple chunks, vegetable stock, and soy sauce.

Now that you have all of your ingredients, it's time to start cooking. Simply take out a large wok or frying pan with enough room to fit all of your ingredients. Then, drizzle in the sesame oil and turn the heat to medium-high. If you don't have sesame oil or want to use another kind, that's fine! "Use any oil you prefer! I love like the slightly nutty flavor that sesame oil gives. It's great for stir frys," Brookes says.

As the oil starts to get hot, there are a few more items that you can add to the mix. Start with the onion, and as a reminder, you should have diced it ahead of time, making this step even more simple. Next, add in the pepper (which you should have also diced beforehand), and fry the veggies until they soften. These take the longest to cook, which is the reason why you need to throw them in first. 

Ready to add more to the pan? At this time, you can toss in the shrimp. Remember that you should have let the shrimp thaw out ahead of time, if you opted for the frozen kind. Then, throw in the minced garlic. Cook the ingredients together for about two minutes. "At this stage you only cook for about 2 minutes because you don't want the garlic to burn," Brookes shares. "[And] the shrimp are already cooked [so] you're just heating them through. You should see them curl up and shrink a little as they heat up." Towards the end of this recipe, your kitchen should begin smelling super fragrant and garlicky, which is always a good thing!

We're moving at a good pace, and you need to add just a few more things to the mix. Start with the rice first, and then add the peas, pineapple chunks, and vegetable stock. Cook the mixture for about five minutes, and be sure to stir it frequently. Last but not least, pour over the reserved pineapple juice and the soy sauce. Give everything a final stir. "After the final 5 mins of cooking everything together they would definitely be ready," Brookes notes. 

The last part of this recipe is the best because it means you can finally enjoy all of your hard work and efforts. You may serve this on a plate or bowl and eat it as a main course or side dish. When it comes to it, there are plenty of ways to serve this fantastic rice up! "I'd say it a pretty complete meal in itself but a fresh side salad might be nice," Brookes notes. We also think it would be great with a little bit of sriracha, or whatever hot sauce you like best. And, if you have anything left? "Leftovers I'd only keep for 1 more day (covered in the fridge)," Brookes shares. We hope you love this pineapple shrimp fried rice dish as much as we do!