What is the secret ingredient in Chinese fried rice?

Butter : This is my secret ingredient! This is what they use at hibachi restaurants for their fried rice and has been a game changer ever since I started using it. It adds a lot more flavor and helps to brown the rice.

What makes Chinese fried rice taste so good?

To give your dish that signature fried rice taste, you'll need to drizzle in sesame oil and soy sauce, but feel free to use as much or as little as you wish. You can even mix in things like garlic powder, ginger root, or Sriracha sauce and chili pepper for a bit of a kick.

What is the difference between fried rice and Chinese fried rice?

The usage of rice But in Chinese rice, it is suggested to use leftover cooked rice to avoid the rice from being sticky. In Fried Rice, most quick-service restaurants (QSRs) use long-grain white rice like Basmati, whereas Jasmine Rice is used in Chinese Rice .

Why is Chinese take out fried rice yellow?

Yellow Fried Rice is specifically from the U.S. and is not authentic Chinese fried rice. The yellow color comes from food coloring that is added which is optional .

What is forbidden rice in Chinese?

Forbidden rice is also known as imperial rice, heaven rice and king's rice . In ancient China, this exquisite ingredient was exclusive to the emperors, who ate it for longevity and good health. It was forbidden to all but the most wealthy and powerful people, thus its name.

What gives Chinese fried rice its color?

Dark mushroom soy sauce is what gives this fried rice its rich brown/caramel colour. This soy sauce doesn't add much to the saltiness but is used to give dishes that nice caramel brown colour. Dark mushroom soy sauce also adds a hint of umami to a dish, but not much saltiness.

Why is Vietnamese fried rice so good?

Vietnamese-style fried rice is a lot paler than a lot of the saucier fried rices you can find. Using the simplicity of vegetables, mushroom broth powder and a touch of soy sauce , this Vietnamese fried rice is savoury and a perfect side dish to any meal.

Do Chinese restaurants put MSG in fried rice?

Some restaurants add MSG to a number of popular dishes, including fried rice .

How to get a Chinese flavor in fried rice?

Soy Sauce : Use a good quality soy sauce, dark soy sauce, for a deeper color and richer flavor. You can also add a splash of oyster sauce for extra umami flavor. Sesame Oil : Add a small amount of toasted sesame oil for its distinctive nutty flavor. Be careful not to use too much, as it can overpower the dish.

Do Chinese restaurants use soy sauce in fried rice?

The main ingredients of basic Chinese fried rice are cooked rice, stir-fried with chopped vegetables and meat, seasoned with soy sauce and garlic.

What oil do restaurants use for fried rice?

Sesame oil . I do not recommend omitting or substituting the sesame oil in this recipe. It is key to the authentic flavor of this dish.

Why add mayo to fried rice?

To ensure that your rice is nicely fried , mix a bit of mayo in it before frying. The oil in the mayo will coat the rice so that it does not stick together.

Should you cool rice before making fried rice?

Starting with freshly cooked or well-chilled rice guarantees it won't clump up as you stir-fry it . Frying in batches compensates for the low heat output of Western stovetops. Keeping the seasoning very light allows the flavor of the rice and aromatics to come through.

Vegan Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe (2024)

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Easy vegan pineapple fried rice made with perfectly stir fried veggies, a simple sweet and savory tamari sauce and tons of flavor. Healthy, filling, gluten free and makes perfect leftovers.

Jump to Recipe

Pineapple Fried Rice

Here’s to the perfect back pocket weeknight meal! Rain or shine, you know that a comforting bowl of pineapple vegetable packed vegan fried rice delivers like a boss!

Having fresh tropical fruit available year round I like to make use of it in some savory dishes as well. Not to worry if you don’t happen to live in the Tropics you can most certainly pick up some frozen pineapple at the grocery store for this dish.

About the Rice

Most any plain leftover chilled rice can be used here. I prefer to use a nutritious whole grain brown rice, sometimes short grain sometimes long grain depending what I have in the pantry. Black and red rice is also nice, we avoid all white rice so I never even have any in the kitchen anyways. It’s best to cook it the night before ands it as needed throughout the week.

The Pineapple

Fresh is best they say when it comes to pineapple but really frozen is just as good. Remember to thaw it out first of course and allow the juices to drain away so you can get a nice caramelization on the pineapple chunks while stir frying it.

About the Veggies

I love the combo of sweet bell peppers, red onion, purple cabbage and green peas. The flavors perfectly compliment the sweetness of the caramelized pineapple here, however there are many are delicious variations that will work here. Think broccoli, mushrooms, carrots, green string beans, whatever veggies rock your taste buds.

Stir-Fry Sauce

A simple mixture of tamari sauce, maple syrup, a touch of garlic and a little pinch of ginger. Add some heat with chili flakes or a little hot sauce, whichever you prefer.

Add In Ideas

tofu scramble for an egg-free eggy flavor
roasted broccoli or cauliflower wings
crispy tofu nuggets
peanut tofu
mung beans or green beans
smoky tempeh bits
sweet and sour tofu
soy curls carnitas
chickpeas or mushrooms
vegan chicken.

FAQ

What is fried rice? A rice dish of Chinese origins where leftover rice is mixed with stir fried vegetables and sauce to create a brand new hearty dish.
How do I make it oil-free WFPB and Plantricious compliant? Since we are using brown rice already (not white) all you need to adapt is to stir fry / sautee your veggies with a little drop of water or veggie broth instead of oil.
Can I make it soy free? Definitely, simply replace the tamari sauce with equal parts of coco aminos and don’t add any tofu to the recipe. Alternatively you can use this peanut sauce or make for my peanut noodle salad.

how to make vegan pineapple fried rice

STEP 1: Start with a hot cast iron skillet that has been seasoned well, this way you won’t need to even use any oil. Quickly sir-fry / the pineapple chunks until little caramelization takes place. Once the desire color is achieved transfer to a bowl.
STEP 2: Add the bell pepper and onion to the hot skillet stirring quickly until they start to get some color. Work quickly and take good care not to burn anything. If you feel the pan is getting too hot and anything sticks just add a little splash of water to get things moving. Scoop put the onion and pepper and reserve together with the pineapple.
STEP 3: In the same skillet add the purple cabbage and stir fry just a minute or so until it starts to wilt. Move it to the side and add a little drop of oil (use water for WFPB & Plantricious diets) and add the garlic. Cook until just fragrant quickly stirring so it won’t burn.
STEP 4: Add the cooked rice to the skillet together with the green peas and pour in the sauce. Remove from heat and the reserve veggies gently mixing everything.
STEP 5: Sprinkle in some fresh cilantro, scallions and sesame seeds and enjoy!

Rice Storage + Reheating

Rice dishes make really great leftovers that are easily stored up to 5 days in a lidded glass container. Can be reheated on the stove top on low heat adding a little bit of water or veggie stock to get things moving. A microwave works in a pinch as well, just don’t reheat in plastic.

5 from 6 votes