Pineapple Rice

This Pineapple Coconut Cashew Rice is not just a side dishโ€”itโ€™s a flavor-packed experience that has readers raving: โ€œOhhhhh WOW!! I absolutely love this!โ€ โ€œIt was the hit of the party and I have to email the recipe to all of my family and friends now! YUMMY! 🙂โ€ โ€œEveryone loved loved loved it!โ€ and โ€œAbsolutely heavenly!!โ€

This recipe is crafted with expert precision to create fluffy rice with the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and nutty flavors that will have you OBSESSED. ย With step-by-step instructions, expert tips, and customizable options, you can trust this tested and perfected method to guarantee foolproof, delicious results every time.

Pineapple Rice with Pineapple and Cashews served in a pineapple.


 

Hawaiian Coconut Rice

I can pretty much guarantee you won’t be able to stop eating this Pineapple Rice. I experimented until I landed on this foolproof recipe that belongs in your dinner and entertaining arsenal. Here’s why you’ll love it:

  • Flavor From the Inside Out: The rice cooks in pineapple juice and coconut milk for an irresistibly creamy, slightly sweet flavor that’s as tropically delicious as it gets.
  • Unparalleled Flavor: A touch of red curry paste adds a subtle warmth while add-ins like ground ginger and cilantro add delightful complexity you wonโ€™t find in other pineapple rice recipes.
  • Nutty Crunch: Roasted cashews add a delightful crunch and buttery richness that takes this rice to the next level.
  • Fluffy, Never Mushy Rice: The secret is using basmati rice. It stays perfectly light and separate, unlike other varieties that can turn mushy.
  • Versatile & Crowd-Pleasing: Delicious on its own or as a side to complement Asian, Hawaiian, or Thai-inspired dishes.
  • Easy & Foolproof: Uses a tested, step-by-step method to ensure perfectly cooked rice every timeโ€”no guesswork needed.
Top view of a Pineapple Rice with Pineapple and Cashews served in a pineapple on a wood cutting board.
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Pineapple Rice Recipe Ingredients

This Pineapple Rice comes together with minimal ingredients but packs in TONS of flavor! Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe:

  • Basmati rice: This variety of rice boasts a lower starch content and extra-long grains, which help it stay light, fluffy, and separate rather than clumping together or turning mushy. Its firm texture and ability to absorb liquid without breaking down make it ideal for dishes like coconut rice.
  • Pineapple: Purchase crushed pineapple packed in juice, not syrup.
  • Unsweetened coconut milk: Use unsweetened, full-fat coconut milk for the best flavor.
  • Sweetened coconut flakes: Often found in the baking aisle of the grocery store.
  • Thai red curry paste: Don’t worry, it doesn’t make the coconut milk rice spicyโ€”just flavorful!
  • Spices: Garlic powder, onion powder, ground ginger, salt, and pepper cut through the richness of the coconut milk.
  • Garnishes: Fresh cilantro, cashews, and lime juice add zesty freshness and CRUNCH!
Side view of Pineapple Rice with Pineapple and Cashews served in a pineapple with a heaping pile of rice.

How to Make Pineapple Rice

Let’s take a closer look at how to make this recipe with step-by-step photos (full recipe in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):

  1. Drain the juice from one can of crushed pineapple, then add coconut milk to equal 3 cups.
Showing how to make Pineapple Rice with Pineapple and Cashews by straining the juice from a pineapple.
  1. Bring to a simmer…
Showing how to make Pineapple Rice with Pineapple by simmering the ingredients in a pan.
  1. Add the rice, crushed pineapple, Thai red curry paste, coconut flakes, groundย ginger, garlic, onion, salt, and pepper.
Showing how to make Pineapple Rice with Pineapple by simmering the ingredients in a pan adding coconut, pineapple, and spices.
  1. Cook, covered for approximately 20 minutes while the rice drinks in all that tropical goodness.  Just think of all that flavor ingestion!
Showing how to make Pineapple Rice with Pineapple by simmering the ingredients and stir in a pan.
  1. Just before serving (so the lime doesn’t get lost), stir in the cilantro and lime juice to balance the sweet pineapple. Then, add the roasted, salted cashews to add a depth of nuttycrunch.
  2. And then it’s eating time! AKA a taste of paradise time. AKA My favorite time. Sweet, creamy pineapple coconut rice. ย I’ll meet you in the tropics.
Showing how to make Showing how to make Pineapple Rice  by adding rice, cashews, and herbs in a pan.

Coconut Pineapple Rice Recipe tips

  • Rinse and drain rice thoroughly:ย ย Rice contains a lot of starch, which will cause the rice to stick together and can even make it mushy once cooked. To eliminate the mushy problem, it is crucial to remove the extra starch from the rice by rinsing it with cool water in a fine-mesh sieve until the water runs clearโ€”donโ€™t skip this process!
  • Use a nonstick pan:ย It is essential your pan is nonstick because the rice will soak up all the liquid, evaporating the protective barrier between the rice and the pan.
  • If liquid evaporates before rice is done:ย Add just a little liquid, keeping in mind that the rice will continue to steam for 10 minutes once itโ€™s removed from heat, so it doesnโ€™t need to be 100% cooked once liquid is gone.
  • If rice is stillย wet: Donโ€™t worry, it will continue to absorb the 10 minutes while it is steaming.ย  After removing the lid after 10 minutes, you can let the rice sit for an additional 5-10 minutes to dry out.
  • Let it steam: Donโ€™t skip the 10-minute steaming process, as it allows the rice time to finish cooking and firm up, which in turn makes it fluffier.ย 
  • Use a fork to fluff the rice: Instead of a spoon or spatula, the tines help separate the rice grains, whereas a spoon can mash or break them.
  • Salt and pepper to taste:ย If your rice tastes like itโ€™s missing somethingโ€”it is probably salt. I add a decent dose of freshly cracked salt and pepper to my rice before servingโ€”make sure you taste your rice as you season.

How to serve Hawaiian Rice with Coconut Milk

This Pineapple Rice pairs perfectly with any number of Thai or island-inspired dishes! Here are some of my favs:

Front view of Showing how to make Pineapple Rice.

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ยฉCarlsbad Cravings by CarlsbadCravings.com

Pineapple Rice with Cashews

Pineapple Rice with Cashews is about to become your new addiction!ย This Coconut Riceย  is sweet, slightly creamyย cooked coconut milk, pineapple juice and crushedย pineapple,ย brightened by cilantro, lime and roasted cashewsย  AKA HEAVENLY!ย 
Servings: 4 -6
Total Time: 25 minutes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes

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Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups uncooked long grained rice, rinsed and drained
  • 1 20 oz. can, crushed pineapple chunks in pineapple juice NOT syrup
  • 1 13.5 oz. can unsweetened coconut milk (I like Chaokoh)
  • 3 tablespoons sweetened coconut flakes
  • 1 tablespoon Thai red curry paste
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper

Garnish

  • 3 tablespoons lime juice more or less to taste
  • 1/2 cup salted roasted cashews
  • 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
  • freshly cracked salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Drain pineapple juice from crushed pineapple in a measuring cup. Add coconut milk to equal 3 cups liquid, adding water if necessary.
  • Add liquid to a large nonstick saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer then stir in all remaining ingredients EXCEPT Garnishes. Bring to a boil then cover and reduce heat to low (dial should be a little above lowest setting). Simmer for approximately 20 minutes or until rice is tender, stirring at 15 minutes, adding water if necessary.
  • When rice is tender, remove from heat and let rest 5 minutes, covered.
  • When ready to serve (not before), stir in lime juice, cilantro and cashews.
  • Taste and season with freshly cracked salt and pepper and additional lime juice to taste if desired.

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73 Comments

  1. Holly says

    I donโ€™t like the texture of coconut flakes, if I leave this out should I use sweetened coconut milk to make up for the lost sweetness? Or should i make no adjustments besides leaving out the coconut and see what happens? Ps Iโ€™ve made the pecan/ cran rice maybe 2 dozen times at this point… you could say Iโ€™m addicted lol.

    • Jen says

      Hi Holly, I’m thrilled you love the Cranberry Pecan Rice! As far as this recipe goes, you can omit the coconut flakes but I would still use unsweetened coconut milk. If you feel like it needs to be sweeter than you can stir in some brown sugar but I don’t think it should need it. If you want to to taste more “coconuty” you can also add a little coconut extract.

  2. Kat says

    Has any one tried this with quinoa at all? Im curious since I have no rice lol

  3. Annie Brusati says

    Hello!

    This recipe looks awesome! My boyfriend is not a big fan of coconut, though. Can I substitute the coconut milk with something else?

    Thanks for your help!

    • Jen says

      Hi Annie, I would substitute with chicken broth and cook your rice how you usually do with other added ingredients. I hope that helps!

  4. Kim says

    This looks delicious! Iโ€™d like to add chicken thighs and red bell peppers to this dish to make it a full meal. At what point do you recommend adding them?

    • Jen says

      Hi Kim, chicken thighs take about 15-20 minutes so it is almost perfect timing – I would just sear and cook the thighs a few minutes first and then add them to the top of the rice while its simmering and it should be about perfect. Good luck!

  5. Liz says

    I just made this for my husband (who is an oddly picky eater), and he absolutely adored it! Thank you so much for giving me another meal to throw into the rotation. ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Jen says

      You are so welcome, thanks Liz!

  6. Johanna Crase says

    I was looking at the chicken with the mango and honey dip. My husband is highly allergic to honey. Do you have a suggestion on what would work as a substitute?

    • Jen says

      Hi Johanna, you can substitute with equal parts sugar or 2/3 agave. enjoy!

  7. Valerie says

    Do you add the drained crushed pineapple chunks?

    • Jen says

      Yes, add it step 2 where it says, “Add liquid to a large pan and bring to a gentle simmer then stir in all remaining ingredients EXCEPT Garnishes.” Enjoy!

  8. Stephanie says

    I made this AMAZING rice to go with your Huli chicken to keep the tropical dinner theme and it was so good! i’ve made other coconut rice recipes before but the addition of the pineapple but especially the red thai curry paste, really takes the flavor to the WOW level. I did make 2 mistakes to point out to readers so they don’t make them, first I accidentally added the rice to the pan before bringing to a boil and I also used a medium sized sauce pan instead of a large skillet. This resulted in my rice becoming more mushy, but the flavor was still great and will make it again, the correct way!

    • Jen says

      Thanks so much for sharing your experience with this dish Stephanie! I’m SO sorry for this much overdue response but I just wanted to say Happy New Year and I hope you are continuing to enjoy my recipes and trying out new flavors in the kitchen!

  9. Hailey Hibbard says

    This was absolutely heavenly!! I will definitely be making this again.

    • Jen says

      I love hearing that, thank you Hailey!

  10. Sherri says

    This was a big hit !! Loved all the flavors!
    Will have to make for family y friends!
    thank you

    • Jen says

      Thanks so much Sherri, I’m so pleased it will be on repeat!

  11. Idit says

    i am confused . Recipe says “crushed pineapple chunks “. but a can of crushed pineapple is a different than a can with chunks . So what should i use here?

    • Jen says

      Sorry for the confusion – use crushed pineapple.

  12. Karen says

    You show a Pic of this beautifully stuffed pinapple but no directions on how to stuff it. Please share.

    • Jen says

      Just slice the pineapple in half, score, chop and scoop out the pineapple, then fill. Enjoy!

  13. Gail says

    Dam this is good! Made it for my hubby and he loves it! You have the best recipes! Thanks for all the hard work you put into making these recipes for all to enjoy!

    • Jen says

      You are so welcome, Gail! I am so happy this was such a hit and I’m thrilled you are enjoying my recipes! Thank you for taking the time to leave an awesome review!

  14. Kathy says

    Different, delicious and EASY! Thank you for such a fun recipe!

    • Jen says

      Hi Kathy! I am so glad that you found this fun to make and delicious to eat!

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