This Pineapple Coconut Cashew Rice is not just a side dishโitโs a flavor-packed experience that has readers raving: โOhhhhh WOW!! I absolutely love this!โ โIt was the hit of the party and I have to email the recipe to all of my family and friends now! YUMMY! 🙂โ โEveryone loved loved loved it!โ and โAbsolutely 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.
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:
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:
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):
- Drain the juice from one can of crushed pineapple, then add coconut milk to equal 3 cups.
- Bring to a simmer…
- Add the rice, crushed pineapple, Thai red curry paste, coconut flakes, groundย ginger, garlic, onion, salt, and pepper.
- Cook, covered for approximately 20 minutes while the rice drinks in all that tropical goodness. Just think of all that flavor ingestion!
- 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.
- 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.
Coconut Pineapple Rice Recipe tips
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:
Can I Prep Pineapple Rice in Advance?
Yes! ย While this recipe doesnโt require much preparation, you can still prepare everything in advance, allowing it to come together in minutes.
โข Chop aromatics: Chop the cilantro and cashews, then store them in separate airtight containers in the fridge.
โข Measure spices: Measure the seasoning and store it in a separate airtight container.
โข Rinse rice:ย Thoroughly rinse the rice and leave it in the strainer to dry, then refrigerate until ready to use.
How to Store Pineapple Rice
Let the Pineapple Rice cool to room temperature, then transfer itto a tightly covered airtight container or to several small containers for meal prep. Store in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days.
How to Reheat Pineapple Rice
โข Microwave:ย For small portions, microwave rice in a microwave-safe container with a couple teaspoons ofwater for 60-90 seconds or until warmed through.
โข Stove:For larger portions, transfer the rice to a nonstick skillet, adding a dash of water or chicken broth.ย Heat over medium heat, stirring often until warmed through.
Can I Freeze Pineapple Rice?
1. Let the rice cool completely before transferring to a freezer bag (recommended) or freezer-safe airtight container.ย If using a bag, squeeze out as much excess air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
2. Label and freeze for up to 3 months.
3. Let rice defrost overnight in the refrigerator.
4. Reheat in the microwave or stove as directed above.
WANT TO TRY THIS Pineapple Rice RECIPE?
PIN IT to your recipe BOARD TO SAVE FOR LATER!
FIND ME ON PINTEREST FOR MORE GREAT RECIPES! I AM ALWAYS PINNING :)!
ยฉCarlsbad Cravings by CarlsbadCravings.com
Pineapple Rice with Cashews
Save This Recipe To Your Recipe Box
You can now create an account on our site and save your favorite recipes all in one place!
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.
Did You Make This Recipe?
Tag @CarlsbadCravings and Use #CarlsbadCravngs
Leave a Review, I Always Love Hearing From You!
Holly says
I donโt 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 Iโve made the pecan/ cran rice maybe 2 dozen times at this point… you could say Iโm 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.
Kat says
Has any one tried this with quinoa at all? Im curious since I have no rice lol
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!
Kim says
This looks delicious! Iโd 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!
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. ๐
Jen says
You are so welcome, thanks Liz!
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!
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!
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!
Hailey Hibbard says
This was absolutely heavenly!! I will definitely be making this again.
Jen says
I love hearing that, thank you Hailey!
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!
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.
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!
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!
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!