4.74 37 Published Jun 08, 2021, Updated May 22, 2024 Today I have a fruity take on that recipe. It’s a spruced up version with fresh pineapple, lots of veggies and edamame. This version also skips the eggs so it’s perfect for all my vegan friends who want to get in on the quinoa “fried rice” action. The flavor of this fried quinoa is very similar to that of pineapple fried rice. You still get all that grainy goodness and the sweet, fresh pineapple combined with the salty, spicy sauce is perfection.
Simple Weeknight Dinner
The best part? This dish shouldn’t take you more than 30 minutes or so to whip up. Once the quinoa is cooked and the pineapple boats are ready, everything is simply tossed in a large skillet and heated. Easy enough to whip up on a weeknight!
Is Quinoa “Fried Rice” Healthy?
On the health front, this dish is loaded with fresh veggies and has a good source of protein from the quinoa and edamame. The sauce is homemade and is just a simple mixture of low-sodium tamari (or soy sauce), sambal oelek and lime juice – it’s quite light in comparison to most sauces you’ll find at restaurants.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s everything you’ll need for this recipe:
quinoa – you can prep this in advance for a super quick dinner! Here’s how to cook fluffy quinoa. avocado or olive oil – either of these oils work perfectly for sautéing the vegetables for this recipe. yellow onion – gotta have onion in fried rice! red bell pepper – adds a pop of color, crunch, fiber and flavor. fresh garlic and ginger – the perfect flavor duo for this dish! pineapple – you’ll need one whole pineapple if you want to serve this up in a pineapple bowl! Scoop out the inner fruit and chop for the fried rice. If you don’t want to serve it in a pineapple boat, you can just measure out 2 cups of fresh pineapple. edamame – add a boost of plant-based protein and flavor with edamame beans. low-sodium tamari – you can also use coconut aminos or low-sodium soy sauce if you’d like. sambal oelek or homemade garlic chili sauce – I love adding a little kick of spice to this dish! lime juice – use fresh lime juice for the best flavor. green onion – slice the green parts of the onion for a zesty garnish. roasted cashews – add some crunch by sprinkling on roasted cashews!
How to Serve Pineapple Quinoa Fried Rice
Serving the dish in a pineapple boat isn’t 100% necessary, but it does make the dining experience just a tiny bit more enjoyable. It’s an elevated touch for a dinner party or just a fun way to serve this dish to kiddos! There’s really nothing better than eating food out of a fruit bowl. Am I right? This whole idea for the pineapple boat was inspired by our local Thai restaurant, Sabai. They serve their pineapple fried rice in a pineapple bowl and I thought it was such a fun way to present this dish! To make the pineapple boat: simpy cut a full pineapple in half, scoop out the fruit inside (to use in the dish!) and then set aside. After cooking the quinoa fried rice, you’ll fill each pineapple half and top with cashews and green onions.
More Quick Dinners to Try
Vegetarian Cauliflower Fried “Rice” Quinoa Fried “Rice” with Shrimp Easy Tofu Stir-Fry Asian Chicken Sheet Pan Meal Broccoli Noodle Stir-Fry Shrimp Stir-Fry Salad Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps
More Recipes With Edamame
Asian Edamame Salad Detox Salad with Sesame Ginger Dressing Kale Salad Stuffed Pitas Zucchini Noodle Pad Thai
