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    Home » Real Food » Side Dishes

    Pineapple Rice

    March 4, 2018 | By Kristen Chidsey | 22 Comments | *This post may include amazon links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Add some flavor to boring rice with this recipe for Pineapple Rice. Slightly sweet, slighty spicy and every bit delicious, this is an easy healthy side dish.

    Pineapple Rice is a tropical side dish that is filled with flavor thanks to the addition of sweet pineapple, tart lime juice, and spicy jalapeno! This recipe for rice is sweet, savory, spicy, and absolutely delicious.

    Cilantro Lime Rice dished up in white bowl on white counter with limes next to it. Fresh pineapple mixed into rice.

    If you like Cilantro Lime Rice, wait until you try this recipe for Pineapple Rice.

    Not only is this recipe for tropical rice filled with tangy lime juice and bright cilantro, but it has also been infused with pineapple, garlic, and jalapeno. It is sweet, tangy, bright, and perfect for your Mexican, Tropical, or Hawaiian recipes!

    Pineapple rice is so easy to make and so flavorful, that you just can't go wrong!

    Notes on Ingredients

    • Pineapple: This recipe calls for both pineapple chunks and pineapple juice. While you can certainly use fresh pineapple chunks and canned pineapple juice, I often use canned pineapple in 100% juice. This is a money-saving tip that works perfectly for this recipe.
    • Rice: Use white or brown long-grain rice for this Pineapple Rice.
    • Jalapeno: I recommend deseeding and destemming a jalapeno before adding to the rice. This adds just the right amount of spice to balance out the sweetness of the pineapple, without being overwhelming. Feel free to omit the jalapeno to decrease the spiciness or leave the seeds in the jalapeno to kick up the spice level.
    • Lime: Because both the zest and the juice of the limes are used in this recipe, be sure to first zest the lime before cutting open the lime and juicing. If not, it will be next to impossible to zest the limes after juicing them.
    • Cilantro: If you do not like cilantro, leave it out. This rice will still be delicious.

    How To Make Pineapple Rice

    This recipe for pineapple rice is as easy as making rice. The only difference in preparation is how we add ingredients to infuse the rice with tropical flavors.

    • Combine the pineapple juice, garlic, salt, water, and jalapeno halves in a medium stockpan. The pineapple juice, garlic, and jalapeno will help to flavor the rice as it cooks.
    • Bring that mixture to a boil over high heat.
    • While the mixture is coming to a boil, place your rice into a fine-mesh strainer and rinse really well under cold water. Rinsing the rice will remove excess starch, resulting in grains that are more separate when cooked.
    • Stir the rinsed rice into the saucepan once the liquid is boiling. Turn the heat down to medium-low and cover the pan.
    • Simmer until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. This will vary based on what type of rice you used.
    • Once the rice is cooked, remove the jalapeno and fluff the rice with a fork.
    • Fold the lime zest, lime juice, and cilantro into the rice and then serve.
    Close up of pineapple cilantro lime rice in colorful serving bowl.

    Instant Pot Pineapple Rice

    If you have an instant pot, you can prepare Pineapple Rice fast and nearly hands-off.

    • Combine pineapple juice, water, garlic, salt, and jalapeno in the inner pot of the Instant Pot.
    • Add 2 cups of rinsed brown or white rice to the inner pot of an Instant Pot.
    • Cook for 3 minutes on high pressure for white rice, and 22 minutes on high pressure for brown rice.
    • Once the cooking time has elapsed, allow the pressure to release naturally on its own for at least 10 minutes.
    • Then fluff the rice with a fork, remove the jalapeno, and fold in the cilantro, pineapple, zest, and juice of the limes. 

    How to Serve Pineapple Rice

    While homemade salsa and guacamole always pair well with chips and Mexican entrees, this fresh and flavorful rice also makes a great accompaniment to dishes like Fish Tacos or as a base for Burrito Bowls. But it is also delicious with tropical dishes as well. Below are some of my favorite dishes to serve with pineapple rice.

    • Grilled Chicken Kabobs with Jerk Seasoning
    • Pork Carnitas
    • Chicken Katsu
    • Crock Pot Steak Fajitas
    • Grilled Teriyaki Chicken

    Need more inspiration for planning meals that your family will love? Sign up for my FREE Meal Plans and each week you will get a meal plan with a shopping list.

    If you tried this recipe for Pineapple Cilantro Lime Rice, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.

    Bowl of Pineapple Rice topped with cilantro

    Pineapple Rice

    Pineapple Rice is an easy tropical side dish made with pineapple, tart lime juice, and spicy jalapeno.
    4.67 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 50 minutes
    Total Time: 55 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 140kcal
    Author: Kristen Chidsey

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup pineapple juice canned or refrigerated
    • 1 cup water
    • 1 jalapeno cut in half and seeded
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup long-grain rice brown or white rice
    • 1 lime zested and juiced
    • 1 bunch cilantro stems discarded and leaves chopped
    Prevents your screen from going dark while preparing the recipe.

    Instructions

    • Place rice into a fine-mesh strainer and rinse well, set aside.
    • Combine pineapple juice, water, jalapeno, garlic, and salt in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan. Bring the mixture to a rapid boil over high heat.
    • Once the mixture is boiling, stir in the rice, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cover the pan. Simmer the rice until tender and the liquid is absorbed. For brown rice this is about 48-52 minutes, for white rice, this is about 17-22 minutes.
    • Once the rice is tender, remove the pan from the heat. Remove the jalapeno from the rice and fluff the rice with a fork. Gently stir in the zest and juice of the lime, fresh pineapple, and chopped cilantro. Serve immediately.

    Notes

    Spice Level: Omit the jalapeno to decrease the spiciness of this cilantro rice, or leave the seeds in the jalapeno to kick up the level of spice.
    Tips on Using Fresh Limes: To get the most juice out of your lime, first, zest the skin and then microwave your lime for 30 seconds. 
    Cilantro: Omit cilantro if you do not care for it. 
    Storage: Leftover rice will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
    Money-Saving Tip: Use a 20-ounce can of pineapple chunks or tidbits in 100% juice. Drain off the juice, use the juice to cook the rice, and then stir in the canned, drained pineapple.
    Instant Pot Instructions: Combine the pineapple juice, water, garlic, salt, jalapeno, and 2 cups of rinsed brown or white rice in the inner pot of an Instant Pot. Cook for 3 minutes on high pressure for white rice, and 22 minutes on high pressure for brown rice. Once the cooking time has elapsed, allow the pressure to release naturally on its own for at least 10 minutes. Then fluff the rice with a fork, remove the jalapeno, and fold in the cilantro, pineapple, zest, and juice of the limes. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 140kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 2g | Sodium: 392mg | Potassium: 101mg | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 25IU | Vitamin C: 10.5mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 0.5mg
    Liked this Recipe? Tag me Today!Snap a picture and tag #amindfullmom on Instagram - I would love to see!

     

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    Categorized Under: Allergy Friendly Recipes, Dairy-Free Recipes, Gluten Free, Plant Based Recipes, Real Food, Side Dishes

    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

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    1. Ken P

      February 26, 2022 at 3:28 am

      Hi. LOVE these recipes. Still experimenting w/ my new InstaPot(lifestyle) as well...
      Not only was the information here very helpful, I can now add them to my IP regime... THANK YOU... 🤙🏻💬

      Reply
    2. Nancy

      September 17, 2020 at 9:37 am

      How many servings does this recipe creat and how much is considered a serving

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        September 17, 2020 at 10:31 am

        Hi Nancy, there are 6 servings and each serving is about 1/2 cup. Enjoy.

        Reply
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