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.

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--think Grilled Teriyaki Chicken or Honey Lime Chicken Fajitas.

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.

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

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