Ham and Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe

My First Taste of Sunshine

I first tried ham and pineapple rice years ago. My friend Mabel made it after a big holiday. We had so much leftover ham. I was unsure about the fruit in the rice. But one bite changed my mind. It tasted like a sunny vacation in a bowl.

That sweet and salty mix is pure magic. It makes an ordinary Wednesday feel special. This matters because good food brings joy to simple days. What food makes an ordinary day feel special for you? I would love to hear.

Why Leftovers Are Secret Stars

This recipe is a leftover champion. It needs cold, day-old rice from the fridge. Fresh rice is too soft and sticky. Cold rice fries up nice and separate. It gets a little crispy in the pan. I think that’s the best part.

Using up leftovers is a smart kitchen trick. It saves food and money. This matters because it teaches us to be creative. It feels good to make something new from yesterday’s meal. Don’t you agree?

The Sizzle and The Smell

Let’s start cooking. Heat your pan nice and hot. Add the ham and pineapple. Listen to that sizzle. Watch them get little golden spots. Doesn’t that smell amazing? That caramelization is flavor magic.

Then you add the ginger and garlic. Just cook them for 30 seconds. You just want to wake up their smells. Fun fact: letting the rice sit without stirring lets it get a tiny bit toasted. This adds a wonderful nutty flavor.

Bringing It All Together

Scramble the eggs right in the pan. Then mix everything with that saucy mix. The soy sauce is salty. The pineapple juice is sweet. They dance together in the hot pan.

Finally, add the ham mixture back in. Stir it all until the liquid cooks off. The whole kitchen will smell incredible. I still laugh at how fast my family comes to the table for this. Do you have a dish that makes everyone come running?

A Bowl Full of Happy

This fried rice is a full meal. It has protein, veggies, and grains. The colors are so cheerful with the red pepper and golden pineapple. Every spoonful is a different mix of flavors. It’s never boring.

Food like this is about more than eating. It’s about sharing a bright, happy meal. It turns simple ingredients into something wonderful. Would you try adding a different veggie, like peas or carrots? Tell me what you think!

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Soy sauce	1/3 cup
Pineapple juice	1/4 cup
Coconut oil	3 tablespoons
Leftover ham	1 cup	Diced
Pineapple chunks	1 cup
Red bell pepper	1/2 pepper (about 1/2 cup)	Diced
Garlic	2 cloves	Minced
Fresh ginger	1 teaspoon	Grated
Cooked long grain rice	3 cups	Preferably in the fridge overnight
Eggs	3	Beaten
Salt	To taste

My Tropical Island Fried Rice

Hello, my dear! Let’s make some sunshine on a plate. This is my ham and pineapple fried rice. It reminds me of a picnic with my grandkids. We ate something like this on a checkered blanket. The sweet pineapple and salty ham just sing together. I still smile thinking about it. This recipe is perfect for using up leftover ham. Doesn’t that make you feel clever? Old rice from the fridge works best here. It fries up nice and separate, not mushy. Are you ready for a little adventure in our kitchen? Let’s begin.

Step 1: First, let’s make our special sauce. Mix the soy sauce and pineapple juice in a little bowl. Set it aside on the counter. This mix is the magic that makes everything taste like an island. I like to give it a little whisk with a fork. It smells sweet and salty already. (A hard-learned tip: Use the juice from the pineapple chunks can. It’s easier than squeezing a fresh pineapple!).

Step 2: Now, heat your big pan. Add one spoon of coconut oil. Toss in your diced ham and pineapple chunks. Listen to that happy sizzle! Cook until they get little golden spots. This caramelization is the secret. It makes the pineapple taste even sweeter. My mouth is watering just telling you about it.

Step 3: Next, add your pretty red bell pepper. Stir it all around for two minutes. The color is so cheerful. Then, scoop everything onto a plate. We’ll use the pan again. See how the ham and pineapple are friends now? What’s your favorite colorful veggie to add? Share below!

Step 4: Add more oil to the hot pan. Now, the garlic and ginger go in. Ah, that smell is amazing! Cook them for just 30 seconds. You don’t want them to burn. Then add your cold rice. Mix it with the garlic and ginger. Let the rice sit and get a little toasted. This gives it a wonderful flavor.

Step 5: Push the rice to one side of the pan. Add the last bit of oil to the empty side. Pour your beaten eggs there. Scramble them until they are mostly set. Then, mix the eggs into the rice. It will be lovely and fluffy.

Step 6: Here comes the fun part! Pour our special sauce over the rice. Stir slowly so it coats everything. Doesn’t that look good? Now add the ham and pineapple mix back in. Stir it all together until everyone is invited to the party.

Step 7: Let it cook for a few more minutes. Stir it once in a while. We want the extra liquid to cook off. Then it’s ready to eat. Serve it immediately while it’s hot and happy. I still laugh at how fast this dish disappears!

Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Category: Dinner, Quick Meal

Three Tasty Twists to Try

This recipe is like a favorite song. You can sing it different ways! Here are three fun twists. Breakfast Style: Use leftover diced breakfast sausage instead of ham. Add a dash of maple syrup to the sauce. Vegetarian Delight: Skip the ham. Use extra-firm tofu cubes or chickpeas for protein. It’s so good! Spicy Island: Add a big spoon of chili-garlic sauce with the ginger. Or top with sliced jalapeños for a kick. Which one would you try first? Comment below!

How to Serve Your Island Feast

This fried rice is a full meal by itself. But I love adding little touches. Serve it in a hollowed-out pineapple half for fun. Top with green onions or chopped cilantro. A simple cucumber salad on the side is perfect. It’s cool and crunchy. For drinks, a fizzy ginger ale is wonderful. Grown-ups might like a cold lager beer. It cuts through the richness nicely. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Fried Rice Fresh and Tasty

Let’s talk about keeping your fried rice for later. It stores beautifully in the fridge. Just let it cool first, then pop it in a container. It will be good for three days. You can freeze it for a month, too. Use a freezer-safe bag, and squeeze out the air.

Reheating is simple. A splash of water in a hot pan brings it right back. The microwave works, but stir it halfway. I once forgot a batch in the fridge for five days. My nose told me it was time to let it go!

Batch cooking this saves a busy weeknight. Double the recipe and freeze half. Why does this matter? A ready-made meal means less stress. You get more time with your family at the table. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Fried Rice Hiccups

Is your rice soggy? Use cold, day-old rice from the fridge. Fresh rice has too much moisture. I remember when I used fresh rice. It turned into a sticky, soft mess in the pan.

Are things sticking to the pan? Make sure your pan is hot before adding oil. Also, do not stir the rice too much. Let it sit to get a little crispy. This matters for texture. That crispy, toasted bit is the best flavor.

Does it taste bland? Your soy sauce mixture might have cooked off too fast. Add it at the very end, just to warm through. This keeps the salty, tangy taste strong. Good flavor builds your cooking confidence. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Fried Rice Questions, Answered

Q: Can I make this gluten-free? A: Yes! Just use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce. It works just the same.

Q: Can I make it ahead? A: Absolutely. Follow the storage tips above. It reheats like a dream.

Q: What can I swap? A: Use chicken instead of ham. Try peas instead of bell pepper. Make it yours!

Q: Can I double the recipe? A: You can, but cook in two batches. A too-full pan steams the rice.

Q: Any optional tips? A: A squeeze of fresh lime at the end is magic. Fun fact: The acid makes the pineapple flavor pop! Which tip will you try first?

From My Kitchen to Yours

I hope you love this sweet and salty dish. It always reminds me of summer picnics. Cooking should be fun, not fussy. Do not worry about being perfect. The best meals are made with a happy heart.

I would love to see your creation. Sharing food is a way to share joy. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest! You can find me at @AnnaWhitmoreKitchen. I cannot wait to see your version.

Happy cooking!
—Anna Whitmore.