This Hawaiian Fried Rice recipe is a flavorful fusion of savory ham, sweet pineapple, and colorful vegetables, all brought together with a delicious sweet and sour sauce. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal, and the added tangy sauce elevates the dish to a tropical paradise!
Ingredients:
Fried Rice:
- 2 cups cooked rice, preferably day-old 🍚
- 1/2 lb ham, diced 🍖
- 1 cup pineapple chunks 🍍
- 1/2 cup peas 🟢
- 1/2 cup carrots, diced 🥕
- 1/4 cup green onions, sliced 🌿
- 2 tbsp soy sauce 🥢
- 1 tbsp sesame oil 🫒
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten 🥚
- Salt and pepper, to taste 🧂
Sweet and Sour Sauce:
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice 🍍
- 1/4 cup ketchup 🍅
- 2 tbsp soy sauce 🥢
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar 🍚
- 1 tbsp brown sugar 🍬
- 1 tsp cornstarch, dissolved in 2 tsp water 🌽
Instructions:
- Prepare the Skillet:
- Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat and coat the surface with 1 tablespoon sesame oil. 🫒
- Cook Ham and Vegetables:
- Add the diced ham, carrots, and peas to the skillet. Stir frequently for 2-3 minutes until the veggies start to soften and the ham is heated through. 🍖🥕🟢
- Scramble the Eggs:
- Push the ham and veggies to one side of the skillet to create space. Pour the beaten eggs into the empty area and scramble them until fully cooked. Mix the scrambled eggs back into the ham and veggie mixture. 🍳
- Add the Rice and Pineapple:
- Stir in the cooked rice, pineapple chunks, and green onions. Pour 2 tablespoons of soy sauce over the mixture and continue to stir-fry everything for 6-8 minutes until the rice is hot and evenly mixed. Season with salt and pepper to taste. 🍚🍍
- Make the Sweet and Sour Sauce:
- In a small saucepan, combine pineapple juice, ketchup, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and brown sugar. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Add the cornstarch slurry and stir constantly until the sauce thickens, about 2 minutes. 🍍🍅🍬
- Serve:
- Plate the fried rice and drizzle the sweet and sour sauce on top, or serve the sauce on the side for dipping. Garnish with extra green onions if desired. 🌿
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve this Hawaiian Fried Rice alongside grilled chicken or pork for a heartier meal.
- Add a splash of sriracha or chili flakes for those who love a spicy kick.
- Pair it with a light pineapple cucumber salad to complement the tropical flavors.
Helpful Tips:
- Use Day-Old Rice: Cold, day-old rice works best for fried rice as it’s firmer and less sticky, giving it the perfect texture.
- Customize the Vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers, corn, or snap peas to your fried rice.
- Protein Variations: Instead of ham, you can use leftover chicken, shrimp, or even tofu for a different twist.
- Crisp it Up: For extra crispy rice, spread the rice evenly in the pan and let it sit undisturbed for a minute or two before stirring.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Protein: 18g
- Fat: 12g
- Sodium: 980mg
(Note: Nutritional values may vary depending on exact ingredients and portion sizes.)
Time:
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
This Hawaiian Fried Rice is an easy, delicious dish that brings together sweet and savory flavors, perfect for a tropical-inspired meal. Whether served as a main dish or side, it’s sure to become a family favorite!
Recipe Card
Hawaiian Fried Rice
This **Hawaiian Fried Rice** recipe is a flavorful fusion of savory ham, sweet pineapple, and colorful vegetables, all brought together with a delicious sweet and sour sauce. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal, and the added tangy sauce elevates the dish to a tropical paradise!
Ingredients
Fried Rice:
- – **2 cups cooked rice** preferably day-old 🍚
- – **1/2 lb ham** diced 🍖
- – **1 cup pineapple chunks** 🍍
- – **1/2 cup peas** 🟢
- – **1/2 cup carrots** diced 🥕
- – **1/4 cup green onions** sliced 🌿
- – **2 tbsp soy sauce** 🥢
- – **1 tbsp sesame oil** 🫒
- – **2 eggs** lightly beaten 🥚
- – **Salt and pepper** to taste 🧂
Sweet and Sour Sauce:
- – **1/2 cup pineapple juice** 🍍
- – **1/4 cup ketchup** 🍅
- – **2 tbsp soy sauce** 🥢
- – **1 tbsp rice vinegar** 🍚
- – **1 tbsp brown sugar** 🍬
- – **1 tsp cornstarch** dissolved in **2 tsp water** 🌽
Instructions
Prepare the Skillet:
- – Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat and coat the surface with **1 tablespoon sesame oil**. 🫒
Cook Ham and Vegetables:
- – Add the diced **ham**, **carrots**, and **peas** to the skillet. Stir frequently for **2-3 minutes** until the veggies start to soften and the ham is heated through. 🍖🥕🟢
Scramble the Eggs:
- – Push the ham and veggies to one side of the skillet to create space. Pour the beaten **eggs** into the empty area and scramble them until fully cooked. Mix the scrambled eggs back into the ham and veggie mixture. 🍳
Add the Rice and Pineapple:
- – Stir in the **cooked rice**, **pineapple chunks**, and **green onions**. Pour **2 tablespoons of soy sauce** over the mixture and continue to stir-fry everything for **6-8 minutes** until the rice is hot and evenly mixed. Season with **salt and pepper** to taste. 🍚🍍
Make the Sweet and Sour Sauce:
- – In a small saucepan, combine **pineapple juice**, **ketchup**, **soy sauce**, **rice vinegar**, and **brown sugar**. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Add the **cornstarch** slurry and stir constantly until the sauce thickens, about **2 minutes**. 🍍🍅🍬
Serve:
- – Plate the fried rice and drizzle the **sweet and sour sauce** on top, or serve the sauce on the side for dipping. Garnish with extra green onions if desired. 🌿