Pineapple Fried Quinoa

Name: Pineapple Fried Quinoa
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 ½ cup Quinoa; 2 cups water; 2 tbsp oil; 2 garlic cloves chopped; ½ cup chopped onion; 1 red bell pepper; 1 yellow bell pepper; 2 cups chopped pineapple; 2 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tbsp red chili sauce; Salt to taste; ½ tsp red chili powder; ½ tsp ginger powder (or use 1 tsp grated fresh ginger); ½ tsp black pepper powder; ¼ tsp paprika or red chili powder; 2 tbsp roasted cashews

Looking for a quick and easy way to add some variety to your table?

This delicious Pineapple Fried Quinoa is the perfect dish! It's healthy, nutritious, and best of all, it's ready in 15 minutes. So why not give it a try today?

I love Quinoa and it is quite obvious from all the wonderful recipes I have shared using this super grain. Like lemon quinoa, Instant pot vegetable quinoa, and mushroom quinoa.

Although Quinoa has its own unique taste offering, it can be a wonderful replacement for rice in some recipes.

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Why you should make this
Ingredients note
Instructions
Recipe FAQ
Expert tips
Related posts
📖 Recipe
Comments

Why you should make this

This quinoa with pineapple is ready in just minutes.

It makes a great side dish or main course.

It is perfect for those on a gluten-free diet.

Pineapple adds a wonderful tropical flavor to the dish. I like my dishes spicy, but not so for my kids. Having bite-sized pineapple chunks offer the sweet relief that my kids look for.

This quinoa fried rice is healthy and nutritious. Quinoa is a complete protein, which means that it contains all the essential amino acids your body needs to function properly. It's also high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

And pineapple is a good source of Vitamin C and antioxidants.

So if you're looking for an easy and delicious way to add some variety to your diet, give this Pineapple Quinoa a try! You won't be disappointed.

Ingredients note

Quinoa: I used white quinoa for this recipe, but you can use any color you like.

Pineapple: I used fresh pineapple for this recipe, but you can also use canned pineapple. If using canned pineapple, make sure to drain it well.

Soy sauce: I used low-sodium soy sauce for this recipe, but you can use regular soy sauce if you prefer.

Red chili sauce: I used Sriracha sauce, but you can use any chili sauce you like.

Cloves of garlic: I used fresh garlic for this recipe, but you can also use garlic powder.

Red onion: I used a red onion for this recipe, but you can use green onions if you like.

Spices: I used black pepper, ginger powder, and paprika for this recipe. Feel free to adjust the spices to your liking.

Oil: I used olive oil, but feel free to use sesame oil or corn oil.

See the recipe card for a list of ingredients and quantities, plus recipe instructions. You can find the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Instructions

First, cook the quinoa according to package instructions.

An instant pot is with quinoa and water.

Or cook in an instant pot: Add rinsed and drained quinoa and water inside the inner pot and close the lid. Set the valve to sealing position. Cook on high pressure for 3 minutes followed by a natural release of pressure for ten minutes.

Once the quinoa is cooked, fluff it with a fork and set it aside.

a vessel is with oil, garlic and chopped onions over the heat.

In a large skillet or vessel, add oil and chopped garlic, and onions, and cook on medium heat until onions are translucent.

a vessel is with bell peppers and spices over the heat.

Add chopped yellow and red bell pepper and saute for 1 minute. And add salt and spices. Mix well.

A vessel is with veggies, and pineapples over the flame.

Add red chili sauce, soy sauce, and chopped pineapple and mix well.

A pot is with spices, pineapple and quinoa over the stove top.

Cook for 2 minutes, then add the cooked quinoa and mix well.

Cook for a minute and turn off the heat. And garnish with cilantro and roasted cashews. Serve immediately. Enjoy!

Recipe FAQ

Can I use canned pineapple for this recipe?

Yes, you can use canned pineapple. If using canned pineapple, make sure to drain it well.

What can I serve with this quinoa recipe?

This pineapple quinoa is great on its own or as a side dish. It goes well with any kind of the main dish.

Can I make this quinoa with pineapple ahead of time?

Yes, you can make this recipe ahead of time. Simply cook the quinoa and prepare the sauce. When you're ready to eat, mix both of them and serve warm.

Expert tips

You could also try a few variations from this recipe, by adding tofu and/or vegetables like scallions and bok choy. The choices are so diverse that you are sure to find your favorite.
When you prepare this recipe, be sure to drain the cooked quinoa well, before you add it to the dish. This will keep the rich flavors intact.
If you want to make this recipe ahead of time, simply cook the quinoa and prepare the sauce. When you're ready to eat, simply reheat the quinoa and add the sauce. The leftover quinoa recipe can be stored in the fridge for up to four days.
You can also use frozen pineapple for this recipe. If using frozen pineapple, thaw it before adding it to the dish.
I used sweet pineapples for this recipe, but you could also use savory pineapples. If using savory pineapples, you might want to add a little sugar to balance out the flavors.