Escape to the tropics with this incredibly delicious and easy Coconut Pineapple Rice recipe. In just over 30 minutes, you can transform plain rice into a creamy, sweet, and savory side dish that will elevate any meal. The combination of creamy coconut milk, sweet pineapple, and fluffy jasmine rice creates a flavor explosion that’s impossible to resist. It’s the perfect side for everything from grilled chicken to spicy shrimp.
We’ve designed this recipe to be foolproof, ensuring you get perfectly cooked, fragrant rice every single time. Forget mushy or bland rice; this dish is packed with flavor and has the ideal texture to complement your main course. Let’s dive in and make a side dish that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Why You’ll Love This Coconut Pineapple Rice Recipe
- Incredibly Flavorful: The balance of creamy coconut and tangy pineapple is simply irresistible.
- Quick & Easy: This recipe is surprisingly simple and comes together in about 30 minutes with minimal effort.
- Versatile Side Dish: It pairs beautifully with a wide range of main courses, from Caribbean to Asian-inspired dishes.
- Crowd-Pleaser: This is a unique and delicious side that is always a huge hit at family dinners and potlucks.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Making this tropical rice is simple, and you only need a handful of key ingredients.
- Jasmine Rice: Long-grain jasmine rice is perfect for its fluffy texture and fragrant aroma.
- Canned Coconut Milk: Use full-fat, unsweetened coconut milk for the creamiest, richest flavor.
- Pineapple Tidbits: Canned pineapple tidbits in 100% juice work best. Make sure to drain them but reserve the juice!
- Reserved Pineapple Juice & Water: The combination of pineapple juice and water creates the perfect cooking liquid.
- Toasted Coconut: Adds a wonderful crunch and deepens the coconut flavor.
- Fresh Cilantro: Provides a fresh, herbaceous note that cuts through the richness.
- Lime Juice: A squeeze of fresh lime juice brightens everything up.
- Salt: Balances all the flavors.
How to Make Coconut Pineapple Rice (Step-by-Step)
Follow these simple steps to create the perfect tropical side dish.
- Rinse the Rice: Place the jasmine rice in a fine-mesh sieve and rinse it under cold water until the water runs clear. This step is crucial for removing excess starch and preventing mushy rice.
- Combine Liquids: In a medium saucepan, combine the full can of coconut milk, the reserved pineapple juice, and enough water to equal 2 cups of liquid total. Stir well to combine.
- Cook the Rice: Add the rinsed rice and a pinch of salt to the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then immediately reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until the liquid is fully absorbed.
- Rest the Rice: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it stand, covered, for 10 minutes. Do not peek! This allows the rice to steam and become perfectly fluffy.
- Fluff and Finish: After resting, fluff the rice with a fork. Gently fold in the drained pineapple tidbits, toasted coconut, chopped cilantro, and fresh lime juice.
- Serve: Serve your delicious Coconut Pineapple Rice warm as the perfect side to your favorite main course.
Tips for the Best Results
For truly amazing Coconut Pineapple Rice, keep these simple tips in mind.
- Don’t Skip Rinsing: Rinsing the rice is the most important step for achieving a fluffy texture.
- Use Full-Fat Coconut Milk: Light coconut milk won’t provide the same creaminess and rich flavor.
- Toast Your Own Coconut: For the best flavor, spread unsweetened shredded coconut on a baking sheet and toast at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes until golden brown.
- Let it Rest: The 10-minute resting period is essential. It allows the rice to absorb the last bits of steam, ensuring it doesn’t end up wet or sticky.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
While this recipe is fantastic as is, feel free to customize it! Try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat, or stir in some black beans and diced red bell pepper for a more substantial dish. For a different flavor profile, consider swapping the cilantro for fresh mint or parsley. This recipe is a great base for your own creations, just like this tasty Taco Bowl Recipe (coming soon).
What to Serve with Coconut Pineapple Rice
This tropical rice is the ultimate companion for a variety of dishes. It’s a natural fit for grilled or baked fish, like our popular Air Fryer Cod. It also pairs wonderfully with chicken, especially recipes like Brazilian Coconut Chicken or simple grilled chicken skewers. For a complete meal, serve it alongside some roasted vegetables like these Honey Roasted Carrots.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Store leftover Coconut Pineapple Rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply microwave it for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. You can add a splash of water or coconut milk before reheating to restore its creamy texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Simply rinse the rice, then add it and all other ingredients (except the final mix-ins) to your rice cooker. Stir once, and cook according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Once done, let it rest for 10 minutes before fluffing and folding in the pineapple, cilantro, and toasted coconut.
Yes, you can use other long-grain white rices like Basmati. However, Jasmine rice is highly recommended for its fragrant aroma and fluffy texture, which complements the tropical flavors perfectly. Avoid short-grain rice, as it can become too sticky.
The two most important steps are to rinse the rice thoroughly under cold water until it runs clear, and to use the correct liquid-to-rice ratio (in this case, 2 cups of liquid for 1.5 cups of rice). Also, be sure not to overcook it and allow it to rest, covered, for 10 minutes after cooking.
Canned pineapple tidbits in 100% juice are ideal for this recipe because you use both the fruit and the juice in the cooking liquid. If using fresh pineapple, you may need to add a bit of sugar and extra water to compensate.
Coconut milk has a higher water content, while coconut cream is much thicker and has a higher fat content. For this recipe, full-fat canned coconut milk provides the perfect balance of creaminess and liquid to cook the rice properly. Using coconut cream would make the dish too dense and oily.
The Perfect Tropical Side Dish
Coconut Pineapple Rice (Easy Tropical Side Dish)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Place the jasmine rice in a fine-mesh sieve and rinse it under cold water until the water runs clear. This step is crucial for removing excess starch.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the full can of coconut milk, the reserved pineapple juice, and enough water to equal 2 cups of liquid total. Stir well.
- Add the rinsed rice and salt to the saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it stand, covered, for 10 minutes. Do not lift the lid.
- After resting, fluff the rice with a fork. Gently fold in the drained pineapple tidbits, toasted coconut, chopped cilantro, and fresh lime juice.
- Serve warm as a delicious tropical side dish.
Notes
Tip 2: Rinsing the rice is a non-negotiable step for achieving perfectly fluffy, individual grains.
Tip 3: Let the rice rest off the heat for the full 10 minutes to allow it to steam perfectly.
This Coconut Pineapple Rice recipe is a game-changer for your side dish rotation. It brings a burst of tropical flavor that is both comforting and exciting. We know you’ll love it as much as we do! If you make this recipe, we’d love for you to leave a comment below and share it on Pinterest!
