Kale and Coconut Fried Rice
Vegetarian weeknight fried rice with sautéed kale, coconut flakes and rice. The dish is finished with Thai flavors like lime, cilantro and sriracha.
Updated by Kathryne Taylor on August 29, 2024
I’m jet lagged from my trip to Greece, so I made one of my old favorites to share again! It’s comforting and packed with nutrients, which is just what I need right now.
In fact, I enjoy this recipe so much that it inspired a recipe in my cookbook, the colorful coconut fried rice with edamame on page 182. If you haven’t tried that one yet, you’ve really missed out.
This dish is a relatively quick weeknight meal and a fun alternative to my go-to extra vegetable fried rice. This recipe has some Thai flavors, including sriracha, lime and cilantro.
I added coconut flakes, too. The big, toasted coconut flakes are savory and remind me of bacon. We all know that bacon and eggs belong together, so today, I present to you a healthier, vegetarian option.
For some reason, when I shared this recipe four years ago, I called it a stir-fry. It’s fried rice, not a stir fry! This is a stir fry. Moving on.
Feel free to throw in any thinly sliced vegetables that you might have in the fridge, too. Red bell pepper is lovely, as are chopped Brussels sprouts. I bet thinly sliced carrots would be great, too.
I found the base recipe for this stir fry in an awesome cookbook that landed on my doorstep, courtesy of a PR rep. It is appropriately titled, Brassicas: Cooking the World’s Healthiest Vegetables.
Brassicas are the cruciferous family of vegetables that include kale, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and other less trendy ingredients, like bok choy and turnips. Did you know that arugula is a brassica? That was news to me.
Brassicas help prevent cancer, reduce inflammation and promote liver detoxification, so needless to say, they are a worthy (and delicious) addition to your plate.
The book’s original recipe for spicy kale fried rice was really tasty, but I couldn’t help adding some complementary flavors. While I was savoring my first test run, I remembered how great lime and cilantro go with kale in my burritos. Then I recalled Heidi Swanson’s amazing kale and coconut flake salad. I added all of the above to my second try and loved it even more.
Hope you’ll take my word for it and try it! Please let me know how this recipe turns out for you in the comments.
Watch How to Make Spicy Kale and Coconut Fried Rice
Spicy Kale and Coconut Fried Rice
A vegetarian weeknight fried rice with sautéed kale, coconut flakes and rice. The dish is finished with Thai flavors like lime, cilantro and sriracha. For best results, cook your rice in advance and refrigerate until you’re ready to start cooking (see note). This dish comes together very quickly—be sure to have your ingredients prepped ahead of time and placed near the stove, along with a big empty bowl for the cooked components. Recipe yields 2 servings.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil or quality high-heat oil such as avocado oil, divided
- 2 eggs, whisked together with a dash of salt
- 2 big cloves garlic, pressed or minced
- ¾ cup chopped green onions (about 1 bunch)
- Optional: 1 cup chopped vegetables, like bell pepper, carrot or Brussels sprouts
- 1 medium bunch kale (preferably Lacinato but curly green is good, too), ribs removed and leaves chopped
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ¾ cup large, unsweetened coconut flakes* (not shredded coconut)
- 2 cups cooked and chilled brown rice**
- 2 teaspoons reduced-sodium tamari or soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce or sriracha
- 1 lime, halved
- Handful fresh cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat a large (12-inch or wider) wok, cast iron skillet or non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot enough that a drop of water sizzles on contact, add 1 teaspoon oil and swirl the pan to coat the bottom. Pour in the eggs and cook, stirring frequently, until the eggs are scrambled and lightly set. Transfer the eggs to your empty bowl. Wipe out the pan if necessary with a paper towel (be careful, it’s hot!).
- Add 1 tablespoon oil to the pan and add the garlic, green onions and optional additional vegetables. Cook until fragrant or until the vegetables are tender, stirring frequently, for 30 seconds or longer. Add the kale and salt. Continue to cook until the kale is wilted and tender, stirring frequently, about 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the contents of the pan to your bowl of eggs.
- Add the remaining 2 teaspoons oil to the pan. Pour in the coconut flakes and cook, stirring frequently, until the flakes are lightly golden, about 30 seconds. Add the rice to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until the rice is hot, about 3 minutes.
- Pour the contents of the bowl back into the pan, breaking up the scrambled egg with your spatula or spoon. Once warmed, remove the pan from the heat.
- Add the tamari, chili garlic sauce and juice of ½ lime. Stir to combine. Taste, and if it’s not fantastic yet, add another teaspoon of tamari or a pinch of salt, as needed.
- Slice the remaining ½ lime into wedges, then divide the fried rice into individual bowls. Garnish with wedges of lime and a sprinkling of torn cilantro leaves, with jars of tamari, chili garlic sauce and/or red pepper flakes on the side, for those who might want more.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Brassicas: Cooking the World’s Healthiest Vegetables by Laura Russell.
*Where to buy coconut flakes: Look for them in the baking section at Whole Foods, health food stores or well-stocked grocery stores. The brands I see most often are “Let’s Do Organic” (green package) and Bob’s Red Mill.
**Rice notes: Stir fries always work best with chilled rice. You’ll need to cook about ⅔ cup dried rice to yield 2 cups cooked. If you’re in a hurry, spread the cooked rice on a rimmed baking sheet and place it in the fridge or freezer to cool. Here’s how to cook brown rice.
Make it vegan/egg free: Skip the eggs by heating the pan and then start cooking with step 2. For extra protein, you can stir in 1 cup defrosted frozen shelled edamame in step 4.
Make it gluten free: Make sure to use a gluten-free soy sauce, like tamari.
Storage suggestions: The dish tastes great the next day, whether reheated or served at room temperature.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. See our full nutrition disclosure here.
I am a sucker for a good stir fry! This looks fabulous and I think I have everything in my fridge to make it. Dinner tonight? I think so. Thanks for the idea!
Hope you love this dish, Chelsea!
This is the kind of stor-fry we always enjoy at home, and I hope whatever that bothered you has now eased into a lovely weekend! I am not big on kale, but the pictures are calling my name :-)
This looks wonderful!
I hope you were able to have an enjoyable time at the pool with your friend and that whatever nastiness was bothering you fell by the wayside like big water drops off that fall from your bathing suit when you exit the pool. Your blog and what you share here is aMAZing (and delicious and nutritious – it changes people’s lives). Mean people suck, they always will. Don’t let them get you down. You are better than them.
Lisa, thank you! I am feeling better after the pool and I’m about to head out the door for my friend time. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
This is such an amazing stir fry dish, so light and perfect for summer!
I have kale to use up, so this looks like it will be perfect! Head up pretty lady, you are doing an awesome job : )
Not sure exactly what’s got you bummed, but I just wanted to say from a random blog follower (who’s not even all that good of a cook) that I always love your posts, and have probably pinned half your site. When I’m thinking, “hm. I want a veggie burger” or “what kind of salad could I make with this kale or spinach or chard?” or “I’m in the mood for a fruity dessert…” I almost always come to your blog first. I have yet to make something that hasn’t worked out well, and often the kids even like it, too – bonus! Anyway, hopefully thoughts like this will overrule whatever rude comments you’ve gotten lately, and you have a beautiful summer weekend!
Sara, thank you! I’m so glad to know you’re out there reading. I’m also really happy to hear that my blog is a reliable resource for you! You make my work worthwhile. :)
Please cheer up and know that you brighten everyone’s days with your delicious posts. And then the love goes beyond that with the dishes your readers make and share with friends and family. You are great at what you do. Your recipes are excellent. The haters have it all wrong.
Thank you, Sloan. I really appreciate your kind words. :)
I’m sorry you’re dealing with negativity and self doubt. I feel like to some extent they’re always present with creative endeavors and I imagine especially so when you work for yourself. The independence and sense of personal fulfillment are worth it in the end though, I feel! Can’t wait to try this lovely stir fry!
That’s a very good point, Trisha. I love what I do but I get bogged down with negative thoughts sometimes. Hope you enjoy this recipe!
I am new to your blog, but was drawn in when I went searching for a baked Yam fry that actually a)works and b)tastes as good as my shallow fried version. I made them last night and they came out as promised. Perfect!
I love the photos and the recipes are wonderful and so full of variety. I am currently doing my menu plan for next week based on your the recipes in your blog.
Cookie is great. You are great. Keep up the great work!
Thank you, Julia! I’m so pleased to hear that my recipes are turning out well for you. Enjoy!
Just wanted to tell you that I think you are so talented and I really enjoy reading your blog. Love your healthy recipes!
Thank you very much, Emily. :)
Kate you’re seriously the best! Thanks for all your awesome work!
Thank you, Cam! Have a lovely weekend!
This is my dinner for next week. It looks amazing! Funnily enough I almost always have leftovers of at least five of these ingredients hanging around and I constantly think, “what the heck should I do with this??”
Perfect! Hope you love this stir fry!
Yummy! Would also love to try adding some tofu instead of egg in the vegan version. Looks sooooo tasty :)
Great idea! Tofu would be great in this recipe.
I love , love, love your blog! Keep creating and sharing amazing recipes. I cannot wait to try this one out!
Thank you, Jenna!
So sorry about your negative experiences, cannot imagine what they would be; you have a lovely blog and come across as a lovely person as well. I am not a vegetarian but your blog constantly inspires me to eat healthier and to cook delicious meatless meals not because they are pointedly meatless but because they are wonderful meals on their own right.
And eggs with coconut = delicious! Once when I was just lazily throwing stuff together trying to make a semblance of dinner ended up with a cooked kale hot salad with toasted coconut and peanuts topped with two fried eggs, sooo good. I make it quite often now and there are Indonesian dishes that pair eggs with coconut too :)
Thank you, J.S.! Now that I think about it, I bet peanuts would be an awesome addition to this stir fry. I still have some leftovers, so I’ll give it a try! Your improvised salad sounds amazing.
Well, if helps any, this internet stranger thinks you seem like a sweet, genuine and creative person, and I truly enjoy reading your blog. Sorry to hear things have been tough lately :(
Thanks for reminding me of a great way to use leftover rice! This sounds like a delicious version of fried rice and I’ll definitely be trying it out.
Hey Laura, thank you very much. I don’t want to be the type of person who needs reassurance, but it sure is nice to hear. I appreciate your comment. I hope you love the stir fry!
Having the freedom to take an afternoon off and go swimming if we want is one of the reasons we put up with haters. Haters gunna hate. You’re great, just like this stir fry!
Haha! Thanks, Stefanie.
I’ve never thought of adding kale to a stir-fry but it makes total sense, I want to go try it right now! I’ve always wondered how to get those dark greens into stir fries…I imagine spinach would just go limp. Hope you enjoy your pool day!
Yeah, I think spinach would get a little soggy. Kale retains its texture as long as you don’t overdo it! This stir fry is a delicious way to consume lots of greens in one sitting.
I am a sucker for all things Thai, especially when there are copious amounts of vegetables involved! And the whole “if you can’t say anything nice” statement… it’s funny, because I caught myself repeating it over a few times in my head this week. I hope you get some time to unwind this weekend. Both of the things you mentioned are things that I worry about too, so I totally know where you’re coming from. Enjoy that pool!
Thanks, Angela! You are sweet. Hope you have a fun weekend ahead!
I love the Thai flavors here, so good!
yum!! I love the idea of combining coconut + Kale!
This stir fry looks so yummy!! SO unbelievably perfect for summer. Yum!
Great way to cook kale. I’ve never used it in stir fry before but it would make a great addition. Thanks for the recipe!
I just bought a bunch of kale and was getting bored of salads. This will serve me well as inspiration for my meals in the coming days! Thank you :)
I love stir-frys like this! So quick, easy and healthy! And don’t let mean people bother you. Mean people are dumb, and you have no time for them. Your blog has been one of my favorites for a long time, and you were actually one of the reasons that I had the confidence to start my own blog! You are doing great things, so keep up the great work, sister :)
That’s awesome to hear, thanks Candace!
Love your blogs! Love your recipes! Love your stories about your dog! I am always excited to see your name pop up in my email knowing there is something delish about to happen. My friend always says, if you can take the high road or take the low road, always always take the high road, even if it kills you.
Cindy, thank you! So glad you enjoy my posts. I’m always trying to take the high road.
This looks scrumptious! Can’t wait to make it. Hang in there Kate, some people are rainclouds and others are sunshine. Thank you for your positive work and recipes.
Thank you, Taire!
This looks SO delicious and I truly hope the coming week is better to you! Just so you know… I pin just about every recipe from you that hits my inbox and I actually spent about an hour a couple months ago going through your whole recipe index and pinning everything I wanted to make at some point. Also- you’re Slaw Lady. So remember that you’re famous when you’re feeling down! xo
http://www.youtube.com/sparklesandsuch26
:D Thank you, Ella! Thank you for your support and for all those pins. I appreciate it!
I just wanted to echo what everyone is saying. This is one of my favorite food blogs. Your recipes are reliable and tasty. But more importantly you have inspired me, which feels really corny and lame to admit. Your story of working in cube land and using this blog to break free inspired me to start my own blog and quit my job. My blog is on no one’s radar but my own but it makes me happy. So thank you for being brave and sharing, because to me, it’s meant something.
Hey Morgan, thank you. I’m humbled to hear that influenced your decision to follow your passions. Go, Morgan!!!
This recipe sounds so good that I ordered coconut chips online from my favorite raw nuts dealer. Since I’ve found your food blog I have to say that this is my favorite one, and it is now the only one I check out for recipes. I’m a semi-strict veeggAtarian, but your recipes work great for me. I’m semi-strict in that if a recipe calls for an egg or two, I’ll borrow them from my neighbors pastured hens. Although, homemade scrambled tofu isn’t half bad when flavored with my turmeric based spice recipe.
Sandy, thank you! I’m really happy to hear that you enjoy my blog so much. Your turmeric scrambled tofu sounds good to me! Would you mind sharing the name of your online nut dealer? Sometimes other visitors ask for recommendations and I don’t know where to direct them.
Hi Kate, I like Nuts.com. They carry organic raw nuts which are a bit expensive, but I am sure of what I’m getting. I buy in bulk and refrigerate them, but of course I don’t eat them in bulk. Also, they carry raw organic sunflower seeds, quinoa, kaniwa, chia seeds, dried fruits, nut flours, hemp seeds & products, cacao nibs, and more. My small town doesn’t carry what I need for a healthy vegan diet so it’s worth it to me.
Google “scrambled tofu turmeric” for ideas on how to make scramble egg substitute for any recipe. Turmeric is a very healthy spice and it doesn’t impart very much taste when not added with other Asian spices.
Sandy, thank you for getting back to me! Just recommended nuts.com to another reader.
This sounds really delicious – I will have to try this combination of flavors! I love a good stir fry and this is definitely a healthy version. Hope you are feeling better and enjoying the weekend!
Apparently all of my favorite vegetables are brassicas, ha ha! This looks delicious. I love the idea of adding kale to stir fry. :) You and your blog are amazing. Keep up the great work!
Ok, this sounds awesome! Looking forward to many more pool days this summer. :)
How did you know I had almost all of these ingredients on hand but didn’t know what to do with them? I made this dish for dinner last night–declared a “must repeat” after one bite. Sprinkled some peanuts on top for a bit of crunch. I started following your blog after you name kept popping up on Pinterest–what a find you are! You are blogging about a diet a try to keep with varying degrees of success. Your recipes keep me in the game. I appreciate your work and energy. Your strawberry kale salad with granola was my “gateway” recipe and now I’m hooked!
Hooray!!! Happy to hear that this recipe made it to “must repeat” status. I added some peanuts to my last bowl of leftovers, yum! Thank you very much for commenting. :)
I hope whoever has made you sad is having their butt whooped by karma!
This stir fry looks genius! My other half is not a fan of kale, but he certainly loves stir fry, I bet if I added some real bacon to his (I’ll take the coconut version thanks) that he would gobble this down without realising just how good it is for him :) I’ve never contemplated the pairing of coconut and eggs before, but now I think about it they would be a great couple.
Kale and coconut now on the shopping list for next week! Thanks Kate!
Thanks, Amy! I hope you and your other half love this stir fry!
I’m so sorry to hear about the current stressors. Mean people often get me down, too (as does income insecurity, argh!). You are AMAZING and I am glad that you do have positive people in your life to reinforce that fact. I know that this blog will continue to go from strength to strength and that is mostly due to the fact that you invest so much of yourself into it (your honesty, photography talent and knack with real flavours). Take care lovely. Oh, and this kale and coconut stir fry? YUM! I’ve tried a similar combo myself and loved it. Will try your version xxx
Laura, you’re so kind. Thank you! Hope you love this stir fry, if you get a chance to try it!
Girrrrl, I hear you. I’ve seen it and felt it, the insecurities, the instabilities and I’ve seen some of that ugliness, too. For me, I try to remember and focus on all of the amazing things about what we do and those super incredible folks I have met – even with the weird yuckiness that can show it’s head sometimes and that weird competitiveness of some folks. It sure can be hard sometimes, but truly some of the most amazing people in my life, I have met through blogging. Glad to hear you had a good friend whisk you away to the pool. Hope things are better this week for you.
Glad you can relate, Beth! Sometimes I just want to crawl into a hole instead of publishing work for the world to see. Sometimes it’s just too much. This week is looking up. Hope it’s going well for you, too!
This is such a lovely sounding recipe! One that I would thankfully make on a weeknight when craving something quick, comforting, and veggie loaded. Making this soon.
I’m so sorry for the struggles you’ve experienced lately. You are such a creative, inspiring, and kind person. Never forget that you’ve created a community of like-minded people, readers and fellow bloggers, you can always turn to for support. You’re great, Kate! Don’t let some nasty incidents or people make you forget or doubt that. xoxo
Sini, thank you so much. xoxoxo.
Hi Kate, I just want to echo all the support posted above – I’m quiet myself in terms of commenting, but have made a countless number of your recipes and am always looking forward to what you post next. Especially now I’d like you to know your blog and food inspiration has sent so much positive energy my way – thank you!
Thank you, Stacey. I’m so glad to know you’re out there, reading and cooking along. Also glad to hear that you get a positive vibe from this space of mine! Sometimes I worry about putting out any negativity, but I don’t want to give the false impression that full-time blogging/my life is a cakewalk! Hope you’re having a great week so far!
Cheer up Kate! This looks like another winner, you are GREAT at what you do!
Thank you, Emma!
Pool days are the bessssst! Hope you had some R&R and enjoyed your time away from the uglies of the blog world :)
Thanks, Taylor! I did. Two pool days in a row. :)
Keep your chin up and keep writing. Though, I hear ya; I have some crazy trolls that don’t comment on my site, but do comment on the Bites blog where I contribute. Doing my best to ignore them and keep writing about what I love.
I just love you for posting this! I bought the hugest bundles of purple kale at the farmer’s market this weekend because they were so beautiful and tempting and such a good price. I didn’t have any plans for them though. PERFECT TIMING! I love the flavors here, all the garlic and coconut and everything I love about Thai food! I’m always gleaning recipes that help me use up veggies and this is perfect. Going on this week’s menu, thank you!
I honestly think we all question our decisions sometimes. Don’t let that devalue the thought and consideration you put into making that decision and seeing it through. You are awesome! Keep it up girl!
Sophie, hope you love the stir fry! It’s going to be so pretty with your purple kale. Thank you for the encouraging words!
Looks great!! I love everything with kale!
Absolutely Delish!! Wow, this will be on my top rotation thanks!
Awesome! Thanks, Karen!
I made this tonight to have for dinner tonight and lunch tomorrow. It is absolutely soul-satisfyingly delicious. I am obsessed with coconut and was a use up of my farmers market kale. I LOVED it.
Hooray! So glad you loved the stir fry, Jennifer.
I love your blog and I am always telling people about it. It is obvious you love what you do and that’s why you are so good at it. Not everything is for everyone and unfortunately there is always going to be someone that doesn’t like you or what you are doing. That’s ok, it’s their problem not yours. Keep doing your thing!! Shine on xx
Laura, thank you very much for sharing my blog with your friends! I really appreciate your kind words. xo.
Thank you for being an inspiration <3
Kathryne, I’m sorry to hear you’re having a rough week. You share so much beauty, health and deliciousness with all of us… it makes me mad to think of meanness coming your way. In fact I feel like kicking some butt on your behalf;)
Hang in there my friend,
E
Thanks, sweet Erin! :)
Kate, you are an amazing food genius. Your blog is in my top five favorites of all time. Sending you happy vibes!
Hey thank you, Robyn! :)