Ketchup Fried Rice

Say goodbye to ordinary fried rice and savor the extraordinary with this uniquely delightful recipe.

This recipe for easy ketchup fried rice is a delicious fusion of flavors that is easy to make.

Sweet, tangy, and comforting, ketchup fried rice is a nostalgic, easy-to-make dish. Ideal for a quick lunch, casual dinner, or a fun twist on simple fried rice.

Perfect for those busy weeknights, last minute dinner parties, or even pot lucks.

Ketchup fried rice in a small white bowl on a wooden board.

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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Cost To Make
Ingredients
Instructions
Tips for Success
Substitutions / Variations
Serving Suggestions
Storage
FAQ
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Comments

Ketchup fried rice is sure to delight. It's an easy to make rice recipe that pairs perfectly with other dishes or is just great to have on it's own.

It infuses the robust flavors of fried rice with the sweet and tangy notes of ketchup, creating a harmonious balance.

Ketchup fried rice transforms leftover rice into a flavorful, slightly sweet meal with minimal effort. It's a versatile, comforting dish that's satisfying on its own or paired with eggs, proteins, or vegetables.

This recipe is great to use up any leftover rice or leftover vegetables you may have in your fridge.

Fried rice on a white plate on a wooden board.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This recipe for ketchup fried rice is quick and easy to make.
Use up any leftovers you may have in your fridge.
Budget friendly.
This ketchup fried rice recipe is perfect for those busy weeknights, and works great for meal prep too.
Ketchup fried rice is vegan friendly and vegetarian.

Cost To Make

Estimated cost = $4.15 or $1.04 a serve

Ingredients

Please note that below is a guide for some of the ingredients we used in the recipe. The printable recipe further down the page has the complete list of ingredients, including quantities and step-by-step instructions.

Ketchup: Or you could use tomato sauce.
Soy sauce
Cooking oil: Like vegetable oil.
Brown onion finely chopped
Carrot, diced and blanched
Minced garlic
Day old cooked basmati rice: For fried rice, it is best to use day old cooked rice such as basmati rice. If you are using fresh rice, you may need to cook your fried rice for longer.
Frozen green peas: Make sure your green peas are defrosted before use.
Green (spring) onions
Salt
Sesame seeds, toasted, optional to garnish
Fried egg, optional, to garnish

Instructions

For the sauce

Step One: In a small bowl mix the ketchup and soy sauce. Set aside.

For the rice

Step One: Heat cooking oil in a wok or deep frying pan over high heat. Once hot, add the finely chopped brown onion and carrot. Cook until the onion starts to become golden brown and carrot has softened. Then add the minced garlic. Cook for a further 1 to 2 minutes. Stir frequently to avoid burning your garlic.

Step Two: Add the cooked basmati rice. Break up any clumps of rice and stir through the carrot, onion, and garlic. Stir fry the rice for 3 to 4 minutes.

Step Three: Next, add the green peas and green onions. Toss through and cook for 1 to 2 minutes.

Step Four: Add the sauce and continue to stir fry for a further 3 to 4 minutes.

Step Five: Season with salt to taste, add more ketchup if desired. Turn off heat and serve. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and a fried egg if desired.

Tips for Success

Use day old cooked rice for the best texture. This is because day old rice is drier than fresh rice and the grain separate easily.
High heat is key to making a great fried rice. Ensure your pan or wok is hot before adding the ingredients and stir-fry them quickly to prevent steaming or sticking.

Close up image of fried rice on a plate.

Substitutions / Variations

Here are some delicious variations on this ketchup fried rice that you might like to try:

Hawaiian Style: Give your ketchup fried rice a tropical twist by incorporating ingredients inspired by Hawaiian cuisine. Add diced pineapple, cooked ham, and scallions to the fried rice. The sweetness of the pineapple balances perfectly with the tanginess of the ketchup, while the ham adds a savory note.
If you enjoy bold and spicy flavors, try making a spicy kimchi variation of ketchup fried rice. Sauté kimchi and a bit of gochujang (Korean chili paste) in a hot pan before adding the rice. You could even add some scallions, diced tofu, and a fried egg on top.
Thai Basil and Shrimp: Sauté shrimp with garlic and red chili flakes before stirring in the rice and ketchup. Finish with a handful of torn Thai basil leaves for a fragrant and aromatic twist on this fusion dish.
Incorporate the classic teriyaki flavor into your ketchup fried rice by adding sliced teriyaki chicken. Cook the chicken in a teriyaki marinade, then dice it and mix it into the fried rice. Include some diced bell peppers and peas for added texture and color.

Serving Suggestions

This ketchup fried rice is great on its own but if you are looking for ways to serve this rice dish, you might like to try:

Garnish with green onions
Top with a fried egg
Pair with pickled vegetables such as kimchi, pickled cucumbers, or pickled radishes.
Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.
Serve with a side of Asian sauces such as soy sauce, chili sauce, or sweet chili sauce.

Storage

This fried rice with ketcup recipe can be stored in the fridge in an airtight for up to 2 to 3 days.

FAQ

What can I add to fried rice for more flavour?

Garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, oyster sauce, fish sauce, and chili sauce can enhance the flavor of fried rice.

How do I substitute soy sauce for fried rice?

Consider using tamari sauce, coconut aminos, or teriyaki sauce as soy sauce substitutes in fried rice. Adjust quantities according to taste.

Made this recipe? Let us know how it went in the comments below! We'd love to hear how it turned out.

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