Name: Easy Vegan Ketchup Rice Recipe with Chickpeas
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: ½ Onion (finely minced); 2 Bell Peppers (finely minced); ⅔ cup Chickpeas (cooked or canned (rinsed and drained)); 3-4 Tbsp Ketchup; ⅓ tsp Salt; Pepper (to taste); 1⅔ cups Cooked Rice (warmed if using cold rice); 1 Tbsp Vegetable Oil (for cooking)

5 from 2 votes

JUMP TO RECIPE & VIDEO

Need a quick and easy meal? This vegan Ketchup Rice is ready in just 15 minutes – perfect for a busy day’s meal!

Looking for simple fried rice recipes? Try my Vegetarian Chahan, Japanese Corn Fried Rice, or Garlic Fried Rice!

ketchup rice served with salad, tamagoyaki and miso soup.

I’ll walk you through the ingredients and step-by-step instructions. I hope you enjoy it!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Quick and Easy: Ready in just 15 minutes!
One-Pan Meal: Cook everything in one pan for easy cleanup.
Kid-Friendly: Simple, tasty flavors that kids love. Great for family meals.

Recipe Ingredients

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this Ketchup Rice:

Cooked Rice: For the best results, use slightly firmer rice to prevent a mushy texture when mixed with ketchup. Leftover rice works perfectly since it’s naturally drier. If cooking fresh rice, reduce the water slightly for a firmer consistency.
Chickpeas: This recipe uses chickpeas cooked in a pressure cooker for freshness, but canned chickpeas are a convenient alternative. Be sure to rinse and drain canned chickpeas before using.
Vegetables: Onions and bell peppers provide a classic flavor base, but feel free to add variety with other vegetables like scallions, corn, broccoli, carrots, or peas. The more colorful, the better!
Seasonings: The main seasonings are ketchup, salt, and pepper, keeping the flavors simple yet delicious.
Vegetable Oil: Olive oil is my go-to choice for this recipe, but you can use any neutral cooking oil.

How To Make Ketchup Rice: STEP BY STEP

Here are some quick visual instructions! For the video and all the detailed ingredients and instructions, go to the printable recipe card below.

Step 1

Stir-fry minced onion and bell peppers.

Step 2

Add chickpeas and continue stir-frying.

Step 3

Season with ketchup, salt, and pepper.

Step 4

Add rice and stir-fry until everything is evenly mixed

Transfer the fried rice to a serving plate and enjoy it right away while it’s hot. This flavorful ketchup fried rice comes together in just 15 minutes!

Recipe Tips

Warm Up Cold Rice: If using leftover rice, reheat it in the microwave until warm. This helps loosen the rice, making it easier to mix and stir-fry quickly.
Adjust the Seasoning: Customize the ketchup, salt, and pepper to your taste preferences. Feel free to tweak the quantities to create the perfect balance of flavors.
Boost the Flavor: Enhance the seasoning with a dash of garlic powder, a pinch of chili flakes for heat, or a splash of soy sauce for added depth and umami.

Storage

Let the ketchup rice cool down and transfer it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When ready to eat, simply reheat the rice in the microwave, adding a splash of water if it seems dry.

What To Serve With

To complement this ketchup rice, I recommend serving it with tamagoyaki, kabocha salad, and tofu and okra miso soup!

Kids love Ketchup rice!

our son is eating ketchup rice, salad and soup.

Our kids absolutely love ketchup rice! To make it extra special, I added a heart-shaped nori tamagoyaki on top, and they were so excited! To create the heart-shaped tamagoyaki, simply cut a slice diagonally, flip one side over, and place them together. It’s that easy!

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ketchup rice for kids served with salad, tamagoyaki and miso soup.

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Leave a Rating!

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ketchup rice on a plate served with tamagoyaki and salad

Easy Vegan Ketchup Rice Recipe with Chickpeas

5 from 2 votes

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Prep: 5

Cook: 10

Total: 15

Servings: 2

Author: Juri Austin

Need a quick and easy meal? This vegan Ketchup Rice is ready in just 15 minutes – perfect for a busy day's meal!

Equipment

Large Frying Pan

Ingredients

▢ ½ Onion, finely minced
▢ 2 Bell Peppers, finely minced
▢ ⅔ cup Chickpeas, cooked or canned (rinsed and drained)
▢ 3-4 Tbsp Ketchup
▢ ⅓ tsp Salt
▢ Pepper, to taste
▢ 1⅔ cups Cooked Rice, warmed if using cold rice
▢ 1 Tbsp Vegetable Oil, for cooking

Shop Ingredients on Jupiter

Instructions

Prepare the Vegetables: Finely mince the onion and bell peppers.
Stir-Fry the Ingredients: Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add the vegetable oil. Add the onions and bell peppers, and stir-fry until soft. Add the chickpeas to the pan and stir-fry for a few more minutes.
Seasoning: Add the ketchup, salt, and pepper. Stir well and let it cook for 1-2 minutes to reduce any excess liquid and allow the flavors to meld.
Combine with Rice: Add the warm cooked rice and stir-fry until everything is evenly mixed. Taste and adjust with additional salt or pepper if needed.
Serve and Enjoy: Transfer the rice to a serving plate and serve immediately while hot.

Video

Notes

Storage: Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
If using leftover rice, reheat it in the microwave until warm. This helps loosen the rice, making stirring quick and easier.
Customize the ketchup, salt, and pepper to your taste preferences. Feel free to tweak the quantities to create the perfect balance of flavors.
Enhance the seasoning with a dash of garlic powder, a pinch of chili flakes for heat, or a splash of soy sauce for added depth and umami.