Iraqi Pink Rice Recipe

Experience the vibrant flavors of Iraq with this stunning Pink Rice recipe! Unlike sticky rice, this fluffy and delicately pink dish is cooked on the stovetop for a perfectly moist texture. The secret? A touch of ketchup (yes, really!) adds a unique sweetness and beautiful color. This easy-to-follow recipe, inspired by sooogood and perfected with ummbinat's regional expertise, yields a deliciously comforting meal. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this authentic Iraqi delight. #IraqiFood #PinkRice #MiddleEasternRecipe #RiceRecipe #EasyRecipe #AuthenticRecipe

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 40 mins
Calories 218.4 kcal
Protein 7g
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Iraqi Pink Rice 49

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Forktionary editorial kitchen team

The Forktionary Kitchen Team

Adapted from Food.com, then tested & standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Iraqi Pink Rice

  • 1 cup basmati rice
  • Oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 1 ½ cups water (plus up to ¼ cup more for mushier rice)
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon salt

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How to Make Iraqi Pink Rice

  1. Rinse 1 cup of basmati rice thoroughly under cold water 3 times, until the water runs clear.
  2. In a medium saucepan, sauté 1 medium onion, finely chopped, in 2 tablespoons of olive oil or vegetable oil over medium heat for about 5 minutes, until lightly browned.
  3. Add 1 cup of rinsed basmati rice to the pot and stir to coat with the oil and onion.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 ½ cups of water, 2 tablespoons of ketchup, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper.
  5. Pour the water mixture over the rice and onion, ensuring all the rice is submerged. For a mushier consistency (as suggested by ummbinat), add up to ¼ cup more water.
  6. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.
  7. Once boiling, immediately reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 20 minutes, without lifting the lid.
  8. After 20 minutes, turn off the heat and let the rice steam, covered, for another 10 minutes before fluffing with a fork and serving.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

27 g

Sugar

6g

Fat

2g

Carbs

13g

Recipe Categories (Choose a category and find related recipes!)

Main Courses Lunch Main Dish / Dinner Sweets & Sides Side Dishes Asian Mediterranean Vegetarian Gluten Free One Pot Meals

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

60 Minutes Or Less Time To Make Course Main Ingredient Cuisine Preparation Low Protein Healthy Iraqi Side Dishes Rice Middle Eastern Low Fat Vegetarian Dietary Low Cholesterol Low Saturated Fat Low In Something Pasta Rice And Grains White Rice

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to make Iraqi Pink Rice?

Iraqi Pink Rice takes about 50 minutes from start to finish — roughly 10 minutes to prepare and 40 minutes to cook.

How many calories are in Iraqi Pink Rice?

Iraqi Pink Rice has approximately 218.4 calories per serving, with about 7 g protein, 13 g carbohydrates and 5 g fat.

What ingredients do I need for Iraqi Pink Rice?

The key ingredients for Iraqi Pink Rice are Rice, Oil, Onion, Water, Tomato Paste, Pepper. See the full list with measurements above.

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