• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2025 ABC News
  • Food

Smart ketchup packet hack to dip fries with ease

Erica Kuiper's technique to open ketchup packets went viral on TikTok.
Erica Kuiper
Kelly McCarthy
ByKelly McCarthy
September 21, 2021, 6:29 PM

Attention everyone, you are opening ketchup packets wrong.

TikTok user Erica Kuiper unlocked the hack to easier dipping on the go so you can forego squirting a ribbon of the red condiment over a sachet of hot, salty fries from the drive-thru and try this instead.

Heinz ketchup packets.
Bloomberg via Getty Images, FILE

The solution is actually quite simple and parent-approved for kids too.

Rather than tearing off the top corner of the ketchup packet diagonally to create an opening across the corner, turn the packet lengthwise and carefully tear straight along the longer side of the packet. Then, pushing the short sides towards the middle creates a larger pouch-like opening with more surface area to dip fries directly into the ketchup.

Kuiper told "Good Morning America" that the idea first came about with a friend when she was in high school and they "were trying to figure out how she could drive and dip, and that’s when we discovered the packet can open as a pouch."

It wasn't until Kuiper posted a video on TikTok for her more than 1 million followers that the demonstration of the trick really blew up.

"My husband Eric and I always opened the ketchup packets on the way home from McDonald’s so that our kiddo could have nice hot salty fries dipped in ketchup, and now she’s 22 and still opens ketchup that way," Kuiper said. "It always seems that the most simple things blow up on social media. I create all the amazing recipes, but the ketchup packet was the one that’s exploded."

Kuiper added she was happy to share the hack because "if it makes someone’s life easier, then that’s a win."

Plus, she said the simple, alternate way to open ketchup "has saved the interior of my vehicles and has allowed proper fry to ketchup ratio."

Related Topics

  • Food

Up Next in Food—

New McDonald's Spicy McMuffin breakfast sandwiches hits menus this week

July 7, 2025

See the winning picks from the Good Housekeeping Best Snack Awards 2025

July 7, 2025

Shake Shack offers free chicken sandwiches every Sunday in July

July 6, 2025

Fourth of July leftover recipes: S'mores coffee, bagel dogs, no-churn watermelon sorbet and more

July 5, 2025

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2025 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2025 ABC News