13 Best Substitutes for Ketchup to Use in Any Dish

Ketchup is a beloved staple in many kitchens. You might enjoy it with hot dogs, burgers, and crispy french fries.

Its sweet and tangy flavor adds a comforting touch to many of your favorite dishes.

Whether it’s a classic brand or something more gourmet, ketchup remains a go-to condiment for countless meals.

Sometimes, you reach for that ketchup bottle and find it empty. Before you panic about your burger or meatloaf missing that extra kick, consider some great ketchup substitutes.

These alternatives can help you out in a pinch, ensuring your meals still taste delicious.

Tomato Sauce

Tomato sauce can be a fantastic stand-in for ketchup, offering that rich tomato flavor you crave. Made with vine-ripened tomatoes and spices, it brings a sweet and tangy taste that echoes ketchup’s essence. Though typically linked with pasta dishes, tomato sauce can shine as a condiment.

Unlike marinara, which is packed with garlic and oregano, tomato sauce delivers a more pronounced tomato taste. Its thick and creamy texture holds up well as a topping, similar to ketchup. This makes it a viable option for spreading on burgers or dipping fries.

Comparison Table: Marinara vs. Tomato Sauce

Using tomato sauce instead of ketchup can be a delightful change. Whether you’re adding it to meatloaf or using it as a dipping sauce, its versatility makes it a great alternative.

Taco Sauce

If you love Mexican food, you’ve likely enjoyed taco sauce. This orange-red sauce often complements tacos, burritos, and various Mexican dishes.

Taco sauce is known for providing a balanced mix of flavors with a hint of spice.

Ingredients:

• Onions
• Vinegar
• Spices
• Tomatoes

Thanks to these tomatoes, the sauce boasts a rich, sweet, and tangy taste. It’s perfect to drizzle over scrambled eggs when you’re looking to switch things up from ketchup. Though not as thick as ketchup, taco sauce offers a flavorful alternative.

Pro Tip: Try adding taco sauce to dishes like:

• Tacos
• Burritos
• Eggs
• Grilled meats

With its unique blend of ingredients and versatile taste, taco sauce can elevate your meals, adding that extra zing you crave.

Sambal Oelek

Sambal oelek is a traditional Indonesian paste made from chilis. This spicy paste has a kick that’s quite different from ketchup, both in heat and thickness. The Huy Fong brand, famous for Sriracha, has its own version, adding vinegar to the mix. This makes it a great topping, but be warned: a little goes a long way.

The ingredients in sambal oelek are simple: chilis, salt, and vinegar. This simplicity lets the true flavor of the chilis shine through. Its thick consistency also makes it a versatile addition to many dishes. For example, you can use it to spice up your fries or as a bold component in sauces and marinades.

Uses of Sambal Oelek

• Condiment: Perfect for adding heat to any dish.
• Cooking: Ideal for stir-fries, soups, and stews.
• Marinades: Adds depth and spice to meats and vegetables.

Sambal oelek’s robust flavor elevates everyday meals, offering a spicy alternative to milder condiments.

Tomato paste

Tomato paste is a super thick staple in your kitchen. When you want to master your own sauce, it helps because it’s made from strained tomatoes. This thickness gives more body to your dish. And not just the texture – it enhances the flavor too. The rich and zesty taste of the tomatoes takes any sauce up a notch.

Tomato paste isn’t only for classic Italian dishes. It’s so flavorful that you can use it as an alternative to ketchup. Imagine spreading it on a burger, hot dog, or even a steak. Tomato paste, made from skinned and cooked tomatoes, could be your new favorite topping. So, next time you run out of ketchup or just want to try something different, reach for the tomato paste.

Banana Ketchup

Banana ketchup adds a unique twist to your meals. This sauce is a staple in Filipino cuisine, offering a sweet flavor with a hint of vinegar and a touch of tomato. Whether you expect it or not, this combination creates a sauce nothing like traditional banana taste.

Its red-orange color closely resembles Thai sweet chili sauce, making it visually appealing. Despite its unusual main ingredient, banana ketchup works wonderfully as a ketchup substitute. It’s perfect for enhancing dishes like fried chicken, delivering a flavorful punch.

Banana ketchup brings out the best in burgers, sandwiches, and other savory dishes. Don’t just stick to the sweet uses of bananas; try this versatile condiment and discover a new favorite. It truly transforms ordinary meals into something special.

Tkemali

You might enjoy tkemali, a colorful and flavorful sauce from Georgia. Named after the sour plum, this sauce gets its vibrant red color from ripe plums. Sometimes, people make it with unripe plums in the spring, creating a green version. However, the focus here is on the classic red tkemali.

Tkemali serves as a fantastic alternative to ketchup. It pairs well with dishes like meat and potatoes, just like ketchup does. The sauce offers a tangy taste, adding a similar kick to your meals. Its consistency and versatile nature make it a great replacement, not to mention its appealing color.

Ways to Use Tkemali:

• Dip for fries
• Topping for burgers
• Sauce for grilled meat
• Spread on sandwiches

If you’re looking for something a bit sour with the tanginess of ketchup, tkemali fits the bill perfectly. Plus, its unique flavor can make your dishes stand out.

Tomato Jam

Tomato jam offers a unique twist on the traditional jam flavors you might be used to like strawberry, grape, or apricot. Unlike those sweet fruit-based jams, tomato jam brings a subtle sweetness that pairs well with its naturally tart and tangy taste. This makes it a fantastic match for savory dishes, such as eggs, ham, or cheese.

Crafted from tomatoes, onions, and vinegar, tomato jam stands out as a versatile substitute for ketchup. The process involves chopping the tomatoes roughly and boiling them without straining, giving the jam a chunky texture that’s quite different from the smooth consistency of ketchup. The addition of extra sugar often makes tomato jam a bit sweeter, yet it can also taste somewhat sourer due to the vinegar.

Key Points:

• Ingredients: Tomatoes, onions, vinegar, and sugar.
• Texture: Chunky, not smooth.
• Flavor Profile: Tangy, slightly sweet, and occasionally sour.
• Best Matches: Eggs, ham, cheese, savory dishes.

Whether you’re out of ketchup or simply seeking a new taste adventure, tomato jam is worth a try. Its blend of flavors can enhance many dishes, bringing a surprising and delightful change to your meals. So, next time you’re looking for a condiment with a twist, reach for a jar of tomato jam. It might just become your new favorite!

Red Pesto

Red pesto, also known as sun-dried tomato pesto, makes a great addition to many dishes. You can use it on pizza, mix it into pasta, or even spread it on sandwiches. It’s made with sun-dried tomatoes, tomato pulp, and white wine vinegar, giving it a deep, rich flavor that combines both sweet and tart notes. This thicker sauce provides a tomato-forward taste that is different from the well-known green pesto made with basil and parmesan cheese.

Red pesto stands out because of its unique ingredients. The sun-dried tomatoes add a concentrated tomato flavor, while the white wine vinegar gives it a slight tanginess. This combination makes red pesto a great substitute for marinara sauce in pizza recipes or other dishes where you want a thick, flavorful sauce.

Unlike green pesto, you may not think to use red pesto with fries, but it’s perfect for adding flavor to meat and chicken. The thick consistency and bold taste of red pesto make it a versatile sauce for many meals.

Salsa

Salsa is a versatile dip that goes beyond just pairing with tortilla chips. Made from diced tomatoes, salsa is thick, chunky, and packed with spices that give it a hearty and zesty flavor. Not only does it taste amazing, but it’s also a healthier option compared to many other dips because it’s loaded with vegetables.

Instead of using traditional salad dressing, try adding salsa to your salads. It’s a great way to enhance flavor without adding extra calories. You can also top your eggs or proteins with salsa for a fresh, vibrant twist.

In the U.S., salsa competes with ketchup as one of the most popular condiments. Although it’s not as smooth as ketchup, its tomato-based flavor makes it a great substitute. The chunkiness of salsa shouldn’t deter you from enjoying it; in fact, it adds a delightful texture to your meals.

Whether you’re looking for a healthier dip or a new way to spice up your favorite foods, salsa is a fantastic choice. Try it today and discover why it’s a favorite in so many households.

Barbecue Sauce

Barbecue sauce is a popular household condiment, much like ketchup. It usually combines molasses and brown sugar, which give it a sweet taste balanced by vinegar and tomato. You can use it for making barbecue baby back ribs in the oven or grilling chicken. Just spread some of this sauce over your grilled proteins, and your taste buds will enjoy a delightful experience.

People love barbecue sauce for its varied flavors. Some versions are sweeter, while others have a smoky taste. It’s often a go-to sauce because it complements many foods. Whether you want to replace ketchup on your pantry shelf or just try something new, barbecue sauce can be a great choice. Both sauces have a smooth texture, making them easy to spread.

You might also find barbecue sauce works well in dishes like sloppy joes. This versatile condiment can elevate your meals, adding a rich flavor that pairs well with many different foods.

Sriracha

Sriracha is a popular and flavorful hot sauce known for its tangy and spicy kick. Created by David Tran, the founder of Huy Fong Foods, this condiment made its way to California in 1979. Tran aimed to create a sauce combining sweet and salty flavors, inspired by Thai cuisine.

Today, you find Sriracha in an impressive variety of dishes. It’s a favorite addition to mayonnaise-based dips, tomato soups, and fried foods. The ingredients include prik chi faa peppers, vinegar, and sugar, which give it a unique taste and thicker consistency compared to other hot sauces like Tabasco.

Though it lacks tomatoes, many consider Sriracha an excellent ketchup alternative due to its versatility and enjoyable mix of sweet and tangy flavors. This sauce enhances dishes without overpowering them, making it a staple in many kitchens. Whether you want to add a little heat to your meal or simply enjoy the flavor, Sriracha is always a reliable choice.

Steak Sauce

Steak sauce has an interesting history and reputation. Some people feel that a prime cut of steak doesn’t need it, while others see it as a delightful addition, especially if the steak lacks flavor. The debate is similar to the one surrounding ketchup. Steak sauce became well-known in 1948 when the A1 brand marketed it to men as the sauce for steak. However, its usage began long before, with King George IV’s chef using it for a variety of dishes, including lobster.

Made with ingredients like tomato puree and crushed oranges, steak sauce has a sweet and tangy flavor. This taste makes it versatile, not just for steak but for many dishes. The smooth consistency and unique blend of flavors make it a great alternative to ketchup. Whether you’re enhancing a classic steak or even something like meatloaf, steak sauce can provide a delicious boost.

Ingredients

• Tomato puree
• Crushed oranges
• Spices

These components work together to create a sauce that complements a variety of foods. Whether you love it or leave it, steak sauce remains a staple in many kitchens.

Harissa

Harissa is a vibrant red chili paste with roots in both North African and Middle Eastern cuisine. It typically includes red chili peppers and an array of spices like cumin and coriander. While it has a bit of heat, it’s not overwhelming.

This versatile condiment can enhance a variety of dishes. Try using it as a topping for lamb or chicken, or mix it into homemade hummus for an extra kick. If you’re looking for a spicy alternative to ketchup, harissa can be a great option.

Here are some common uses for harissa:

• Topping for meats: Perfect for lamb and chicken.
• Dip ingredient: Mix into hummus for added flavor.
• Ketchup substitute: Adds a spicy twist to your favorite dishes.

With all these possibilities, harissa can easily become a staple in your kitchen.