Ketchup has long been one of America’s favorite condiments. It is a go-to for hamburgers and hotdogs, but it also has a wide-reaching culinary application. Many homemade sauces and salad dressings have ketchup as their base ingredient. Thousand Island dressing, barbecue sauce, steak sauce and cocktail sauce are all rooted in this beloved condiment. Here are several ways to utilize ketchup in cooking.
- Create a sweet and sour stir-fry sauce. When paired with soy sauce, vinegar and spices you can make a sweet and sour sauce that goes great on chicken or pork.
- Meatloaf and meatballs benefit from ketchup for added flavor and moisture. You can mix it directly into the ground beef or use it as a glaze on top.
- Make baked beans. Ketchup helps to thicken while also providing a rich flavor alongside onions, brown sugar and bacon.
- Enhance soups and stews. Minestrone soup, chili and some beef stews use ketchup to add a subtle sweetness.
- Make homemade Thousand Island. This dressing is easy to make, and it works as a sandwich spread or topping on your favorite mixed greens.
