Ketchup is one of the world’s favorite condiments, but not everyone agrees on how it should be used. Some people dip, drizzle, or stir it into foods that leave others speechless.
This list rounds up some of the most fun, weird, and downright debated ketchup choices out there. Whether they make you curious or cringe, they’re all real—and someone loves them.
1. Ketchup On Eggs
Scrambled, fried, or even in omelets—some folks won’t eat their eggs without a generous splash of ketchup. The sweetness contrasts sharply with the eggs’ soft, savory base.
It’s a breakfast habit that sparks strong opinions, especially among purists who prefer hot sauce or nothing at all. But for some, it’s comfort on a plate.
2. Ketchup On Mac and Cheese
That creamy, cheesy bowl gets a sharp twist with a drizzle of ketchup. The tang cuts through the richness like a tomato-based lightning bolt.
Many call it sacrilege, but others swear the contrast is what makes it great. It’s a battle between smooth indulgence and bold bite.
3. Ketchup On Tacos
Soft or crunchy, beef or chicken—there are people who bypass salsa entirely and reach for the ketchup bottle. The result is sweet and strange.
Traditionalists may clutch their tortillas in horror, but fans argue it adds a nostalgic fast-food flair. One squeeze changes the entire flavor profile.
4. Ketchup In Ramen
Instant noodles meet pantry innovation when ketchup joins the broth. Its acidity adds brightness and color, transforming bland into bold.
This shortcut hack divides opinion: some say it’s a cheap thrill, others say it’s culinary chaos. Either way, it’s unforgettable.
5. Ketchup On Rice
Plain white rice becomes a canvas for ketchup’s bright red brushstroke in many households. The sweet-savory combo feels oddly familiar.
In some cultures, it’s part of comfort food traditions—like Filipino “ketchup rice.” To others, it’s just confusing.
6. Ketchup On Grilled Cheese
Crunchy, buttery bread wrapped around melted cheese finds an unexpected match in ketchup’s zing. The flavors play like childhood memories.
Some swear by dipping; others slather it inside before grilling. Either way, it stirs up strong nostalgia and stronger opinions.
7. Ketchup In Mashed Potatoes
Creamy potatoes get a tomato tang twist when ketchup is stirred in. The result is pinkish, punchy, and slightly sweet.
For some, it’s a quirky comfort from childhood. For others, it’s just one too many flavors crashing in a bowl.
8. Ketchup On Pizza
To many, pizza is sacred—sauce, cheese, crust, done. But for some, ketchup replaces tomato sauce or is added on top.
This habit riles purists but pleases those who like a sweeter tomato kick. In Argentina and the Philippines, it’s not so rare.
9. Ketchup On Steak
Few food debates are fiercer than ketchup on steak. For some, it’s the ultimate insult to good meat.
Yet plenty reach for it without shame, treating steak like a deluxe burger. The tangy sweetness hits hard against grilled char.
10. Ketchup On Popcorn
Whether drizzled or powdered as a seasoning, ketchup flavor finds its way onto popcorn in some snack-loving circles. It’s bold, briny, and messy.
Canada’s ketchup chips may be to blame for this crossover. Fans say it hits that perfect salty-sweet-savory trifecta.
11. Ketchup In Soup
From lentil to chicken noodle, a squirt of ketchup has been known to sneak into brothy bowls. It deepens the tomato flavor.
The extra acidity can liven up bland soups, though it also raises eyebrows. For some, it’s just another form of seasoning.
12. Ketchup On Hot Dogs (Chicago-Style Debate!)
Nowhere is ketchup more controversial than in Chicago, where putting it on a hot dog is culinary heresy. Elsewhere, it’s totally normal.
The line is clear: kids can have it, adults get judged. But fans argue ketchup’s sweetness balances salty sausage beautifully.
13. Ketchup On Fried Chicken
Crispy fried skin and juicy meat meet ketchup’s smooth, sweet tang. It’s not a common pair, but it exists—and divides.
Some liken it to dipping nuggets; others call it disrespectful to the crust. Either way, it adds a sugary punch.
14. Ketchup In Cocktails
From Bloody Marys to wild bar experiments, ketchup has slipped into the cocktail world. Its thickness, salt, and acidity add strange body.
Bartenders argue over its usefulness, but adventurous drinkers sometimes give it a shot—literally. It’s a love-it-or-leave-it moment.
15. Ketchup On Peanut Butter Sandwiches
Perhaps the most eyebrow-raising of them all, this combo marries sticky peanut butter with tangy tomato sauce. It’s salty, sweet, and jarring.
Some grew up with it and swear by the contrast. Others say once is enough. Either way, it sticks in memory.