Ketchup substitutes
Ketchup substitutes — 6 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Tomato paste + sugar + vinegar
Same amount as the ketchup
Homemade ketchup using concentrated tomato paste.
The best substitutes for ketchup are tomato paste, barbecue sauce, or other tomato-based sauces like marinara or tomato sauce, depending on the use.
Ketchup is a sweet-sour tomato sauce thick enough to stay where you put it, so it is doing several jobs at once: sweetening, souring, adding savoury tomato flavour, and giving a glaze or a sauce both body and a red colour.
- Verdict —
- Works
- Best for —
- cooking and baking
Updated 19 Aug 2026 · no sponsored swaps
- Jobs
- Acidsecondary
- Sweetnessprimary
- Umami & savory depthsecondary
- Thickeningsecondary
- Browning & colorsecondary
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of ketchup | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tomato paste + sugar + vinegarcooking and baking | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 2 | Barbecue saucegrilled meats | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 3 | Marinara saucepasta dishes | Same amountYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
| 4 | Tomato saucecooking applications | Same amountYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
| 5 | Srirachawhen you want heat | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 6 | Hot saucewhen you want heat without sweetness | Same amountYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
Tomato paste + sugar + vinegar
similar taste and texture
Homemade ketchup using concentrated tomato paste.
- Covers
- Acid
- Sweetness
- Umami & savory depth
- Thickening
- Browning & color
- Best for
- cooking and baking, when you want to control sweetness, making large batches, customizing flavor
Mix 1 part tomato paste with 1 part water, 1-2 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp vinegar, and salt to taste. Simmer until thickened. Adjust sweetness and acidity to your preference.
Barbecue sauce
different taste, similar texture
Sweet and tangy sauce with smoky, complex flavors.
- Covers
- Acid
- Sweetness
- Umami & savory depth
- Thickening
- Browning & color
- Best for
- grilled meats, barbecue dishes, when you want smoky flavor, marinades and glazes
Has similar sweet-tangy profile but with added smokiness and spices. May be thinner than ketchup. Works well for meat dishes and grilling applications.
Marinara sauce
different taste and texture
Italian tomato sauce with herbs and garlic.
- Covers
- Acid
- Umami & savory depth
- Browning & color
- Misses
- Sweetness — not covered
- Thickening — not covered
- Best for
- pasta dishes, pizza sauce, when you want Italian flavors, cooking applications
Thinner than ketchup and has Italian herbs (oregano, basil). Add sugar and vinegar to make it more ketchup-like. Best for cooking rather than as a condiment.
Tomato sauce
different taste and texture
Plain tomato sauce without added seasonings.
- Covers
- Acid
- Umami & savory depth
- Browning & color
- Misses
- Sweetness — not covered
- Thickening — not covered
- Best for
- cooking applications, when you want neutral tomato flavor, making homemade ketchup, pasta dishes
Much thinner than ketchup and lacks sweetness. Add sugar, vinegar, and spices to make it more ketchup-like. Reduce by simmering to thicken if needed.
Sriracha
different taste, similar texture
Spicy chili sauce with garlic and vinegar.
- Covers
- Acid
- Umami & savory depth
- Thickening
- Browning & color
- Misses
- Sweetness — not covered
- Best for
- when you want heat, Asian-inspired dishes, spicy condiments, dipping sauces
Much spicier than ketchup with garlic and vinegar notes. Add sugar to make it sweeter. Works well for those who like spicy condiments.
Hot sauce
different taste and texture
Spicy vinegar-based sauce with heat.
- Covers
- Acid
- Browning & color
- Misses
- Sweetness — not covered
- Umami & savory depth — not covered
- Thickening — not covered
- Best for
- when you want heat without sweetness, spicy condiments, dipping sauces, marinades
Much thinner and spicier than ketchup. Add sugar and tomato paste to make it more ketchup-like. Choose milder varieties if you want less heat.
Questions
4 questionsCan I use tomato paste instead of ketchup?
Yes, tomato paste is a good substitute for ketchup. It has similar texture and can be used in most recipes that call for ketchup.
What's the difference between ketchup and tomato paste?
Ketchup is sweet and tangy with added ingredients, while tomato paste is more concentrated and has a different flavor. Both have similar texture and can be used interchangeably.
Can I use barbecue sauce instead of ketchup?
Yes, barbecue sauce can work as a substitute, though it may have a different flavor. It has similar texture and can be used in most recipes.
Why is ketchup so popular as a condiment?
Ketchup is popular as a condiment because it adds sweet and tangy flavor that complements many foods and is a traditional ingredient in many cuisines.
Tips for substituting ketchup
7 tips- Ketchup adds sweet and tangy flavor to dishes - good for balancing spicy or salty foods
- Use ketchup in meatloaf, meatballs, and burgers for moisture and flavor
- Mix ketchup with mayonnaise for a quick thousand island dressing
- Add ketchup to barbecue sauce for extra tang and sweetness
- Ketchup works well in baked beans, sloppy joes, and chili
- Store ketchup in the refrigerator after opening for up to 6 months
- Shake the bottle before using to mix any separated ingredients