I Can Get Behind Heinz's Pickle Ketchup: A Ketchup Skeptic's Take

I have a confession to make: I’m not a ketchup fan. In fact, I’ve actively avoided it for most of my adult life with the exception of my sister squeezing a dollop of it into my mouth on a dare. The overly sweet, one-dimensional flavor never appealed to me even in my childhood years, and I’ve always found myself reaching for mustard or mayonnaise instead when dressing up a burger or hotdog in the summer. So, when I first heard about Heinz Pickle Ketchup, I was skeptical yet curious. While my distaste for ketchup runs deep, my love for pickles is infinite—would this be the twist on the classic condiment that would make me a believer? 

So, before we get into it, what makes Heinz Pickle Ketchup different from the standard variety? As you may have guessed, it’s all in the pickle-inspired twist. Heinz took their classic tomato ketchup and blended in pickled seasonings, creating a harmonious mix of briny, tangy and bright flavors. Unlike traditional ketchup, which I find overwhelmingly sweet and lacking true tomato flavor, this version strikes a balance that (in my opinion) actually works. The addition of pickle brine adds a zesty note that cuts through the tomato’s natural sweetness, making it taste lighter and more complex, all while satisfying the urge to bust out the pickle jar.

The first time I tried the Heinz Pickle Ketchup, I was nervous to the point where my fiancé had to hype me up for it. My first vessel of choice was a sweet potato fry—and I’m happy to say it didn’t disappoint. The Heinz Pickle Ketchup delivered just the right amount of tanginess to complement the sweetness of the homemade sweet potato dippers I popped in the air fryer 15 minutes earlier, and it made me rethink my stance on ketchup entirely. Instead of the sticky, syrupy taste I expected, the Heinz Pickle Ketchup delivered a savory punch that was fresh and exciting. It was almost as if I had mixed relish and ketchup together, but with a smoother, more consistent texture.

Given that I had some success with my sweet potato fry experiment, I decided to test the ketchup on homemade burgers. Typically, I avoid ketchup on burgers because it tends to overpower the other ingredients, often opting for a grain mustard instead. But—to my genuine disbelief—Heinz Pickle Ketchup was a revelation! The tangy, vinegary undertones from the pickled seasonings brightened up each bite without masking the juicy beef, subtle feta and spicy arugula—it even complimented the caramelized onions I whipped up to go with it. Needless to say, I was surprised at how well it married with the savory elements of the burger rather than overwhelming them.

For someone who’s long been a ketchup skeptic, Heinz Pickle Ketchup was a surprising delight, one that truly made me rethink my harsh stance on the condiment. It’s a creative blend that elevates the standard ketchup experience, making it much more dynamic and flavorful. The addition of pickle brine not only enhances the ketchup’s natural flavors but also tones down the sweetness that has turned me off of it since childhood. It’s a refreshing change that ketchup fans will love, and even self-proclaimed ketchup haters like myself might find themselves reaching for the familiarly designed squeezable bottle.

Overall, I would highly recommend giving Heinz Pickle Ketchup a try, even if ketchup isn’t usually your condiment of choice. Whether you’re using it on burgers, hot dogs, fries or even squeeze a bit into some homemade salad dressing, it delivers a zesty, bright flavor that’s anything but boring. Heinz has managed to create a product that’s tangy, savory and different—and for the first time, I can actually say I like ketchup!

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