Del Monte’s ketchup got little respect. “Tastes like a jarred tomato sauce,” wrote one taster. Others compared it to canned pasta and cocktail sauce, and another complained of tasting only salt and sharp vinegar. $1.89 for 24 ounces

Del Monte’s ketchup got little respect. “Tastes like a jarred tomato sauce,” wrote one taster. Others compared it to canned pasta and cocktail sauce, and another complained of tasting only salt and sharp vinegar. $1.89 for 24 ounces (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

We tried 12 ketchup brands to perfect your picnic or backyard barbecue

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Tomato ketchup is so ubiquitous that it’s easy to dismiss it as a simple sauce to be paired with french fries, meatloaf, scrambled eggs and, if you’re far away from Chicago, a hot dog. (On that, we do judge: Don’t!) But there’s a deceptive complexity to ketchup.

Chef Christopher Prosperi, my longtime friend in Connecticut, always said ketchup combined all five basic tastes: sweet, sour, bitter, salty and umami. The Food & Dining staff sampled 12 brands of ketchup, searching for that idyllic flavor profile.

I was curious to see how all the ketchups would rate tasted side-by-side with no accompaniment. Although the brands sampled were regular tomato ketchup, there was a surprising variation in color, texture and flavor. A few tasted like cocktail sauce or canned tomato sauce. Some were sweet and some spicy. Textures ranged from a smooth paste to much more coarse. Clearly, not all ketchup is alike.

This was a blind tasting, meaning tasters didn’t know which ketchup was which. Each participant in the tasting was asked to rate each brand on appearance, aroma, texture and flavor.

I did not buy membership-only club brands because I wanted ketchup the general public had a reasonable chance of buying. Prices have been updated for 2021 based on listed prices at Chicago-area Jewel-Osco stores, Marianos, Trader Joe's and Whole Foods Market.

(Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune; Shannon Kinsella/food styling)

Del Monte Tomato Ketchup

Del Monte’s ketchup got little respect. “Tastes like a jarred tomato sauce,” wrote one taster. Others compared it to canned pasta and cocktail sauce, and another complained of tasting only salt and sharp vinegar. $1.89 for 24 ounces

Del Monte’s ketchup got little respect. “Tastes like a jarred tomato sauce,” wrote one taster. Others compared it to canned pasta and cocktail sauce, and another complained of tasting only salt and sharp vinegar. $1.89 for 24 ounces (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

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Hellman's Real Ketchup

Hellmann’s, which tied with French’s and 78 Brand for ninth place, is billed as being ‘sweetened only with honey.” One taster thought the brand had a “rounder finish, almost cinnamon-esque” and spicy. Another thought it the sweetest of the ketchups and suggested it would make a good barbecue sauce base. “Too sweet, so syrupy. Blech!” commented a third taster. $2.49 for 14 ounces.

Hellmann’s, which tied with French’s and 78 Brand for ninth place, is billed as being ‘sweetened only with honey.” One taster thought the brand had a “rounder finish, almost cinnamon-esque” and spicy. Another thought it the sweetest of the ketchups and suggested it would make a good barbecue sauce base. “Too sweet, so syrupy. Blech!” commented a third taster. $2.49 for 14 ounces. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

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French's Tomato Ketchup

In a three-way tie with 78 Brand and Hellmann’s, French’s Ketchup had notes of spice, tartness and, most obviously, sweetness. One taster found it “more tomatoey than others and mildly sweet; good balance.” Another thought it smelled too sweet but found it tasted “earthy, actually not terrible.” But one naysayer thought French’s was too sweet and wrote: “Can feel my teeth rotting.” $1.99 for 20 ounces.

In a three-way tie with 78 Brand and Hellmann’s, French’s Ketchup had notes of spice, tartness and, most obviously, sweetness. One taster found it “more tomatoey than others and mildly sweet; good balance.” Another thought it smelled too sweet but found it tasted “earthy, actually not terrible.” But one naysayer thought French’s was too sweet and wrote: “Can feel my teeth rotting.” $1.99 for 20 ounces. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

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78 Red All Natural Ketchup

Produced in Poland for Chicago-based The 78 Brand Co., this ketchup tied for ninth place with French’s and Hellmann’s brands. It was a bit too sweet for a number of tasters, although one noted a “deep umami flavor” and a “nice salt level” while another wrote of a “strong onion powder flavor.” One unimpressed taster likened it to the sauce from canned ravioli. $2.99 for 17.2 ounces.

Produced in Poland for Chicago-based The 78 Brand Co., this ketchup tied for ninth place with French’s and Hellmann’s brands. It was a bit too sweet for a number of tasters, although one noted a “deep umami flavor” and a “nice salt level” while another wrote of a “strong onion powder flavor.” One unimpressed taster likened it to the sauce from canned ravioli. $2.99 for 17.2 ounces. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

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Organicville Ketchup

Made with agave nectar, this organic ketchup tied for seventh place with Annie’s. One taster expressed mixed feelings: “Very sweet. Too sweet. Strong cloves flavor that I like.” Another thought Organicville would make a good base for barbecue sauce: “Thick, smooth, sweet, not much complexity.” Another found good sweetness and balance but thought it needed more vinegar. $4.99 for 24 ounces.

Made with agave nectar, this organic ketchup tied for seventh place with Annie’s. One taster expressed mixed feelings: “Very sweet. Too sweet. Strong cloves flavor that I like.” Another thought Organicville would make a good base for barbecue sauce: “Thick, smooth, sweet, not much complexity.” Another found good sweetness and balance but thought it needed more vinegar. $4.99 for 24 ounces. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

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Annie's Organic Ketchup

This deep red ketchup tied with the Organicville for seventh place. One taster who liked it described the ketchup as smooth and peppery. But the tomato flavor was so mild that another taster grumbled: “Rather lackluster. Too sweet, too.” Another likened it to sweet jam and thought it might be “passable” as a glaze.” $3.65 for 24 ounces.

This deep red ketchup tied with the Organicville for seventh place. One taster who liked it described the ketchup as smooth and peppery. But the tomato flavor was so mild that another taster grumbled: “Rather lackluster. Too sweet, too.” Another likened it to sweet jam and thought it might be “passable” as a glaze.” $3.65 for 24 ounces. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

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Heinz Tomato Ketchup

Arguably the most iconic ketchup in the United States, this familiar brand faced a mixed reception from tasters, only one of whom correctly identified it during the blind tasting: “Bright, sugary, tomatoey but one note, kinda plain — Heinz.” Another taster wrote: “Fine. Rather one-note.” “Gahhhlic and onion powders, tart, mediocre,” sniffed a third. $2.79 for 20 ounces.

Arguably the most iconic ketchup in the United States, this familiar brand faced a mixed reception from tasters, only one of whom correctly identified it during the blind tasting: “Bright, sugary, tomatoey but one note, kinda plain — Heinz.” Another taster wrote: “Fine. Rather one-note.” “Gahhhlic and onion powders, tart, mediocre,” sniffed a third. $2.79 for 20 ounces. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

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Red Gold Tomato Ketchup

Sweetness was the hallmark of Red Gold’s ketchup, which tied for fourth place with Whole Foods Market’s 365 Everyday Value brand. One person liked that it tasted like tomato — sweet, tart, savory. But another complained: “Too sweet! I can’t taste anything.” $2.29 for 32 ounces.

Sweetness was the hallmark of Red Gold’s ketchup, which tied for fourth place with Whole Foods Market’s 365 Everyday Value brand. One person liked that it tasted like tomato — sweet, tart, savory. But another complained: “Too sweet! I can’t taste anything.” $2.29 for 32 ounces. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

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365 by Whole Foods Tomato Ketchup

This Whole Foods Market brand tied for fourth place with Red Gold. The ketchup tasted like a very salty, savory tomato with a sharp aftertaste. “Peppery, nuanced vinegar finish on the back of the tongue,” wrote one taster. Another taster, who loved it, compared it to “almost a spaghetti sauce chilled out on vinegar and sugar. It’s different so that’s why I’m drawn to it.” $1.49 for 32 ounces.

This Whole Foods Market brand tied for fourth place with Red Gold. The ketchup tasted like a very salty, savory tomato with a sharp aftertaste. “Peppery, nuanced vinegar finish on the back of the tongue,” wrote one taster. Another taster, who loved it, compared it to “almost a spaghetti sauce chilled out on vinegar and sugar. It’s different so that’s why I’m drawn to it.” $1.49 for 32 ounces. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

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Hunt's Tomato Ketchup

Bright red in color, with a zesty aroma, this smooth ketchup evoked memories of canned tomato sauce for one taster. Another thought the ketchup had a nice acid level with a hint of warm spices. A third taster rated Hunt’s highly and thought it was her favorite brand. It wasn’t. $1.59 for 20 ounces.

Bright red in color, with a zesty aroma, this smooth ketchup evoked memories of canned tomato sauce for one taster. Another thought the ketchup had a nice acid level with a hint of warm spices. A third taster rated Hunt’s highly and thought it was her favorite brand. It wasn’t. $1.59 for 20 ounces. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

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Trader Joe's Organic Ketchup

Trader Joe’s dark red ketchup sported a notable spice note and an aroma like crushed, cooked tomato for one taster. A second taster, who called this ketchup her “fave,” thought it smooth on the tongue and sweet with a vinegar kick on the finish. “Tastes like overly sweet marinara,” a third taster wrote. “I would like this with mozzarella sticks.” But one naysayer criticized its strong onion and spice flavor while another compared it to “cold, intense tomato soup.” $1.99 for 24 ounces.

Trader Joe’s dark red ketchup sported a notable spice note and an aroma like crushed, cooked tomato for one taster. A second taster, who called this ketchup her “fave,” thought it smooth on the tongue and sweet with a vinegar kick on the finish. “Tastes like overly sweet marinara,” a third taster wrote. “I would like this with mozzarella sticks.” But one naysayer criticized its strong onion and spice flavor while another compared it to “cold, intense tomato soup.” $1.99 for 24 ounces. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

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Sir Kensington's Ketchup Classic

Made with “vine-ripened tomatoes” and without high fructose corn syrup, Sir Kensington’s far outscored the field to take first place. It was noticeably chunky, one taster likened it to tomato paste, and sported a flavor balanced between sweet and spicy. “One of the few with complexity,” wrote a fan. Another taster noted there were other flavors at work in this ketchup, like onions, and compared it to “a good red pasta sauce.” But a fourth taster who liked the brand still complained: “This is fancy people ketchup.” $4.29 for 20 ounces.

Made with “vine-ripened tomatoes” and without high fructose corn syrup, Sir Kensington’s far outscored the field to take first place. It was noticeably chunky, one taster likened it to tomato paste, and sported a flavor balanced between sweet and spicy. “One of the few with complexity,” wrote a fan. Another taster noted there were other flavors at work in this ketchup, like onions, and compared it to “a good red pasta sauce.” But a fourth taster who liked the brand still complained: “This is fancy people ketchup.” $4.29 for 20 ounces. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

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