We Put Ketchup in Everything—And You Should, Too

Chances are, you’ve got a bottle of ketchup sitting in your fridge right now—and you’re not alone. In 2020, more than 308 million Americans used ketchup in some form. It’s the go-to condiment for everything from burgers and fries to hot dogs and nuggets. But ketchup isn’t just for dipping—it can also be a secret weapon in your cooking. Below, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite plant-based recipes that use ketchup as a flavorful ingredient, from classic spaghetti Bolognese to sticky bourbon jackfruit to tangy sweet and sour meatballs.

Jump to the recipes

Can you cook with ketchup?

While recipes can vary by brand, ketchup generally contains a few key ingredients: tomatoes, vinegar, sugar, salt, and a blend of herbs and spices (celery seed is common, and some brands add garlic or onion powder).

These ingredients come together to create ketchup’s distinctive, well-balanced flavor profile—a perfect mix of sweet, tangy, and umami. This makes it not only a classic dip for fries but also a versatile ingredient that can elevate sauces and marinades. It helps balance the acidity in tomato-heavy dishes and can even tone down bitterness.

RELATED: The Reuben Reinvented: 5 Delicious Vegan Twists on a Classic Sandwich

Unsplash

Ketchup’s smooth, glossy texture is another asset. It adds richness to sauces, helps them cling to ingredients, and can even work as a thickener.

The best part? You don’t need much to make an impact—just a tablespoon or two can transform a dish. Curious to see how? Check out some of our favorite vegan recipes with ketchup below.

Vegan recipes with ketchup

Just a bit of ketchup lends added flavor to these plant-based recipes.

Chris Shoebridge

1 Vegan Spaghetti Bolognese

Spaghetti bolognese is a classic midweek dish—comforting, easy to throw together, and always delicious. In this plant-based version, just a tablespoon of ketchup works quietly in the background to balance the acidity of the canned tomatoes and purée, adding a subtle touch of sweetness. It also helps thicken the sauce and gives it a rich, glossy finish.
Get the recipe

Dreena Burton

2 Savory Lentil and Sweet Potato Meatloaf

Another family dinner staple, meatloaf is always a crowd-pleaser. For a nutritious twist, try swapping the usual ground beef for lentils and sweet potatoes. The result is just as hearty and flavorful—if not more so. A ketchup-based glaze tops it off, caramelizing in the oven to create a tangy, slightly sweet finish that perfectly complements the savory loaf.
Get the recipe

Kenden Alfond

3 Sweet and Sour Pineapple Lentil Meatballs

Sweet and sour meatballs are a beloved Jewish classic, and this plant-based take gives them a flavorful, nutritious twist using lentils, flaxseed, and rolled oats. Ketchup plays a key role in the sauce, adding a balanced sweet-and-tangy flavor that deepens the dish’s signature profile and ties all the elements together.
Get the recipe

No Eggs or Ham

4Bourbon Jackfruit Chicken With Chow Mein

This bourbon jackfruit chicken with chow mein is easy to make and loaded with flavor. Again, ketchup plays a key role in enhancing the texture and flavor of the dish. As the sauce reduces, the condiment helps create a rich, glossy glaze that clings to the jackfruit, mimicking the sticky-sweet texture of a classic bourbon chicken.
Get the recipe

Dustin Harder

5Cheeseburger Tater Tots With Cashew Cheddar Sauce

When it comes to a kid- and adult-friendly dinner, you can’t beat these cheesy, creamy cheeseburger tater tots. They’re nostalgic, comforting, and loaded with flavor. While most of the rich, savory flavors come from the vegan cheddar sauce, seasoned tots, and plant-based meat, once again, ketchup helps to cut through that richness with its signature acidity and sweetness.
Get the recipe

Lauren Toyota

6 Crispy Oyster Mushroom Po’Boy

Po’boys are a classic Louisiana treat, but you don’t need to travel to New Orleans to enjoy one. This recipe lets you make a hearty, plant-based version of the iconic sandwich at home, featuring crispy, breaded oyster mushrooms, hoagie rolls, chopped lettuce, vine-ripened tomatoes, dill pickles, and creamy Thousand Island dressing. Ketchup plays a key role in the dressing, helping to balance the tanginess of the vinegar and the heat of sambal oelek, creating a perfectly rounded, flavorful profile.
Get the recipe