Ketchup is one the most popular condiments used on hotdogs, French fries, as a base for dressings, in sauces, and sloppy joes to name few. It is a common ingredient that can be found in most of our fridges. However, there are unfortunate times when you run out of ketchup. The good news is that there are many alternatives you can consider in place of ketchup for a lot of recipes including sloppy joes and some of them are described below.
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Tomato Jam
One of the best substitutes for ketchup in sloppy joes is tomato jam. Tomato jam works very well as a ketchup substitute for dipping or in a sauce apart from being added to your sloppy joe. You can get the same sweet, tomato flavour with a little tang if you use tomato jam in place of ketchup. Also, you can find tomato jam in almost every select grocery and health food stores. To use it in place of ketchup simply replace the ketchup at a one to one ratio with your tomato jam.
Salsa
Another great alternative for ketchup in sloppy joes is salsa. Salsa can be a great substitute for ketchup on eggs or even on hamburgers too. Keep in mind that it will not be as sweet as ketchup but it is a much healthier option and it has the same tomato base. There are many varieties of salsa, but the closest match in consistency to ketchup is salsa roja, which is blended well and smooth for your sloppy joes.
BBQ Sauce
The third alternative on our list of best alternatives for ketchup in sloppy joes is BBQ sauce. BBQ sauce is also used in ketchup as a base. You can make use of any good BBQ sauce in place of ketchup for your sloppy joe as well as for eggs or hamburgers. The only downside to BBQ sauce is that it has a smoky undertone and a deep colour as well as a rich flavour. You a can also use your BBQ sauce as a dip plus it makes a great topping.
Sriracha
Sriracha is a spicy tomato based sauce that you can also use in place of ketchup in sloppy joes. This tomato-based sauce has become incredibly popular over the years. If you are the kind of person that likes spices, you can try this Sriracha sauce in place of ketchup in your sloppy joes. Sriracha offer a unique and delicious condiment for dipping and you can use it to top your dishes with extra flavour as well.
Tomato Paste
Tomato paste can offer an intense tomato flavour without any added sodium or sugar to your sloppy joe. You can also use tomato paste in place of ketchup for your sloppy joes as well as other recipes that may require ketchup. Also, tomato sauce is not as complex in taste as ketchup, but you can easily use it as an alternative in cooking and for other uses only of you don’t mind the one-note flavour profile.
Tomato Sauce
Also, a good substitute for ketchup in sloppy joes is tomato sauce. Take note that tomato sauce is slightly soupier than ketchup but it is very similar in flavour and you can use it for many recipes and dishes. It can also be a great substitute for sauces and in cooking other dishes too apart from preparing sloppy joes. Tomato sauce is affordable and can be easily found in grocery stores and other convenient stores.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Surprisingly, Apple cider vinegar can make a great substitute for ketchup in sloppy joes. However, it does not have a tomato base but it is often used when making ketchup. Vinegar is the ingredient that is responsible for ketchup’s tanginess. As such apple cider vinegar will make your dish tangy If that is the flavour note you are after. You can also try using Apple Cider Vinegar as a substitute when you do not mind changing the texture and consistency of your meal.
Create Your Own
The last option for substituting ketchup in sloppy joes is creating your own. There are a number of recipes that you can use to make your own ketchup. With all the ingredients on hand and a little extra time you can create your own home made ketchup and add it to your recipe. All you need is some tomato paste, vinegar, sugar, corn syrup and some water. You can add other ingredients such as garlic powder and onions. With these ingredients you can make a great substitute for ketchup from the store that you can use in many recipes.
Sun Dried Tomato Hummus
Although this may not seem like an obvious choice for an alternative for ketchup in sloppy joes, sun dried tomato hummus can be used in place of ketchup. Sun dried tomatoes can work very well as a dipping sauce for fries, or a topping to a hamburger in addition to their use in sloppy joes. You can find a variety of different types of sun dried hummus in a lot of grocery stores, but as with regular ketchup you can also make your own sun dried tomato hummus at home. Simply puree one can of pinto or garbanzo beans, add a small amount of olive oil, stir in a bit of sun-dried tomato paste for a taste that is more similar to that of ketchup and add to your recipe. You will be amazed by the results you get.
There are a number of condiments that you can use in place of ketchup if you want a replacement. Some of the best alternatives for ketchup in sloppy joes are tomato paste, salsa, and BBQ sauce. Other alternatives such as tomato sauce and sriracha can be good substitutes based on your tastes and preferences. Another best way to substitute ketchup for sloppy joes is by simply creating your own ketchup. Not forgetting apple cider vinegar. Although it is not tomato-based, apple cider vinegar packs a tangy, sweet punch that can be substituted for ketchup in almost all recipes including sloppy joes.
