13 Popular Ketchup Brands, Ranked From Worst To Best

Ketchup might not always get the spotlight, but it’s the quiet MVP of condiments, adding that perfect sweet-and-tangy kick to everything from burgers to fries. Sure, most of us grab whatever bottle’s in the fridge, but trust me, there’s a big difference between brands.
After tasting my way through a wide range of options, I’ve put together the ultimate ranking of popular ketchups that could totally upgrade your next bite.
13. Great Value Tomato Ketchup

Walmart’s budget offering falls flat where it counts. The watery consistency runs everywhere except where you want it, while the flavor leans heavily on corn syrup rather than tomato goodness.
I once served this at a family barbecue and watched as my uncle tried disguising his disappointment with forced smiles.
Great Value might save pennies, but the bland, overly sweet profile costs you in satisfaction.
12. Hunt’s Classic Tomato Ketchup

Hunt’s tries hard but misses the mark with its oddly metallic aftertaste. The texture resembles paste more than sauce, sticking stubbornly to the bottle instead of your food.
While Hunt’s boasts no high fructose corn syrup, they compensate with regular sugar that creates an unbalanced sweetness.
The vinegar punch comes through too strong, overwhelming the tomato flavor that should be the star.
11. Del Monte Tomato Ketchup

This ketchup delivers a forgettable experience that neither offends nor impresses. The flavor profile lacks character, a middle-of-the-road blend that disappears among stronger foods.
Growing up, my grandmother always kept Del Monte in her fridge, claiming it was “just fine” – perhaps the most damning praise possible.
The consistency runs slightly thinner than ideal, often creating soggy rather than enhanced bites.
10. Trader Joe’s Organic Ketchup

Trader Joe’s organic offering tries too hard to be healthy and not hard enough to taste good. Its lower sugar content creates a tart profile that catches you off guard with each bite.
The thick texture earns points, but the spice blend includes mysterious notes that don’t belong in traditional ketchup.
While admirably free from artificial ingredients, this health-conscious option sacrifices the comfort factor that makes ketchup a beloved staple.
9. 365 Organic Tomato Ketchup

Whole Foods’ house brand brings the price tag of premium ketchup without delivering premium flavor. The organic tomatoes provide decent base notes, but something’s missing in the seasoning department.
I served this at a taste test party last summer, and my friend Mark kept asking if I’d accidentally bought the low-sodium version.
Despite the nice bottle suggesting quality, 365’s ketchup lands squarely in forgettable territory with its subdued personality.
8. French’s Tomato Ketchup

French’s, the mustard kings, create a surprisingly decent ketchup contender. Their formula hits sweeter notes than most competitors, making it particularly kid-friendly.
The consistency strikes a good balance – neither too runny nor too thick to squeeze. However, the sweetness overwhelms the tomato flavor, creating a one-dimensional experience that grows tiresome.
French’s works wonderfully on hot dogs but lacks the complexity for more sophisticated applications.
7. Annie’s Organic Ketchup

This ketchup brand earns the title of “most improved organic option” with its surprisingly balanced flavor profile. Unlike other health-conscious brands, Annie’s maintains the familiar ketchup taste while reducing unwanted ingredients.
During a camping trip last year, I pulled out this bottle and watched skeptical friends become converts after one taste.
The texture leans slightly thicker than traditional brands, but the robust tomato flavor compensates nicely for this minor textural difference.
6. Primal Kitchen Organic Unsweetened Ketchup

Keto dieters rejoice! Primal Kitchen creates the impossible – a sugar-free ketchup that actually tastes good. The secret lies in their masterful spice blend that compensates for sweetness with savory depth.
The color runs darker than conventional options, signaling its concentrated tomato power. While the price point stings the wallet, the sophisticated flavor profile makes this a worthy splurge for health-conscious condiment lovers seeking something beyond one-note sweetness.
5. Muir Glen Organic Ketchup

Muir Glen harnesses their tomato expertise to create a ketchup with genuine garden flavor. The robust tomato base tastes like actual vegetables rather than sweet sauce, creating a more adult-oriented profile.
My tomato-hating nephew actually enjoys this version, a miracle I attribute to its authentic flavor. The consistency runs slightly looser than mainstream brands, but the complex taste more than compensates with notes of real herbs and a perfect vinegar balance.
4. Sir Kensington’s Classic Ketchup

Sir Kensington’s brings gourmet flair to the humble ketchup world. Their recipe features apple cider vinegar and cane sugar, creating a sophisticated tang that elevates rather than masks your food.
The chunky texture might surprise traditionalists, but provides delightful bursts of concentrated flavor. While the fancy jar and premium price initially made me skeptical, one taste convinced me this wasn’t just marketing hype.
3. Whataburger Fancy Ketchup

Cult-favorite alert! Whataburger’s ketchup earned such devotion that they started selling it in stores. The magic lies in its perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory notes that complement rather than overwhelm.
During college in Texas, my roommates and I would literally drive through just for extra ketchup packets. Now available in bottles, this fast-food specialty maintains its perfect consistency – thick enough to stay put but smooth enough to spread beautifully across your entire bite.
2. Portland Ketchup Company Organic Ketchup

Small-batch excellence defines this craft ketchup contender. Portland Ketchup Company, now trading under the Portlandia Foods label, balances sweetness with complexity through secret spice blends that keep you coming back for more.
The glass bottle signals their commitment to quality and sustainability. What truly sets this apart is the fresh-tasting tomato flavor that dominates without being acidic or bitter.
The texture strikes ketchup perfection – thick enough to cling to food but smooth enough to spread evenly.
1. Heinz Organic Tomato Ketchup

Heinz brilliantly combines their classic formula with organic ingredients for the perfect compromise between tradition and health consciousness. The familiar flavor remains intact while ditching high-fructose corn syrup.
The bottle proudly announces “grown not made,” a claim backed by fresh tomato flavor that outshines the regular version. Last summer, I secretly switched my dad’s beloved regular Heinz with this organic version.
After three months, he hadn’t noticed the difference except commenting that his ketchup seemed “extra good lately.”