Ketchup is one of the most popular condiments in the world, known for its sweet, tangy flavor. It’s commonly paired with foods like french fries, burgers, and hot dogs. But what about fish like salmon? Can you eat salmon with ketchup? Let’s take a closer look.
Quick Answer
Yes, you can eat salmon with ketchup. While it’s an unconventional pairing, there’s no reason why you can’t add ketchup to salmon if you enjoy the flavor combination. The tangy sweetness of ketchup can complement the rich, fatty taste of salmon. Just keep in mind that pairing salmon with ketchup may overpower the natural mild flavor of the fish.
Exploring the Salmon and Ketchup Combination
Eating fish with ketchup is relatively uncommon. Most people pair salmon with lemon, butter, herbs, wine sauces, and other complementary flavors. However, salmon and ketchup can work together in some dishes.
For example, you may see ketchup paired with salmon in:
- Salmon patties or salmon cakes
- Salmon burgers
- Salmon sandwiches
- Salmon tacos
- Baked or grilled salmon
In these preparations, the ketchup helps moisten and add flavor to the salmon, much like it does with a beef burger or chicken nuggets. The sweet and tangy condiment can counterbalance any fishy flavors in the salmon.
You may also see ketchup recommended as a sauce or dip for cooked salmon fillets. The ketchup’s vinegar can help cut through the salmon’s fattiness.
Does Ketchup Go Well with Salmon?
Opinions are mixed on whether ketchup truly complements salmon or overpowers it. Here are some pros and cons to consider:
Pros of Pairing Salmon with Ketchup
- Ketchup can enhance the flavor of drier salmon preparations like patties, cakes, and burgers
- The sweet and tangy flavors balance the richness of fatty salmon
- Ketchup’s acidity helps cut through salmon’s oiliness
- Ketchup adds moisture and flavor to salmon
- The combination is nostalgic for those who grew up eating fish sticks with ketchup
Cons of Pairing Salmon with Ketchup
- Ketchup may overpower the delicate flavor of salmon
- The fishiness of salmon clashes with ketchup’s sweetness
- The texture and mouthfeel don’t necessarily complement each other
- Many people feel the combination is too unconventional
- Salmon is usually paired with lemon, butter, dill, and other ingredients
Overall, whether salmon and ketchup work well together comes down to personal taste. The combination is likely to be more successful in salmon burgers and other preparations where the ketchup is not overpowering. Dipping cooked salmon fillets in ketchup may not be as complementary.
What Kind of Ketchup Should You Use?
If you want to try eating salmon with ketchup, you may wonder what type of ketchup best complements the fish. Here are some tips:
- Opt for high quality ketchups over lower quality ones, as they tend to have a better balance of sweetness and acidity.
- Try an artisanal ketchup with unique flavors like blackberry, chipotle, or Sriracha for a more exciting combination.
- Look for ketchups with a thicker, richer texture to stand up to the salmon’s fattiness.
- Avoid light or reduced sugar ketchups, as salmon benefits from ketchup’s sweetness.
- Use regular tomato ketchup rather than flavored ones like banana or blueberry.
A high quality, tomato-based ketchup is your best bet for pairing with salmon. Thick, rich ketchups with some sweetness tend to work better than thin, sugary, one-note options.
What Does Salmon Go Well With Besides Ketchup?
While ketchup is an option for saucing salmon, it’s far from the most popular or classic pairing. Here are some other common ingredients that complement salmon wonderfully:
Fresh Ingredients
- Lemon juice and zest
- Limes
- Herbs like dill, parsley, basil
- Shallots
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Chiles and chili flakes
- Capers
- Onions
Sauces and Condiments
- Butter
- Mayonnaise
- Sour cream
- Greek yogurt
- Dijon and whole grain mustard
- Soy sauce
- Teriyaki sauce
- Ponzu
- Hoisin
- Tzatziki
- Pesto
- Hummus
- Salsa
- Chimichurri
- Mango chutney
Other Flavorings
- Wine
- Vinegars like rice wine, white wine, sherry
- Mirin
- Miso
- Sesame oil
- Olives
- Sun dried tomatoes
- Anchovies
- Capers
- Cajun or Creole seasoning
- Coconut milk
- Barbecue sauce
As you can see, the possibilities for flavoring salmon are nearly endless. Bright, fresh ingredients, creamy condiments, umami-rich sauces, and zesty spices all make great choices.
Ketchup Salmon Recipes to Try
If you’re intrigued by the idea of pairing ketchup with salmon, here are some tasty recipe ideas to try it out:
Ketchup Salmon Cakes
These salmon cakes are coated with panko breadcrumbs and baked for a healthier spin on a classic dish. The ketchup gives great flavor and moisture to the patties. Serve in a bun with your favorite toppings.
BBQ Baked Salmon
Combine ketchup, brown sugar, garlic, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, and other spices to make a sticky, tangy BBQ-style sauce. Brush it on salmon fillets and bake until caramelized.
Salmon Burgers with Ketchup Mayo
Mix up salmon patties and char them on the stovetop or grill. Spread the buns with a flavored mayo made with ketchup, garlic, dill, and lemon juice for the perfect complement.
Ketchup Salmon Poke Bowls
Make a Hawaiian-inspired bowl with raw marinated salmon, rice, mango, avocado, edamame, and fresh greens. Drizzle with ketchup for a fun twist on traditional poke sauces.
Ketchup Salmon Cheesesteak
Throw some flaked salmon on a Philly cheesesteak along with peppers, onions, ketchup, and melted provolone or cheese whiz. A tasty riff on a sandwich classic!
Should You Add Ketchup to Higher Quality Salmon?
What about slathering ketchup on a beautiful cut of wild sockeye salmon or king salmon? Or a restaurant-prepared grilled salmon entree?
Most chefs and seafood aficionados advise against drowning high quality salmon preparations in ketchup. The condiment’s strong sweet and tangy flavors are likely to overwhelm delicate salmon, rather than highlighting its natural texture and taste.
Save the ketchup for lower quality farmed salmon or salmon burgers and cakes. And use a light hand even then, adding just enough to moisten and no more than a tablespoon or two per serving.
Ketchup Alternatives for Salmon
Want to riff on ketchup’s flavor profile of sweet, tangy, and acidic without overwhelming salmon? Consider these tasty condiment alternatives:
| Condiment | Flavor Profile |
|---|---|
| Barbecue sauce | Sweet, tangy, smoky, umami |
| Plum sauce | Sweet, fruity, tangy, umami |
| apricot glaze | Sweet, tangy, fruity |
| Ponzu sauce | Tangy, umami, savory |
| Sweet chili sauce | Sweet, tangy, spicy |
| Honey mustard | Sweet, tangy, creamy |
All of these condiments will add sweet and tangy flavor to salmon without being as overpowering as ketchup. You can also make quick compound butters with ingredients like orange marmalade, lime juice, chili sauce, or jam to serve alongside salmon fillets.
Conclusion
While ketchup and salmon is an unconventional pairing, there’s no reason you can’t give it a try if you think you’ll enjoy the flavors. Ketchup can add moisture, sweetness, and tang to balance salmon’s richness. The combination tends to work better in salmon cakes, burgers, sandwiches, and other preparation rather than with plain grilled or baked fillets.
When pairing salmon with ketchup, use a high quality tomato-based ketchup and don’t overdo it. And consider some of the many other delicious ways to flavor salmon if you want to highlight its natural taste – from lemon and herbs to creative condiments and global sauces. With some creative experiments in your home kitchen, you can decide if salmon with ketchup is a new favorite or just an occasional fun change of pace.