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Easy ketchup sauces

Got a bottle of tomato ketchup in the cupboard? Then you've got the start of some deliciously different sauces to serve with your fries, burgers, barbecues and more. These easy recipes will help you transform ketchup with just a few extra ingredients into a tangy, spicy, creamy or fresh new sauce in no time.

  1. Method

    For each sauce, measure out 200g tomato ketchup then mix with the additional ingredients listed. Use immediately or store in the fridge until needed.

    Each recipe makes enough to serve 4-6, but are easily adapted to serve more or less. These ideas are also just the starting point – get creative and make your own!

  2. Chunky salsa

    330g cherry tomatoes, chopped
    1 red onion, finely chopped
    2 tbsp chopped coriander
    1 lime, juiced

    Twists: Increase the Mexican flavour with some chopped jalapeño chillies from a jar, or give it an Italian-style makeover by swapping the coriander for basil and the lime for lemon.

    Chunky salsa
  3. Smoky BBQ

    1 tbsp Worcester sauce
    ½ tbsp cider vinegar
    1½ tbsp light brown sugar
    ½ tbsp smoked paprika
    ¼ tsp cayenne pepper

    Twists: Add more cayenne pepper if you like your BBQ sauce spicy or swap the light brown sugar for dark brown or dark muscovado sugar for a deeper, treacle-like flavour. For an adult kick, mix in 1 tbsp bourbon or whisky.

    Smoky BBQ
  4. Thousand Island

    200g mayonnaise
    1 gherkin, finely chopped
    4 tbsp gherkin pickle liquid
    1 tsp mild chilli powder

    Twists: Make a thicker sauce by adding a grated or finely chopped hard-boiled egg, or you could lighten things up by using low-fat mayonnaise or half mayonnaise and half 0% fat natural yogurt. To turn this into a slightly punchier, Russian-style sauce add 1 tbsp horseradish or make it into a mild Marie Rose sauce for your next prawn cocktail by leaving out the gherkins and pickle liquid.

    Thousand Island
  5. Thai sweet chilli

    6 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
    1½ tsp crushed chillies
    1 garlic clove, crushed

    Twists: Add more or less crushed chillies to taste or grate in a little fresh ginger for a different type of heat. A squeeze of lime juice will add some zingy freshness too.

    Thai sweet chilli