Get Creative with Your Condiments

Use simple add-ins for better condiments! Ketchup, mayonnaise, and mustard are the three quintessential condiments that nearly everyone has in their fridge door, and for good reason.

Ketchup can lend bright and sweet acidity to heavier fried foods and meats, mayonnaise provides creaminess with a touch of tang, and the countless varieties of mustards can add flavors ranging from piquant heat to zesty sweetness. But while the classics are tasty as is, they can get a little boring.

Luckily, by adding one of your favorite Savory Spice seasonings, you can whip up an impressive compliment to burgers, fries, sandwiches, and beyond. Plus, it provides a great opportunity to try spices and flavors that you may not otherwise know how to use. The seasonings listed below are just the beginning to the endless pairings that are possible. So start exploring and let us know what your favorite is!

Ketchup

Warm spices pair extremely well with traditional tomato ketchup. Try making Chile Ketchup with El Diente Southwestern Seasoning or Chilean Merquen Seasoning. Piri-Piri Seasoning is another great choice for adding some heat. For a different type of warmth, the blend of cloves, cinnamon, ginger, and paprika in our Tikka Masala makes for tasty curry-style ketchup.

Nutmeg and allspice flavor our Jamaican Jerk Seasoning and when mixed with ketchup, it can easily elevate the flavors of burgers and game meats. With its hints of hickory smoke, a Red Rocks Hickory Smoke Seasoning ketchup is reminiscent of barbecue sauce and can be served with anything off of the grill.

How To: Try any of these seasoning recommendations or choose your own seasoning, using a ratio of 1 to 2 Tbsp. to every cup of regular ketchup.

Mayonnaise

The mildness of mayo makes it the perfect canvas for spices. Add in Longs Peak Pork Chop Spice and spread on a sandwich with sliced chicken or ham - or even grilled cheese. Use Onion & Garlic Tableside Sprinkle and vegan mayonnaise to make a mock aioli for veggie burgers or French fries. The balanced Caribbean flavors of Bajan Seasoning or the citrusy punch of Hidden Cove Lemon Garlic Blend mixed into mayo make the perfect accompanying dip for homemade fish and chips.

How To: Like ketchup, 1 cup mayonnaise should be mixed with 1 to 2 Tbsp. seasoning, depending on how strong you want the flavor.

Mustard

While ketchup and mayonnaise are both easy to match with a multitude of flavors, our Savory Spice Test Kitchen recipe tests revealed that Spiced Mustard can be a little trickier. After all, not everything goes with mustard. Similar to honey mustard, sweeter blends like Park Hill Maple & Spice pairs especially well yellow mustard. Lavender, garlic, and sage-filled Bohemian Forest can add a touch of “gourmet” to grainy mustard destined for sandwiches or potato wedges. Curry pairs well with either yellow or Dijon—in fact, Vadouvan-spiced mustard was a total hit with our taste-testers.

The favorite condiment pairing of all though? Cuban Island Spice. Mixed with mustard, it makes an awesome French fry dip. Stir it into equal parts mustard and mayonnaise and you’ll have a seriously tasty sandwich spread. Add it to toasted bread and top with ham, chicken, and pickles to get a deli-style “Cubano.”

How To: To get the most out of your spiced mustard, increase your ratio to 2 to 3 Tbsp. seasoning per 1 cup mustard and let the mixture chill for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors fully develop.

Do you have a favorite recipe that uses Savory spices? Submit your recipes to our test kitchen and we’ll review them for possible publication on our website.