If you’ve only recently been introduced to the concept of mixing mayonnaise and ketchup, affectionately known as “Fry Sauce” in some circles and “Mayochup” in another, it’s no surprise if you wonder whether the mixture is good, giving their contrasting flavor profiles.
Is the unusual concoction a perfect match made in heaven or is it better to leave it unexplored?
In this article, we’ll explore how good mayo and ketchup combination is, its origins, how to make it and what to eat with it.
Where Did Mixing Mayo And Ketchup Come From?
The practice of mixing mayonnaise and ketchup likely has its roots in the United States.
One of the earliest documented instances of this combination comes from a New Orleans cookbook published in 1900 which called for ½ cup mayonnaise and ½ cup tomato catsup to be mixed together and served cold on head lettuce. The mixture was referred to as “Thousand Island Dressing.”
However, it was not until in the state of Utah that the specific combination of mayonnaise and ketchup really gained widespread acceptance.
While the exact date it was introduced isn’t unclear, it is believed to have made its way into the state (or had its origins) sometime in the early 1940s at Stan’s Drive-in or from the “pink colored sauce” served at Don Carlos Barbecue in Salt Lake City In 1941.
The mixture was referred to as “fry sauce” at that time and it’s often used as a dipping sauce for burgers, French fries and other fried foods.
Interestingly, this mixture of mayo and ketchup was also developing in other parts of the world in nearly the same time frame (or in some places, after), although with some variations.
In Argentina, for example, a similar sauce called “salsa golf” was developed in the 1920s.
The story goes that it was created by Argentine physician Luis Federico Leloir, who, at that time, tire of eating the staple combo of shrimp and prawn with mayonnaise at restaurants, requested for a twist with various ingredients including ketchup from which he found the latter to be a better companions with Mayo.
The new discovery was named Salsa golf, and is now a popular condiment in Argentina and other South American countries like Uruguay.
In France, the same combo exists (mostly sold in Turkish restaurants) but with the name sauce cocktail, and in Germany, it is often served much different than in other places where the combo isn’t mixed but rather suffer into a tube and pressed out into a paste for visual appeal .this style of presentation is known as the Pommes Rot-Weiß.
What Does Mayo And Ketchup Mix Taste Like?
Mixing mayonnaise and ketchup creates a really delicious sauce (somewhat peach to pink in color depending on the amount of ketchup added) that tastes creamy, tangy and slightly sweet.
As expected, mayonnaise brings in the richness and creaminess, as well as contributing a slightly tangy taste, while ketchup adds sweetness, tanginess and a hint of tomato flavor.
The whole thing is entirely reminiscent of spicy Mayo, except that it isn’t as spicy.
Some variations of the Mayo-ketchup mix, like the salsa golf can also include additional ingredients such as oregano, cumin, mustard, pickle relish and other spices for a more complex flavor.
What Is Mayo And Ketchup Mixed Together Called?
Mayo and ketchup mix together has different names depending on the region where you live.
Below is a table showing the different regions and the names they call a Ketchup Mayo mix.
A Table Showing Different Regions and What They Call Ketchup Mayo Mix.
| Region | Name for Mayo and Ketchup Mix |
| United States | Fry sauce, Thousand Island dressing, Mayochup (Heinz), Fancy Sauce |
| Canada | Mayochup |
| Puerto Rico | mayokétchup, Mayo Ketchup Sauce |
| Spain | Salsa Rosa |
| Argentina, Uruguay | Salsa Golf |
| Philippines | Banana ketchup-mayo, Burger Sauce |
| Russia | Smetana-ketchup |
| Germany, Austria | Cocktailsoße, Burgersoße, Rot Weiß, Pommes-Soße or Frittensoße |
| Netherlands | Fritessaus |
| Belgium, France | Sauce andalouse |
| United Kingdom | Marie Rose sauce, Burger Sauce |
| Iceland | Kokteilsósa (Cocktail Sauce) |
It’s very important to note that some names mentioned above might be specific to certain dishes or have slight variations in ingredients.
For example, Thousand Island dressing in the United States typically includes additional ingredients like pickles, onions or peppers, so also the salad golf of Argentina.
Can We Eat Tomato With Mayonnaise?
Yes, you can eat tomatoes with mayonnaise. In fact, it’s a popular combination in various cuisines around the world.
For instance, you’ll find sliced tomatoes and mayonnaise often used in sandwiches, salads, and as toppings on burgers.
The tangy taste of tomatoes and the creamy texture of mayonnaise can complement each other well, just the way ketchup does.
You can also blend tomatoes and mix them with mayonnaise, but make sure to season properly as tomatoes sometimes can really make stuff taste bland.
Mayo And Ketchup Sauce Recipe
Here’s a simple recipe for Mayo and Ketchup Sauce.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise, preferably kewpie
- 1 tablespoons of ketchup
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions:
- Mix everything in a small bowl until it turns uniform in color.
- Serve chilled as a dip or spread.
Note
You can customise this recipe further by adding other ingredients such as sriracha, sugar, vinegar, pickle relish etc.
What Can You Eat With Mayo And Ketchup Mix?
If you’re a fan of mayo-ketchup mix, you’ll be delighted to know that it pairs well with a variety of dishes!
Here are some popular dishes that ketchup-Mayo goes well with.
Fish
Whether it’s grilled, fried, broiled, baked, you name it, fish becomes even more delicious when dipped in a mayo-ketchup mix, like the one created above. You can also use the sauce as a topping for your fish tacos or fish and chips.
Burgers
Mayo-ketchup mix is most often used as a spread for burger buns, and it does a perfect job at taking your burger game to a whole new level!
Chicken
Crispy fried chicken, grilled chicken, chicken nuggets, chicken whatever you want to call it all taste great with this special dip. Like always, when you’re dealing with chicken, you’d want that extra pungency, and for that, adda little hot sauce like sriracha.
Tostones
Tostones are basically plantains fried twice. These are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside and what’s a perfect complement for such a sharp contrast than a sauce of cream and tang profile.
Fries
Fries and mayo-ketchup mix are, and have always been the classic combo! Whether you prefer shoestring, curly or waffle fries, they all taste amazing with this tangy, creamy sauce.
Seafood Salad
Mayo Ketchup sauce also pairs beautifully well with seafood salads. Combine whatever seafood that comes to your mind or your kitchen can afford and coagulate them with mayo-ketchup mix — you’ll not be disappointed.
Cheese Sticks
Uhh, you know what? Just dunk your gooey, melty cheese sticks into a mayo ketchup mix once and let’s see if you wont come back for more.
Sandwiches
Mayo ketchup sauce is a brilliant addition to sandwiches as it adds an irresistible touch that makes them even tastier. If you planned on using a spicy Mayo with or without sriracha, or simply mayonnaise like kewpie, try substituting it with the Mayo-ketchup blend instead.
