Jalapeño ketchup
Bright, green-pepper flavor with a warmth that builds. The everyday spicy ketchup, and the one SpiceItUp! has made since 1995.
Spicy ketchup, Texas style
Spicy ketchup with real jalapeños.
Spicy ketchup is tomato ketchup with chile heat built in. SpiceItUp! makes ours in Texas with real jalapeños, in Medium and Hot, and has bottled it since 1995. Here is how the styles compare, what to eat it with, and a quick homemade version for when the bottle runs out.
What is spicy ketchup?
Spicy ketchup is tomato ketchup with chile pepper heat cooked into it, so you get the sweet, tangy flavor of ketchup and a kick in one pour. It goes anywhere regular ketchup goes: burgers, fries, hot dogs, eggs and sandwiches.
Unlike hot sauce, spicy ketchup stays thick and tomato-forward. It coats a fry instead of soaking it, and it adds heat without thinning out a burger sauce or a meatloaf glaze.
Types of spicy ketchup
Habanero ketchup
Fruity and much hotter. Best for heat seekers who want the burn to be the point.
Chipotle ketchup
Smoked jalapeño gives a smoky, barbecue-style flavor with moderate heat.
Sriracha ketchup
Garlicky chili-sauce flavor with a sweet heat.
SpiceItUp! spicy ketchup: pick your heat
Medium Jalapeño Ketchup
A balanced jalapeño warmth for everyday meals. The easiest swap for regular ketchup.
Hot Jalapeño Ketchup
A bolder finish for people who already love spicy condiments. Great for dipping and in barbecue sauce.
Why SpiceItUp!
- Since 1995
- Bottled in Texas for three decades.
- 36 Scovie Awards
- Blind-judged recognition since 1998, most recently in 2026.
- Flown in space
- Portion packs flew aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis in 2009.
- Real jalapeños
- Made in Texas with jalapeños, garlic and onion.
What to eat with spicy ketchup
Start with burgers, fries, onion rings and hot dogs. Then try it with scrambled eggs, breakfast tacos and hash browns, as a meatloaf glaze, or stirred into mayo for a spicy burger sauce. It also makes a quick base for spicy barbecue sauce.
Quick homemade spicy ketchup
Ingredients
- 1 cup tomato ketchup
- 1 to 2 fresh jalapeños, stemmed and very finely minced (remove the seeds for less heat)
- 1 tbsp pickled jalapeño brine or white vinegar
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- Pinch of SpiceItUp! Jalapeño Dusting Salt or cayenne, to taste
Steps
Mince
Stem the jalapeños and mince them as finely as you can. Leave the seeds in for more heat.
Mix
Stir the ketchup, jalapeño, brine, garlic powder and onion powder together. For a smoother sauce, pulse everything in a small blender.
Rest
Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes so the heat spreads through. Taste, then add the dusting salt or cayenne a pinch at a time.
Store
Keep it covered in the refrigerator and use it within a few days.
Homemade or bottled?
Homemade spicy ketchup is great in a pinch, but fresh peppers vary in heat and it only keeps a few days. For the same flavor every time, keep a bottle of SpiceItUp! in the fridge door.
Questions
What is the best spicy ketchup?
It depends on the heat and flavor you like. For a bright jalapeño kick that works every day, SpiceItUp! Jalapeño Ketchup has won 36 Scovie Awards since 1998 in blind judging. Start with Medium, or go straight to Hot if you love spicy condiments.
Is jalapeño ketchup the same as spicy ketchup?
Jalapeño ketchup is one kind of spicy ketchup. Others use habanero, chipotle or sriracha. Jalapeño gives a fresh green-pepper flavor and a warmth that builds rather than a sharp burn.
What is the spiciest ketchup?
Ketchups made with habanero or hotter peppers usually bring the most heat. SpiceItUp! Hot Jalapeño Ketchup is for people who want a bold kick that still tastes like ketchup, not a heat challenge.
How do you make ketchup spicy?
Stir finely minced fresh jalapeño, a splash of pickled jalapeño brine, and a little garlic and onion powder into regular ketchup, then chill it for 30 minutes. The recipe on this page has the amounts.
Where can I buy spicy ketchup?
Order SpiceItUp! Jalapeño Ketchup online through the SpiceItUp! shop, or pick it up at the stores and restaurants on our Where to Buy page.