Macaroni Grill Gourmet Balsamic Ketchup Recipe
Have you ever been to a restaurant and thought to yourself I need more of this dish in my life? I do it ALL the time and this is where my love for copycat recipes comes from! I recently shared a recipe for parmesan garlic French fries, but what fries would be complete without ketchup? I mean is that even American? I think not. So of course I whipped up a fancy ketchup to pair with these fries. But not just any old fashioned tomato ketchup, copycat Macaroni Grill balsamic ketchup. Trust me, you are going to love making your own ketchup especially since this recipe only has four ingredients and is ready in five minutes! Â Full recipe card below.
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What is Macaroni Grill Gourmet Ketchup?
Last year my mom and I went to lunch at Macaroni Grill and I ordered a side of their parmesan garlic fries to go with my tomato basil soup. I know, weird combo, but that is what I was craving. Anyway, I dipped my fries in what I thought was regular ketchup only to find a burst of amazing flavor. It had the consistency of ketchup, but it had a balsamic flavor and a little kick, sort of like a spicy ketchup. Bite after bite I became more intrigued and addicted. My mom was also pleasantly surprised by the unique flavor in this popular condiment. Right then and there I knew I had to learn how to make it.
To sum it up, Macaroni Grill gourmet ketchup is a mix of tomato ketchup and balsamic flavor with a little bit of spice.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
This recipe is beyond easy, there is no cooking required, and only four ingredients! And if I am being completely honest, ketchup is my favorite condiment next to hot sauce. I put it on fries, tater tots, burgers, hot dogs, and even eggs. Is that weird? Barry thinks it’s weird but I think it’s delicious! So having another flavor of ketchup to go on all the things is a win in my book. I also love that I can mix up a small amount on the fly.
Ingredients
This tasty twist on ketchup uses only four basic ingredients you probably already have in your pantry and fridge. Let me walk you through what worked and what did not.
Ketchup – To make this recipe super easy, I used ordinary store-bought ketchup straight from the grocery store shelf. You know, the bottled stuff you most likely have in your fridge. If you are looking for a homemade ketchup recipe, you are in the wrong place. While I love mixing my own condiments, making them entirely from scratch takes a long time. And let’s be honest, unless you are a restaurant looking for a commercial ketchup you can make for less, it simply isn’t worth the time to make fancy or regular ketchup from fresh tomatoes. I used the bottle of Heinz in my fridge, but any brand will work.
Balsamic Vinegar – When I was testing this recipe I actually made it two ways. The first time I made it with balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing because the waiter at Macaroni Grill said that’s how they make it. While it wasn’t terrible with the salad dressing, it just felt like it was missing something and didn’t have the same punch. So then I tried it with balsamic vinegar which was much better. Balsamic vinegar adds the flavor without too much sugar and the rest of the ingredients in salad dressing. This will vary based on your own taste, but in my opinion the balsamic vinegar is the way to go.
Black Pepper – Remember when I said the Macaroni Grill ketchup had a slight spice to it? Well I determined this is simply a generous amount of black pepper. I tried it with red pepper flakes as well, but I think the true copycat flavor is pepper. If you like a little extra kick, feel free to use both.
Italian Seasoning – I felt like the ketchup was still missing one more ingredient so I added some Italian seasoning. And that was it! It tasted just like the Macaroni Grill ketchup. Italian seasoning is a mix of dried oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, and marjoram. If you do not stock it in your spic cabinet, I highly recommend you start. It can add a ton of flavor to a dish and I use it all the time.
* Note to my readers. I strive to bring home cooks reliable recipes you can count on. Every recipe on this site is tested and made by me personally in my own kitchen and given to my harshest recipe tester critics for invaluable feedback. This site does not review its own recipes or participate in paid reviews nor does it purchase recipes and photos from third parties. Photos are taken of each recipe and not artificially generated. All reviews are real trustworthy reviews and if you make a recipe and have feedback, please feel free to contact me.Â
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Macaroni Grill Gourmet Balsamic Ketchup Recipe
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2.5 Tbsp 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
If you have ever had the gourmet ketchup at Macaroni Grill you are likely just as hooked as I am! This super easy copycat recipe only uses four basic ingredients and is ready in five minutes! Macaroni Grill gourmet balsamic ketchup is the perfect twist on America’s favorite condiment and goes great with French fries, tater tots, and even burgers! Enjoy the delicious taste of fancy restaurant ketchup at home!
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Regular Ketchup
- 1/2 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
- 1/4 tsp Italian Seasoning
Instructions
- In a small bowl, ramakin, or mason jar, mix ketchup, balsamic vinegar, pepper, and Italian seasoning with a spoon or French whisk.
- ​It will be a slightly less thick consistency than regular ketchup.
- Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 5
- Category: Sauces
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American
Storage
The best way to store leftover balsamic ketchup is in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Since this contains vinegar, the shelf life will be limited and can sour if kept too long. I usually only make what I intend to use for a meal so I do not waste any.
When to Make Fancy Ketchup
This super easy gourmet ketchup goes really well with my garlic parmesan fries, air fried tater tots, burgers, chicken nuggets, and hot dogs. Â It is perfect for backyard BBQs, weeknight dinners, or even brunch. You can whip it up in five minutes and everyone will think you are a true domestic goddess.
Looking for more copycat recipes? Try my Chuy’s jalapeno dip, Crumbl sugar cookie recipe, copycat Kraft chipotle aioli, Panera green goddess salad recipe, or Texas Roadhouse butter.
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