Despite the potential heath risks, many of us love ketchup. A lot of people even have preferences when it comes to their favorite brands. Recently, TikToker and former McDonald’s chef Mike Haracz shut down a theory about the difference between McDonald’s ketchup and Heinz. As it turns out, the differences in the recipes aren’t as prominent as one might think—or as what another chef is spreading on TikTok. According to Haracz, it comes down to just a few ingredients. Find all of the info below.
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What is the difference between Heinz and McDonald’s ketchup?
There are lots of copycat recipes for beloved fast food items across the internet. Recently, one TikTok chef named Marco shared a recipe for a ketchup meant to taste like the kind you’d find at McDonald’s. Although McDonald’s used to serve Heinz ketchup, that changed back in 2013. Now, many people have a preference for one ketchup over the other—although opinions seem to be divided.
In Marco’s video, he claims to have the answer to why McDonald’s ketchup “hits so much different” than Heinz. He mixed together tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, water, various seasonings, and a cup of honey. In his video, Marco theorizes that “the big difference between McDonald’s and Heinz ketchup is that there’s a little bit more vinegar.”
However, former McDonald’s chef Mike Haracz took to TikTok to set the record straight with a response to this video. “If you go on the McDonald’s website and look under their burgers and look at the ingredients statement of the ketchup that is on their burgers and compare that, the Heinz ketchup it is almost identical,” Haracz says.
So, what's the difference? According to him, Heinz has "some added ingredients to it, making it maybe more flavorful." Overall, though, he repeats, "The ingredients statements are almost identical."
His biggest correction to Marco's recipe? "I guarantee neither of them are putting honey in their ketchup." (Although that would be healthier than the high-fructose corn syrup they use instead.)
When comparing the listed ingredients of both McDonald's and Heinz ketchup, the only additional ingredients in Heinz include a vaguely named "spice" and onion powder. Both recipes contain tomato concentrate from red ripe tomatoes, distilled vinegar, high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, water, salt, and natural flavors. Although the ratios of these ingredients may vary between brands, Haracz notes in the comments of his TikTok that "they are in the same order of predominance."
Despite the similar recipes, ketchup lovers swear they taste a difference—and they have strong opinions about which is better. "That McD’s ketchup just hits different….like their Diet Coke!" one user commented on the video.
"Heinz is the only ketchup," another commenter disagreed.
"McDonald’s ketchup is sweeter. I said what I said," someone else wrote.
What do you think? Team Heinz or Team McDonald's? Or do you even taste a difference at all? Let us know in the comments! Regardless, it's worth noting that you may want to steer clear of those ketchup dispensers.
READ MORE: McDonald’s Employee Explain Why Your Vanilla Shake Might Taste A Little Off
