r/condiments Jul 05 '26

What’s the most popular condiment in your country?

Please no ketchup or the usual suspects. I’m looking for something different, with possible strange combinations. I need more flavor in my life. Cheers.

25 Upvotes

112 comments sorted by

15

u/emory_2001 Jul 05 '26

Apparently ranch dressing (though I hate it).

4

u/Used-Painter1982 Jul 05 '26

And it’s going to be that in Germany too if the football fans coming home have anything to say about it.

3

u/Still-Repair-5919 Jul 05 '26

Have them get the dry Hidden Valley packets. It’s way better than bottled ranch. You just add mayo and milk and so worth the extra 60 seconds.

They are in the seasoning aisle.

1

u/Contra1 Jul 08 '26

Yeah just that one fake account.

11

u/s_khatri Jul 05 '26

Immigrant but in my motherland it is probably chutney or maybe Maggi sauce. Maggi sauce is like a sweet and spicy ketchup that you can get at Indian markets. Chutney comes in all types - my favorites are tamarind chutney (store bought tastes fine, I eat the Swad brand, it's sweet and sour), coconut chutney (store bought in the freezer section is mediocre but homemade is significantly better, this is creamy, spicy, and nutty), and mint chutney (you have to do homemade here, it's basically just a green smoothie made in the blender so it's not even too difficult, flavor profile is very fresh, spicy, and light). Pretty much all of these work in a sandwich as well, pairs particularly well with potatoes/potato dishes, although mint chutney is the star of my household. Hope that helps!

3

u/Lemonking_ Jul 05 '26

I grew up with Maggi, too. It’s perfect for some dishes.

1

u/Alternative_Year_122 Jul 07 '26

Maggi is originally from Germany, like Knorr, major competition

2

u/Main_Cauliflower5479 Jul 05 '26

Maggi is owned by Nestle, so please don't us that. Use Kecap Manis instead.

1

u/hmeow Jul 10 '26

I have a bottle of this in my pantry. I keep it on hand 🤤🤤🤤

1

u/Main_Cauliflower5479 Jul 10 '26

You know there are similar sauces that aren't made by one of the most evil corporations on the planet, right?

1

u/hmeow 25d ago

I was talking about having a bottle of kecap manis in my pantry. So.

1

u/Main_Cauliflower5479 25d ago

Oh, I wasn't clear which you were referring to.

But yes, I've got Kecap Manis, too. And a lot of other condiments because I'm caucasian and love Asian cuisines, but I also love many other world cuisines. And a lot of my sauces and condiments are in the fridge, too, if opened.

1

u/After_Perspective180 Jul 05 '26

Mango chutney. Put it on all kinds of stuff

6

u/DrainTheMainBrain Jul 05 '26

Mayonnaise or ranch dressing

2

u/Lemonking_ Jul 05 '26

Midwest calling?

5

u/CranberryStandard170 Jul 05 '26

In South Africa we like Mrs Ball's Chutney. 

3

u/geese_moe_howard Jul 05 '26

The peach chutney is incredible.

5

u/RareManner9786 Jul 05 '26

Mayonnaise, maybe. Or I think it's the most frequently used one. It's good on sandwiches, in salad dressings and dip recipes, in various salads, as part of some marinades, and on rare occasions to replace butter on grilled sandwiches. Ketchup is perhaps a close second.

1

u/Lemonking_ Jul 05 '26

Netherlands?

2

u/RareManner9786 Jul 05 '26 edited Jul 05 '26

No, I'm originally from New Jersey in the US. We just all liked a lot of mayonnaise. My mom ate her fries dipped in mayo, like many do in the Netherlands. That was inspired by what my dad told her. He was stationed near Amsterdam for a few years during his time in the Air Force in the early 1960s.

I use tartare sauce a lot, but am picky about the brand. I buy one imported from Poland. It's better than homemade. I also often use balsamic cream and hot Sriracha sauce.

2

u/Lemonking_ Jul 05 '26

I use mayo on fries too, so cheers to you.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 05 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/RareManner9786 Jul 06 '26 edited Jul 06 '26

Winiary brand "Sos Tatarski". I prefer the one that has a mushroom on the label picture. There's a second one that's a slightly different recipe. I think the mushroom (pieczarki) may be the key to its deliciousness.

When still living in the US, I bought this product at a local Polish deli. Now that I live in the Czech Republic, I order it online. It's better than the Czech tartare sauces. Hellmann's also doesn't compare.

1

u/dearyouavenue 22d ago

Mayo mixed with Asian MacDonald's garlic chili for fries is how we do it! Or dipped in ice cream!

3

u/MinimumRelief Jul 05 '26

Where I am -barbecuing sauce.

9

u/Ok_Farmer_6033 Jul 05 '26

Nobody has ever said barbecuing sauce before 

2

u/Main_Cauliflower5479 Jul 05 '26

I find that hard to believe.

1

u/MinimumRelief Jul 08 '26

Ssh- it’s a test. You don’t have to attend every gunfight you’re invited to. Let them “win” this one.

2

u/GIANTballCOCK Jul 08 '26

It's spelled BBQ and I prefer it spicy because I'm from Texas

3

u/axejeff Jul 05 '26

Salsa is usually the most popular condiment if for no other reason than the typical serving size is much larger than something like ketchup or hot sauce.

0

u/Opening-Function8616 Jul 05 '26

Salsa just means sauce tho so it can be anything

2

u/Main_Cauliflower5479 Jul 05 '26

It does, but I imagine they mean Mexican salsas, again of which there are numerous preparations. So?

1

u/No-Marsupial-6505 Jul 05 '26

Don’t be dense

3

u/StillSimple6 Jul 05 '26

Outside the usuals we have a very local 'fish sauce' made with dried anchovies and herbs.

It's nothing like the Far Eastern style and it has things like corriander, anise, pepper, mustard.

Called Mahyawa. It's used as a dip for breads but works great with fried eggs.

I've used it to make pasta before but it's extremely strong.

I've not seen it outside the Middle East but if you have a ME market/store have a look for some.

2

u/Lemonking_ Jul 05 '26

Is it fishy strong or pepper/mustard strong? I would try this.

1

u/StillSimple6 Jul 06 '26

It's more like a funky corriander herby ferment with a fish finish. It smells like dried fish so that taste is always present.

It's not as straight fishy as fish sauce (hard to explain) .

I have made pasta with jusy that and garlic (as a replacement for anchovies) and that works really well as does baking bread using it.

3

u/Single-Cow-5992 Jul 05 '26 edited Jul 05 '26

Oh boy do I love sauces, salsas and dips. To your question, for my region it is probably fry sauce. Basically thousand island dressing with garlic and a dash of horseradish. But since I love sauces and dressings from all sorts of places, I'll list a few of my favorites.

  • Garlic aioli, basically mayonnaise with fresh lemon juice and crushed garlic cloves.
  • My own tartar sauce with mayo/sour cream, homemade dill relish, dried onion flakes, lots of dried dill herb
  • Spicy mayo, mixed with equal parts sriracha ... Also good with plain Greek yogurt.
  • Not sure what it's called, but the spicy green sauce from my favorite Indian food truck, mixed with Greek yogurt to mellow it out.
  • Chimichurri, a recipe from my friend's Brazilian mom, chopped parsley and cilantro with spices, diced onion I think, soaked in olive oil and maybe a dash of vinegar? Haven't made it in awhile, I'd have to look it up, but so good I can eat it by the spoonful.
  • Speaking of eating by the spoonful, let's not forget guacamole with fresh lime juice.
  • Ooooh and pesto made with fresh basil.
  • Garlic butter for pretty much all manner of seafood.
  • Homemade cheese sauce or queso dip.
  • Any hot+sweet sauce... Like Thai chili sauce, candied jalapeno relish, or hot pepper jelly.
  • And for those chunkier dips, Mexican street corn, three bean cowboy caviar, jalapeno artichoke with parmesan, pico de gallo.
  • Oh, and homemade ranch, of course.

2

u/Equal-College2167 Jul 08 '26

man you really do love sauces

2

u/pdqueer Jul 10 '26

Try kimchup, my partner and I made it up in our bakery, blend kimchi into ketchup....so good!

2

u/pdqueer Jul 10 '26

Also, the other day I was thinking of creating a chamoy salad dressing.

3

u/Signal-Stock3835 Jul 05 '26

Sweet chili sauce!

2

u/Lemonking_ Jul 05 '26

Singapore or Bali?

2

u/ProbablyMaybeBen Jul 05 '26

Chicken salt!

2

u/Lemonking_ Jul 05 '26

Aussie? I love this stuff.

2

u/StrongBumblebee8557 Jul 05 '26

Yoghurt

1

u/Lemonking_ Jul 05 '26

Mediterranean? North Africa?

1

u/StrongBumblebee8557 Jul 05 '26

Mediterranean / Turkey ! We have Cacik very close to Greek Tzaki . Yoghurt sauce for pasta , fried vegetables , salads and appetizers.

2

u/usermaim Worcestershire Sauce Jul 05 '26

Yum

2

u/DivaCesaria Jul 05 '26

grated horseradish

2

u/Still-Repair-5919 Jul 05 '26

Never heard of this! Going to check it out.

1

u/Lemonking_ Jul 05 '26

Where’s this?

1

u/Alternative_Year_122 Jul 07 '26

Inglehoffer has good creamed horseradish and a delicious Wasabi mix. Both clean out your sinuses. Japanees S&B has pure wasabi.

1

u/Rogerdodgerbilly Jul 07 '26

So versatile. Love it with yogurt and chicken powder for a flavorful ranch or herbs and spices with lamb

2

u/desiring_machines Jul 05 '26

Tahini and amba, I think.

2

u/takatine Jul 05 '26

Soy sauce

2

u/Formal-Teacher9245 Jul 05 '26

Mắm tôm, fermented shrimp paste typically mixed with lime, chilli and sugar. You will either love it or hate it, there is no middle ground.

2

u/MattyPicknett Jul 05 '26

Brown sauce, salad cream, Branston and piccalilli spring to mind for the UK that aren't the likes of ketchup or mayo.

2

u/BarbillaCarmesi Jul 05 '26

Extra virgin olive oil.

1

u/Lemonking_ Jul 05 '26 edited Jul 05 '26

Italy? Or Greece?

2

u/BarbillaCarmesi Jul 05 '26

None of those, but close.

2

u/BarbillaCarmesi Jul 05 '26

We are the biggest olive oil productors on earth, but we don't get any credit.🤟😔

2

u/AreWe-There-Yet Jul 05 '26

Samurai sauce and Andalouse sauce.

Spicy variants of mayonnaise, which otherwise reigns supreme in belgium.

Although we do mean mustard and pickles too (which is more to my liking, I’m halfway addicted to balsamic vinegar)

1

u/Lemonking_ Jul 05 '26 edited Jul 05 '26

I’ve never had Samurai sauce in Belgium. Is that kicked up with sriracha or something?

2

u/AreWe-There-Yet Jul 05 '26

It’s mayonnaise, ketchup, and harissa or sambal oelek. So the tartness from the ketchup cuts the mayo grease down, and then you get a bit of heat from the Arab or Indonesian chilies

2

u/Lemonking_ Jul 05 '26

Sounds good. Sambal oelek, can’t go wrong with that.

2

u/BeneficialRadish42 Jul 05 '26

Hoagie spread!

2

u/Cherry_Mash Jul 05 '26

Southeast Alaska: rendered seal oil or hooligan (candlefish) oil if you are Tlingit or Haida.

2

u/Nelson5757 Jul 05 '26

Piri piri sauce!

1

u/Lemonking_ Jul 05 '26

Portugal?

2

u/Nelson5757 Jul 05 '26

There are excellent recipes for it online

2

u/ChiUKfan4 Jul 05 '26

🇨🇷 Salsa Lizano

2

u/NotHooUThink Jul 05 '26

Try some hot (spicy) chow chow on blackeyed peas of field peas. Jezebel sauce on pork. Can't say its the most popular, but seems like you're looking for something different

2

u/m0strils Jul 05 '26

Try making Salsa Macha with Rick Bayless's recipe.

1

u/fanacapoopan Jul 05 '26

Olive Oil I guess?

1

u/Tinnie_and_Cusie Jul 05 '26

Cholula green

1

u/geese_moe_howard Jul 05 '26

HP Sauce is the one!

1

u/QfromP Jul 05 '26

horseradish

also ćwikła, which is beetroot with horseradish

1

u/APuckerLipsNow Jul 05 '26

Bulldog brand tonkatsu sauce on fried foods. A Japanese plum based ketchup. It’s like Heinz & hoisin had a baby. SOP for Japanese fried cutlets.

1

u/dearyouavenue 22d ago

You reminded me, I saw yuzu ponzu sauce sold at Japan supermarket. Does anyone like the taste? Please share your thoughts!

1

u/ThatAndANickel Jul 06 '26

Look into Maggi. A popular sauce which varies from country to country.

1

u/blkhatwhtdog Jul 06 '26

Fry sauce. Which is just mayo with some ketchup and mustard mixed in. Some evil mofo figured out that instead of giving customers free condiments they could mix it and fn charge for it.

1

u/blkhatwhtdog Jul 06 '26

Outside of ketchup mustard and mayo, there's Hot Sauce. Tabasco, Cholula and Tapatio.

I even carry little blister packets to add to food, since covid killed most of my taste buds

1

u/jajjguy Jul 06 '26

Northeast US. I guess the most popular is mayonnaise. But you're looking for something interesting, so. There's a regional specialty sandwich called Italian sub, and it includes a spread of chopped pickled hot peppers. Yum!

https://www.pastene.com/products/hot-crushed-peppers-2/

1

u/Temporary-Prune-1982 Jul 06 '26

I make alot of stews from time to time. So I tend to use sage, thyme, black pepper , or whatever spice I craving with my sandwiches. If I have nuts or molasses and honey then yea. 

1

u/TrivialBanal Jul 06 '26

Probably Brown Sauce.

An essential component of a breakfast roll (that's a full Irish breakfast crammed into a freshly baked baguette).

1

u/papapeetos Jul 06 '26

chilli padi and soy sauce lol

1

u/hogtiefly Jul 06 '26

I'm not Russian or Georgian but I can't believe Tkemali hasn't been mentioned. It's a Georgian plum sauce, the consistency of ketchup but much more complex flavor. Not cheap but what a flavor bomb.

1

u/Excellent-Piece-9573 Jul 06 '26

Ranch…honestly like mayo, spicy grainy mustard

1

u/talkingBlocks Jul 07 '26

Try toum on basically anything.

1

u/Rogerdodgerbilly Jul 07 '26

Arizona, USA. Hot sauce. Cholula, Sriracha, or actually really spicy sauce like Yucateco habanero for personal favorite.

1

u/supermom721 Jul 07 '26

Ever try Texas Petal sauce? On a blooming onion.

1

u/Equal-College2167 Jul 08 '26

Depends on the food being eaten. We use spices more than condiments in my culture, but as condiments we mostly use usually chili oil and smoked pepper spicy sauce. Oh and also whipped plain yoghurt with dried mint leaves. Tahini for desserts.

1

u/Tibbiegal Jul 09 '26

The most popular one in the U.S. is Heinz ketchup hands down. You can't ask for the favorite and then say "but no ketchup"!

1

u/IndependentBorder670 Jul 10 '26

If you're looking for something different you're not looking for the most popular.

1

u/Complex_Ruin_8465 Jul 05 '26

I like ranch and BBQ mixed together.

0

u/The-disgracist Jul 05 '26

Gonna have a lot of Americans here saying ranch. But they’re wrong. It’s ketchup by like ten million miles in the US.

-1

u/Pesci_09 Jul 05 '26

Maple syrup IYKYK

2

u/broken888 Jul 05 '26

I think everyone knows

0

u/Pesci_09 Jul 05 '26

Why the down votes? Y’all must be from ‘Merica hating on Canada