Curry Ketchup

I’ve mentioned a few times that my eating life practically revolves around condiments. I love them all. Mustards, ketchups, chutneys, chimichurris, mayos, butters, you name it, I love them. I look at a condiment, and immediately know what food I’m pairing it with.

I’m so excited to have discovered a new condiment for my repertoire – curry ketchup. I was “shopping” on Amazon and somehow this popped up. I had to have it.

German curry ketchup!

Shortly afterwards, I was on the blog called the Daring Gourmet, and there was Kimberly’s recipe for home-made curry ketchup, of German origin.

You can imagine how excited I was. Everything home-made is so much better than what you can buy.

Best German Curry Ketchup

1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
1 small clove garlic
1 1/2 tablespoons high-quality curry powder*
1 tablespoon sweet paprika
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup natural ketchup
1 tablespoon tomato paste
5 tablespoons vegetable or chicken broth
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon yellow mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Pinch of ground cayenne pepper, optional

Heat the oil in a small saucepan and cook the onions just until soft and translucent. Do not brown them. Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Add the curry powder, paprika, cloves and allspice and cook for 30 seconds.

Add all remaining ingredients and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium, cover and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Use an immersion blender or transfer to a blender and purée until smooth.

Let the mixture cool completely and then refrigerate for a day before using to allow time for the flavors to meld.

To use, Kimberly recommends serving the curry ketchup with prepared bratwurst (currywurst) and fries. She recommends sprinkling the brats with curry powder, just like in her photo, below, which I forgot to do.

I’m not a big French fry person, so I roasted some red potatoes instead.

This ketchup is magnificent. It’s multi-faceted, and not strong in any one way. And it’s nice and thick. I have no idea why mine isn’t as red in color as hers.

And, the ketchup is really good with the potatoes also.

I tried a bratwurst with the purchased curry ketchup, left, and my home-made version, on the right. There was truly no comparison. The purchased ketchup tasted anemic compared to home-made!

I can’t wait to make more curry ketchup, and next time I’m making a quadruple batch. Thanks for the recipe, Kimberly!

*When I want a prepared curry powder, I reach for Penzey’s sweet curry powder. To me, it’s a perfect blend when not using individual spices.

By Published On: April 24th, 201974 Comments on Curry Ketchup

About the Author: Chef Mimi

As a self-taught home cook, with many years in the culinary profession, I am passionate about all things food-related. Especially eating!

74 Comments

  1. Ron April 24, 2019 at 6:16 AM - Reply

    Mimi, I love curry catsup. It’s good on so many things but my fav is with fries. It’s very popular here, with FELIX Curry Ketchup being the top seller. I guess we imported the taste from Germany. I’ve never made it myself, but it looks like it would truly be better than storebought for sure. That’s one serious bag of curry you have there.

    • chef mimi April 24, 2019 at 6:44 AM - Reply

      It’s so funny to me that I’d never heard about it till this year! I’ve been missing out!

  2. David @ Spiced April 24, 2019 at 6:45 AM - Reply

    Ever since seeing your post on Instagram, I’ve been curious about curry ketchup. Frankly, I assumed it was just ketchup mixed with curry powder…but it’s so much more than that! I definitely need to try this one out as we’re heading into summer grilling season, and a fun new condiment would be a huge hit here!

    • chef mimi April 24, 2019 at 6:47 AM - Reply

      Well I guess it could be ketchup with added curry powder, but with all of the other ingredients and seasonings it’s worthy of its own squeeze bottle! Really flavorful stuff. I think kids should love it, too.

  3. cookingwithauntjuju.com April 24, 2019 at 7:30 AM - Reply

    Funny – I recently made Keto cocktail sauce as I wanted a low sugar version. My sauce wasn’t as red either probably because of the horseradish! I see you used sugar free ketchup too – lots of interesting ingredients but I would not include the extra sugar.

    • chef mimi April 24, 2019 at 8:12 AM - Reply

      I wanted to test the recipe, so I didn’t alter it. Usually I will totally omit sugar like you I imagine. It’s just so good!

  4. Marissa Bolden April 24, 2019 at 9:13 AM - Reply

    This looks awesome! I’ll have to try it out.

    • chef mimi April 24, 2019 at 9:36 AM - Reply

      It’s soooo good!

  5. kitchenriffs April 24, 2019 at 10:20 AM - Reply

    I’ve never had curry ketchup. I know about it, mainly because I’ve heard of currywurst, and looked it up. I assumed the curry was in the sausage. Wrong! The curry in the dish comes from the curry ketchup. Anyway, nice looking recipe — I’ll have to give this a try. Thanks!

    • chef mimi April 24, 2019 at 10:29 AM - Reply

      I’d never heard of currywurst either, and I’ve been to Germany! I think the sound of curried sausages sounds dynamite, though… Maybe your next post?!!!

  6. Tasty Eats Ronit Penso April 24, 2019 at 11:15 AM - Reply

    Interesting combination of ingredients. I can see this can used in so many ways.

    • chef mimi April 24, 2019 at 3:23 PM - Reply

      So far I’ve tried it with brats and potatoes. The flavor is so nice. It would be good with liver and eggs… hash browns… I guess I don’t use ketchup much so I’ll keep thinking!

  7. emmabarrett1508 April 24, 2019 at 2:09 PM - Reply

    Sounds awesome. Just the sort of thins my dad would love. xx

    • chef mimi April 24, 2019 at 3:20 PM - Reply

      It would be a fun surprise if you made some! It’s so so good.

  8. Gerlinde April 24, 2019 at 2:30 PM - Reply

    You can get Currywurst everywhere in Germany. There are different sauces available but usually it is made with ketchup sprinkled with curry and paprika. Your recipe looks good. I am in Germany right now and I will look at the ingredients of Currywurst ketchup.

    • chef mimi April 24, 2019 at 3:18 PM - Reply

      Oh great! Yes, I loved your Easter Monday photos. Such a nice ritual. I’m a little mad that in the week or more that I was in Germany I never came across currywurst!

  9. Ann Coleman April 24, 2019 at 2:37 PM - Reply

    I’ve never tasted curry ketchup, but it sounds fabulous!

    • chef mimi April 24, 2019 at 3:17 PM - Reply

      Doesn’t it?!! Why have we not had this before?!!!

  10. jenniferguerrero1 April 24, 2019 at 2:42 PM - Reply

    I’m a Penzey-head, too! I grew up in Wisconsin and absolutely adore bratwurst. I’ve never had curry ketchup. I can’t wait to try this!

    • chef mimi April 24, 2019 at 3:16 PM - Reply

      I know for a fact that you will love it! Brats are the best.

  11. Freda @ Aromatic essence April 24, 2019 at 3:04 PM - Reply

    I’ve never heard of curry ketchup, it sounds delicious with all those spices, a nice change from regular ketchup :)

    • chef mimi April 24, 2019 at 3:16 PM - Reply

      Well I hadn’t either! It’s really wonderful!

  12. canelakitchen April 24, 2019 at 7:24 PM - Reply

    sounds absolutely amazing ! Nice idea!

    • chef mimi April 24, 2019 at 7:25 PM - Reply

      Thank you! It’s wonderful!

  13. Debra April 24, 2019 at 11:00 PM - Reply

    I’m not real big on ketchup, but CURRY ketchup could make me do cartwheels in delight! I have a large bag of Penzey’s sweet curry powder on hand and I’m going to give this a try! I’m very intrigued. :-)

    • chef mimi April 25, 2019 at 6:28 AM - Reply

      Oh good! You’ll be so happy!

  14. Lynz Real Cooking April 25, 2019 at 6:36 AM - Reply

    I never would have imagined! Very cool

    • chef mimi April 25, 2019 at 7:26 AM - Reply

      I know! And it’s magnificent!

  15. sherry April 25, 2019 at 7:01 AM - Reply

    hi Mimi
    curry ketchup is a new one on me:) then again i’m not such a big fan of ordinary ketchup. remember that purple stuff they had some years back? that was weird. cheers sherry

    • chef mimi April 25, 2019 at 7:31 AM - Reply

      I don’t use ketchup much either, but I definitely don’t remember a purple condiment! Must have been a Southern Hemisphere trend?!!!

  16. Tricia | Saving Room for Dessert April 25, 2019 at 11:13 AM - Reply

    My husband would absolutely flip for this ketchup! So creative and no doubt delicious. Thanks for sharing Mimi.

    • chef mimi April 25, 2019 at 4:00 PM - Reply

      Oh, it’s so so good!

  17. Katherine | Love In My Oven April 25, 2019 at 3:40 PM - Reply

    How have I never heard of curried ketchup!? Such a delicious idea. We love curry anything! I’d love to try this on some bbq’d sausage :)

    • chef mimi April 25, 2019 at 4:00 PM - Reply

      I know! And I’m 63! It’s so good you’re gonna love it.

  18. Francesca April 25, 2019 at 9:05 PM - Reply

    While I’m not a meat eater, I think your sausage photos are fabulous and look very tempting. The sauce sounds like a handy condiment too. I have a fridge full, like you. I always like to warn people to check their spice/curry powder use by dates. They do lose a lot after a year. You should see how old my mothers spices are- totally devoid of any oomph.

    • chef mimi April 26, 2019 at 1:13 PM - Reply

      Funny you said that because I threw most all of my mother’s herbs and spices away and she got mad at me! And she doesn’t even cook anymore! I store a lot of mine in the freezer and that keeps them fresh, but you’re definitely right about expiration dates!

  19. cookingontheweekends April 25, 2019 at 11:07 PM - Reply

    So fun your eating life revolves around condiments. I love that. I don’t think I’ve ever tried Curry Ketchup. The ingredient list sound like such a fantastic combination of flavors, and these photos are gorgeous and mouth-watering.

    • chef mimi April 26, 2019 at 1:11 PM - Reply

      I can think of sour cream with horse radish and I immediately want prime rib. And I’m not much of a meat eater! This ketchup is fabulous. I’m wanting to use it on everything!

  20. Rowena April 26, 2019 at 2:48 AM - Reply

    The first time I was introduced to the idea of curry ketchup was in Belgium…they served it on fries (well, frites). I loved it so much that I started mixing curry powder into bottled ketchup, or simply sprinkling curry powder onto ketchup. It is so good!

    • chef mimi April 26, 2019 at 1:10 PM - Reply

      Oh funny! Well I imagine that would be good as well, but I do love the other elements in the home made ketchup. It’s a wonderful recipe!

  21. Our Growing Paynes April 26, 2019 at 11:58 AM - Reply

    Now I want some bratwurst. My husband enjoys curry ketchup so looks like I need to try this! I’m with you, homemade condiments are the best.

    • chef mimi April 26, 2019 at 1:09 PM - Reply

      Definitely. But this stuff is so so good!!! I’m not surprised you’ve heard of it!

  22. David April 28, 2019 at 12:34 AM - Reply

    I love making condiments like this! I’m posting a salsa rubra (ketchup) in the next few weeks. Great minds…

    • chef mimi April 28, 2019 at 7:43 PM - Reply

      Oh, I can’t wait. I’ve never seen the word rubra before!

  23. Michelle April 28, 2019 at 7:49 AM - Reply

    I enjoyed currywurst in Germany, but I’m sure it would be even better with your homemade sauce. Hope your (our) birthday was grand.

    • chef mimi April 28, 2019 at 7:34 PM - Reply

      Our birthday was definitely grand! I’m still mad I never saw currywurst in Germany. Oh well. This ketchup makes up for it!

  24. heather (delicious not gorgeous) April 28, 2019 at 1:29 PM - Reply

    curry ketchup?! sounds delicious! always in the mood for different kinds of condiments (:

    • chef mimi April 28, 2019 at 7:34 PM - Reply

      I know what you mean. Condiments make the world go round!

  25. Abbe@This is How I Cook April 28, 2019 at 5:19 PM - Reply

    I love ketchup. I love wurst. I can’t wait to try this because it sounds like I could eat it with a spoon!

    • chef mimi April 28, 2019 at 7:33 PM - Reply

      HAHAHAHAHAHA I know what you mean! And it’s really good stuff.

  26. Jeff the Chef April 28, 2019 at 8:29 PM - Reply

    Yes, the curry ketchup – but the whole dish! Magnificent!

    • chef mimi April 29, 2019 at 8:06 AM - Reply

      Thanks, Jeff. It was truly magnificent if I may say so!

  27. Kelly | Foodtasia April 29, 2019 at 2:50 AM - Reply

    Mimi, thank you for introducing me to curry ketchup! How did I never hear about it? The flavors sound amazing and it looks awesome on the bratwurst and potatoes. So cool that you were able to compare the bottled and homemade versions!

    • chef mimi April 29, 2019 at 8:06 AM - Reply

      Well that’s exactly what I thought when I came across it! And I’ve been around for decades! It’s really good. And so is the bottled variety. Just not as good.

  28. All That I'm Eating April 29, 2019 at 5:11 AM - Reply

    This sounds like a great idea! I have tried a curried ketchup a few times but not thought to make my own, I love the orange colour of it too.

    • chef mimi April 29, 2019 at 8:05 AM - Reply

      Do you? I wish it was red, but who knows why the color is different. Different ingredients from different parts of the world I guess. But once you taste it you definitely won’t care about the color!

  29. Fran @ G'day Souffle' April 29, 2019 at 7:55 AM - Reply

    Yum, this looks good enough to SCHMEER on everything! Looks like there are quite a few ingredients for this recipe- is it better than the German store bought product? (ha ha, need I ask)?

    • chef mimi April 29, 2019 at 8:04 AM - Reply

      Yes, it definitely is better. The other is good also, until you taste the home-made variety!

  30. Laura April 29, 2019 at 12:43 PM - Reply

    Oh my, Mimi! Curry Catsup sounds positively amazing! I’ve never heard of,, nor ever thought of adding curry to catsup!

    • chef mimi April 29, 2019 at 1:11 PM - Reply

      I know. It’s so brilliant!

  31. Kathryninthekitchen May 1, 2019 at 9:05 PM - Reply

    I’m not a big condiment person, although my husband loves them. I’ve have never heard of Curry Ketchup, it sounds interesting. I love the Beer Stein in the backdrop of a few of the photos, reminds me one in my parents home when I was growing up…. As always your photo’s make me want to eat …😊

    • chef mimi May 2, 2019 at 6:56 AM - Reply

      Well that’s really a compliment! The stein is my friend’s. I just needed something… I’m no stylist, but sometimes I’m just brain dead trying to add some color or something to my photos!

  32. Karen (Back Road Journal) May 3, 2019 at 10:22 AM - Reply

    Bravo for making your own Mimi, I’m sure it is much better than what is out of a bottle. We have been to Germany many times and seen currywurst being sold everywhere but I’m told the best currywurst is in Berlin. That being said, I’ve never had it…even in Berlin. :)

    • chef mimi May 4, 2019 at 6:50 AM - Reply

      I don’t know how I missed seeing currywurst in Germany. But I remember being obsessed with their wonderful fresh water trout while i was there, and the white asparagus with ham and white sauce… and I’m such a sausage lover!

  33. FrugalHausfrau May 4, 2019 at 2:19 AM - Reply

    So how much curry did you get on your camera? The ketchup looks amazing and I know I’d love it and those sausages!! :) It does look like a bit of a labor to make, but I bet it is fantastic!!

    • chef mimi May 4, 2019 at 6:45 AM - Reply

      I have a food photography camera, and then one that remains pristine for vacations and whatnot… it’s really bad if there’s flour around!!! It’s not labor-intensive at all, just a lot of measuring of ingredients. And if you make at least a double batch it will be so worth it!

      • FrugalHausfrau May 4, 2019 at 11:52 AM

        I just have one camera but I’ve learned to keep wipes handy but still, there’s more stuff on it always than I’d like! And flour, yes! Your curry ketchup is on my list! My aunt always made a marvelous relish she called hot dog relish, so I might make them together!

      • chef mimi May 4, 2019 at 2:28 PM

        Like, not mixed together, right?!!

      • FrugalHausfrau May 4, 2019 at 8:00 PM

        Gosh, no!!

  34. sippitysup May 6, 2019 at 7:02 PM - Reply

    It’s amazing that something I’d never heard of until now can make my mouth water just looking at the pictures. GREG

    • chef mimi May 6, 2019 at 7:10 PM - Reply

      Well thank you for that. How is it neither of us has ever heard of this wonderful condiment!

  35. Amber Dawn Andersen September 30, 2019 at 2:31 PM - Reply

    I live in the north woods of Wisconsin, very close to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Not only do we have a large number of German’s up here, but we are home to the Pasty. If you have never tried one, you MUST! It is served with either a brown gravy or CURRIED KETSUP! I was SO happy to come across this recipe! They go hand in hand <3

    • chef mimi October 1, 2019 at 8:37 AM - Reply

      Yes, I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying home made pasties! But had never heard of curried ketchup until right before I made it myself. It is certainly yummy, and I can definitely see if on a pasty!

Leave a Reply to chef mimiCancel reply