Heinz Chili Sauce (Copycat Recipe) (2024)

Last Updated on: February 23, 2024

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With this homemade Heinz chili sauce recipe, you’ll never have to buy the expensive bottle again.

With its wonderful combination of sweet, savory, tangy, and spicy flavors, the Heinz chili sauce tastes better than ketchup.

Heinz Chili Sauce (Copycat Recipe) (1)

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If you agree, you’ll definitely have to try this copycat recipe. After experimenting with tons of ingredients and recipes, I finally found the one.

I kid you not, this chili sauce tastes even better than the original.

And you can make it at home in just 30 minutes at the fraction of the cost! Sorry, Heinz, but this sauce is here, and it’s here to stay.

What is Heinz chili sauce?

Heinz may be famous for their ketchup, but their chili sauce is also pretty epic. But what is it, exactly?

It’s a tomato-based condiment flavored with sugar, vinegar, and aromatic spices.

And just to set the record straight, this chili doesn’t contain chili.

It gets its heat from garlic powder and onions, which means it’s really not spicy at all. That’s why even kids can’t say no to it!

Another great thing about it is its sheer versatility. It’s not just a condiment, but a sauce, a dip, a dressing, and a marinade, too.

Because it has so many uses, I highly suggest you triple this recipe, at least. Don’t worry, just like most sauces, its shelf-life is pretty impressive.

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Ingredients

  • Tomato Puree – Not to be confused with tomato sauce, tomato puree is made of cooked strained tomatoes and has a thicker consistency and concentrated flavor. If you don’t have tomato puree, swap it with the same amount of tomato sauce and 1-2 teaspoons of tomato paste.
  • Light Corn Syrup – I like to use a thick sweetener here to help achieve that thick consistency. Maple syrup and honey make great substitutes.
  • White Vinegar – You’ll need just a few spoonfuls to lend just a bit of tanginess to the sauce. You can also use apple cider vinegar.
  • Dried Onion Flakes, Salt, and Garlic Powder – These three are my choice of seasonings. This combination complements and enhances the taste of tomatoes and sugar, giving the sauce an even deeper flavor.
  • Granulated Sugar – For an extra dose of sweetness. You can use brown sugar as well.
  • Lemon Juice – The tartness counterbalances the sweetness of the sauce.
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Tips for the Best Chili Sauce

  • Make a sweet swap. If you don’t have corn syrup on hand, maple syrup makes a fantastic alternative. You can also use a mix of brown sugar and honey.
  • No tomato puree? Use a mix of tomato sauce and paste. Don’t add too much paste, though, or the sauce will be way too thick. Just 1-2 teaspoons will do.
  • Season it up. I like a simple seasoning of salt and garlic powder in mine but feel free to make it your own. Some add cloves and nutmeg to give the sauce a bit of warmth. Try it and let me know how it turned out!
  • Kick up the heat. While it’s called a chili sauce, this sauce isn’t actually that spicy. If you want a spicier version, amp up the heat with cayenne, hot sauce, or red chili powder.
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Serving Suggestions

Heinz chili sauce is remarkably versatile and can be used in a variety of ways.

  • Shrimp dip. With its wonderful balance of sweet and fiery flavors, this chili sauce makes for a great dip for chilled shrimp. Use it just like you would a co*cktail sauce.
  • Ketchup replacement. Because it has similar flavors, ketchup and chili sauce can be interchanged. Squirt this onto hot dogs, burgers, sausages, and fries!
  • Meatloaf and meatball binder. Aside from the added layer of flavor, it’ll also keep the meat-based dishes super moist.
  • Sauce for BBQs, stir-fries, and grilled meats. Ditch the usual BBQ sauce and use this! Or, combine the two condiments to create an even bigger explosion of flavors.
  • Salad dressing. If you like your salad with a hint of sweetness, add a spoonful of chili sauce to your favorite dressing.
  • Pasta sauce. It’ll give the classic spaghetti sauce a spicy kick.
  • Soup enhancer. You’d be surprised at how much flavor this chili sauce adds to chili and all kinds of soups and stews.

More Sauce Recipes

A1 Steak Sauce

Arby’s Sauce

Heinz 57 Sauce

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Papa John’s Garlic Sauce

Taco Bell Diablo Sauce

Heinz Chili Sauce (Copycat Recipe) (5)

Heinz Chili Sauce (Copycat Recipe)

Servings

1

Cup

Prep time

5

minutes

Cooking time

30

minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup tomato puree

  • 1/3 cup light corn syrup

  • 1/4 cup white vinegar

  • 2 teaspoons dried onion flakes

  • 2 teaspoons granulated sugar

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

  • 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

  • In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the tomato puree, corn syrup, vinegar, onion flakes, sugar, salt, lemon juice, and garlic powder.
  • Once it starts to bubble, lower the temperature to low and let the mixture simmer for 30 minutes. Allow the chili sauce to cool completely. Enjoy!
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Heinz Chili Sauce (Copycat Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

What is a substitute for Heinz chili sauce? ›

A good substitute for Heinz chili sauce is a combination of ketchup and hot sauce or a mixture of tomato sauce, vinegar, sugar, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. These alternatives can mimic the sweet and tangy flavor with a hint of heat that Heinz chili sauce provides.

What are the ingredients in Heinz homestyle Chili Sauce? ›

Water, Tomato Puree, Celery, Green Peppers, Sugar, White Vinegar, Brown Sugar, Red Peppers, Salt, Dehydrated Onions, Spices, Garlic Powder, Mustard Flour.

How to make Heinz sweet chili sauce? ›

WHISK all ingredients well in a medium bowl: 1 (6 ounce) can quality tomato paste, 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup light corn syrup (Karo), 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar (Heinz), 1 tablespoon minced onion flakes, 1 teaspoon unseasoned sweet chili powder, 1 teaspoon plain salt, 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 teaspoon ...

How is Heinz chili sauce different from ketchup? ›

The main difference between Heinz Chili Sauce and Heinz Ketchup is that the chili sauce contains onions rather than onion powder, and the spices are slightly different.

Is Heinz chili sauce the same as co*cktail sauce? ›

There are only five ingredients in co*cktail sauce, and you probably have most of them in your cupboard already. Ketchup and chili sauce are added in equal parts. Heinz chili sauce has a tomato base, like ketchup, but it isn't sweet. Strangely, in defiance of its name, it doesn't contain chilis.

What is the difference between Heinz chili sauce and Heinz co*cktail sauce? ›

Chili sauce tends to have a moderate to high level of heat, depending on the type and amount of chili peppers used. In contrast, co*cktail sauce typically has a milder heat from the horseradish, which can be adjusted based on personal preference.

What is in store bought chili sauce? ›

PURE CANE SUGAR, WATER, PICKLED RED CHILI PEPPER (RICE VINEGAR, CHILI PEPPER, SALT), GARLIC, RICE VINEGAR, MODIFIED TAPIOCA STARCH, SALT AND XANTHAN GUM.

How long does Heinz chili sauce last after opening? ›

After opening condiments, you can refrigerate them for the following times: ketchup, co*cktail or chili sauce 6 months. chutney, 1 to 2 months. horseradish, 3 to 4 months.

Is sweet chili sauce the same as chili sauce? ›

There is a difference between this sauce and chili sauce. Sweet Chili Sauce is made with chili peppers and sugar, which gives it a sweet flavor. Chili sauce, on the other hand, is more tomato-based, almost like ketchup.

Does Heinz chili sauce have tomatoes in it? ›

Ingredients typically include puréed or chopped chili peppers, vinegar, sugar, and salt that are cooked, which thickens the mixture. Additional ingredients may include, water, garlic, other foodstuffs, corn syrup, spices, and seasonings. Some varieties use ripe red puréed tomato as the primary ingredient.

What is a good substitute for chili sauce? ›

Ketchup and Cayenne

Regular bottled ketchup provides a good blend of sweetness and acidity. It also has a nice thick consistency, making it a good substitute for chili sauce. To add the missing spicy flavor from regular ketchup, you can mix in a few dashes of Cayenne pepper powder.

How do you make canned chili sauce taste better? ›

Mix in cocoa for a deeper flavor.

Sometimes canned chili can lack flavor, but Dunleavy said cocoa powder can add a new level of richness. "Similar to a mole sauce, unsweetened cocoa will deepen the flavor of chili," Dunleavy said. "You don't need much — start with a dash and add more if desired."

Why does Heinz ketchup taste different at restaurants? ›

McDonald's ketchup consists of tomato concentrate from red ripe tomatoes, distilled vinegar, high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, water, salt, and natural flavors. Heinz doesn't have the water, like McDonald's does, and Heinz contains onion powder and "spice," while McDonald's does not.

What does Heinz chili sauce taste like? ›

It does taste different to Heinz ketchup. If you were a super taster you would note that it has more heat to it than regular ketchup and that the onion flavor is slightly stronger. The spices used are also different. It is definitely similar but also clearly distinct.

What is the history of Heinz chili sauce? ›

Heinz began production of its Chili Sauce in 1895, shortly after its ketchup was first made. Most people assume that hot peppers are the main ingredient in Chili Sauce, but there are no hot peppers in Heinz Chili Sauce.

What is the difference between tomato sauce and chilli sauce? ›

Tomato sauce is made mainly with tomatoes. There are a number of different styles of tomato sauce, some of which may include chili peppers as an ingredient. Chili sauce is made mainly from chili peppers.

Is sriracha a chili sauce? ›

Sriracha (/sɪˈrætʃə/ sirr-ATCH-ə or /sɪˈrɑːtʃə/ sirr-AH-chə; Thai: ศรีราชา, pronounced [sǐːrāːtɕʰāː]) is a type of hot sauce or chili sauce made from a paste of chili peppers, distilled vinegar, pickled garlic, sugar, and salt.

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