Heinz Chili Sauce Recipe 

Heinz is synonymous with condiments and one of their most sought after items aside from Heinz ketchup is their tangy Chili Sauce.

A remarkably versatile sauce, it is used as a marinade, glaze, burger spread, BBQ sauce, dipping sauce, cocktail sauce and so much more! It’s even been used in experimental ice cream flavors!

The sauce is easily found at grocers across the United States, but if you don’t have it on hand it only requires a few pantry staples and roughly half an hour of your time to make a delicious replica at home!

How to make Heinz Chili Sauce

At its core, Heinz chili sauce is a form of spicy ketchup.

While other similar sauces may offer a similar flavor profile, few are as delicious as this tangy, versatile sauce.

Making Heinz Chili Sauce is incredibly simple and after making it, you may never buy bottled chili sauce ever again!

The base of the chili sauce is tomato puree, which is a mixture of water and tomato paste.

It’s found in the canned tomato section of grocery stores, and can easily be mistaken for tomato sauce, so be sure you grab the correct can!

The sweetener used in the bottled version is high fructose corn syrup, but for this interpretation, we’ll be using light corn syrup and rounding out the sweetness with granulated and brown sugars.

For the aromatic spices, we’ll be using a combination of onion powder and garlic powder, though freshly grated garlic can be used.

However, for a more authentic taste, garlic powder is recommended.

The iconic zesty flavor for Heinz Chili Sauce comes from distilled white vinegar which is arguably just as important of an ingredient for this sauce as the tomato puree.

We’ll also round it out with a touch of lemon juice.

All of the ingredients are mixed together and then brought to a low simmer on the stove for 30 minutes.

This will allow any excess liquid to cook off, resulting in a thick, smooth sauce.

Ingredients:

(10 servings)

• 1 cup tomato puree
• ¼ cup + 2 tbsp light corn syrup
• ¼ cup distilled white vinegar
• 2 tsp onion powder or dried onion flakes
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp granulated sugar
• 2 tsp light brown sugar
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp lemon juice

Instructions:

Heinz Chili Sauce is more of a sweet chili sauce, but if you want to add some spice to your homemade version, feel free to add a pinch of cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or chili flakes to the mix before simmering.

Step 1:

In a small saucepan, whisk together the tomato puree, corn syrup, vinegar, spices, sugars, salt, and lemon juice until well combined.

Set the pan over medium heat.

Whisk occasionally until the mixture starts to bubble around the edges, and a few large bubbles break in the center.

Turn the heat down to low and simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.

Step 2:

Once the sauce has thickened to the correct consistency (it should be thick and smooth, but not gloopy), transfer to a small bowl and allow it to cool, uncovered, on the counter.

Once the sauce has cooled completely, transfer it to a mason jar or squeeze bottle with a cap.

Step 3:

Serve and enjoy!

Ingredients substitutions

Chili Sauce comes together with just a handful of ingredients, but if you don’t have all of them at your immediate disposal there are definitely a few workarounds that yield an equally delicious result.

So long as you have a can of tomato puree and vinegar on hand you’re in business.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Distilled white vinegar is harsh and highly acidic, and many people keep it on hand exclusively for decorating eggs and cleaning.

If this is you, don’t worry!

Apple cider vinegar is a wonderful substitute and will add a touch of fruitiness to the sauce.

If you’re using an unfiltered apple cider vinegar, run it through a tea strainer to remove any sediment before using.

2. Maple Syrup

If the thought of using corn syrup turns you off or it’s not something you keep on hand, maple syrup is an excellent alternative.

It has a similar consistency and is arguably a healthier option.

If you go the maple syrup route, cut out the brown sugar as it will make the sauce taste too much like caramel.

Instead, add an extra teaspoon of granulated sugar in its place.

3. Fresh Garlic

If you hoard heads of garlic like any good home cook, it’s likely you’re always looking for a way to use it before it starts growing a green tail.

If this is the case, using fresh garlic in place of powder is definitely an acceptable swap.

To use fresh garlic, it is highly recommended that you grate it using a microplane.

If you don’t have a microplane, chop the garlic as finely as you possibly can, sprinkle it with salt, and use the flat edge of your knife to drag and compress it into a paste.

This will help it dissolve into the sauce and prevent any garlic chunks or textural inconsistency.

What to serve with Heinz Chili Sauce

The uses for this sauce are endless.

In addition to being an ideal dipping sauce for french fries, it’s great in a chicken marinade and can be substituted for ketchup in a cocktail sauce recipe.

However you decide to use it, the result will be delicious.

Here are a few of our favorite ways to serve it!

Meatloaf

Chances are, if you ask your mom or grandma for the family meatloaf recipe, ketchup will be on the ingredient list.

Aside from adding some sweetness, ketchup helps bind the meat and keep it moist.

But as with most recipes, there are no hard and fast rules and this chili sauce is an outstanding swap! Reach for this instead of ketchup and you may never go back to the original.

Fried shrimp

It’s hard to imagine eating fried shrimp without tartar sauce, but add a ramekin of chili sauce to your condiment spread next time crunchy shrimp is on the menu.

The acid and sweetness in the chili sauce will make the fried shrimp taste amazing!

You could even go rogue and mix tartar sauce in with the chili sauce and create the ultimate fried seafood dipping sauce.

Hot dogs

If you’re a hot dog purist and prefer a simple squeeze of ketchup over a smattering of condiments and relish, you’ll love this sauce.

The sausages used for hot dogs are simple and this will add more depth than ketchup without being overwhelming.

Give it a try next time you’re in the mood for the American classic!

How to store Heinz Chili Sauce

Given that this sauce is incredibly easy to make and has so many delicious applications, it’s definitely recommended that you scale up the recipe and keep it on hand.

Just double, triple, or quadruple the quantities and store the extra in the fridge or freezer.

Like most sauces with a substantial amount of vinegar, this sauce has a generous shelf-life granted it’s stored correctly.

Store in the fridge

If you’ve already transferred the chili sauce to a squeeze bottle, cover it with the lid cap and wrap the entire topper with plastic wrap.

This will add an extra layer of protection and help extend the shelf-life.

If you aren’t storing in squeeze bottles, store in a mason jar with a tight-fitting lid.

Either option works and both will keep in the fridge for several weeks, but start checking for freshness after 2 weeks.

Store in the freezer

If you make a large batch of the sauce and want to freeze it for later use, that is definitely doable!

Transfer the sauce to a freezer-safe container and cover the sauce’s surface with a piece of plastic wrap.

Gently press the plastic wrap against the sauce until there is no air between the plastic wrap and the surface.

This will prevent ice crystals from forming and ruining the taste and texture.

Cover tightly with a lid and freeze for up to 6 months.

Thaw in the fridge before using.