Banana Ketchup vs. Tomato Ketchup: What’s the difference?

By Patrick Kho, for Fila Manila

Nowadays, it’s not just one kind of ketchup on the shelves of American food retailers and supermarkets. Beyond the classic tomato style, banana ketchup is the new condiment on the block — and it’s growing in popularity in the U.S.

What is Banana Ketchup? Banana ketchup is a fruit ketchup developed first in the Philippines around the 1930s. It’s made with banana, sugar, vinegar, and spices. It was first invented in the Philippines, but variants of banana ketchup are also found in Caribbean cuisines too.

Read on for a full breakdown on how both ketchups differ, in flavor, food pairing, and nutrition:

So… what’s the difference?

Food YouTuber Hey FilipiNosh! says that banana ketchup’s flavor is more sweet and spicy, while tomato ketchup has a more powerful taste, and is on the more tangy side.

This means very different things for how well they pair with different foods. Hey FilipiNosh! says that this means banana ketchup is less overpowering; it pairs better when you still want to taste the food that you’re eating, but want to add an element of spice. 

Tomato ketchup, at times, can overpower the flavor, but if you want a stronger tasting condiment, it’s the way to go. For oiler foods, like french fries or chicken nuggets, the acidity and tanginess of tomato ketchup also work better to cut through the fat.

Which Foods Pair Best with Each Ketchup?

If banana ketchup and tomato ketchup offer different flavors, here are the Best foods to pair with banana ketchup and tomato ketchup respectively:

Banana ketchup pairs better with…

• Grilled meats: Adds spice without overpowering the meat's natural flavors.
• Omelets: Adds a hint of sweetness and spice without overshadowing the egg’s flavor. This also applies to Tortang Talong (Filipino eggplant omelet), banana ketchup can still allow the eggplant flavor to shine through! 
• Lumpia: Sweet and spicy ketchup balances well, while allowing this Filipino spring roll’s fillings to shine.
• Spaghetti: Controversially, but the spice of banana ketchup is a key flavoring in Filipino spaghetti, unlocking the dish’s spice.

Meanwhile, tomato ketchup pairs better with…

• French fries: The tanginess cuts through the oiliness and enhances the potato flavor.
• Chicken nuggets: Tomato ketchup’s acidity balances the fattiness of fried nuggets.
• Burgers: Stronger flavor of tomato ketchup pairs well with a greasy, cheesy burger.
• Onion rings: The acidity and sweetness of tomato ketchup balance the heavy batter, oiliness, and onion flavors.

Banana Ketchup Health Benefits

Here’s a fact that might surprise you: banana ketchup is actually healthier than tomato ketchup. Slurrp reports that it has fewer calories and more vitamins and minerals than tomato ketchup. 

Because bananas are naturally sweet, banana ketchup needs less added sugar than tomato ketchup to achieve a balanced sweet-sour flavor. It also contains more fiber, making it a better option for digestive health.

Additionally, since tomatoes are nightshade vegetables, banana ketchup can be a great alternative for those with nightshade allergies. If you’re sensitive to nightshades, banana ketchup offers a flavorful substitute for tomato ketchup.

Easy Banana Ketchup in the United States

Looking for banana ketchup in the United States? Try Manila’s Banana Ketchup — available online and at major retailers like Target and Walmart.