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This mayo ketchup recipe makes a creamy, tangy dipping sauce with just a few basic ingredients. You may also see it written as mayoketchup, especially in recipes connected with Puerto Rican cuisine.
The basic idea is simple: mayonnaise gives the sauce its creamy body, while ketchup adds tomato flavor, sweetness, acidity, and its familiar pink color. Garlic, hot sauce, lime, or other seasonings can take it in different directions.
I like keeping the base simple and then adjusting it to the food I am serving. It works especially well with crispy foods, including tostones, fries, fried chicken, and plantains.
Quick Answer: What Is Mayo Ketchup?
Mayo ketchup is a creamy sauce made by mixing mayonnaise and ketchup. Puerto Rican versions are often called mayoketchup and may include garlic, hot sauce, lime, sofrito, or other seasonings.
The sauce is closely associated with Puerto Rican food and is commonly served with dishes such as tostones, plantains, fried foods, and sandwiches. Similar mayonnaise-and-ketchup sauces also appear in other countries under different names, so recipes can vary.
Mayo Ketchup Recipe
This version uses a simple base with garlic and Worcestershire sauce. It gives you a creamy sauce with a balance of tomato, savory, tangy, and garlic flavors.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
The mayonnaise creates the creamy base. Ketchup adds sweetness, acidity, tomato flavor, and the pink color.
Worcestershire sauce adds a deeper savory note, while garlic powder gives the sauce a steady garlic flavor without adding pieces of fresh garlic.
If you prefer a stronger garlic taste, you can adjust the garlic slightly. I recommend starting with the listed amount and tasting before adding more.
How to Make Mayo Ketchup
- Add the ketchup and Worcestershire sauce to a small bowl.
- Stir them together until evenly combined.
- Add the mayonnaise and garlic powder.
- Whisk everything until the sauce is smooth and evenly colored.
- Taste the sauce and adjust the flavor if needed.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate it in a clean, covered container.
The finished sauce should be smooth and creamy, with no visible streaks of plain mayonnaise.
What Does Mayo Ketchup Taste Like?
Mayo ketchup has a creamy, slightly sweet, tangy flavor.
The mayonnaise softens the sharpness of the ketchup, while the ketchup keeps the sauce from tasting too rich. Garlic gives it a savory edge, and Worcestershire sauce adds more depth.
If you want a milder sauce, use a little more mayonnaise. If you want stronger tomato flavor, increase the ketchup slightly.
That small adjustment can make a noticeable difference.
What Is Puerto Rican Mayo Ketchup?
Puerto Rican mayo ketchup, often written as mayoketchup, is a mayonnaise-based dipping sauce associated with Puerto Rican food.
A simple Puerto Rican mayoketchup can contain mayonnaise, ketchup, and garlic. Other versions add ingredients such as hot sauce, lime, sofrito, or seasonings. There is no single ingredient list that covers every version.
This is worth keeping in mind when you compare recipes online. Some are very simple, while others contain several seasonings.
Food Network, for example, has a Puerto Rican remoulade-style mayoketchup made with mayonnaise, ketchup, garlic, sofrito, adobo seasoning, onion, cayenne, and other seasonings.
For a home recipe, though, you do not need a long ingredient list to make a good sauce.
Why Is Mayoketchup Pink?
The pink color comes from mixing the pale mayonnaise with red ketchup.
The exact shade depends on the ratio you use. More mayonnaise gives you a lighter, softer pink. More ketchup creates a deeper pink and stronger tomato flavor.
That is also why you may see the sauce called pink sauce in recipes and food discussions.
The Best Mayo-to-Ketchup Ratio
There is no single ratio that everyone uses.
Your preferred ratio depends on whether you want the sauce creamy and mild or more tomato-forward.
| Mayo-to-ketchup balance | What you get |
| More mayonnaise | Creamier, milder sauce |
| About 2 parts mayo to 1 part ketchup | Creamy with noticeable tomato flavor |
| Equal amounts | Stronger ketchup flavor and deeper color |
| More ketchup | More tomato flavor, sweetness, and acidity |
I prefer starting with more mayonnaise than ketchup because it gives you room to add more ketchup later.
It is easier to make the sauce stronger than to fix a sauce that has become too sharp.
Mayo Ketchup Ingredients Explained
Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise gives the sauce its creamy texture and rich base.
Regular mayonnaise works well, but you can also use a vegan mayonnaise if you want a plant-based version. Some commercial mayonnaise products have different levels of acidity and salt, so the final flavor can vary.
Ketchup
Ketchup brings tomato flavor, sweetness, acidity, and color.
If your ketchup is very sweet, you may want to use a little less or increase the mayonnaise.
Garlic
Garlic adds a savory flavor that works especially well with fried foods.
Fresh grated garlic gives a stronger, sharper flavor. Garlic powder creates a more even flavor throughout the sauce and is convenient for a quick version.
Puerto Rican mayoketchup recipes commonly use garlic, although the form and amount can differ.
Worcestershire Sauce
Worcestershire sauce is optional in many simple versions, but it adds a deeper savory taste.
You can leave it out if you want a simpler sauce or if you prefer a version based mainly on mayonnaise, ketchup, and garlic.
Lime or Lemon
A small amount of lime or lemon juice can add extra acidity.
I would add it slowly because ketchup already has some acidity. A little can brighten the sauce, while too much can make it sharp.
Hot Sauce
Hot sauce is an easy way to turn basic mayo ketchup into a spicy dipping sauce.
Add a small amount, mix, and taste. You can always add more.
How to Adjust the Flavor
One of the best things about homemade mayoketchup is how easy it is to change.
Make It Less Sweet
Add a little more mayonnaise to soften the sweetness.
A small squeeze of lime can also add acidity and balance the sauce.
Make It More Tangy
Add a small amount of lime juice or lemon juice.
Do this gradually. The goal is to brighten the sauce without making it sour.
Make It Spicier
Add hot sauce, cayenne, paprika, or another preferred spicy seasoning.
Some Puerto Rican mayoketchup recipes use hot sauce or seasonings such as adobo, paprika, cayenne, or sazon for extra flavor.
Make It More Garlicky
Add a little more garlic powder or a small amount of finely grated fresh garlic.
Fresh garlic has a stronger bite, so I recommend adding it in small amounts.
Make It More Savory
Worcestershire sauce, garlic, or a little sofrito can add more savory flavor.
If you use salty seasonings, taste the sauce before adding anything else.
Puerto Rican Mayo Ketchup Variations
Garlic Mayoketchup
For a stronger garlic version, replace or supplement garlic powder with finely grated fresh garlic.
Fresh garlic gives the sauce a sharper taste, while garlic powder creates a softer, more even flavor.
Spicy Mayoketchup
Add your favorite hot sauce for an easy spicy version.
You can also use cayenne or another chili seasoning. Start with a small amount so the heat does not cover the creamy tomato flavor.
Lime Mayoketchup
Add a small squeeze of fresh lime juice.
This works especially well when you are serving the sauce with fried foods or plantains.
Sofrito Mayoketchup
Sofrito can add herbs, peppers, garlic, and other savory flavors.
Use a small amount at first because sofrito can change both the taste and color of the sauce. Some Puerto Rican mayoketchup recipes specifically use sofrito as an addition.
Vegan Mayoketchup
Use a vegan mayonnaise and keep the rest of the ingredients suitable for your dietary needs.
The result keeps the same basic creamy and tangy character.
What to Serve With Mayo Ketchup
Mayo ketchup works best with foods that benefit from a creamy dipping sauce.
Tostones
Tostones are one of the clearest pairings for Puerto Rican mayoketchup. The crisp, fried plantains work well with the creamy sauce. Puerto Rican cooking sources commonly show the two together.
Mofongo
Mofongo can also be served with mayoketchup, depending on the preparation and personal preference. Food Network includes a Puerto Rican mayoketchup-style remoulade with a mofongo recipe.
Fried Plantains
The sweet and savory flavors of fried plantains pair well with the creamy, tangy sauce.
Fritters
Mayoketchup makes an easy dipping sauce for fried fritters and other crisp appetizers.
French Fries
You do not need to limit the sauce to Puerto Rican dishes. It works just as easily with regular French fries.
Fried Chicken
A small bowl of mayo ketchup makes a simple dip for crispy chicken.
Burgers and Sandwiches
You can also spread it directly on a burger or sandwich.
Puerto Rican recipes use mayoketchup with foods such as burgers, empanadas, fried chicken, seafood, and plantains.
Mayo Ketchup vs Fry Sauce
Mayo ketchup and fry sauce can look and taste very similar because both can combine mayonnaise and ketchup.
The names and recipes vary by place, though. Some fry sauces use additional ingredients, while Puerto Rican mayoketchup recipes often highlight garlic and may include ingredients such as sofrito or hot sauce.
So I would not treat every sauce called fry sauce, pink sauce, salsa rosada, or mayoketchup as the exact same recipe.
The basic idea is similar, but the final flavor depends on the ingredients and proportions.
How to Store Mayo Ketchup
Keep homemade mayo ketchup covered and refrigerated.
The storage life depends on the ingredients you use, especially whether you add fresh ingredients such as raw garlic. Recipes from different sources give different storage guidance, so do not assume that one storage period applies to every version.
Use a clean container and clean utensils when serving the sauce. If the sauce develops an unusual smell, appearance, or texture, discard it rather than trying to fix it.
Common Mayo Ketchup Problems
Why Is My Mayo Ketchup Too Thick?
Add a small amount of ketchup and mix again.
You can also add a tiny amount of lime juice if you want more acidity along with a looser texture.
Why Is My Mayo Ketchup Too Thin?
Add a little more mayonnaise.
Mix well and check the texture before adding more.
Why Is It Too Sweet?
Use a little more mayonnaise to reduce the sweetness.
A small amount of lime juice can also help balance the flavor.
Why Is It Too Tangy?
Add more mayonnaise.
This reduces the sharpness from ketchup, citrus, or other acidic ingredients.
Why Is It Too Spicy?
Add more mayonnaise and a little ketchup.
Avoid adding more hot sauce until the flavor is balanced again.
How Do I Make It More Garlicky?
Add garlic gradually.
Fresh garlic has a stronger bite than garlic powder, so use less if you are switching between the two.
A Simple Way to Make Mayoketchup Your Own
The basic recipe is easy, but small changes can give you a very different sauce.
Start with mayonnaise and ketchup. Add garlic for a more savory base, lime for brightness, hot sauce for heat, or sofrito for a stronger Puerto Rican-style flavor.
I recommend changing one ingredient at a time. That makes it easier to find the balance you like without losing the creamy texture of the original sauce.
If you are serving it with tostones, start with the simple garlic version. The crisp plantains already bring plenty of flavor, so the sauce does not need to be complicated.
Mayo ketchup is one of those sauces that takes only a few minutes to mix but can work with many different foods. The key is keeping the balance between creamy mayonnaise, tangy ketchup, and whatever extra flavor you choose to add.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is mayo ketchup made of?
The basic sauce combines mayonnaise and ketchup. Many versions add garlic, while other recipes include hot sauce, lime, Worcestershire sauce, sofrito, or other seasonings.
Is mayoketchup the same as mayo ketchup?
Yes, the terms can refer to the same basic type of sauce. Mayoketchup is commonly used for Puerto Rican-style versions, while mayo ketchup is the more general spelling.
Is mayo ketchup Puerto Rican?
Mayo ketchup is strongly associated with Puerto Rican cuisine, especially as a sauce for foods such as tostones and other fried dishes. Similar sauces also appear in other countries under different names.
What do you eat mayo ketchup with?
Tostones, fried plantains, mofongo, fritters, fries, fried chicken, seafood, burgers, and sandwiches are all useful options.
Can I make mayo ketchup without Worcestershire sauce?
Yes. Worcestershire sauce is an optional flavor addition. A simple version can use mayonnaise, ketchup, and garlic.
Can I make spicy mayo ketchup?
Yes. Add hot sauce, cayenne, or another chili seasoning in small amounts until you reach the heat level you want.
Can I make vegan mayoketchup?
Yes. Use a vegan mayonnaise and check the other ingredients if you need the entire sauce to be plant-based.
How long does homemade mayo ketchup last?
There is no single storage period for every recipe. Ingredients and preparation methods can change the storage life, so follow the storage guidance for your specific ingredients and keep the sauce refrigerated.
