Five saucy substitutes for tomato sauce

Whether they dollop or drizzle, most diners feel like a meal isn’t complete without a squirt or two of tomato sauce. Go to any restaurant and you’re likely to find this condiment on hand, and most people agree, that it pretty much goes with anything. That being said, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t grow tired of always eating the same thing all the time. The good news is that there are plenty of options for those who can’t bear the thought of another meal covered in tomato sauce. Here are five substitutes for that big, red condiment bottle.

Mayonnaise

At some point in history, society decided burgers worked best with tomato sauce. Whether it’s squeezed from a white packet, pumped from a tub, or smacked with a knife from the palm of your hand from a glass bottle, tomato sauce is never too far away from a burger and fries’ meal. But some would argue that the tomato flavour mixed with sugar and vinegar (because that’s what tomato sauce is) masks a patty’s flavour. That’s where mayonnaise comes in. While mayo has a slight tinge of acidity, its flavour is far more neutral and not strong enough to settle on your taste buds like tomato sauce.

BBQ Sauce

Some people think BBQ sauce only belongs on ribs and steak and this is far from the truth. BBQ sauce works just as well on fries and even burgers. Anyone who’s had their fair share of burgers can attest to this. There’s just one catch though: Less is more. BBQ sauce can easily overwhelm a burger or a serving of chips so a dollop works better than drizzling, in this case.

BBQ Mayo

If you love BBQ sauce and mayonnaise, it only makes sense to try out BBQ Mayo. Also known as mayocue (yes, that’s an actual word). BBQ mayo combines the smoky sweetness of BBQ sauce with the tangy taste of mayonnaise. If you need to be convinced of BBQ mayo’s tastiness, try out Wimpy’s Double Cheese BBQ Burger & Chips. Don’t be surprised if you spot a menu written in your language. The Wimpy menu now comes in all 11 official languages, giving you more reasons to feel at home even when you eat out.

Relish

Anyone who’s had a reasonable number of burgers has also had plenty of BBQ sauce, tomato sauce, and mayonnaise. That’s why the condiments mentioned above just don’t do it for them. It has less to do with taste and more to do with familiarity. In that case, only a generous serving of relish will do. But if it’s purely about taste, chances are that anyone who enjoys the sharp zest of vinegar can’t help but order a small tub of relish with their meal.

Chilli Sauce

Everyone knows that person. Whether it’s a relative, friend, or colleague, we’ve all come across someone who can’t enjoy a meal unless it’s covered in tongue-searing chilli sauce. Maybe you’re that person. There’s a scientific explanation for a love of spicy food. Capsaicin, the compound that provides the mouth-watering punch of chillies, causes receptors on the tongue to trick the brain into thinking it’s on fire. To relieve the eater of this pain, the brain secretes happy chemicals called endorphins and dopamine. This causes a feeling of euphoria to wash over you soon after the burning sensation subsides. So next time your loved one drowns their chips in chilli sauce, don’t give them an odd look. They’re onto something. Next time you’re at your favourite family restaurant, remember that tomato sauce isn’t the only condiment you can have.