It's a known fact that the spice section at Trader Joe's flaunts an impressive itinerary of unique seasoning blends. There's the cult-favorite Everything But The Bagel Seasoning, which pairs exceptionally well on grilled chicken, buttered popcorn and mac and cheese. There's also TJ's Mushroom & Company Multipurpose Umami Seasoning Blend, which is a wonderful substitute for Top Ramen packaged seasoning. And don't forget the chain's Chile Lime Seasoning Blend, a tangy mix of spices that is best enjoyed on fresh-cut fruits.
Of course, these are just a few of the many spice blends available at Trader Joe's. The California-based retailer routinely updates its collection every season, adding new seasonings for customers to try and fall in love with. Recently, TJ's introduced its all-new Ketchup Flavored Sprinkle Seasoning Blend, which consists of tomato powder, sugar, kosher salt, vinegar powder, onion powder, garlic powder, and rice concentrate. It's basically a powdery rendition of the liquid condiment. And at just $2.99 a bottle, the blend is a must-try on meats, vegetables and snacks — especially if you're craving TJ's now-discontinued Ketchup Flavored Spud Crunchies.
Shortly after its release, TJ's Ketchup Flavored Sprinkle Seasoning Blend made rounds on Reddit as TJ's fans shared their tips on how to incorporate the seasoning into their favorite recipes. Most Redditors recommended sprinkling the blend on potato chips (store-bought or homemade) to make ketchup chips.
"The plan is to get some regular salted potato chips and sprinkle some of the ketchup seasoning in a big ziplock bag and make some ketchup chips!!" wrote user u/slaushed.
User u/poolpartyjess suggested the same but with popcorn. They also shared a simple recipe for an at-home burger sauce:
"Also mixed with mayo, a little Dijon, hot sauce, garlic powder, etc for a burger sauce..or even incorporated in the beef [patties] themselves," the user shared. "I suppose you could just do all of this with actual ketchup but I hope this seasoning might bring some special flavor profiles without the extra moisture!"
Other users said they like to sprinkle the blend on potato salad, warm french fries and roasted vegetables, specifically zucchini, eggplants and squash. The blend can also be used as a marinade for meats and incorporated into meatballs and meatloaf.
If you're looking for a different way to use the seasoning, try adding it into overly salty foods to help balance out the flavors. The sweetness from the tomatoes also helps fix foods that are too sour, acidic or spicy.
It's worth noting that TJ's Ketchup Flavored Sprinkle Seasoning Blend isn't the first time a brand has released powdered ketchup. Flavor God Seasonings has its own Ketchup Seasoning Mix — which is kosher, low sodium, dairy-free, vegan and keto friendly — and Chef's Fun Foods has its Gourmet Fries Seasoning.