# Poll: Do you eat steak with ketchup? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 30, 2007, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025 "2007-06-30T09:44:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025/121 "2007-07-03T15:19:13Z")
Of course you put a bit of salt, and some pepper on the steak while cooking it! ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025/122 "2007-07-03T15:20:57Z")
Ketchup? I don’t even EAT ketchup. On anything. (For french fries I dip them in bbq sauce. For hamburgers, I don’t put it on. Unless I go to Burger King - that’s the only time I have ketchup - on a Jr. Whopper with cheese, no lettuce. But other than that, I don’t eat ketchup. Ever.) What was I talking about now? Oh. Steak. No ketchup on steak. I may put teriyaki glaze (or French dressing) on steak if it’s not a good piece or it’s cooked wrong, but that’s about it. Otherwise I eat it plain. As for salt, I salt it before I cook it. I don’t like much salt, though, so I don’t after it’s done. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025/123 "2007-07-03T18:05:36Z")
[QUOTE=tbdi] Putting salt on a steak is totally outside my experience as I’ve never even heard of anybody doing that before. [/QUOTE] I’m guessing you don’t cook steak, then :). There’s an old fairy tale in which a daughter tells her father that she loves him “as much as meat loves salt.” The father thinks she’s being an idiot and kicks her out, when her point was that meat without salt is nasty and gross. Thus my surprise when I thought I understood folks saying they would cook steak sans salt. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025/124 "2007-07-03T18:06:45Z")
Ketchup tastes like sugar and looks like blood. I don’t even want to be in the same room when someone _else_ is eating it. So that’d be a no. (Florida) ---
**Author:** ![Sunrazor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sunrazor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunrazor)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025/125 "2007-07-03T18:43:52Z")
[QUOTE=TommyTutone] For a steak, if I am grilling it, just a very thin coat of olive oil, kosher salt, and fresh ground black pepper is sufficient, sometimes an herb butter lightly brushed on the steak instead of the oil after cooking. Throw some green peppers, vidalia onions, and mushrooms in some foil with some butter, and toss it on the grill with the steaks for the perfect side. [/QUOTE] I’m gonna’ be in Atlanta in mid-August on business – what time’s dinner? ---
**Author:** ![tbdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@tbdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tbdi)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025/126 "2007-07-03T19:33:45Z")
[QUOTE=Left Hand of Dorkness] I’m guessing you don’t cook steak, then [/QUOTE] Nope. I couldn’t tell you the last time I even had one, let alone bothered to cook one. It always seemed like a lot of time and effort with zero reward. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025/127 "2007-07-03T19:35:33Z")
[QUOTE=Left Hand of Dorkness] I’m curious: folks saying that they don’t put anything on the steak, does that include not putting salt on it? Daniel [/QUOTE] I generally\* won’t put anything on a steak after cooking it. But the precook seasoning does include salt. Along with about a dozen other ingredients, the correct blend of which will be revealed only to my sons. \*occasionally the previously mentioned garlic butter. Veggies count as a side dish that happen to be served on the steak. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025/128 "2007-07-03T20:10:23Z")
[QUOTE=tbdi] Nope. I couldn’t tell you the last time I even had one, let alone bothered to cook one. It always seemed like a lot of time and effort with zero reward. [/QUOTE] Lot of time and effort? 😕 Steak is one of the easiest things to cook, provided you get a good cut and don’t overcook it. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025/129 "2007-07-03T20:12:13Z")
[QUOTE=pulykamell] Lot of time and effort? 😕 Steak is one of the easiest things to cook, provided you get a good cut and don’t overcook it. [/QUOTE] I was wondering about that! I don’t eat red meat, but I love tuna steak, and it’s super-easy to cook. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025/130 "2007-07-03T21:00:15Z")
[QUOTE=Left Hand of Dorkness] I should be more clear: some folks have sounded as though they wouldn’t salt a steak prior to cooking it. Am I misunderstanding, or do folks really cook meat without salt? [/QUOTE] You are not misunderstanding. If someone wants salt on their steak, they can add it at the table. I absolutely do NOT put salt on before cooking. ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025/131 "2007-07-03T21:03:04Z")
I go by the concept of seasoning meat before/during cooking myself. ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025/132 "2007-07-03T21:19:58Z")
Just so people don’t start thinking it’s a Wisconsin thing, I vote a resounding ‘no’. And I am hardly pretentious, they just aren’t complementary flavors. P.S. **silenus** I will forgive you for mildly endorsing A-1, because I just remembered that some people call the meat-like object served at places like Ponderosa “steak”. Also because you made me hungry for chicken-fried. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025/133 "2007-07-03T21:38:20Z")
[QUOTE=InvisibleWombat] You are not misunderstanding. If someone wants salt on their steak, they can add it at the table. I absolutely do NOT put salt on before cooking. [/QUOTE] Agreed. I prefer not to salt anything when I’m cooking - instead adding it when I eat if I think it needs it. ---
**Author:** ![guppy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7feea3/32.png) [@guppy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guppy)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025/134 "2007-07-03T21:44:31Z")
[QUOTE=InvisibleWombat] You are not misunderstanding. If someone wants salt on their steak, they can add it at the table. I absolutely do NOT put salt on before cooking. [/QUOTE] Is there a reason for this? My philosophy is that food should be seasoned by the time it hits the table but I’m far from an expert. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025/135 "2007-07-03T23:11:12Z")
Depends on my mood, but I will. So Yes. I prefer 'Brooks Rich and Tangy" brand, but it’s only available here online. Don’t mind me, I also like mayo. In other words, I don’t let peer pressure get in the way of my enjoyment of life. Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![burundi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3ec8ea/32.png) [@burundi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burundi)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025/136 "2007-07-03T23:16:21Z")
[QUOTE=InvisibleWombat] You are not misunderstanding. If someone wants salt on their steak, they can add it at the table. I absolutely do NOT put salt on before cooking. [/QUOTE] Do you personally salt it after cooking? I’m still trying to figure out whether anyone eats meat without any salt at all added before or after cooking. [QUOTE=Khadaji] Agreed. I prefer not to salt anything when I’m cooking - instead adding it when I eat if I think it needs it. [/QUOTE] :eek: How much do you cook? Unless you’re doing a specific sodium-free diet, this is going to create a lot of food I’d find totally nasty (salt-free bread, salt-free soup, salt-free mashed potatoes–blech!) Daniel ---
**Author:** ![bundykala](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@bundykala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bundykala)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025/137 "2007-07-03T23:17:59Z")
[QUOTE=burundi] Do you personally salt it after cooking? I’m still trying to figure out whether anyone eats meat without any salt at all added before or after cooking. Daniel [/QUOTE] I always add a little salt before cooking. I don’t see how anyone can really be opposed to that. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025/138 "2007-07-03T23:19:28Z")
Ah, heck. That was me, not **burundi** –and I logged her out before remembering to edit her post away. Sorry, folks! Daniel ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025/139 "2007-07-03T23:31:32Z")
I think this [story](http://my.earthlink.net/article/nat?guid=20070702/46887840_3426_1335020070702-1030159515) is germane, being about food snobbery. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2007, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025/140 "2007-07-03T23:35:28Z")
How so? The restuarant served sub-standard fare, and is now trying to put the critic out of a job. I hope he wins and the restaurant has to eat all court costs. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025.md?page=8)