# 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:** 8
**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, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025/141 "2007-07-03T23:44:57Z")
[QUOTE=silenus] 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. [/QUOTE] The discussion has wandered pretty far from the OP, and on to other qualities of steak. I thought the story was quite germane, and interesting. BTW; I agree, and also hope the guy wins. ---
**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 4, 2007, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025/142 "2007-07-04T00:05:11Z")
OK…gotcha. 😃 Of interest is the aforementioned rubs. I use rubs for pork and brisket, but not for steak. Anybody want to share recipes? ---
**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 4, 2007, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025/143 "2007-07-04T00:09:07Z")
[QUOTE=burundi] Do you personally salt it after cooking? [/QUOTE] No. I see no need to add salt to perfectly tasty meat. I’ve never salted beef in my life. [QUOTE=burundi] 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!) [/QUOTE] I do add some salt to bread when I cook. Personally, I don’t add anything to mashed potatoes except butter, garlic, a little bit of milk, and perhaps some fresh ground black pepper. [QUOTE=guppy] 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. [/QUOTE] Salt is a matter of personal taste. I wouldn’t want anyone salting my meat, so why would I salt theirs? If they’re good steaks, they don’t _need_ salt, but you’re welcome to add whatever you’d like at the table. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025/144 "2007-07-04T00:19:51Z")
Anyone noticed that catsup has wormed (sorry) it’s way into chinese food? And thai, I’ve heard. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025/145 "2007-07-04T00:21:23Z")
A properly cooked steak should not be tarnished with anything after cooking. Condiments and sauces are to cover up a badly cooked steak. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025/146 "2007-07-04T00:28:07Z")
[QUOTE=spooje] A properly cooked steak should not be tarnished with anything after cooking. Condiments and sauces are to cover up a badly cooked steak. [/QUOTE] Somebody once said that cooking is to cover up for a poorly selected steak. Some guy on Julia’s show? ---
**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 4, 2007, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025/147 "2007-07-04T00:41:51Z")
[QUOTE=InvisibleWombat] No. I see no need to add salt to perfectly tasty meat. I’ve never salted beef in my life. I do add some salt to bread when I cook. Personally, I don’t add anything to mashed potatoes except butter, garlic, a little bit of milk, and perhaps some fresh ground black pepper. Salt is a matter of personal taste. I wouldn’t want anyone salting my meat, so why would I salt theirs? If they’re good steaks, they don’t _need_ salt, but you’re welcome to add whatever you’d like at the table. [/QUOTE] Huh. That’s…out of the mainstream, to say the least. Interesting–thanks for clearing that up for me! Daniel ---
**Author:** ![The\_Understander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3da27b/32.png) [@The\_Understander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Understander)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025/148 "2007-07-04T00:49:31Z")
[QUOTE=BluePitbull] If it is a good quality steak, no sauces. I like a good steak with onions, peppers, mushrooms and fries. [/QUOTE] Correct answer. **BluePitbull** , a winner is you! Damn, now I’m hungry! A nice Romaine/tomato/cucumber salad on the side (garlic ranch dressing and croutons, please) and we’re golden. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025/149 "2007-07-04T00:53:08Z")
I like steak with a good sear, and pretty rare. I’l put coarse freshly ground pepper on a while ahead of time, then quite a bit of kosher salt just before frying. Seems to help the crust and keep in the juices. I don’t know where I learned it. And; Where did I first hear “like budda”. ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025/150 "2007-07-04T05:07:49Z")
If it is not too late to answer the OP, then: no. There again, I don’t put ketchup on anything I like - just on the occasional thing to disguise the nasty taste when there is nothing else to eat, e.g hot dogs, burgers. Brit living in Georgia. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025/151 "2007-07-04T05:19:22Z")
[QUOTE=silenus] OK…gotcha. 😃 Of interest is the aforementioned rubs. I use rubs for pork and brisket, but not for steak. Anybody want to share recipes? [/QUOTE] Could’nt find any aforementioned rubs, so this may be a repeat; Bad Byron’s Butt Rub > **[Bad Byron's - "A Little Butt Rub® Makes Everything Better!"](https://buttrub.com/)** > > At Bad Byron's, we take pride in crafting the perfect blend of spices & ingredients for Butt Rub®, BBQ Sauce, & other products elevating your BBQ experience. Good stuff, not too spicy. Good on eggs, too. 😉 Click “retailers” or order. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025/152 "2007-07-04T05:25:42Z")
[QUOTE=amarone] If it is not too late to answer the OP, then: no. There again, I don’t put ketchup on anything I like - just on the occasional thing to disguise the nasty taste when there is nothing else to eat, e.g hot dogs, burgers. Brit living in Georgia. [/QUOTE] Hot dogs are nasty! Why you little…banger eater! You best get on home, boy. Comin’ round here stirrin’ shit up. 😉 mangeorge, who loves bangers, with catsup. And me mates from across the pond. ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Hyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025/153 "2007-07-04T05:36:40Z")
I’m assuming when we say steak we mean beef. I never use ketchup on any cut of beef, however certain cuts I will use sauces on as some just aren’t flavorful enough on their own. I’ll put mushroom with a red wine sauce over even a very good cut of beef as I feel it compliments the taste of the meat, but doesn’t overshadow or obscure it. I’m from Virginia. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025/154 "2007-07-04T07:42:35Z")
[QUOTE=Cyn] Sometimes… I once made a steak sandwich out of a piece of beef my husband had prepared. White bread, American cheese, ketchup and steak. He stood there in silence and then made the decision to keep loving me anyway; I could see the wheels turning. But it was a near thing. [/QUOTE] MMMMMMMMM!!! The best kind of sandwich! Do you have any extra? Seriously, I don’t believe ketchup ruins a steak in the least. I panic if I run out of ketchup. Steak with thick-cut fries and a light topping of Heinz (it’s gotta be Heinz) and you’ve got yourself dinner. Maybe a little extra ketchup on the plate to dip some pieces in. I don’t care what others think of it, I don’t think you’re pretentious at all. But if it’s going in MY mouth, let me eat it the way I prefer. I live in Arizona now, but I grew up about 75 miles from Pittsburgh, PA, right in the middle of Heinz Country. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025/155 "2007-07-04T11:59:37Z")
Steak with… ketchup? Ugh, no! _slides away from that strange OP’r_ ---
**Author:** ![Secret\_Volcano\_Lair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Secret\_Volcano\_Lair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Secret_Volcano_Lair)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025/156 "2007-07-04T12:28:10Z")
Hell no, I can’t even imagine eating steak with ketchup. ---
**Author:** ![hekk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@hekk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hekk)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025/157 "2007-07-04T15:10:23Z")
Though I’ve never tried it, ketchup and steak \*seems \*to be a blasphemous combination. I could be wrong, however, but I have no will to try it… ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025/158 "2007-07-04T15:22:45Z")
The naysayer doth protest too much, methinks. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025/159 "2007-07-04T15:24:03Z")
[QUOTE=hekk] Though I’ve never tried it, ketchup and steak \*seems \*to be a blasphemous combination. I could be wrong, however, but I have no will to try it.. [/QUOTE] How about a slab of (yellow) cheddar? ---
**Author:** ![nashiitashii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7c8e57/32.png) [@nashiitashii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nashiitashii)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025/160 "2007-07-04T17:51:58Z")
[QUOTE=ivylass] Only if you didn’t cook it right. A fine steak should be able to stand on its lonesome. [/QUOTE] I agree and add the notion that ketchup is only to be used if another, more savory sauce is unavailable. I really only use steak sauce or barbecue sauce when I’m faced with a steak that is of low quality, is overcooked, or is leftovers and thus will suffer the unfortunate fate of steaks that are reheated; once it’s past medium rare, it needs sauce to make up for the fact that it’s dry, chewy, and tastes a bit like a piece of rubber dipped in charcoal and steak juices. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-eat-steak-with-ketchup/410025.md?page=9)