They are two of the world’s most familiar condiments. One is sweet, tangy and tomato-based; the other is rich, creamy and made primarily from oil and eggs. But which is actually more popular: ketchup or mayonnaise?
There is no public database showing every condiment purchased by restaurants worldwide. However, global market research provides a reasonably clear answer.
Ketchup leads the global market
According to Transparency Market Research, the worldwide condiment sauce market was valued at approximately $70.6 billion in 2025. Ketchup and ketchup-based sauces represented 28.9% of the market, making them its largest product category.
Separate estimates valued the global ketchup market at around $20.73 billion, compared with approximately $15.63 billion for mayonnaise in 2025. Because these figures come from different research companies, they should be treated as estimates rather than a perfect direct comparison.
Still, the overall result points in the same direction: ketchup appears to be more popular by global sales value.
Its position is supported by the continued expansion of fast-food and quick-service restaurants. Ketchup is a standard accompaniment to fries, burgers, hot dogs and chicken dishes, making it one of the most widely recognised sauces in the world.
Mayonnaise may be the more versatile restaurant ingredient
Mayonnaise has an advantage that is harder to measure. Restaurants do not always serve it under its original name.
It is frequently used as the base for:
garlic and herb sauces;
spicy and chipotle mayo;
burger and sandwich sauces;
aioli-style dips;
salad dressings;
coleslaw and potato salad.
As a result, mayonnaise may appear less frequently as a visible table condiment while still being used extensively behind the scenes. Its neutral flavour and creamy texture make it particularly useful for creating signature restaurant sauces.
Regional preferences also matter. Ketchup is closely associated with American-style fast food, while mayonnaise has an especially strong presence in parts of Europe, North America and Japan.
By the way: which one has more calories?
The difference is considerable.
A 15-gram serving of Heinz Tomato Ketchup contains approximately 15 calories. The same amount of Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise contains approximately 107 calories.
That makes regular mayonnaise around seven times more calorific than ketchup in an equal-sized serving.
The reason is their composition. Heinz ketchup is primarily tomatoes, vinegar, sugar and seasoning. It contains almost no fat, although a 15-gram portion has approximately 3.4 grams of sugar.
Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise contains 78% rapeseed oil. A 15-gram serving therefore provides almost 12 grams of fat, which accounts for most of its calories.
This does not automatically make ketchup “healthier”: calories, sugar, fat, salt and portion size all matter differently. But for diners comparing energy content alone, ketchup is the clear lighter option.
So, which sauce wins?
By estimated global market value and its visibility as a table condiment, ketchup takes first place.
Mayonnaise, however, may be the more adaptable restaurant ingredient. It often disappears into dips, dressings and signature sauces without customers realising how widely it is used.
Ketchup wins on global reach — but mayonnaise may be doing more work in the kitchen.
