No, there aren't 57 types of Heinz ketchup.
This Is the Meaning of the “Heinz 57” on Your Ketchup Bottle
Updated on May 24, 2021
When it comes to condiments, many of us have go-to brands. There may be a certain barbecue sauce brand you always buy, and you probably have a preference for yellow or Dijon mustard. Of course, the same goes for almost everybody’s favorite condiment, ketchup.
For die-hard ketchup lovers, the flavor of Heinz is undeniably delicious. The glass bottle definitely makes it more appealing, too. But is there more to the Heinz 57 meaning on that classic bottle than meets the eye? It could commemorate the year Heinz was established, or serve as a nod to the number of ingredients in the secret recipe, but that’s not the case.
There’s a reason that famous number 57 is on the bottle!
What Does Heinz 57 Mean?
Surprisingly enough, Heinz didn’t start out with ketchup at first. The company’s first condiment in 1869 was horseradish, and it grew from there, adding vinegar, pickles, preserves and more to the mix. Based on the bottle’s label stating “57 varieties,” you’d think the company grew to make and sell 57 products. But as it turns out, Heinz was producing over 60 different products (including ketchup, of course!) at the time the number 57 slogan launched and was added to the bottle in 1896.
Inspired by an advertisement he saw promoting 21 styles of shoes, Heinz knew he needed a slogan with the same intrigue. So, he chose his lucky number, five, along with his wife’s favorite number, seven, and he married the two. He combined the two numbers to form ’57’ and added the lucky number to his bottles for years to come.
Find more facts you never knew about ketchup.
How to Get Ketchup Out of a Heinz 57 Bottle
Without the flexibility of squeezable plastic, getting ketchup out of a glass Heinz bottle can be tough. But there’s a trick!
If you’re trying to get ketchup out, smacking the end of a glass bottle will make it flow too fast, leaving you with a mess. It’s all about finding the embossed number 57 and using that as the sweet spot. Tapping where the 57 is marked on the bottle, near the neck, provides the perfect amount of pressure to help coax the ketchup out.
Recipes to Make with Ketchup
Bacon Cheeseburger Sloppy JoesTurkey and bacon give the classic sloppy joe a frightfully tasty new spin. Freddy Krueger may invite himself to dinner! —Janine Smith, Columbia, South Carolina
Sweet ‘n’ Spicy MeatballsYou'll usually find a batch of these meatballs in my freezer. The slightly sweet sauce nicely complements the spicy pork sausage. —Genie Brown, Roanoke, Virginia
Mini Meat Loaf Sheet-Pan MealI grew up with this meat loaf recipe, but I adapted it to mini meatloaves so that it would bake more quickly. The sauce topping is always a hit. I added the potatoes and asparagus to make the meal easier. —Deanne Johnson, Reading, Pennsylvania
Easy Baked BeansMy family enjoys this easy baked beans recipe with cornbread, but it also rounds out any cookout. Canned pork and beans make meal prep quick. —Phyllis Schmalz, Kansas City, Kansas
Cheeseburger Pepper CupsI like to serve my grandkids something special, and this is one of their favorites. They like red or yellow peppers because they're sweeter and look more appetizing. —Betty Winscher, Royalton, Minnesota
Texas-Style Beef BrisketA friend had success with this recipe, so I tried it. When my husband told me how much he loved it, I knew I'd be making it often.—Vivian Warner, Elkhart, Kansas
Simmered Smoked LinksA tasty sweet-sour sauce glazes bite-size sausages in this recipe shared by Maxine Cenker of Weirton, West Virginia. "Serve these effortless appetizers with toothpicks at parties or holiday get-togethers," she suggests.
Weeknight GoulashWith this recipe, you can put in a full day’s work, run some errands and still get dinner on the table in hardly any time. Make it extra-special by serving the meat sauce over spaetzle. —Cyndy Gerken, Naples, Florida
Cheeseburger Crescent RingThis is an easy entree that can be put together quickly after a long day at work. I guarantee that adults will enjoy it as much as kids do. —Stephanie Hurd, Oxford, Alabama
CurrywurstWhen I used to I lived in Berlin, Germany, one of my favorite things to eat was currywurst and pomme frites. After I came back to the states, I created my own version, which is a pretty close second.—Julie Merriman, Seattle, Washington
Sloppy Joes SandwichesWho doesn't love a classic sloppy joe recipe? Customize your homemade sloppy joes by mixing in veggies or melting cheese on top.
Cheeseburger Stuffed Pasta ShellsYou could call this a comfort food mashup made in heaven. Jumbo stuffed pasta shells are loaded up with cheeseburger goodness in a dish that will soon become a family favorite. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Reuben SandwichesReuben sandwiches are shared by Kathy Jo Scott of Hemingford, Nebraska. "My mouth waters just thinking of these sandwiches," confesses Kathy Jo. "I adapted the recipe from one my mother found several years ago."
Cocktail MeatballsSweet, juicy meatballs on toothpicks send a strong signal that it’s time to party. This easy cocktail meatballs recipe is ready in an hour and packs some satisfyingly beefy flavors
Meat Loaf MuffinsThese freezer-friendly meat loaf muffins are a simple-to-make family favorite recipe. Make them for dinner tonight or to freeze later for quick weeknight meals.
Savory Beer Pork ChopsThese tender chops cooked in a savory sauce are perfect for a hectic weeknight because they're so easy to prep. Try them with hot buttery noodles. —Jana Christian, Farson, Wyoming
Cowboy Calico BeansThis is a tradition at the table when my girlfriends and I go up north for a girls' weekend. The husbands and kids are left at home, but the slow cooker comes with us! —Julie Butsch, Hartland, Wisconsin
Beefy Chili DogsFor years, people have told me I make the best hot dog chili out there. It’s timeless, it’s family-friendly, and I carry the recipe with me because people ask for it. —Vicki Boyd, Mechanicsville, Virginia
Cheeseburger SoupFind out why this easy cheeseburger soup recipe is one of the top-rated recipes on our site!
Delicious Oven Barbecued ChickenA friend made this saucy chicken for us when we had our first child. I pared down the recipe to make it lower in fat and calories. Now it's a family favorite, and even the kids ask for this baked bbq chicken breast. —Marge Wagner, Roselle, Illinois
Three-Bean Baked BeansI got this recipe from my aunt and made a couple of changes to suit my taste. With ground beef and bacon mixed in, these satisfying beans are a big hit at backyard barbecues and church picnics. I'm always asked to bring my special beans. —Julie Currington, Gahanna, Ohio
Cheeseburger PastaSwitch up your usual go-to cheeseburger dinner and make it in pasta form instead!
Spicy Butterscotch WingsWe love big-time-spicy chicken wings. I do a caramel sauce to balance the heat, but you could also glaze the wings with melted brown sugar. —Aaron Salazar, Westminster, Colorado
Blackberry Sriracha Chicken SlidersDump everything in a slow cooker and then watch these spicy-sweet sliders become an instant party-time classic. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
Party Appetizer MeatballsThese are a favorite at parties and gatherings. The recipe is easy, and the meatballs can be made well ahead of time and frozen until needed. I think what makes them taste so good is the sauce. —Nathalie Guest, Caledon, Ontario
Cheeseburger QuesadillasI created these fun cheeseburger quesadilla mashups in honor of my family's two favorite foods. They are so yummy and easy to make! —Jennifer Stowell, Deep River, Iowa
The Best Shepherd’s PieOur top-rated shepherd's pie recipe delivers a cozy, filling, homestyle dinner that never disappoints.
Cornflake-Coated Crispy BaconI've loved my aunt's crispy-coated bacon ever since I was a child. Now I've shared the super simple recipe with my own children. We still enjoy a big panful every Christmas morning—and on many other days throughout the year! —Brenda Severson, Norman, Oklahoma
Cheesy Meat LoafI got this recipe from my aunt when I was a teen and have made these miniature loaves many times since. My husband and three children count this main dish among their favorites. —Kathy Bowron, Cocolalla, Idaho
Dill Pickle Hamburger PizzaMy husband's favorite foods are pizza and cheeseburgers, so I combined the two in a pizza with mayo and dill pickle juice topping. People who try it start laughing because it's so good. —Angie Zimmerman, Eureka, Illinois
Turkey Sloppy JoesThese turkey sloppy joes take the classic comfort food in a bun and tweak it, swapping the ground beef for turkey, and adding fresh bell peppers and onions for wonderful flavor and crunch.
Five-Spice Chicken WingsBird is the word when it comes to these wings. They’re baked to a perfect golden brown and hum with mild, delicious Asian spices. Thanks to an overnight marinade, the chicken inside stays tender while the skin maintains that signature crunch. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
Beef & Bacon Gnocchi SkilletThis gnocchi dish tastes like a bacon cheeseburger. Go ahead and top it as you would a burger—with ketchup, mustard and pickles. —Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Barbecue Chicken SandwichImagine a barbecue chicken sandwich so delicious you can hardly wait to have it again. Well, here it is: Our recipe features a delightful homemade sauce and uses shredded cooked chicken to save you time.
Christmas MeatballsThe perfect tasty holiday party appetizer that your guests will absolutely gobble up.
Slow-Cooked Reuben BratsSauerkraut gives these beer-simmered brats a big flavor boost, but it’s the special chili sauce and melted cheese that put them over the top. Top your favorite burger with some of the chili sauce; you won't be sorry. —Alana Simmons, Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Savory Beef & Cabbage SupperMy beef and cabbage supper began as an idea for a gluten-free Reuben sandwich. We also make this dish with smoked sausage. It’s comforting on cooler days. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
Ranchero SupperThis hearty dish is fast and easy to fix after a busy workday. We like to use hickory and bacon baked beans and serve it with fruit or a green salad for a complete meal. —Karen Roberts, Lawrence, Kansas
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