This Is the Meaning of the “Heinz 57” on Your Ketchup Bottle
Updated: May 24, 2021
No, there aren't 57 types of Heinz ketchup.
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
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
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
Homemade Sloppy JoesI simmer a big batch of this hot and tangy sandwich filling, then freeze the extras. Just thaw and reheat it for a quick dinner. —Sandra Castillo, Janesville, Wisconsin
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
So-Easy Sloppy JoesEverybody in the family will love the zesty, fun flavor of this simple staple. Try it spooned over warmed cornbread if you don’t have buns. —Karen Anderson, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
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
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
Buffet MeatballsI need only five ingredients to fix these easy appetizers. My grape jelly and ketchup meatballs make an appearance at almost every potluck and party. —Janet Anderson, Carson City, Nevada
Tempura Chicken WingsWhen I moved to Kansas City from Texas, I brought many of my mom's best-loved recipes with me, including these saucy sweet-and-sour wings. The recipe is so good it turned a friend who's not a fan of chicken into a real wing lover.
—Susan Wuckowitsch, Lenexa, Kansas
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
BBQ Chicken SandwichesWith four small children at home, I need quick yet filling meals. This family-favorite BBQ chicken sandwich filling is a cinch to make. For a spicier taste, eliminate the ketchup and increase the amount of salsa to 1 cup. —Leticia Lewis, Kennewick, Washington
Cranberry MeatballsLots of people have asked me for this recipe, but I knew I had a real winner when my grandmother asked me for it! —Tammy Neubauer, Ida Grove, Iowa
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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Originally Published: May 24, 2021
