Ketchup Chronicles: A Taste Test Journey

Nothing says summer like ketchup, chips, and ice cream. In this taste test special, we take a field trip to the Wirecutter test kitchen to sample these items alongside staff experts Antara Sinha, Rachel Wharton and Marguerite Preston—sharing top picks and behind-the-scenes testing moments.

Check out a video version of this episode on YouTube! 

Products we tasted:

Ketchups: 

• The best classic ketchup: Heinz Tomato Ketchup
• The best organic ketchup: Trader Joe’s Organic Ketchup (Christine’s favorite)
• Worth considering: 365 by Whole Foods Market Tomato Ketchup

Chips: 

• The best plain potato chip: Amazon Fresh Classic Potato Chips (Caira’s favorite)
• A thin and crispy classic chip for salt lovers: Clancy’s Original Potato Chips
• The best kettle chip: Deep River Snacks Original Sea Salt Kettle Cooked Potato Chips

Ice Cream Sandwiches:

• Best all-around sandwich:  365 Organic Ice Cream Sandwiches (Rosie’s favorite)
• An ice cream-heavy sandwich: FatBoy Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwich
• A grown-up sandwich: Alden's Vanilla Bean Round Sammies (Marguerite’s favorite)
• A delicious dairy-free option: So Delicious Vanilla Bean Sandwiches

Additional reading:

• The 3 Best Ketchups of 2025
• The 9 Best Potato Chips of 2025
• The 3 Best Ketchups of 2025

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more›

Wirecutter Social and Website

Instagram: /wirecutter

Threads: /@wirecutter

Twitter: /wirecutter

Facebook: /thewirecutter

TikTok: /wirecutter

LinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutter

Website: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/

Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/

The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.

Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast