Martha Stewart Labels Ketchup “Diabolical” in Hot Dog Condiment Showdown
Brace yourself: Martha Stewart, domestic royalty extraordinaire, has declared ketchup on hot dogs an act of pure villainy. The 82-year-old lifestyle mogul set off a full-scale mustard-versus-ketchup civil war after labeling America’s favorite red squirt “diabolical” during an Instagram Story cooking demo this week. Stewart calmly assembled her ideal frankfurter ensemble—classic yellow mustard, onions, dill pickle relish, sauerkraut and a sprinkle of celery salt—then scoffed at the notion of drowning a hot dog in sweet tomato paste.
According to the New York Post, Stewart’s offhand remark quickly ricocheted across social media and food blogs, with hundreds of hot dog purists applauding her snobbery and ketchup devotees crying foul. Food & Wine magazine chimed in with a cheeky poll, revealing that 44 percent of readers stand firmly in mustard’s corner, while 38 percent remain loyal to ketchup’s tangy embrace. Even Eater.com couldn’t resist weighing in, labeling the debate “the condiment controversy we never knew we needed.”
Stewart’s remarks weren’t just idle chatter. In true Martha fashion, she framed her hot dog build as an art form, invoking Chicago’s no-ketchup tradition and her own decades of entertaining expertise. “Ketchup on a hot dog?” she asked, raising a sculpted eyebrow. “It’s like putting barbecue sauce on sushi.” The analogy triggered a digital uprising. One Twitter user dubbed ketchup fans “tomato terrorists,” while another called out Stewart for culinary elitism. And yes, a handful of celebrity chefs—hello, Padma Lakshmi!—popped up to defend their tomato-based loyalties.
This isn’t the first time Stewart’s food opinions have sparked outrage. Back in 2015, she famously insisted that avocado toast was “too trendy,” earning her a spot on BuzzFeed’s most-loathed list. But this ketchup kerfuffle feels especially silly considering the humble hot dog’s lowbrow roots. Nevertheless, Stewart remains undeterred, standing by her assertion that a good hot dog is “all about balance”—and that ketchup is a flavor tyrant that tips the scales.
Whether you side with Stewart’s curated condiment charcuterie or pledge allegiance to the ubiquitous ketchup bottle, one thing’s for sure: the next barbecue could turn into a flashpoint for gourmet warfare. So go ahead, spread the mustard, stack the relish, and leave that scarlet sauce alone—Stewart will thank you. And that’s today’s dose of reality. You’re welcome.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and New York Post, Food & Wine, Eater.com
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
