Here's the dill: Heinz announces Pickle Ketchup

Two of Pittsburgh’s favorite flavors are set to collide in a newly announced combination condiment: Heinz Pickle Ketchup.

The company announced the new offering, which “combines the tangy and savory flavor of pickles with the unmistakable taste of Heinz Ketchup,” on Monday. It’s set to appear on shelves in the U.S. in early 2024.

“Increased desire for tasty, yet unexpected condiments has served as our innovation north star for the last several years,” said Katie Peterson, Director of Heinz Innovation at Kraft Heinz. “The current pickle craze in America mirrors the irrational love Heinz fans have for the brand, so it only made sense for our newest ketchup to blend these two beloved tastes together.”

Select retailers in the U.K. are already receiving the ketchup and will see it on their shelves before any Pittsburghers get their hands on it, the announcement said. The ketchup is expected to roll out to additional markets later this year and early next.

The official announcement hailed the move as a throwback to Heinz’s history.

The company was once known for its promotional green pickle pins, first introduced at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. The pins are still available for purchase at the Heinz History Center museum shop.

A pickle once featured prominently on the Heinz ketchup label, though it was removed in 2009 during a rebranding. Henry J. Heinz was also nicknamed “Pickle King” in his time for owning the largest pickle company in the country in the early 1900s.

Pittsburgh is no stranger to pickles or unusual Heinz condiment combinations. The 2023 iteration of the annual Picklesburgh, a celebration of all things pickled, was so popular that it had to be moved in Downtown Pittsburgh from its original location on the Rachel Carson Bridge to allow for extra space.

Earlier this year, Heinz also temporarily renamed its Kranch line to “Ketchup and Seemingly Ranch” in honor of a tweet used to describe a meal eaten by Taylor Swift.

Pickle ketchups from other condiment makers have existed for some time, including Dill Pickle Ketchup from Tipsy Foods, Nashville Spice Company, and Brownwood Farms.