Is your refrigerator door in need of a flavor boost? We compiled a list of the best local condiments that can upgrade your meals from breakfast to dinner. Check out our suggestions here!
Dipping and Drizzling Sauces
Harwood Gold’s Farm-Style Ketchup
The Parsons family has been making maple syrup around the Charlevoix area’s Harwood Lake since the late 1800’s. More recently, the 5th generation has created this natural-tasting ketchup, lightly sweetened with their pure maple syrup. Pair your local burger with this tangy, balanced ketchup!
Find it in their Charlevoix store or on their website!
Nu Deli’s Roasted Tomato Chutney
Nu Deli defines their chutney as “what happens when ketchup meets mustard meets relish – and they throw a costume party.” Made by the Detroit food truck switching up deli classics by adding incredible Indian spices, this sauce is recommended not only for hot dogs and burgers, but also as a marinade for grilling meats, tofu or veggies!
Learn more info about their products (including a new pickle line!) on their website or Instagram.
Hungry Hippie’s Signature Garlic Sauce
The original sauce and best-seller of the Sunrise Side’s Hungry Hippie, this spicy garlic sauce is vegan and gluten-free, with a base of garbanzo beans and almond flour, spiced up with nutritional yeast and 10 seasonings. They recommend you pair it with everything!
Pick up a bottle at their Alpena restaurant.
Maple Row Sugarhouse’s Maple Hot Sauce
Not for the mild, this fiery hot sauce includes just a touch of sweetness from pure Michigan maple syrup. The makers recommend it for anything from wings sauce to drizzled on top of mac and cheese – or anything else that could use some heat!
Pick up a bottle on their website.
Salad Superheroes
North Harvest CSA’s Apple Cider Vinegars
It doesn’t get much more hyper-local than this vinegar, which is made from apples on this Western Upper Peninsula farm, supplemented with apples from an orchard only a mile away. Or, spice things up with their chili-infused variety, which includes farm-grown peppers! Perfect for anything from salads to sautes, you can pick up a bottle at the Hancock Farmers Market, Calumet Farmers Market or at the farm stand on Tuesdays from 3-6pm.
Fustini’s Traverse City Cherry Balsamic Vinegar
Using local cherry puree from Traverse City, this Fustini’s exclusive vinegar is both sweet and tart – just like your favorite U-pick haul! Use this for a well-balanced vinaigrette, drizzle on Caprese salad, or try their recipe for Pork Tenderloin with Cherry Salsa.
You can pick up a bottle at their 5 locations across Michigan, or online!
Local and Food Goes Together Like PB & J
Koeze’s Cream-Nut Peanut Butter
Adding nothing but a pinch of salt to each small batch, Koeze makes their all-natural peanut butter without artificial colors, preservatives or added sugar. This West Michigan company has been making a splash along the Grand River since 1910, but has more recently made their Cream-Nut available worldwide!
Get a jar or case of your favorite variety on their website.
Wee Bee Jammin’s Strawberry Fields Preserves
We’re jammin’ to this jar, which uses locally-picked strawberries, preserved the same day for ultimate Summer flavor all year round! Made using just natural ingredients, fruit, sugar and sometimes pectin, Wee Bee Jammin’ makes anything from traditional flavors to fun fruit combinations, all supporting local farmers and organic gardeners – find your next favorite on their website, or on weekends at their Bear Lake storefront!
The Condiment You Didn’t Realize You Needed!
Grand Traverse Sauce Co.’s For the Love of Bees
Have you had a taste of hot honey yet? Using locally-sourced honey, Grand Traverse Sauce Co. then infuses their signature heat to make this product, which is perfect for cornbread, crab rangoons, charcuterie plates, fried chicken, cocktails or even cookies!
Purchase your bottle from this veteran-owned, small-batch Traverse City company on their website.
Anthro Apothecary’s Herbal Hints Flavor Shakers
Prepared to perfectly complement any dish you already enjoy everyday, Herbal Hints are organic blends of herbs to add to your morning coffee, oatmeal, pancakes and more – and it offers the same benefits from drinking herbal tea! This woman-owned small business from Tecumseh works hard to make sure their ethically-sourced herbal products support their values of eco-friendliness, sustainability, and a flourishing local community.
Choose between French Vanilla, Mexican Mocha or Moroccan Chai flavors on their website.
How do you add local flavor in your kitchen?
Claire Butler is the Content Strategy Specialist for Taste the Local Difference. Contact her at [email protected].
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