DIY Simple Homemade Ketchup Recipe (2024)

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By Samira @ Alphafoodie

published February 17, 2020

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updated January 20, 2022

5 from 76 votes

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This simple homemade Ketchup recipe is not only healthier than its store-bought competition, but it is also so much more addictively delicious as you can control the exact amount of sugar, salt and spices added to the sweet tomato blend.

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I could write an ode to tomato ketchup – it’s the condiment that we all need in our lives, even if it doesn’t appear in most food photos (it’s just not super glamorous is it?). It’s a guilty pleasure that I like to add to so many dishes, though! And this simple homemade ketchup recipe is one of my favorite DIYs for allowing you to be 100% in control of the ingredients.

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Store-bought ketchup is known for having quite a lot of sugar and salt in it and, for people that consume it a lot, I know that it can be a worry not to have control over the ingredients. What’s worse is that the sugar used within some budget store-bought bottles of ketchup is often not even ‘sugar’ and instead use high fructose corn syrup – yuck.

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This recipe isn’t sugar-free, because I think that ketchup needs the sweetness to counteract the acidity of tomatoes and provide that signature ketchup taste. Without sugar, you’re basically making a slightly less reduced homemade tomato puree/tomato sauce, which – if that’s what you want – then I’m all for that.

Just be aware that if you do want to use a natural sweetener like maple syrup, this will affect the overall flavor of your homemade ketchup.

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Overall, that’s one of my favorite things about being able to make homemade ketchup though; you can be in control of exactly how much sugar, salt, and spices you add to the mix. For either more healthy ketchup or one that’s slightly more decadent.

I even make mine COMPLETELY from scratch, using juicy organic fresh tomatoes (rather than using store-bought homemade tomato paste), because I find a sense of calm of being 100% in control of every single ingredient used in this homemade organic ketchup.

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However, if you do want to cut a few steps from this DIY, then feel free to use some store-bought tomato paste. Either way, the ingredients list for this tomato ketchup DIY is short, sweet, and to the point. The answer to how to make ketchup at home is definitely a simple one.

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Table of Contents

  • Where To Use This Homemade Ketchup
  • How to Make Ketchup At Home
  • Other Simple DIY Recipes You Might Like
  • Simple Homemade Ketchup Recipe

Where To Use This Homemade Ketchup

  • DIY Simple Homemade Ketchup Recipe (8)
  • DIY Simple Homemade Ketchup Recipe (9)
  • DIY Simple Homemade Ketchup Recipe (10)
  • DIY Simple Homemade Ketchup Recipe (11)

Okay, this section feels slightly redundant because I know that we’re all experts in how to use ketchup on pretty much everything ever. I’m definitely not one to judge what you’re eating your ketchup with – just make some additional suggestions for you.

  • One of my absolute favorite ways to eat this ketchup is with homemade crispy oven-baked fries. Sometimes classics are classic for a reason, and this is one of my absolute favorite ways to eat ketchup. I sometimes even chuck on some cheeky homemade mayonnaise too because – why not? And I sometimes even add it to these Rosemary Garlic Crispy Roasted Potatoes.
  • These Rainbow Vegan Tacos or meat-free tacos: 4 ways recipes could definitely use a spoonful or two of some ketchup – yummy
  • I totally wouldn’t judge you for having some homemade ketchup with this – It’s not something I’ve ever tried, but one of my friends swears by ketchup with ANY pasta dish.
  • And let’s not forget the other classic combo of delicious tomato ketchup with a burger. And this time I’m suggesting this fully-loaded Mushroom Bun Burger (easily veganized without having a fried egg!)

If you’re wanting some ideas for how to use this homemade ketchup recipe with vegetarian options:

  • DIY Simple Homemade Ketchup Recipe (12)
  • DIY Simple Homemade Ketchup Recipe (13)
  • DIY Simple Homemade Ketchup Recipe (14)
  • DIY Simple Homemade Ketchup Recipe (15)
  • This pie has wonderfully flaky pastry that goes so well dipped in some homemade ketchup
  • I also think that ketchup is just a great combination with egg dishes, in general. So you might like some with these bite-sized breakfast tacos,or inside these Savoury Kale Waffle Cones.
  • And these cauliflower crust mini pizzas are great with some condiments, so grab the tomato ketchup and mayo and enjoy!

Let me know in the comments below – what is your favorite way to eat ketchup?

How to Make Ketchup At Home

The short answer is – really simply. But I know that’s not going to cut it so here is the full method for making your own delicious homemade ketchup recipe. The entire recipe uses nine ingredients, not including salt and the majority of those are herbs/spices that are likely already in your kitchen.

The entire process takes around an hour and will yield 1.5 cups of homemade ketchup. The homemade ketchup can then be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for one month (although mine never lasts that long).

The Ketchup ingredients

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  • tomatoes – cherry or others (I used organic)
  • apple cider vinegar – this adds a bit of sour flavor
  • brown sugar – this brings sweetness (some people use maple syrup for a refined sugar-free version. However, I have to admit I prefer the taste with brown sugar)
  • a clovebud and ground cinnamon
  • onion and garlic powder
  • celery seeds, chili powder (or cayenne pepper powder), and salt

How to make ketchup

Start by washing the tomatoes and removing their stems.

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Add the tomatoes to a large bowl and blend them (I used Organic Cherry Stem Tomatoes) with a handheld immersion blender. You could also do this in a food processor.

Pass them through a sieve to remove the seeds and chunks of the skin. This yielded 3.5 cups of tomato juice for me.

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Add the tomatoes into a large saucepan over medium heat and bring to a slow boil. Then simmer and reduce for about 45 minutes. Stir occasionally.

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Add all the other ingredients and stir well. The spices and flavors combine to give you that signature tomato ketchup flavor.

Note: If you are using ready-made tomato paste, you can start at this step, as it does not need to be reduced.

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Keep over medium heat for another 8-10 minutes and cook, stirring occasionally.

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When you achieve a consistency you like, remove from the heat.

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Leave it to cool down then transfer to an airtight container or bottle and keep refrigerated. That’s literally all it takes to make delicious homemade ketchup – so you can see why I’m so enamored.

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For me, this recipe yielded 1.5 cups of homemade ketchup.

DIY Simple Homemade Ketchup Recipe (24)

Other Simple DIY Recipes You Might Like

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  • DIY Simple Homemade Ketchup Recipe (27)

It feels wrong to label myself the DIY queen – but I’ve certainly spent A LOT of time over the past couple of years making a massive array of DIYs. From DIY virgin coconut oil to this health-boosting wonder turmeric tincture, and even organic rose water. I even make non-food DIYS like this All-Natural Soothing Skin Balm for Dry Skin.

I have a few pages of DIYs available on the blog (including nut & seed butter, every possible use for a coconut ever -or so it feels-, and more) so feel free to head over to that section if you want to peruse more.

If you try this homemade ketchup recipe, then I’d super appreciate a recipe rating, and any comments or questions. Also, feel free to tag me in your re-creations @AlphaFoodie.

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Simple Homemade Ketchup

5 from 76 votes

By: Samira

This simple Homemade Ketchup recipe is not only healthier than its store-bought competition, but it is also so much more addictively delicious as you can control the exact amount of sugar, salt and spices added to the sweet tomato blend.

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 24 Tbsp (1.5 cup)

Ingredients

  • 6 cups tomatoes I used organic cherry vine tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 whole clove bud
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/8 tsp celery seeds
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp chilli powder or cayenne powder

Instructions

  • Wash the tomatoes and remove their stems.

  • Add the tomatoes to a large bowl and blend them with a handheld immersion blender. You could also do this in a food processor.

  • Pass them through a sieve to remove the seeds and chunks of the skin. This yielded 3.5 cups of tomato juice for me.

  • Add the tomatoes into a large saucepan over medium heat and bring to a slow boil to reduce them for about 45 minutes. Stir occasionally.

  • Add all the other ingredients and stir well. The spices and flavours combine to give you that signature tomato ketchup flavour.*

  • Keep over medium heat for another 8-10 minutes and cook, stirring occasionally. When you achieve a consistency you like, remove from the heat.

  • Leave it to cool down then transfer to an airtight container or bottle and keep refrigerated for up to a month.

Video

Notes

  • some people use maple syrup for a refined sugar-free version. However, I have to admit I prefer the taste with brown sugar as it does affect the flavor.
  • * If you are using ready-made tomato paste, you can start at this step, as it does not need to be reduced. Just use 1.5 cups of tomato paste.

Course: DIYs

Cuisine: Condiment

Freezer friendly: 5 Months

Shelf life: 1 Month

Nutrition

Serving: 1Tbsp, Calories: 17kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 100mg, Potassium: 97mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 314IU, Vitamin C: 5mg, Calcium: 6mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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DIY Simple Homemade Ketchup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients in ketchup? ›

Ingredients: TOMATO CONCENTRATE FROM RED RIPE TOMATOES, DISTILLED VINEGAR, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, CORN SYRUP, SALT, SPICE, ONION POWDER, NATURAL FLAVORING.

What are the first ingredients in ketchup? ›

The first ketchup recipe included neither tomatoes, vinegar, nor many other ingredients that make ketchup well… ketchup. The first base of the sauce was fish, then oysters, mushrooms, and only after that – tomatoes. How did ketchup transform from Asian fish sauce to universally loved tomato dip?

What are the ingredients in clear ketchup? ›

Tomato Concentrate, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Vinegar, Corn Syrup, Salt, Onion Powder, Spice, Natural Flavors.

How long will homemade ketchup last? ›

Pack and Store Your Homemade Ketchup

Ketchup will keep 3 weeks in the fridge or 6 months in the freezer. Ketchup can also be water bath canned using the hot pack method. Leave 1/4” headspace and process the 1/2 pint jars for 15 minutes.

Which vinegar is used in ketchup? ›

Mix together the tomato paste, white vinegar, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, allspice, salt, molasses, corn syrup, and water in a saucepan over low heat; simmer gently until you get the consistency of ketchup, 45 minutes to 1 hour.

What is an unhealthy ingredient in ketchup? ›

Two ingredients of concern in ketchup are salt and sugar. Per tablespoon, ketchup contains 4 grams of sugar and 190 milligrams of sodium. Although 4 grams of sugar doesn't seem like a lot, much of it comes from added sugar, as opposed to the natural sugar found in tomatoes.

What's the difference between ketchup and catsup? ›

You can actually call the substance by either name, as there's no difference between ketchup and catsup. They're just two different terms for the same thing. Ketchup has been around a long time. The name probably comes from ke-chiap (sometimes written ke-tsiap), which was a pickled fish sauce popular in China.

What spices are in Heinz ketchup? ›

The tangy-sweet sauce contains vinegar, onions, garlic, some kind of sweetener, and seasonings like mustard powder, cumin, allspice and cinnamon. However, if you were to make a batch at home with those ingredients, your ketchup still probably wouldn't taste like the stuff you get at the diner.

What were the old flavors of ketchup? ›

In the 1700s, three general types of ketchup could be found in England, none of which were made from tomatoes: mushroom ketchup, fish ketchup, and walnut ketchup. (The fish-based version confirms a direct link to the Chinese condiment.)

What was ketchup sold as in the 1930s? ›

Dr. Bennett claimed that this blend of tomatoes could treat common ailments like diarrhea, indigestion, rheumatism, and jaundice. The idea was so popular that he even created pills by inducing ketchup mix, which was sold as a medicine.

What are the ingredients in simply ketchup? ›

TOMATO CONCENTRATE FROM RED RIPE TOMATOES, DISTILLED VINEGAR, CANE SUGAR, SALT, ONION POWDER, SPICE, NATURAL FLAVORING.

What are the five main ingredients of ketchup? ›

U.S. Heinz tomato ketchup's ingredients (listed from highest to lowest percentage weight) are: tomato concentrate from red ripe tomatoes, distilled vinegar, high-fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, salt, spice, onion powder, and natural flavoring.

What is the highest grade ketchup? ›

U.S. Grade A is the quality of tomato catsup that possesses a good color; that possesses a good consistency; that is practically free from defects; that possesses a good flavor; that possesses a good finish; that has a total solids content of not less than 33 percent, by weight; and that scores not less than 85 points ...

What is the process of making Heinz ketchup? ›

Ketchup is made up of five ingredients: brine, vinegar, sugar, tomato paste, and the secret spices. The process is mainly about heating the ketchup and cooling it down. Afterwards, we fill it up into the bottles. The boxes with caps are emptied and transported upstairs.

What is the science behind ketchup? ›

In the case of “non-Newtonian” fluids such as ketchup, the situation is different: a stronger force reduces the viscosity. This behavior, known as shear thinning, is caused by polymers that are added to the sauce (a concoction of tomato paste, sugar and other ingredients) in the form of a thickener.

Is ketchup ever made without tomatoes? ›

The term ketchup does not inherently mean tomato ketchup. Originally, at the product's inception, tomatoes weren't used at all and the term ketchup meant a vinegary sauce bought in a bottle. Some of the oldest known ketchup recipes are walnut ketchup and mushroom ketchup.

Is ketchup just tomato puree? ›

Tomato ketchup is made with crushed tomatoes that have been cooked quickly then strained and mixed with vinegar, sugar, salt and other seasonings until it reaches its signature thick consistency. It's much sweeter than tomato sauce due to the added sugar content.

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