We always have a bottle of ketchup in our fridge to use with burgers and fries – my husband even puts ketchup on his eggs. But I’ve never felt comfortable with the ingredients in the stuff you buy from the store, even after they removed the high fructose corn syrup. I don’t know why but homemade ketchup always seemed so elusive to me, and I always thought it was some big deal. Turns out, it’s one of the easiest homemade condiments you could ever make!
Not only is homemade ketchup easy, you also get to control exactly what (and how much) goes into it. All you need is some tomato paste, honey or maple syrup, vinegar, water, and some spices. I’ve seen recipes that simmer the ingredients together on the stovetop, but I’ve made several batches without cooking it at all and it turns out perfectly fine.
Make sure you’re using tomato paste in BPA-free cans, or even better if you can find them – in glass jars. I get mine in glass jars from our local Middle-Eastern grocery, but I’ve also seen them online at Amazon and Tropical Traditions.
For the sweetener, you can use either pure honey or maple syrup. Personally, I like the honey better – the maple syrup imparts a stronger flavor. I also like to keep the spices very basic because I tend to be a purist when it comes to these things, but you could really go crazy with different spice combinations to make some exotic flavors!
Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, it literally takes just a few minutes to whisk everything up until you’ve got that thick ketchup consistency. It’s best if you leave it in the fridge overnight (or at least a few hours) to help the flavors meld together, but we’ve used it immediately in a bind and it was alright.
Some ideas for different spices you can experiment with include: mustard powder, allspice, ground cloves, cinnamon, chili powder, celery salt, etc.
What are your family’s favorite ways to use ketchup?
Easy Homemade Ketchup
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 oz tomato paste
- ¼ cup raw honey or maple syrup
- ½ cup distilled vinegar
- ¼ cup water
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 pinch cayenne powder optional
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a large bowl.
- Mix well with a whisk until smooth.
- Store in glass jar in the fridge overnight to help the flavors meld together.
- Use like regular ketchup.
Notes
Looks easy to make. I am going to have a go as soon as I can find some tomato paste, not easy here.
I hope you find some soon, Brian! It really is surprisingly easy to make. 🙂
Can this be frozen as well?
I’m not sure, Maria. Can you freeze store-bought ketchup? I’ve never thought of that!
I make ketchup, too. I use the same recipe but double it because it goes so fast. I use the kombucha bottles ( a probotic drink you can find in the health foods area in your store) for our ketchup. I make a label and always get raves about the taste. I use the same type of bottles for homemade ranch and bbq sauce. Infact, I use the ketchup recipe and add to make bbq sauce that has been taste tested by my children.
Sounds awesome, and I love the idea of storing in kombucha bottles!!
It looks so good! A more satisfying texture than proper ketchup I’d say!
Do you have a how-to for making tomato paste? I would really rather make it 100％ from scratch
I love ketchup!! I’m like your husband and put it on my eggs. Thanks for the recipe, definitely going to try this!
I used to make our ketchup when we were in Uruguay, but haven’t done it in a long time. It’s super easy! Of course I would make the tomato paste from scratch as well, which is an extensive process.
Hi Crystal,
could you give your recepie for making paste. Thanks Roma
What kind of vinegar do you use? Thanks!
Just regular white vinegar.
Awesome! I’m pinning this for later. I love these real food recipes.
mmmm love this recipe!!! I love ketchup and making it at home is such an amazing idea!
Wow! This looks so easy and I bet it tastes so much better than store bought! I’m going to have to give it a try!