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    Home » RECIPES » Condiments

    Easy Homemade Ketchup

    Published: May 5, 2020 / Modified: Oct 4, 2020 by: Dr. Karen Lee / This post may contain affiliate links. As Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. /

    Jump to Recipe ⬇️

    Easy homemade ketchup is made with honey, apple cider vinegar, tomato paste, and the best spices - get the recipe and make your own!

    Ketchup in a glass bottle on wooden cutting board

    Easy Homemade Ketchup

    This recipe tastes just like store-bought ketchup your family loves but without the refined sugar or high fructose corn syrup. It is one of the easiest condiments to make at home and you can control what goes in it.

    Jump to:
    • Intro
    • Ingredients
    • FAQ
    • Related recipes
    • Easy Homemade Ketchup
    • Recipe
    • Recipe

    Intro

    Why Homemade Ketchup Is Better Than Store-Bought

    I always thought ketchup was overrated and complicated to make. And unfortunately, most of the brands are laden with refined sugar - mostly High Fructose Corn Syrup. As I try to serve real food without refined sugar to my family, I find most store-bought ketchup to be too sweet.

    Recently, I ran out of organic ketchup we love that does not have HFCS. And since we were about to sit down for dinner, I had no choice but try to recreate that ketchup. I read the ingredients on the almost empty bottle and recreated the flavors quickly for dinner.

    Since then, I made it a few times until I came up with this version, which, I think, came out very close to that brand. Actually, I think it is even better since I use honey instead of cane sugar. Also, there are no hidden 'natural spices' but only a few common spices that I know everyone has in their cupboards.

    I think you'll also agree this recipe is better than any store-bought brands you've tried.

    Can't Tell The Difference

    Homemade ketchup is so easy and quick to make and your family wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a name brand and this homemade version.

    What To Serve It With

    Serve it with sandwiches, burgers, fries, and use it to make shrimp cocktail sauces.

    Once you make this homemade version, you'll never want to buy from stores again! Besides, you'll never run out ketchup since you can make it at home!

    Ingredients

    Tomato Paste:

    I used just one small (6-ounce) can of tomato paste. Organic tomato paste is best and doesn't cost much more than the other kind.

    Honey:

    If you can find it, use local honey. It is better for your body and helps build up an immunity against local allergens.

    Manuka honey is one of the healthiest types of raw honey that you can buy. It has really strong antimicrobial properties.

    The least amount of processing that you can buy, the better for your body. Look for raw honey of any type.

    Apple Cider Vinegar:

    Any type of apple cider vinegar will work for this recipe. Unfiltered will still have bits of "mother" in it. If you are going to use unfiltered apple cider vinegar, strain it before you mix it into your ketchup.

    Spices:

    Matching the spices took a little bit of work, but I found the combination that tasted the best! I used:

    • Onion Powder
    • Garlic Powder
    • Allspice
    • Salt
    • Pepper

    If you want your ketchup to have a little kick, you can sprinkle in a few red pepper flakes.

    FAQ

    How do you make a low-carb version?

    Since my recipe has honey in it, it's not keto-friendly or low-carb. Instead of honey, use a sugar-free sweetener like erythritol or monk fruit sweetener.

    How do you store the ketchup?

    Store the homemade ketchup in a small mason jar with a lid and keep it in the refrigerator. Since there aren't any preservatives in it, this will only last about 2 weeks. Make small batches to avoid food waste.

    How do I make my homemade ketchup thinner?

    If you think the recipe makes the ketchup too thick, add just a touch more water. Add just a little bit of water at a time until it is the consistency that you like.

    Related recipes

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    Top view of ketchup in glass jar

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    Easy Homemade Ketchup

    Recipe

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    Did you try this recipe? We would love your feedback! Click on the stars on the recipe card below.
    Ketchup in a glass bottle on wooden cutting board
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    5 from 3 votes

    Easy Homemade Ketchup

    Easy Homemade Ketchup is easy and quick to make and you can control what goes in it!
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time5 mins
    Total Time10 mins
    Course : Condiment
    Cuisine : American
    Keyword : Paleo
    Servings: 10 oz
    Calories: 99.2kcal
    Author: Dr. Karen Lee

    Equipment

    • small sauce pan

    Ingredients

    • 6 oz can tomato paste
    • ½` c filtered water or more
    • 2 tablespoon honey or more
    • 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon ground all spice
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt

    Instructions

    • Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat and whisk until it's well incorporated.
    • When it boils, lower the heat to simmer for 5 minutes while stirring.
    • Ketchup will splatter so be careful since it will be hot.
    • Remove the saucepan from the heat, cover until cool.
    • Transfer the ketchup in a glass bottle and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

    Notes

    Consistency - if you prefer thinner ketchup, you can add more water until you reach the consistency you like. 
    Sweetness - use more honey if you prefer sweeter ketchup. 
    Storage - since there are no preservatives in homemade ketchup, it will be good for only 2 weeks in the refrigerator. I like to make small batches at a time for freshness. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1tablespoon | Calories: 99.2kcal | Carbohydrates: 23.3g | Protein: 4.5g | Fat: 0.5g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 923.4mg | Potassium: 1037.9mg | Fiber: 4.3g | Sugar: 15.9g | Vitamin A: 1555.5IU | Vitamin C: 22.3mg | Calcium: 36.7mg | Iron: 3mg
    DisclosureThis recipe may contain links that pay commission to this site when you purchase from the links, at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure!
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    More Condiments

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    About Dr. Karen Lee

    I am a food writer, recipe developer, and a cookbook author sharing my family’s favorite simple & easy, allergy-friendly recipes with you! Let's connect on Instagram || Facebook || Pinterest || YouTube Learn more about me on the ABOUT page.

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    Comments

    1. Archana says

      June 23, 2020 at 4:40 pm

      Wow didn't know making homemade ketchup was this easy!! Love how fresh homemade ketchup tastes.

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    Hi, I'm Karen! I am a food writer, recipe developer, and a cookbook author sharing my family’s favorite allergy-friendly, simple & easy recipes with you!

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