Easy Homemade Ketchup Recipe (2024)

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Avoid the high fructose corn syrup added to most store bought ketchups by making this Easy Ketchup Recipe, which uses common pantry ingredients!

Easy Homemade Ketchup Recipe (1)
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  • Why I started making my own ketchup (HFCS)
  • Homemade ketchup recipe ingredients
  • How to make ketchup
  • Storage
  • Other staple condiment recipes
  • 📖 Recipe

Why I started making my own ketchup (HFCS)

My husband, Brett, is in love with Heinz Ketchup... and I don't blame him! We grew up on it, it's sweet and delicious, and gives us so many nostalgic memories when we eat it.

However, once I started learning more about nutrition and how important it is to read ingredient labels, I quickly discovered that Heinz Ketchup (and so many other store bought ketchups in the US) contain High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS).

Easy Homemade Ketchup Recipe (2)

What is Heinz ketchup made of?

The ingredients in Heinz ketchup are: tomato concentrate from red ripe tomatoes, distilled vinegar, high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, salt, spice, onion powder, natural flavoring

Now, I know eating a little bit of HFCS isn't going to kill me. To be honest, if Heinz Ketchup is the only ketchup available, I might still eat it. BUT, if I can choose a ketchup that is a little more natural, then I'm all about that.

Why is high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) bad for you?

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As the name implies, high fructose corn syrup is high in fructose, which is a form of sugar. Higher sugar intakes have been directly linked to higher rates of obesity and weight gain, diabetes, inflammation, heart disease, and cancer.

Americans, in particular, need to watch their sugar intake. Americans consume the most high fructose corn syrup (55 pounds per year!) and sugar (101 pounds per year!) in the world! Our high sugar intake is a major contributing factor to the fact that two-thirds of Americans are now overweight or obese.

Alternatives to Heinz Ketchup

Easy Homemade Ketchup Recipe (4)

Annie's Organic Ketchup doesn't contain high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) so we would usually buy that in America before we moved to China. Here in China, however, most of the ketchups that we like are imported from America and still contain HFCS. So I became determined to make my own ketchup recipe that Brett would be willing to eat and actually enjoy!

Homemade ketchup recipe ingredients

I really can't believe how easy ketchup is to make at home! If we lived in the States, I think I would still make this homemade ketchup because it took all of 20 minutes to whip up and makes quite a large batch that will last for a long time in the fridge.

I didn't want to buy any extra ingredients to make this ketchup recipe, because I figured it could be done with the items I already had in my pantry.

And I was right!

All you really need to make your own homemade ketchup recipe are the following ingredients

Homemade ketchup ingredients

The main ingredients in ketchup are: tomato paste, sugar, vinegar and some seasonings or spices.

The combination of sugar and vinegar give this homemade ketchup recipe that sweet, tangy flavor that we all love!

I'm so happy with this ketchup recipe and Brett loves it too! It will definitely be a staple in our fridge from now on.

I love saving glass bottles from salad dressings that we've previously finished off and reusing them for my homemade salad dressings and condiments. How fun does this homemade ketchup look in a simple glass bottle?!

Okay, okay. I know. I'm easily pleased.

Variations

You can experiment with different flavor variations by adding any of the following ingredients:

  • onion
  • Sriracha
  • roasted red pepper
  • roasted garlic
  • apple cider vinegar
  • brown sugar
  • allspice

How to make ketchup

Wondering how to make ketchup at home? Give this easy homemade ketchup recipe a try!

We've been loving it on homemade veggie burgers, buddha bowls, and my Oil Free Baked Sweet Potato Fries!

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Place all of the ingredient into a sauce pan and bring to a simmer.

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Step 2: Stir over heat for about 10 minutes until well combined and thick.

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Easy Homemade Ketchup Recipe (7)

Step 3: Using a funnel, transfer the ketchup to a reusable glass jar, if desired.

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Step 4: Enjoy on all the things!

Please let me know if you give this easy ketchup recipe a try and what you think. Leave a comment down below, rate the recipe and be sure to share it with others! As always, I love to see what recipes of mine you all are recreating, so be sure to snap a pic of the final product and tag @theconscientiouseater on Instagram so I can see the final product!

Storage

Homemade ketchup is best kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three months.

But if your family is anything like mine, it won't last that long!

Can you freeze homemade ketchup?

Yes! Ketchup keeps really well in the freezer if it is stored in a freezer-friendly container that will prevent freezer burn. When you are ready to use the ketchup, let it thaw on the counter for one to two hours depending on the amount. Once your homemade ketchup is defrosted, give it a good stir to return the ketchup to its original consistency.

Pro Tip: Store your homemade ketchup in individual serving size freezer-friendly containers so that you only have to take out what you need!

Other staple condiment recipes

In case ketchup isn't your thing, be sure to check out some of my other favorite condiments and sauces below!

Easy Vegan BBQ Sauce Recipe

Vegan Chipotle Hummus Recipe

Lemon Tahini Dressing

Date Sweetened Chocolate Sauce

Vegan Mushroom Gravy

Maple Vanilla Cashew Cream

Vegan Sweet Chili Sauce

📖 Recipe

Easy Homemade Ketchup Recipe (9)

Easy Homemade Ketchup Recipe

Faith VanderMolen

Avoid the high fructose corn syrup added to most store bought ketchups by making this Easy Ketchup Recipe, which uses common pantry ingredients!

5 from 4 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Condiments

Cuisine American

Servings 1 bottle

Calories 487 kcal

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces tomato paste two 6 oz. jars or 340 grams
  • ¼ cup cane sugar
  • ¼ cup water plus more if needed
  • 2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 1 ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • dash cinnamon
  • pinch nutmeg

Instructions

  • In a saucepan, stir together all of the ingredients until combined and bring everything to a simmer.

  • Allow the ketchup to simmer, while stirring often, for about 5-10 minutes until the sugar has dissolved and everything is well combined.

  • If the ketchup is too thick, you can add more water 1 tablespoon at a time until it reaches your desired consistency. I like using ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons of water total for my ketchup.

  • Taste and adjust the seasonings as desired, adding more sugar for sweetness, vinegar for tartness or salt for saltiness.

  • Turn off the heat and allow the ketchup to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight jar or container.

Notes

You can experiment with different flavor variations by adding any of the following ingredients:

  • onion
  • Sriracha
  • roasted red pepper
  • roasted garlic
  • apple cider vinegar
  • brown sugar
  • allspice

Nutrition

Calories: 487kcalCarbohydrates: 116gProtein: 15gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0.4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.2gSodium: 6182mgPotassium: 3488mgFiber: 14gSugar: 91gVitamin A: 5188IUVitamin C: 75mgCalcium: 131mgIron: 10mg

Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

Easy Homemade Ketchup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How is ketchup made step by step? ›

These tomatoes are harvested, washed, and processed to eliminate impurities. Tomato pulp is then cooked and mixed with sweeteners, vinegar, salt, spices, and flavorings. After achieving the desired consistency, the ketchup is de-aerated, cooled, and packaged for distribution.

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 ingredient does ketchup contain the most of? ›

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.

Is homemade ketchup better than store bought? ›

Because you are making it yourself, you get to use the freshest, highest quality ingredients. You don't even need to cook anything. Your homemade ketchup with the right mix of fresh herbs and spices will be way better than manufactured ketchup.

What are the raw materials for ketchup? ›

The main ingredients of ketchup are tomatoes, sweeteners, vinegar, salt, spices, flavourings, onion, and/or garlic. The types of sweetener used are usually granulated cane sugar or beet sugar. Other sweeteners include dextrose or liquid sugar in the form of corn or glucose syrup.

What is the tomato ketchup trick? ›

He demonstrated the trick by holding the bottle from the bottom then swinging it around in a circular motion for a few seconds. The centrifugal of the rapid movement shifts the remaining ketchup to the top of the bottle where the cap is.

How was old ketchup made? ›

Smith observes that the first published recipe for ketchup in English—a thin mixture of vinegar, white wine, anchovies, shallots, lemon peel, horseradish, and a passel of spices described in Eliza Smith's The Compleat Housewife from 1727—includes a note that “the clear Liquor that comes from Mushrooms” may be added to ...

What's the difference between ketchup and catsup? ›

As it turns out, they're the same thing!

The condiment made its way west via European merchants, taking with it Westernized pronunciations. Early recipes for ketchup (or catsup, if you like) incorporated a wide variety of ingredients like mushrooms, walnuts, and shellfish (hence the distinction tomato ketchup).

What are the 5 ingredients in Heinz ketchup? ›

TOMATO CONCENTRATE FROM RED RIPE TOMATOES, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, DISTILLED WHITE VINEGAR, CORN SYRUP, *ALSOSALT SALT SUBSTITUTE (POTASSIUM CHLORIDE, L-LYSINE MONOHYDROCHLORIDE), NATURAL FLAVORING, SPICE, ONION POWDER.

Why avoid Heinz ketchup? ›

It contains high quantities of sugar, salt, fructose, preservatives and corn syrup. All of these ingredients when combined together have an adverse effect on the body.

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 is the number 1 ketchup? ›

1. Heinz Tomato Ketchup. Heinz Tomato Ketchup sets the standard against which all other ketchup brands are measured. Kitchn has this to say, “Nearly all of the tasters immediately pegged this ketchup as Heinz.

Is it cheaper to make or buy ketchup? ›

As someone that has made my own ketchup and tomato sauces at home, I challenge the “cheap” part of that. I've always found it more expensive to make my own, not less. That doesn't mean it's not worth it to buy the ingredients I need (if I could grow them myself, that might make a big difference in cost, but I can't).

How long does homemade ketchup last? ›

Pack and Store Your Homemade Ketchup

Ladle your ketchup directly into sterilized jars and store in fridge or freezer. Ketchup will keep 3 weeks in the fridge or 6 months in the freezer.

Does homemade ketchup taste better? ›

Delicious – This easy ketchup recipe tastes fresh and better than anything that you can buy at the grocery store! It has no artificial ingredients or corn syrup, so it's healthier too!

Was ketchup once made from fish? ›

We think of ketchup as a thick red sauce, but it was something pretty different in the beginning. It originated as a thin soy sauce made from fermented fish most likely from a region called Tonkin, or in what we call Vietnam today. It was common throughout Southeast Asia in the 17th century.

Is ketchup good or bad for you? ›

If you enjoy ketchup, you may be happy to hear that because it's made with tomatoes, it's a good source of lycopene. Adding more lycopene to your diet may help protect you from cancer, heart disease, and other chronic conditions. However, some ketchup varieties prove high in sugar and salt.

What makes ketchup different from tomato sauce? ›

The Main Difference: Sugar Content

This is because traditional tomato sauce tends to be made with just tomatoes, herbs, onion, garlic, oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. On the other hand, ketchup usually has added sugar in it (usually cane or corn syrup) which gives it its sweeter flavor profile.

What are the first three ingredients in Heinz ketchup? ›

What are the five main ingredients in Heinz ketchup? According to the label.... Tomatoes (126g per 100g of ketchup), Spirit vinegar, Glugose syrup Sugar, Salt, Spices and herb extracts, Spice, Garlic powder.

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