Make this tasty homemade ketchup recipe in only 15 minutes with store cupboard ingredients (and no refined sugar!).
Homemade Ketchup
Most kids seem to love commercial tomato sauce/ketchup, but it’s pretty high in sugar and salt.
However, you can easily make your this ketchup recipe at home with just a few store cupboard ingredients.
I like that I can control the salt and sugar, as well as add our favourite spices.
Tomato sauce is generally tomatoes, vinegar, sugar and spices so this version is similar to store-bought, but a bit better for you.
Reader Testimonials for this Ketchup Recipe
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"I didn’t realise just how quick and easy was to make your own ketchup. It was really easy and the kids loved it." - Kirsty
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"I've never thought about making my own ketchup until I saw this on Facebook and it was really easy. I kept an old squirty ketchup container and put it in that." - Hannah
Sugar Free Ketchup Recipe
Sugar Free: For this ketchup recipe, I’ve omitted the salt completely and used maple syrup instead of refined sugar.
I've tried and tested this recipe over and over to make sure it works perfectly and tastes great.
But feel free to tweak it to your personal tastes and preferences.
Why this is the BEST tomato ketchup recipe:
- It only takes 15 minutes
- You can control the amount of salt and sugar that's in it (and leave them out!)
- It tastes much nicer as it's fresh
- Adjust the spices to your taste
- It's quick and easy
- Reduce the need for single-use plastic ketchup bottles
- Customise it with Sriracha hot sauce, chipotle paste or other flavours
- Will keep for up to 1 month in the fridge
Serving Suggestions
There are so many ways to enjoy homemade tomato sauce!
It's great with my spiralized sweet potato fries, beetroot burger or with my food waste reducing roasted potato peelings.
Now, I'm not suggesting you serve it ON this cake, but if you're making tomato recipes, why not make this Tomato Soup Cake!
This tasty tomato ketchup is perfect on Lentil Carrot Hot Dogs!
How to make ketchup from scratch
Makes 1 ½ cups
Ingredients:
onion
tomato passata (or 2 cans plum tomatoes, blended until smooth)
apple cider vinegar
maple syrup
garlic powder
smoked paprika
ground cinnamon
Method:
- Sautee the onions until translucent, then add the garlic.
- Add the passata, vinegar, syrup and spices and cook for 10 minutes to reduce and thicken.
- Whiz in a blender or with a hand blender until smooth.
It's really that easy! I love that I can make it without salt or refined sugar so it's healthier than store-bought.
Variations
I love this tomato ketchup recipe as it is, but you could add in these other flavors too!
Chipotle paste
Hot Sauce
Curry powder
Garam Masala
Ras al hanout
Scroll down for the full recipe
More Sauce Recipes
Looking for more sauce recipes from scratch? Try these!
Tartare Sauce
Garlic Yogurt Sauce
Pea Mint Sauce
Carrot Hummus
Pea Hummus
Get the Homemade Tomato Ketchup Recipe
Did you make this tomato ketchup recipe? Please let me know how it turned out for you!
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Homemade Tomato Ketchup
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 onion diced
- 500 g (3 ⅓ cups) tomato passata (or 2 cans plum tomatoes, blended until smooth)
- 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Add the oil to a frying pan over a medium/low heat and sautee the onions for a few minutes until translucent but not browned.
- Add the garlic and cook for a further minute.
- Add the tomato passata, vinegar, syrup and spices and allow to cook, uncovered, for 10 minutes to reduce and thicken.
- Whiz in a blender or with a hand blender until smooth. If it’s too thick, add a little water to thin. Pour into a sterilised jar and store in the fridge.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.
Arina
This looks great! Would it work with lemon juice instead of vinegar?
Kate Hackworthy
Hi Arina, yes lemon juice should be fine. It will taste slightly different but should still be delicious.
Helen
I’m confused about the UK measurement or U.S. measurement. Which one are the recipes showing?
Kate Hackworthy
Hi Helen
I've just edited to make it clearer. The teaspoons etc are all the same but the passata is either 500g or 3 1/3 cups, whichever you prefer to use. I hope you enjoy it!
Rick
Thanks for this. I just tried it and it tastes pretty good. I'll be able to tell better when it's cooled down and I've tasted it in context on some food, but it seems nice.
I'm trying to cut down on my use of plastics and, as table sauces seem to mostly come in plastic bottles these days, I'm going to make more stuff myself rather than just buying from a supermarket.
Kirsty
I didn’t realise just how quick and easy was to make your own ketchup. It was really easy and the kids loved it.
Hannah
Ive never thought about making my own ketchup until I saw this on Facebook and it was really easy. I kept an old squirty ketchup container and put it in that.
WhatLauraLoves
Ooh lush! I always buy tomato sauce but making it sounds easy actually. I'll give it a go! xxx
Sarah
What a fab recipe! I've been trying to use less plastic, and sauces was definitely something I needed to stop buying! Also, I have all these ingredients already! I have to try this this weekend!
Anosa
I have never thought about making my own ketchup but love how simple this is plus it seems much better for you
Mattie Lacey-Davidson
Ooooh I've thought about doing this for a while. I prefer to make my own stuff from scratch because then at least I know what's in it!
Kate Williams
Oh I love the idea of this! My daughter adores tomato ketchup - I'll have to see if I can switch her over to this instead.
Gemma
So great to be in charge of the salt and sugar content in our food, great idea to make your own!
Kaz | Ickle Pickles Life and Travels
This is a brilliant recipe - I am definitely going to try it, thank you. Kaz
Anna @ Once Upon A Food Blog
I love the look of this ketchup. I've never made my own before but love making any sort of condiment. I'll definitely be giving this a go.
Julia
I've never tried making my own ketchup but I like the idea, especially because you know what you put into it! Will be trying this for sure!
Amy Nash
I have only tried making ketchup at home once before and it was when I was doing Whole 30 and avoiding sugars. I think I used dates for the bit of sweetness but it didn't turn out awesome. Maple syrup sounds like a much better approach!
Sabrina
Dear Kate 🙂
I love making my own ketchup! My quick lazy-ass version is usually with dried tomatoes, dates and some tahin ( I LOVE that stuff!)
But I'm really inspired by your ingredients. Wouldn't have though of cinnamon or garlic powder, to be honest (also maple syrup is my all time favourite sweetener).
Your ketchup looks, texture-wise, exactly like store bought ketchup. I'll save this recipe for the bbq season 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Sabrina