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Home » Recipes » Dips and Sauces

Quick Homemade Tomato Ketchup

Published: Mar 22, 2018 · Modified: May 25, 2022 by Kate Hackworthy · 18 Comments

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Pinnable image for Homemade Ketchup Recipe

Make this tasty homemade ketchup recipe in only 15 minutes with store cupboard ingredients (and no refined sugar!).

A bottle and dish of quick and easy homemade tomato ketchup with hot dogs in the background.

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.

A teaspoon of thick homemade tomato ketchup - a quick and easy refined sugar-free recipe

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!

Overhead shot of lentil and carrot vegan hot dogs in buns with mustard and ketchup.

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:

  1. Sautee the onions until translucent, then add the garlic.
  2. Add the passata, vinegar, syrup and spices and cook for 10 minutes to reduce and thicken.
  3. 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

A spoonful of thick tasty homemade tomato ketchup with a bottle of it in the background.

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!
Leave a comment and star rating below and share a picture on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook with the hashtag #veggiedesserts.

📖 Recipe

A spoonful of thick tasty homemade tomato ketchup with a bottle of it in the background.

Homemade Tomato Ketchup

Kate Hackworthy | Veggie Desserts
Easily make your own tomato ketchup (tomato sauce) at home with just a few store cupboard ingredients. For this one, I’ve omitted the salt completely and used maple syrup instead of refined sugar to make it healthier.
4.64 from 11 votes
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Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 20 minutes mins
Course Dips and Spreads
Cuisine American
Servings 20
Calories 16 kcal

Equipment

  • Frying pan
  • Blender

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

Will keep for up to 1 month in the fridge

Nutrition

Calories: 16kcalCarbohydrates: 3gSodium: 7mgPotassium: 119mgSugar: 1gVitamin A: 150IUVitamin C: 3.1mgCalcium: 7mgIron: 0.5mg

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.

Tried this recipe?Mention @kateveggiedesserts or tag #veggiedesserts! I love seeing your recreations.

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Comments

    4.64 from 11 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Arina

    November 02, 2019 at 3:45 pm

    This looks great! Would it work with lemon juice instead of vinegar?

    Reply
    • Kate Hackworthy

      November 04, 2019 at 9:25 am

      Hi Arina, yes lemon juice should be fine. It will taste slightly different but should still be delicious.

      Reply
  2. Helen

    February 27, 2019 at 7:00 pm

    I’m confused about the UK measurement or U.S. measurement. Which one are the recipes showing?

    Reply
    • Kate Hackworthy

      February 28, 2019 at 10:17 am

      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!

      Reply
  3. Rick

    October 07, 2018 at 3:44 pm

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
  4. Kirsty

    July 12, 2018 at 12:02 pm

    5 stars
    I didn’t realise just how quick and easy was to make your own ketchup. It was really easy and the kids loved it.

    Reply
  5. Hannah

    May 23, 2018 at 9:20 am

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
  6. WhatLauraLoves

    March 24, 2018 at 7:40 pm

    Ooh lush! I always buy tomato sauce but making it sounds easy actually. I'll give it a go! xxx

    Reply
  7. Sarah

    March 23, 2018 at 8:16 pm

    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!

    Reply
  8. Anosa

    March 23, 2018 at 2:13 pm

    5 stars
    I have never thought about making my own ketchup but love how simple this is plus it seems much better for you

    Reply
  9. Mattie Lacey-Davidson

    March 23, 2018 at 10:44 am

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
  10. Kate Williams

    March 23, 2018 at 10:39 am

    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.

    Reply
  11. Gemma

    March 22, 2018 at 9:14 pm

    5 stars
    So great to be in charge of the salt and sugar content in our food, great idea to make your own!

    Reply
  12. Kaz | Ickle Pickles Life and Travels

    March 22, 2018 at 8:38 pm

    5 stars
    This is a brilliant recipe - I am definitely going to try it, thank you. Kaz

    Reply
  13. Anna @ Once Upon A Food Blog

    March 22, 2018 at 4:26 pm

    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.

    Reply
  14. Julia

    March 22, 2018 at 2:41 pm

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
  15. Amy Nash

    March 22, 2018 at 1:34 pm

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
  16. Sabrina

    March 22, 2018 at 12:55 pm

    5 stars
    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

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Kate, a journalist, author and multi-award-winning food blogger. Here you'll find vegetarian recipes and vegan recipes celebrating vegetables, from dinner to dessert! If you love vegetables, you've come to the right place. About Me

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