This homemade ketchup boasts a tangy, subtly sweet flavor with a rich tomato base that far surpasses store-bought varieties. Simple to prepare and customizable to your taste, it’s a healthier option for your pantry. Start creating your own pantry staples today with this easy, beginner-friendly condiment recipe!
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE
Flavorful: This homemade ketchup is tangy, lightly sweetened, and packed with rich tomato flavor, making it taste far superior to store-bought options.
Beginner-Friendly: Want to try making your own kitchen staples? Start with ketchup! It’s easy to whip up using basic ingredients and simple cooking methods.
Customizable: Tailor the flavor to your liking by adjusting the sugar, vinegar, salt, and spices to create your perfect homemade ketchup.
Better Ingredients: Unlike most store-bought ketchups that contain processed ingredients like high fructose corn syrup, making ketchup at home gives you control over what goes into it.
Fun Activity for Kids: If your kids love ketchup, involving them in making it at home can be a fun kitchen project. It’s also a great opportunity to teach them about where our food comes from.
Great for Gifting: With its long shelf life, homemade ketchup makes an excellent edible gift for friends and family.
INGREDIENT NOTES
Here are some notes on the key ingredients for the homemade ketchup. For a complete list, be sure to check the recipe card below!
- Crushed Tomatoes: Cooking down crushed tomatoes provides a fresher, more vibrant flavor and a better consistency than ketchup made solely with tomato paste.
- Tomato Paste: This ingredient contributes a rich, intense tomato flavor. Cooking the tomato paste in oil enhances its natural sweetness.
- Brown Sugar: This sweetener adds caramel notes that complement the warm spices in the ketchup.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: It introduces a tangy, fruity acidity that perfectly balances the sweetness of the ketchup.
- Sweet Onion: Fresh sweet onion brings a mild flavor and depth to the ketchup, making it more flavorful than using onion powder.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic adds a savory and aromatic quality to the ketchup.
- Olive Oil: Cooking the onion, garlic, and tomato paste in olive oil intensifies their flavors, making the ketchup richer.
- Kosher Salt: This ingredient balances and enhances the other flavors. Kosher salt is preferred as it doesn’t contain anti-caking agents or added sugar, unlike table salt.
- Spices: A blend of mustard powder, cloves, and allspice contributes to a warm and complex flavor profile for the ketchup.
HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE KETCHUP
EQUIPMENT
- Large saucepan
- Immersion blender or regular blender
- Splatter screen (optional)
INGREDIENTS
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium sweet onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground mustard
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- ⅛ teaspoon allspice
INSTRUCTIONS
- Sauté the Onion and Garlic: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the diced sweet onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
- Add Tomato Paste: Stir in 2 tablespoons of tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes to enhance its flavor.
- Combine Ingredients: Reduce the heat to low. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, scraping the bottom of the pan to release any cooked-on bits. Add the brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and spices. Mix until well combined.
- Blend the Mixture: Using an immersion blender, puree the mixture directly in the saucepan until smooth. Alternatively, carefully transfer the mixture to a blender and puree in batches.
- Simmer the Ketchup: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it simmer uncovered for 1½ to 2 hours, or until the ketchup reaches your desired consistency. Use a splatter screen if needed to minimize mess.
- Cool and Serve: After simmering, let the ketchup cool slightly. Optionally, pass it through a fine mesh sieve for an even smoother texture. Transfer the ketchup to a glass jar or storage container and allow it to cool completely before serving. Enjoy!
TIPS FOR SUCCESS
Make your homemade ketchup a success on your first try with these helpful kitchen tips:
- Choose High-Quality Ingredients: Use fresh onions and garlic, along with high-quality tomato products, for the best flavor and texture.
- Blend Well: Thoroughly blend the ketchup until smooth. An immersion blender works best for this, but a regular blender can be used as well.
- Season to Taste: After the ketchup has simmered, taste it and adjust the seasoning by adding more sugar, vinegar, salt, or spices to suit your preference.
- Cool Before Serving: Allow the ketchup to cool before serving, as the flavor develops and improves during this time.
- Label and Date: Homemade ketchup will last at least one month in the refrigerator. Be sure to label and date it to keep track of its freshness.
Quick Tip: If the ketchup isn’t as smooth as you’d like, strain it through a fine mesh sieve to remove any remaining texture for a perfectly silky finish.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH HOMEMADE KETCHUP
Ketchup is a versatile condiment that pairs well with many popular dishes:
- Sandwiches: Add a sweet and tangy kick to your favorite sandwiches. Try it with turkey smash burgers, BBQ bacon burgers, turkey and egg sandwiches, or BLT bagel sandwiches.
- Side Dishes and Appetizers: Enjoy homemade ketchup with classic sides like French fries, sweet potato fries, tater tots, roasted potato wedges, onion rings, butternut squash fries, mozzarella sticks, and cheesy broccoli bites.
- Egg Dishes: Ketchup complements a variety of egg dishes, from scrambled eggs and hard-boiled eggs to quiches and frittatas, adding a delightful tang that balances their richness.
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