5-Minute Homemade Ketchup Recipe (2024)

Ketchup is one of the most kid-loved foods out there, and some kids (mine!) will eat anything, including liver, with ketchup on it. Unfortunately, most store-bought versions are packed with GMO tomatoes and high fructose corn syrup.

It really is worthwhile to make homemade ketchup. The taste, texture, and flavor blows store-bought ketchup out of the water!This is one well-loved condiment in our house.

Spice Is Nice!

Condiments are not to be ignored in a healthy kitchen. Dried herbs and spices in dressing and condiments bring antioxidant benefits as well as flavor to the table. It’s a nice way too to add variety without reinventing the tried and true meal plan.

Sweet potato fries, grain-free fish sticks, or chicken fingers are interesting again when served with ranch instead of honey mustard … or, with ketchup!

Homemade Ketchup Recipe

Thankfully,this ketchup recipe is one of the easiest condiments to make at home with basic ingredients. It doesn’t take fancy equipment either. All you need is a blender or food processor.

I make this ketchup every few weeks so I can have it on hand to add to dishes or serve with almost anymeat or vegetable (fruit may be taking it too far …).

And another bonus: as with most homemade recipes (be it for laundry, beauty, or food), you do the world the additional favor of skipping plastic packaging and using recyclable, reusable containers instead. Not to mention your fridge won’t be cluttered with condiment bottles because you can make just as little or as much as you want.

On to the recipe! Give it a try!

5-Minute Homemade Ketchup Recipe (1)

Easy Homemade Ketchup Recipe

A natural and simple homemade ketchup recipe that kids love.

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs 5 minutes mins

Calories 25kcal

Author Katie Wells

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Servings

4 cups

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Grind chia seeds in a blender or food processor on high speed for 30 seconds or until finely powdered.

  • Add all remaining ingredients to blender or food processor and blend on high for 2 to 3 minutes.

  • Put in an airtight quart jar and refrigerate 2 hours or overnight to let flavors meld.

  • Store in the refrigerator and use as you would regular ketchup.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Easy Homemade Ketchup Recipe

Amount Per Serving (2 TBSP)

Calories 25Calories from Fat 2

% Daily Value*

Fat 0.2g0%

Sodium 85mg4%

Carbohydrates 5.7g2%

Fiber 0.9g4%

Sugar 4g4%

Protein 0.9g2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Notes

Can be stored in the refrigerated for at least 1 month.

Like this recipe? Check out my new cookbook, or get all my recipes (over 500!) in a personalized weekly meal planner here!

Other Homemade Condiment Recipes

Just one condiment isn’t enough… here are some other favorite staples your family might enjoy. Use these recipes as a base and adapt the flavors to your family’s taste by adding a pinch of this or a pinch of that.

Maybe challenge yourself to try a new one each month!

  • Mayonnaise– Mayonnaise like Julia Child made it (ok, ok maybe I’m getting a little ahead of myself) with all real food ingredients and no nasty processed vegetable oils
  • Sriracha Mayonnaise – Customized mayo for taste buds that like a little heat, delicious for dipping this healthier version ofonion rings
  • Avocado Mayonnaise – This egg-free version is for those avoiding eggs, but still want the benefits of healthy fats
  • Italian Dressing – The classic salad dressing, without artificial additives or preservatives
  • Ranch Dressing – My personal favorite! Cool, creamy, tangy… all the things ranch should be!
  • Raspberry Vinaigrette – Goes beautifully on salad greens with apples, raisins, or other fruits
  • Sweet Asian Vinaigrette – Made with coconut aminos instead of soy sauce for additional health benefits
  • Asian Coconut Ginger Vinaigrette – Asian with a hint of Thai. Drizzle over fish, stir-fry, or this Asian Color Burst Salad
  • Caesar Dressing – I used to turn my nose up at Caesar dressing, but no more! This homemade version tastes better than any I’ve had at restaurants.
  • Honey Mustard Sauce and Dressing – This 5-ingredient dressing stores well in the fridge, so make a big batch!
  • Homemade Pasta Sauce – Two different recipes: the real Italian family recipe from fresh tomatoes, and a quick shortcut version from canned
  • Lactofermented Salsa – An expensive probiotic supplement isn’t the only way to fill your gut with good bacteria. Fermented salsa lasts longer and has great health benefits!

Ever made your own condiments and dressings? What are your favorites to whip up? Please share below!

5-Minute Homemade Ketchup Recipe (2)

5-Minute Homemade Ketchup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the five main ingredients of ketchup? ›

What is ketchup? Ketchup recipes vary, but it's made from a core set of ingredients including tomatoes, sugar, salt, and vinegar. This explains the sweet but tangy flavor it packs. Spices like allspice, cloves, coriander, and even cinnamon or ginger may be added too.

What is an emergency substitute for ketchup? ›

The next best ketchup substitute is tomato paste. Add vinegar and/or honey or maple syrup using the quantities above if you have them on hand. You could also mix in a little Worcestershire sauce. Straight tomato paste is pretty bland, but it works in a pinch.

How long will homemade ketchup last? ›

Pack and Store Your Homemade Ketchup

Ketchup will keep 3 weeks in the fridge or 6 months in the freezer. Ketchup can also be water bath canned using the hot pack method.

Does homemade ketchup taste better? ›

Homemade ketchup is simple and much more flavorful than anything you can buy at the store. I use 4 tablespoons of sugar, but adjust the sugar to your taste.

Why avoid Heinz tomato 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's the difference between catsup and ketchup? ›

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

Ketchup and catsup are both Westernized terms for a condiment that has origins in China: fish sauce. Ketchup as we know it today is a modernized version of fish sauce, which was made in port towns on the South China Sea with salted and fermented anchovies.

What does McDonald's use for ketchup? ›

Ingredients: Tomato Concentrate From Red Ripe Tomatoes, Distilled Vinegar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup, Water, Salt, Natural Flavors.

What is it called when you mix ketchup and mustard? ›

MustKetch® is so much more than just Mustard and Ketchup. Discover new food pairings and unlock the unlimited potential of your two favorite condiments!

How do I thicken up my homemade ketchup? ›

If your ketchup is too runny, you will need to simmer it down further. The simmering process is how you thicken this. It's fine to return it to a pot and simmer on low until it's just right for you. In a pinch, you could also add some tomato paste, but simmering it is a better approach.

What ketchup does not have vinegar? ›

Gefen Fat Free Tomato Ketchup 28oz (2 Pack) All Natural | No High Fructose Corn Syrup | No Vinegar | Kosher for Passover.

Why should ketchup not be refrigerated? ›

In addition, Sargent adds, to the preservative natures of the vinegar, salt, and sweeteners, “the acidity of the tomatoes prevent it from requiring refrigeration, but the flavor and texture will be better maintained if kept under refrigerated conditions.”

Why does ketchup from McDonald's taste different? ›

McDonald's ketchup consists of tomato concentrate from red ripe tomatoes, distilled vinegar, high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, water, salt, and natural flavors. Heinz doesn't have the water, like McDonald's does, and Heinz contains onion powder and "spice," while McDonald's does not.

Why does glass bottle ketchup taste better? ›

Permeability is zero:

Since glass bottles do not affect the taste or smell of sauces and ketchup, their owners do not have to worry about this. Glas' material and shape are not affected by external temperatures, such as heat, as opposed to plastics, which can melt and affect product quality.

Why is my homemade ketchup watery? ›

It's All About the Pectin

It gives sauces and jellies an even, thick consistency as they cook. The trouble with fresh tomatoes is that they contain an enzyme that breaks down pectin. So as you're preparing your sauce, those little enzymes are eating up all that magical pectin… ultimately leading to a watery sauce.

What is the primary ingredient in ketchup? ›

Tomato ketchup is made from tomatoes, sugar, and vinegar, with seasonings and spices. The spices and flavors vary, but commonly include onions, allspice, coriander, cloves, cumin, garlic, and mustard, and sometimes include celery, cinnamon, or ginger.

What is ketchup made of ingredients? ›

Tomato ketchup is a thick, tangy, tomato condiment made from tomato concentrate, sugar, distilled vinegar, spices & flavorings.

What is ketchup mostly made of? ›

What Is Ketchup? Ketchup is a tomato-based condiment that's primarily used for dipping or spreading, though it's also commonly featured as an ingredient in other sauces and dressings. It's usually made with tomatoes, vinegar, sugar, and spices and seasonings.

What were the original ingredients in ketchup? ›

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 ...

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