Want to make homemade ketchup that tastes better than the store-bought option?
This recipe has the perfect blend of sweet-tangy flavor, and it’s quick to whip up with pantry staples like tomato paste, spices, and vinegar. No cooking or blending involved!
Healthy Ketchup Using Tomato Paste
This homemade ketchup uses tomato paste to achieve an unbeatable texture and it’s healthier than store-bought since there’s no high fructose corn syrup or additives. The flavor is perfect with fries, chicken nuggets, burgers, and whatever else you love to dip with ketchup.
I guarantee your kids will choose this recipe over the bottled sauce any day! And if you want more kid-favorite foods and recipes that are made with better ingredients, check out the 101 Packed Lunches eBook. It’s full of incredible and delicious options even adults can enjoy!
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Homemade Ketchup Ingredients
You’ll find everything you need to make homemade ketchup in the list below.
Some of the spices mentioned may come as a surprise, but once you try it, you’ll see how they work together to give this condiment a delicious balance of flavor.
- tomato paste: is pure concentrated tomato in a smooth paste. It’s essential to make this homemade ketchup recipe.
- sugar: enhances the savory flavors and spices.
- salt: balances out the sweetness from the sugar.
- allspice: a combination of cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg. It’s another staple ingredient for ketchup.
- cinnamon: extra cinnamon gives the sauce a slightly spicy and sweet flavor.
- cloves: just a pinch for extra depth of flavor.
- cayenne: adds a little kick of spice.
- garlic powder: balances out the cinnamon, cloves, and cayenne.
- onion powder: similar to garlic powder and helps boost the savory flavor in the ketchup.
- white wine vinegar: gives homemade ketchup the tangy flavor we love. You could also use regular white vinegar.
How to make ketchup
To make this no-cook ketchup, you’ll need a medium bowl and a whisk. Here’s what to do:
- Combine the ingredients
Grab a medium bowl and combine the tomato paste, sugar, salt, spices, and white wine vinegar. Stir until smooth. - Add water as needed
Add the water in increments, stirring after each addition until you reach the desired consistency. - It’s ready!
Transfer the mixture to a glass jar or storage container and refrigerate for up to 1 month.
Couldn’t be easier, right? Watch the video to see how it comes together.
How to Store DIY Ketchup
Unlike storebought ketchup, which you can keep in the fridge or pantry, this ketchup requires refrigeration. Tomatoes also have high acidic content, so glass jars are more suitable for storing, and it keeps your plastic containers from getting stained.
How Long Does Homemade Ketchup Last
Homemade ketchup will last in the fridge for 1 month. If your family loves anything that requires being dipped in ketchup, then this homemade recipe will disappear fast!
Serving Homemade Ketchup
If you’re reading this post, chances are you already have ideas for this homemade ketchup, but I want to give you a few more!
- New Orleans Truck Fries
- Copycat Chicken Nuggets
- Parmesan Baked Chicken Tenders
- New Orleans Style Fried Catfish
Homemade Ketchup Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 ounce can tomato paste
- 2 to 4 tablespoons sugar, to taste
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon cloves
- ⅛ teaspoon allspice
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ cup white wine vinegar
- ½ to ⅔ cup water
Instructions
- Place all of the ingredients, except water, in a medium bowl.
- Add water in increments until you have your desired consistency (thicker or thinner).
- You can enjoy immediately, or store in an airtight container for up to 1 month. The flavors develop the longer it sits.
Joe
I wanted a homemade ketchup, this is perfect!
Ang
Really perfect texture and GREAT flavor! Unfortunately we couldn’t find ground allspice so I substituted nutmeg and I didn’t have onion powder so I doubled the garlic powder. My kids and I made it together. Huge hit!!! I look forward to trying it with the allspice and onion powder next time, the way it was intended. I do love to have recipes though where I can exchange out ingredients in a pinch especially because we live abroad. Thank u thank u thank u for sharing
Nancy
Very good ketchup recipe. I would recommend it to others. Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to trying your other recipes!
Jackie
Is this freezable?
MOMables - Laura
Yes, although the texture changes a bit.
Nina
Would honey work as a sweetener?
MOMables
sure.
Laura
We enjoy this recipe so much. I was making a ketchup with just allspice and onion powder. This has so much more flavor. This is now the only recipe we use! thank you so much!! :) Our fav uses so far: meatloaf (with pureed carrot, celery, onion, green pepper)and baked beans!
MOMables
so glad you loved this Laura!
Carol Rieck
In your video you did not add salt but it is listed in the recipe. Also can I use plain white vinegar? Recipe calls for whit wine vinegar. Thank-you
Carol
MOMables - Laura
Great clarification, Carol. I forgot to add the salt to the video (i added it but I missed capturing the footage). You can use plain white vinegar but if you have apple cider vinegar, that’s a bit milder in acidity. I hope this helps!
Kelly @ The Nourishing Home
That’s by far the easiest homemade ketchup recipe, I’ve seen! Thanks for sharing!