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    You are here: Home | Recipes | Sauces

    Easy Homemade Ketchup Recipe

    Dec 7, 2022 by Faith VanderMolen

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Avoid the high fructose corn syrup added to most store bought ketchups by making this Easy Ketchup Recipe, which uses common pantry ingredients!

    Easy Ketchup Recipe
    Jump To
    • Why I started making my own ketchup (HFCS)
    • Homemade ketchup recipe ingredients
    • How to make ketchup
    • Storage
    • Other staple condiment recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    Why I started making my own ketchup (HFCS)

    My husband, Brett, is in love with Heinz Ketchup... and I don't blame him! We grew up on it, it's sweet and delicious, and gives us so many nostalgic memories when we eat it.

    However, once I started learning more about nutrition and how important it is to read ingredient labels, I quickly discovered that Heinz Ketchup (and so many other store bought ketchups in the US) contain High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS).

    32 oz bottle of heinz tomato ketchup

    What is Heinz ketchup made of?

    The ingredients in Heinz ketchup are: tomato concentrate from red ripe tomatoes, distilled vinegar, high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, salt, spice, onion powder, natural flavoring

    Now, I know eating a little bit of HFCS isn't going to kill me. To be honest, if Heinz Ketchup is the only ketchup available, I might still eat it. BUT, if I can choose a ketchup that is a little more natural, then I'm all about that.

    Why is high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) bad for you?

    two ears of corn next to a chemical lab flask of corn syrup

    As the name implies, high fructose corn syrup is high in fructose, which is a form of sugar. Higher sugar intakes have been directly linked to higher rates of obesity and weight gain, diabetes, inflammation, heart disease, and cancer.

    Americans, in particular, need to watch their sugar intake. Americans consume the most high fructose corn syrup (55 pounds per year!) and sugar (101 pounds per year!) in the world! Our high sugar intake is a major contributing factor to the fact that two-thirds of Americans are now overweight or obese.

    Alternatives to Heinz Ketchup

    24 oz bottle of annies organic ketchup

    Annie's Organic Ketchup doesn't contain high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) so we would usually buy that in America before we moved to China. Here in China, however, most of the ketchups that we like are imported from America and still contain HFCS. So I became determined to make my own ketchup recipe that Brett would be willing to eat and actually enjoy!

    Homemade ketchup recipe ingredients

    I really can't believe how easy ketchup is to make at home! If we lived in the States, I think I would still make this homemade ketchup because it took all of 20 minutes to whip up and makes quite a large batch that will last for a long time in the fridge.

    I didn't want to buy any extra ingredients to make this ketchup recipe, because I figured it could be done with the items I already had in my pantry.

    And I was right!

    All you really need to make your own homemade ketchup recipe are the following ingredients

    Homemade ketchup ingredients

    The main ingredients in ketchup are: tomato paste, sugar, vinegar and some seasonings or spices.

    The combination of sugar and vinegar give this homemade ketchup recipe that sweet, tangy flavor that we all love!

    I'm so happy with this ketchup recipe and Brett loves it too! It will definitely be a staple in our fridge from now on.

    I love saving glass bottles from salad dressings that we've previously finished off and reusing them for my homemade salad dressings and condiments. How fun does this homemade ketchup look in a simple glass bottle?! 

    Okay, okay. I know. I'm easily pleased. 

    Variations

    You can experiment with different flavor variations by adding any of the following ingredients:

    • onion
    • Sriracha
    • roasted red pepper
    • roasted garlic
    • apple cider vinegar
    • brown sugar
    • allspice

    How to make ketchup

    Wondering how to make ketchup at home? Give this easy homemade ketchup recipe a try!

    We've been loving it on homemade veggie burgers, buddha bowls, and my Oil Free Baked Sweet Potato Fries!

    Step-by-step instructions

    Step 1: Place all of the ingredient into a sauce pan and bring to a simmer.

    homemade ketchup ingredients in a saucepan

    Step 2: Stir over heat for about 10 minutes until well combined and thick.

    homemade ketchup being stirred in a saucepan
    Homemade ketchup being funneled into a jar

    Step 3: Using a funnel, transfer the ketchup to a reusable glass jar, if desired.

    Homemade Ketchup in a glass jar

    Step 4: Enjoy on all the things!

    Please let me know if you give this easy ketchup recipe a try and what you think. Leave a comment down below, rate the recipe and be sure to share it with others! As always, I love to see what recipes of mine you all are recreating, so be sure to snap a pic of the final product and tag @theconscientiouseater on Instagram so I can see the final product!

    Storage

    Homemade ketchup is best kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three months.

    But if your family is anything like mine, it won't last that long!

    Can you freeze homemade ketchup?

    Yes! Ketchup keeps really well in the freezer if it is stored in a freezer-friendly container that will prevent freezer burn. When you are ready to use the ketchup, let it thaw on the counter for one to two hours depending on the amount. Once your homemade ketchup is defrosted, give it a good stir to return the ketchup to its original consistency.

    Pro Tip: Store your homemade ketchup in individual serving size freezer-friendly containers so that you only have to take out what you need!

    Other staple condiment recipes

    In case ketchup isn't your thing, be sure to check out some of my other favorite condiments and sauces below!

    Easy Vegan BBQ Sauce Recipe

    Vegan Chipotle Hummus Recipe

    Lemon Tahini Dressing

    Date Sweetened Chocolate Sauce

    Vegan Mushroom Gravy

    Maple Vanilla Cashew Cream

    Vegan Sweet Chili Sauce

    📖 Recipe

    Easy Homemade Ketchup Recipe

    Faith VanderMolen
    Avoid the high fructose corn syrup added to most store bought ketchups by making this Easy Ketchup Recipe, which uses common pantry ingredients!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Condiments
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 bottle
    Calories 487 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 12 ounces tomato paste two 6 oz. jars or 340 grams
    • ¼ cup cane sugar
    • ¼ cup water plus more if needed
    • 2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon white vinegar
    • 1 ½ teaspoon sea salt
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • dash cinnamon
    • pinch nutmeg

    Instructions 

    • In a saucepan, stir together all of the ingredients until combined and bring everything to a simmer.
    • Allow the ketchup to simmer, while stirring often, for about 5-10 minutes until the sugar has dissolved and everything is well combined.
    • If the ketchup is too thick, you can add more water 1 tablespoon at a time until it reaches your desired consistency. I like using ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons of water total for my ketchup.
    • Taste and adjust the seasonings as desired, adding more sugar for sweetness, vinegar for tartness or salt for saltiness.
    • Turn off the heat and allow the ketchup to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight jar or container.

    Notes

    You can experiment with different flavor variations by adding any of the following ingredients:
    • onion
    • Sriracha
    • roasted red pepper
    • roasted garlic
    • apple cider vinegar
    • brown sugar
    • allspice

    Nutrition

    Calories: 487kcalCarbohydrates: 116gProtein: 15gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0.4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.2gSodium: 6182mgPotassium: 3488mgFiber: 14gSugar: 91gVitamin A: 5188IUVitamin C: 75mgCalcium: 131mgIron: 10mg
    Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

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    Comments

    1. Ruth Fegley says

      June 11, 2023 at 1:52 pm

      A bit to blend for me had to add extra vinegar

      Reply
      • Faith VanderMolen says

        June 20, 2023 at 12:03 am

        Glad you made it your own! Thanks for sharing Ruth!

        Reply
    2. Lauren says

      July 23, 2021 at 2:41 pm

      Is this shelf stable? Does it need to be refrigerated before opening (or afterwards)?

      Reply
      • Faith VanderMolen says

        August 03, 2021 at 3:20 pm

        Hi Lauren! No, I wouldn't store this on the shelf. Once you make it, place it in a jar and store it in the fridge!

        Reply
    3. Emily Swanson says

      September 18, 2018 at 10:45 pm

      I love that the ketchup at Costco doesn't have the HFCS, but this is so cool that you made your own; you're going to be the master of making your own foods while in China.

      Reply
      • Faith says

        September 18, 2018 at 11:59 pm

        Ah I love Costco products! And China definitely does make me get creative in the kitchen!

        Reply
    5 from 4 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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