Description

This homemade ketchup recipe offers a deliciously tangy and sweet alternative to store-bought versions. Made from tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, and natural sweeteners like brown sugar and honey or maple syrup, it blends warm spices to create a perfectly balanced condiment. Simmered gently on the stovetop, it results in a rich, thick ketchup that’s gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and free from refined sugars when using honey or maple syrup. Ideal for enhancing burgers, fries, and sandwiches with a clean, homemade flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

Tomato Base

1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
1/2 cup water

Sweeteners & Vinegar

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup

Spices & Seasonings

1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon allspice (optional)
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)

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Instructions

Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, pour in the tomato paste, water, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, honey or maple syrup, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and the optional spices if using. Whisk all the ingredients together until you have a smoothly blended mixture with no lumps.
Simmer the Ketchup: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and to encourage thickening. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
Taste and Adjust: After simmering, taste your ketchup. Adjust the flavor as needed by adding more vinegar if you want extra tang, more brown sugar or honey for sweetness, or additional spices to deepen the flavor profile.
Cool and Store: Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the ketchup to cool completely. Once cooled, transfer your homemade ketchup into a jar or bottle. Store it in the refrigerator where it will keep fresh for up to 3 weeks.

Notes

For a silky smooth texture, blend the ketchup with an immersion blender or in a regular blender after cooking.
This recipe is naturally gluten-free, making it safe for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.
You can keep this ketchup refined sugar-free by opting exclusively for honey or maple syrup instead of brown sugar.
Adjust the cayenne pepper dose to control the level of heat to your preference.
Store the ketchup in an airtight container to maintain freshness and flavor.