Homemade Ketchup Recipe (No Refined Sugar) - Only 5 Minutes To Make (2024)

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Categories Healthy Recipes, Kitchen Staples, Recipes

Homemade ketchup recipe takes only 5 minutes to make. This recipe is a healthier version than store-bought using no refined sugar or preservatives. This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients and costs less than $2. See just how easy it is to make your own healthy homemade ketchup below.

Homemade Ketchup Recipe (No Refined Sugar) - Only 5 Minutes To Make (1)

Homemade Ketchup

Many old fashioned ketchup recipes require simmering and straining. Not this one! Just a few simple ingredients mixed together in a bowl and ta-da! You’re done. It’s so easy, you could get one of your kids to make it.

The store-bought ketchup that we’ve all grown up on uses refined liquid sugar. This old-fashioned ketchup recipe uses maple syrup to sweeten it.

Making it yourself will save money too. It cost me less than $2 to make this ketchup, versus about $6 for the store-bought stuff. So if you’ve got 5 minutes and six simple ingredients, then you can easily make your own ketchup!

Homemade Ketchup Recipe (No Refined Sugar) - Only 5 Minutes To Make (2)

Homemade Ketchup Ingredients

You only need six ingredients to whip up delicious homemade ketchup:

  • Tomato Paste – The base of this easy recipe is tomato paste. You’ll need a 14 oz can.
  • Maple Syrup – To sweeten the ketchup I used maple syrup. You could also use honey.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar – You’ll need apple cider vinegar or white vinegar (food grade).
  • Spices – For spices, you’ll need onion powder, garlic powder and sea salt. You can also use regular salt.

Looking for measurements? Scroll down to the bottom of this post for the full recipe card that you can easily print-out.

Homemade Ketchup Recipe (No Refined Sugar) - Only 5 Minutes To Make (3)

How To Make Homemade Ketchup

This recipe couldn’t be easier to put together. There’s no simmering over the stove, no straining tomatoes or anything like that. All you need is about 5 minutes:

  1. Add the tomato paste, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt to a bowl and mix together thoroughly for 1-2 minutes.
  2. Pour into a mason jar or container with a lid and store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Homemade Ketchup Recipe (No Refined Sugar) - Only 5 Minutes To Make (4)

Homemade Ketchup Tips

The ketchup will thicken a little in the fridge when chilled. You can add a bit more vinegar or water to the mixture if you want a thinner consistency. We liked it thicker and used a spoon or butter knife to spread it onto burger buns or dip our fries into it.

You can play around with how sweet you want it. Taste after you mix and consider adding more maple syrup if needed.

Homemade Ketchup Recipe (No Refined Sugar) - Only 5 Minutes To Make (5)

What Can You Use Homemade Ketchup For?

Here are some ways to use homemade ketchup:

  • Spreading onto air fryer hamburger buns
  • Dipping sauce for crispy air fryer potatoes
  • As a sauce in burger salad bowls
  • Dipping sauce for baked chickpea nuggets
  • Sauce for homemade black bean burgers
  • Dipping sauce for cheesy garlic baguette sticks
Homemade Ketchup Recipe (No Refined Sugar) - Only 5 Minutes To Make (6)

More Pantry Staples To Try

I’m always making new pantry staples that will help you save time in the kitchen and eat healthier. Here are a few favorites to try:

  • How To Make Cauliflower Rice – a perfect substitute for regular white or brown rice. It can be used in stir frys, burritos, cauliflower crust pizza and more.
  • Easy Homemade Oat Flour – one of my favorite flours to use in baking recipes. You can save money making it yourself and it takes only 2 minutes.
  • Pork Chop Marinades – If you’re bored with eating plain old pork chops, it’s easy to zest them up with these four healthy pork chop marinades.
  • Chicken Marinades – these are full of healthy nutritious ingredients instead of the store-bought marinade sauces which are usually loaded with preservatives and other ingredients we don’t need.

Homemade Ketchup Recipe (No Refined Sugar) - Only 5 Minutes To Make (7)

Homemade Ketchup

Homemade ketchup recipe takes only 5 minutes to make. This recipe is a healthier version than store-bought using no refined sugar or preservatives.

5 from 3 votes

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 28 servings

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients together: tomato paste, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, and sea salt.

    Homemade Ketchup Recipe (No Refined Sugar) - Only 5 Minutes To Make (8)

  • Stir everything together for 1-2 minutes until mixed thoroughly.

    Homemade Ketchup Recipe (No Refined Sugar) - Only 5 Minutes To Make (9)

  • Pour into a mason jar or other container. Seal with a lid and store in the fridge for up to 1 week. This recipe will make a little over 14 oz of ketchup.

    Homemade Ketchup Recipe (No Refined Sugar) - Only 5 Minutes To Make (10)

Recipe Notes:

  • The ketchup will thicken while chilled in the fridge. My family loves it this way. But if you want it a thinner consistency, you can add a small amount of water and mix together.
  • Feel free to play around with the ratio of spices and maple syrup to come up with something you love. Everyone’s tastebuds are so unique and different.
  • I like to store mine in inexpensive mason jars. Reused glass spaghetti sauce jars would also work great.
  • You can freeze the ketchup in ice cube trays and thaw it out for smaller amounts at a time. Store t

Nutrition

Calories: 18kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 132mg | Potassium: 79mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 93IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg

The nutritional information provided is an estimate and is per serving.

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Homemade Ketchup Recipe (No Refined Sugar) - Only 5 Minutes To Make (2024)

FAQs

What is an emergency substitute for ketchup? ›

The easiest ketchup substitute is to use tomato sauce or tomato paste. This will give you that concentrated and sweet tomato flavor. If you have it on hand, add a dash of vinegar and onion powder for deeper flavor and tanginess.

Why does ketchup need sugar? ›

High level of sugar and corn syrup: The main ingredients that contribute to the sweetness of McDonald's ketchup are sugar and corn syrup. These ingredients help to balance the tartness of the tomatoes and create a sweet and savoury flavour that has become synonymous with McDonald's.

How do you make ketchup less sweet? ›

Add some acid to the sauce

Nutritionist Lisa Richards told the outlet that some fresh lemon juice or bottled vinegar should brighten up the sauce, and recommends gently heating the sauce, adding the juice or vinegar one teaspoon at a time, tasting, and adding more as needed.

Is it worth making homemade ketchup? ›

I wouldn't tell you to make your own ketchup if I didn't think it was worth it. This ketchup recipe makes the most delicious ketchup that knocks the socks off anything you can buy in the condiment aisle. I love how this recipe uses real ingredients and how we can control how sweet our ketchup turns out.

What is a substitute for 1 cup of ketchup? ›

Take a can of tomato sauce and try some of these substitutions: 1 cup ketchup (for use in cooking): substitute 1 cup tomato sauce, 1/2 cup sugar, and 2 tablespoons vinegar.

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.

Does ketchup have refined sugar? ›

Ketchup & BBQ Sauce

Slathered on burgers and tubs of chips across the world, the bright red sauce is internationally adored. Maybe its the refined sugar in it that's got everyone hooked! A typical Heinz ketchup bottle is 25% sugar. Barbecue sauce is no better; a mere 2 tablespoons contain 10g of sugar!

What is the ratio of sugar to ketchup? ›

A 20-ounce bottle of Heinz tomato ketchup contains about two-thirds of a cup of sugar.

What ketchup has the least amount of sugar? ›

If indulging in these brands, pay attention to portion sizes to avoid going over your daily sugar limit.
  • Annie's – 4 grams sugar.
  • Whole Foods 365 – 4 grams sugar.
  • Heinz Simply – 4 grams sugar.
  • Woodstock – 3 grams sugar.
  • Sir Kensington's – 3 grams sugar.
  • Simply Balanced – 3 grams sugar.
  • Hunt's 100% Natural – 3 grams sugar.

What does vinegar do in ketchup? ›

Distilled white vinegar is essential for ketchup's signature tanginess. Plus, it elongates the shelf life. White sugar cuts the acidity of the tomatoes and vinegar while offering a hint of sweetness.

What cancels out sweetness? ›

How to Make Food Less Sweet. Add an acid or seasonings such as vinegar or citrus juice; chopped fresh herbs; a dash of cayenne pepper; or, for sweet dishes, a bit of liqueur or espresso powder.

What cancels out ketchup taste? ›

Additionally, you can try adding a splash of vinegar or lemon juice, as the acid can help to cut through any odd flavors. Finally, you can try cooking the tomato paste or ketchup with other ingredients, such as garlic, onions, or herbs, to add more complex flavors and mask any unpleasant tastes.

What is an unhealthy ingredient in ketchup? ›

Two ingredients of concern in ketchup are salt and sugar. Per tablespoon, ketchup contains 4 grams of sugar and 190 milligrams of sodium. Although 4 grams of sugar doesn't seem like a lot, much of it comes from added sugar, as opposed to the natural sugar found in tomatoes.

Is homemade ketchup cheaper than store-bought? ›

As someone that has made my own ketchup and tomato sauces at home, I challenge the “cheap” part of that. I've always found it more expensive to make my own, not less. That doesn't mean it's not worth it to buy the ingredients I need (if I could grow them myself, that might make a big difference in cost, but I can't).

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 can I use in place of ketchup in meatloaf? ›

Some popular substitutions include:
  • Barbecue sauce.
  • Roasted tomato and dried chili sauce.
  • Sun-Dried tomato sauce.
  • Mustard and Barbecue sauce.
  • Coca-Cola and Barbecue sauce.
  • Honey Barbecue sauce.
  • Homemade Tomato Sauce.
  • Tomato Gravy.
Sep 1, 2023

Is there anything other than tomato ketchup? ›

Mushroom ketchup

In the United Kingdom, ketchup was historically prepared with mushrooms as a primary ingredient, rather than tomatoes. In the United States, mushroom ketchup dates back to at least 1770, and was prepared by British colonists in the Thirteen Colonies.

What could replace ketchup in a parallel world to have with fries? ›

Marie's Creamy Ranch Dressing + Dip

It's zesty. It's full of herbs—and you just can't say any of those things about ketchup, can you. If you hate ketchup because it's not creamy and full of herbs, ranch is what you should be dipping your fries into. And Marie's Creamy Ranch is the way to go.

What is a substitute for Heinz tomato ketchup? ›

Some popular options include: Hunt's Ketchup - this is a well-known brand that offers a similar taste to Heinz at a lower price point. Private Label or Store Brand Ketchup - many grocery stores offer their own in-house brand of ketchup that is often cheaper than name brands and can taste just as good.

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