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Homemade Ketchup

Homemade Ketchup

This easy Homemade Ketchup recipe delivers a pure, natural, and richly flavored alternative to store-bought ketchup. Made with fresh ripe tomatoes, simple spices, and a customizable sweetness, it is perfect for dipping, topping, or adding a tangy zest to your favorite dishes. Gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and free from preservatives, this ketchup elevates meals with wholesome, fresh flavors and is quick to prepare with no special equipment required.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 4 cups ripe tomatoes, washed and roughly chopped
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons sugar or honey (adjust to taste)
  • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup water (adjust for consistency)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves or cinnamon (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Tomatoes: Start by washing and roughly chopping fresh ripe tomatoes. Remove the cores and any blemishes to prep the base for your rich tomato flavor.
  2. Cook Down the Tomatoes: Place the tomatoes in a saucepan over medium heat and simmer gently. Stir often to break them down into a thick, saucy consistency—this usually takes about 20-30 minutes.
  3. Blend the Sauce: Once the tomatoes have softened, use an immersion blender or regular blender to puree the mixture until smooth. This step ensures your Homemade Ketchup is luxuriously creamy.
  4. Add Spices and Sweetener: Return the blended tomatoes to the pan, then add onion powder, garlic powder, sugar or honey, apple cider vinegar, salt, and any optional spices. Simmer on low heat for another 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
  5. Adjust Consistency and Taste: If the ketchup is too thick, stir in a small amount of water to reach your preferred texture. Taste and tweak seasoning and sweetness until it’s just right.
  6. Cool and Store: Let your Homemade Ketchup cool to room temperature before transferring it to a clean jar or bottle. Store in the fridge and enjoy fresh for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

  • Use ripe tomatoes: The riper, the sweeter—this makes your ketchup naturally delicious.
  • Simmer low and slow: Longer cooking develops a richer, deeper flavor.
  • Blend carefully: For ultra-smooth ketchup, blend thoroughly but avoid overheating your blender.
  • Balance acidity: Vinegar is key, but adjust gradually to avoid overpowering tang.
  • Cool before storing: Helps prevent condensation which can dilute your ketchup’s flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: homemade ketchup, ketchup recipe, tomato ketchup, gluten free ketchup, vegan ketchup, natural ketchup