Easy Homemade Ketchup
This Homemade Ketchup recipe is lower in sugar and, for once, tastier than the store-bought original. It’s a quick, kid-friendly upgrade and a classic for families made with simple ingredients in under 10 minutes.
Let’s be honest—most homemade ketchups never quite nail that classic taste. They’re usually too sweet, too bland, or just… meh. But this one? It’s genuinely better than the store-bought stuff! I cracked the secret to this timeless condiment, and part of the secret elements are the warm spices—ginger, cinnamon, and garlic powder—that give it a unique kick. Plus, it’s easy to prep and ready in 10 minutes. Perfect for all your sunny summer cookouts and BBQs!
Why Make Homemade Ketchup?
Making ketchup at home gives you complete control over the ingredients. No high-fructose corn syrup, preservatives, mystery additives — just wholesome, real-food elements you can pronounce. You can adjust the sweetness, kick up the spices, or tone them down for picky eaters. It’s naturally lower in sugar than the store-bought kind and skips the corn syrup entirely.
Secret Ingredients
Shhh… our little secret! This homemade ketchup only needs a handful of ingredients, but each one plays a key role in nailing that classic taste. Let me break them down for you:
Passata (tomato purée): This is the primary and crucial element. It is not paste or tomato juice. Passata has the right consistency and taste, a seeded and peeled tomato puréed into a silky texture. If you want some good-tasting tomatoes, I highly recommend the Italian Mutti brand (not sponsored), which is of the highest quality and is sold worldwide.
Brown Sugar: The light or dark type would do great and bring this caramelized touch to the ketchup.
Cider Vinegar: Choose raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar for your homemade ketchup.
Unsweetened Apple Purée: Adds a fruity and smooth texture to the ketchup without loading it with sugar.
Spices:
- Ginger adds a gentle heat and brightness that lifts the flavour.
- Cinnamon brings a subtle warmth and natural sweetness that rounds everything out.
- Garlic Powder gives it that savoury, sharp kick we all love in a good condiment.
How to Sterilize Bottles for Homemade Ketchup
- Wash the bottles and lids thoroughly with hot, soapy water. Rinse well.
- Boil them in a large pot of water for 10 minutes, ensuring they’re fully submerged.
- Dry carefully: Remove with tongs and place upside down on a clean towel or drying rack. Don’t touch the inside.
- Alternatively, sterilize in the oven: Preheat to 275°F (135°C), place bottles on a tray, and heat for 20 minutes.
- Always fill the bottles while still hot and seal immediately to help create a vacuum.
Sterilizing helps prevent bacterial growth and extends the shelf life of your homemade ketchup, especially if you plan to store it for a few weeks or gift it.
FAQ
Other Condiment Recipes
Easy Homemade Ketchup
Ingredients
- 200 g tomato paste
- 100 g unsweeten apple puree
- 50 ml apple cider vinegar
- 40 g brown sugar
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ⅓ tsp cinnamon powder
- ¼ tsp ginger powder
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients together in a small pot, simmer, and let it bubble until lightly darker and thicker for about 6-8 minutes, depending on the type of tomato purée used.
- Transfer to a clean bottle, close it, and refrigerate for at least an hour.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Did You Make This Recipe?
Share your thoughts on it! Leave a comment or share a picture and tag me @littlenomadsrecipes on Instagram.
Oh, wow. I’m never buying ketchup again. This is so much better.
Heinz is no more welcomed in our fridge either!
This homemade ketchup was terrific!!! It was delicious on burgers and for dipping fries. My family loved it.
That’s what I like to hear!
I absolutely love how simple and wholesome this ketchup recipe is! Using apple purée and warm spices like cinnamon and ginger sounds like a delicious twist—so much better than store-bought versions packed with sugar.
Store-bought ketchup often contains high-fructose corn syrup, which isn’t the healthiest option. This homemade version uses significantly less sugar overall, with brown sugar adding a lovely, natural caramelised touch to the flavour!
Ran out of ketchup and this was the easiest and yummiest way to restock!! Homemade ketchup for the win.
This recipe was so easy and tastes great! We are trying to use more homemade sauces and condiments in our home and this recipe was perfect!