Homemade Ketchup (2024)

Prep Time:

10 mins

Cook Time:

12 hrs

Total Time:

12 hrs 10 mins

Servings:

48

Yield:

3 cups

Jump to Nutrition Facts

Skip the bottled stuff and learn how to make ketchup at home. This top-rated recipe is beloved by the Allrecipes community for a number of reasons: It's incredibly easy (thanks to your trusty slow cooker), it's made with kitchen staples you likely already have on hand, and it's absolutely delicious.

Homemade Ketchup (1)

What Is Ketchup?

Ketchup is a tomato-based condiment that's primarily used for dipping or spreading, though it's also commonly featured as an ingredient in other sauces and dressings. It's usually made with tomatoes, vinegar, sugar, and spices and seasonings.

Who Invented Ketchup?

Early versions of ketchup weren't made with tomatoes. The original ketchups were fish-, mushroom-, nut-, or fruit-based. Before the 19th-century, "ketchup" could refer to any number of sauces with a thick consistency. An American scientist named James Mease is credited with inventing tomato-based ketchup in 1812. His formula was tweaked over the years and in 1876 the famous company, Heinz, debuted its beloved bottled ketchup. Heinz still leads ketchup production today, selling more than 650 million bottles per year.

Homemade Ketchup Ingredients

Perfect homemade ketchup is easy to make with kitchen staples. Here's what you'll need:

Tomatoes
This ketchup recipe starts with crushed tomatoes, unlike many other recipes that start with tomato paste. This ingredient swap will get you closer to the flavor and texture of bottled ketchup.

Vinegar
Distilled white vinegar is essential for ketchup's signature tanginess. Plus, it elongates the shelf life.

Sugar
White sugar cuts the acidity of the tomatoes and vinegar while offering a hint of sweetness.

Spices and Seasonings
This flavorful ketchup recipe is seasoned with onion powder, garlic powder, salt, celery salt, ground black pepper, mustard powder, and one whole clove.

How to Make Ketchup

In this recipe, we opt to cook the ketchup in a slow cooker instead of on the stove. Not only does the Crock-Pot take out a lot of the legwork, it also ensures the perfect thick consistency every time. You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make this ketchup recipe:

Pour the tomatoes into the slow cooker, mixing ¼ cup of water with each can. Add the spices and seasonings, then stir to combine. Cook uncovered on high until the mixture is reduced and thick (10 to 12 hours), stirring frequently. Smooth the finished ketchup with an immersion blender and strain.

Does Ketchup Need to Be Refrigerated?

Yes, homemade ketchup should be refrigerated. Store your ketchup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three weeks.

Can You Freeze Ketchup?

Homemade ketchup will freeze well for up to six months. You can freeze it in zip-top freezer bags.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"Wow," raves angie. "This recipe came out great. I have two little kids and wanted to make a ketchup without high fructose corn syrup, and to use in our homemade BBQ and sloppy Joe sauces. It tastes just like the bottled stuff."

"Great tasting ketchup," according to Sandra Hagan. "Didn't turn out as thick as I liked so I put some of the ketchup in a sauce pot and thickened it with cornstarch. I stirred it into the rest of the ketchup and it was perfect!"

"Great recipe," says Melissa Buckler. "I had to change a couple of things based on what I had in my pantry and I cut the sugar in half. Love it though! So happy to have found an easy AND tasty recipe for ketchup."

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

Ingredients

  • 2 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes

  • ½ cup water, divided

  • cup white sugar

  • ¾ cup distilled white vinegar

  • 1 teaspoon onion powder

  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1 ¾ teaspoons salt

  • teaspoon celery salt

  • teaspoon mustard powder

  • ¼ teaspoon finely ground black pepper

  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste

  • 1 whole clove

Directions

  1. Pour tomatoes into slow cooker. Swirl 1/4 cup water in each emptied can and pour into the slow cooker. Add sugar, vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, celery salt, mustard powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and whole clove; whisk to combine.

    Homemade Ketchup (2)

  2. Cook on High, uncovered, until mixture is reduced by half and very thick, 10 to 12 hours. Stir every hour or so.

    Homemade Ketchup (3)

  3. Use an immersion blender for about 20 seconds to smooth the texture of the ketchup.

    Homemade Ketchup (4)

  4. Ladle ketchup into a fine strainer and press mixture with the back of a ladle to strain out any skins and seeds.

    Homemade Ketchup (5)

  5. Transfer strained ketchup to a bowl. Cool completely.

  6. Taste and adjust salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper as desired.

    Homemade Ketchup (6)

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

16Calories
4g Carbs
1g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe48
Calories16
% Daily Value *
Sodium139mg6%
Total Carbohydrate4g1%
Dietary Fiber0g1%
Total Sugars3g
Protein1g1%
Vitamin C1mg1%
Calcium1mg0%
Iron0mg1%
Potassium1mg0%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

Powered by the ESHA Research Database © 2018, ESHA Research, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Homemade Ketchup (2024)

FAQs

How long will homemade ketchup last? ›

Pack and Store Your Homemade Ketchup

Ketchup will keep 3 weeks in the fridge or 6 months in the freezer. Ketchup can also be water bath canned using the hot pack method. Leave 1/4” headspace and process the 1/2 pint jars for 15 minutes.

Is it cheaper to make your own ketchup? ›

The homemade version, on the other hand, is cheaper and all about natural flavouring, ingredients and spices. It really takes very little effort to make and tastes so much better than supermarket ones. Some pretty good reasons to choose to make homemade ketchup over buying it!

What are the ingredients of ketchup breakdown? ›

Ingredients: TOMATO CONCENTRATE FROM RED RIPE TOMATOES, DISTILLED VINEGAR, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, CORN SYRUP, SALT, SPICE, ONION POWDER, NATURAL FLAVORING.

Does homemade ketchup taste better? ›

Homemade ketchup is simple and much more flavorful than anything you can buy at the store. I use 4 tablespoons of sugar, but adjust the sugar to your taste.

Why should ketchup not be refrigerated? ›

In addition, Sargent adds, to the preservative natures of the vinegar, salt, and sweeteners, “the acidity of the tomatoes prevent it from requiring refrigeration, but the flavor and texture will be better maintained if kept under refrigerated conditions.”

How do you increase the shelf life of ketchup? ›

How do you increase the shelf life of ketchup? By adding preservative Sodium Benzoate (INS211) 600 PPM. By use of retort technology after filling in pouch / bottle so no need to add preservatives.

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 is the number one ingredient in ketchup? ›

Ketchup is a tomato-based condiment that's primarily used for dipping or spreading, though it's also commonly featured as an ingredient in other sauces and dressings. It's usually made with tomatoes, vinegar, sugar, and spices and seasonings.

Is it illegal to sell runny ketchup? ›

Selling Runny Ketchup – It seems runny ketchup is against the law, and apparently if it flows down a trough farther than 14 centimeters in 30 seconds it can't be considered ketchup. There are even regulations on how to spell ketchup, and apparently Catchup is not okay.

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.

What's the difference between ketchup and catsup? ›

As it turns out, they're the same thing!

Ketchup and catsup are both Westernized terms for a condiment that has origins in China: fish sauce. Ketchup as we know it today is a modernized version of fish sauce, which was made in port towns on the South China Sea with salted and fermented anchovies.

Why is Heinz ketchup not ketchup? ›

In America, “Heinz” is practically synonymous with “ketchup.” But that won't be true in Israel—at least, not in Hebrew. The country's Health Ministry says that the company can no longer call its tomato product “ketchup” on Hebrew labels because it does not contain enough tomato paste.

Why does ketchup from McDonald's taste different? ›

McDonald's ketchup consists of tomato concentrate from red ripe tomatoes, distilled vinegar, high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, water, salt, and natural flavors. Heinz doesn't have the water, like McDonald's does, and Heinz contains onion powder and "spice," while McDonald's does not.

Why does glass bottle ketchup taste better? ›

Permeability is zero:

Since glass bottles do not affect the taste or smell of sauces and ketchup, their owners do not have to worry about this. Glas' material and shape are not affected by external temperatures, such as heat, as opposed to plastics, which can melt and affect product quality.

Should you warm or cold ketchup? ›

Food safety experts say that while ketchup is shelf-stable, it generally tastes better when kept cold. “I'm shocked there's a controversy,” said Martin Bucknavage, a food safety specialist at Penn State University. “If you want to maximize the quality of your ketchup, you keep it in the fridge.”

How do you store homemade ketchup? ›

Once you've opened a bottle of ketchup, you should keep it in the fridge alongside other condiments that need to be refrigerated. Homemade ketchup, however, because it isn't subject to the factory-sealed bottled as store-bought varieties, must always be kept in the fridge until it's time to serve it with the meal.

Is ketchup still good after 2 years? ›

The consensus: Hot sauce was the champ. It can last in the fridge for a whopping five years. Ketchup, on the other hand, should be purged after six months. Mustard, relish, brined capers, most jams and jellies and pure maple syrup can stay for a year.

How do you store ketchup long term? ›

Unless you're a busy diner going through and refilling ketchup bottles every day or two, you should store your ketchup in the fridge. This is because, just like pickles, the flavor and texture declines after you open the bottle or jar and the ketchup is exposed to air.

How long do homemade condiments last? ›

ketchup, co*cktail or chili sauce 6 months. chutney, 1 to 2 months. horseradish, 3 to 4 months. mustard, 12 months.

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