Make this super easy Homemade Ketchup recipe at home with everyday ingredients! This from-scratch condiment tastes even better than your favorite store bought variety.
You’ll love the tangy sweet flavor, and you’ll feel great knowing exactly what goes into your ketchup. Perfect for fries, burgers, chicken nuggets, and more!
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🩵 About This Recipe
This recipe for tomato ketchup is a super easy way to create your own homemade condiment! Classic, sweet, and a little bit tangy, this homemade ketchup is ideal for burgers and hot dogs, french fries, and so much more.
We all have our favorite brands of store bought ketchup, but this homemade version is free of preservatives. Plus, you can adjust the flavor exactly to your liking for the perfect ketchup every time!
Use your ketchup with Turkey Burger Sliders, Air Fryer French Fries, and whatever else you would put ketchup on!
🧂 Gather Your Ingredients
- corn syrup - provides some sweetness and a nice thick consistency.
- brown sugar - both dark brown sugar and light brown sugar work fine.
- tomato paste - using tomato paste is a great way to infuse your ketchup with tomato flavor without having to deal with processing fresh tomatoes.
- seasonings - for some savory flavor, add onion powder and garlic powder.
- Worcestershire sauce - gives the ketchup a rich umami flavor.
- white vinegar - for some tanginess that helps to bring everything together.
🔪 Let's Make Homemade Ketchup!
(Or click here to jump right to the recipe card with measurements!)
Simmer
Combine corn syrup and brown sugar in a saucepan with water, then bring to a simmer.
Add Tomato
Mix in the tomato paste until combined with the rest of the contents of the saucepan.
Finish Ketchup
Stir in the remaining ingredients until everything is well combined, then remove from the heat and cool.
💡 Expert Tips and Tricks
- Give the ketchup a taste before it's finished and adjust the amount of vinegar, salt, or brown sugar. Start with less than the recipe calls for if you're worried about a certain flavor being too strong.
- Once the mixture starts to simmer, pay attention so it doesn't burn or get overly brown.
❔ FAQs
Most ketchup recipes include tomato, sugar, vinegar, salt, and a variety of other spices. This recipe uses tomato paste combined with corn syrup as a super convenient shortcut!
This is likely just due to too much moisture. Use less water or let it simmer for longer, or add some more tomato paste.
One other way to thicken your ketchup is to mix cornstarch with some water and mix the slurry into the rest of the mixture.
📝 Substitutions and Variations
- Honey and maple syrup also work instead of corn syrup, and will also result in a slightly lighter end product!
- Give your ketchup a bit of a kick with ingredients like chili powder, cayenne pepper, or red pepper flakes.
- Other great spices to add are mustard powder, smoked paprika, or some ground cloves.
- Feel free to add more brown sugar for a sweeter ketchup.
Kristin’s Kitchen Tip
If you and your family use a lot of ketchup, you can easily double or triple this recipe!
🥡 Storage
Keep your homemade ketchup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks. A mason jar is a great option for storage!
Keep It Handy
Don't have time for this homemade ketchup recipe right now? Click on or tap the heart icon on the BOTTOM RIGHT of the screen to save it for later!
🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
Use your ketchup for burgers, hot dogs, or as a dipping sauce for chicken tenders! You could also serve it alongside a Homemade Ranch Dressing for great dipping options.
😋 More Homemade Sauce Recipes You'll Love
- Easy Lime Crema - Great for tacos, enchiladas, burritos, quesadillas, and more.
- 4 Ingredient Tartar Sauce - Pair this homemade sauce with some air fryer fish sticks for an incredible weeknight meal.
- Creamy Sriracha Sauce - This sauce instantly upgrades even the simplest burger!
- Homemade Chick-fil-A Sauce - Craving CFA on a Sunday? This recipe from JZ Eats is a great way to make sure you've always got their signature sauce on hand!
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Recipe for Tomato Ketchup
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📋 Recipe Card
Easy Homemade Ketchup
Ingredients
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup corn syrup
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 cup tomato paste
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ cup white vinegar
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Add the water, corn syrup, and brown sugar to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer.¼ cup water, ¼ cup corn syrup, 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- Add the tomato paste and stir until mixed.1 cup tomato paste
- Mix in the onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, and salt.¼ teaspoon onion powder, ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, ¼ cup white vinegar, ½ teaspoon salt
- Remove from heat and let cool.
Notes
- You can adjust the vinegar, salt, or sweetness to taste after simmering to match your preferred flavor profile.
- Keep an eye on the mixture as it simmers to prevent sticking or burning.
- If you don’t have corn syrup, honey or maple syrup can work as a quick substitute without affecting flavor too much.
- For a spicy kick, stir in a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce.
- Add a dash of smoked paprika, a bit of mustard powder, or a hint of clove for a unique flavor.
- For a sweeter ketchup, increase the brown sugar or add a spoonful of honey.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Additional Serving Suggestions:
- Use this ketchup with homemade fries, onion rings, or roasted sweet potato wedges.
- Spread it on burgers, sandwiches, or wraps.
- Pour into small jars, label them, and give as part of a homemade condiment gift set for friends and family.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
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