Homemade ketchup is the perfect, quick and easy kitchen project that anyone can do.

Ketchup has been a staple condiment in the United States ever since it was invented in 1812. According to National Geographic, 97 percent of American households report having a bottle of ketchup in their refrigerator. It makes you wonder what those 3 percent are up to…

It has a long shelf life and doesn’t take up much space in the fridge, plus it goes great on a wide array of foods. No wonder it’s such a popular condiment.

Without ketchup, hamburgers, fries, and hotdogs simply wouldn’t taste as good. BBQ sauce, which requires ketchup to make, wouldn’t taste nearly as tangy/sweet. Just think about life without ketchup. It may sound dramatic to say this, but things just wouldn’t be the same. 

Ketchup is such a popular condiment that every single foodstuff store in the country sells a bottle of it. So, you’re probably asking yourself why you should put in the work of making ketchup at home. 

Why Make Ketchup at Home?

There are plenty of convincing reasons why you should make homemade ketchup. First of all, haven’t you always wondered what goes into making it? It’s such a classic, well-known topping that it would be strange if you never had an inkling to attempt recreating it yourself. Now’s your chance!

Secondly, people who have health conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes can benefit from making their own ketchup. If you look at the ingredients list on any bottle of ketchup these days, you’ll find a heaping helping of High Fructose Corn Syrup. 

If you haven’t heard by now, High Fructose Corn Syrup is practically taking over the food we consume. It’s basically just sugar syrup that’s used in place of normal granulated sugar, but it’s actually way more unhealthy! High Fructose Corn Syrup is cheaper than sugar, and so, when big companies want to pinch their pennies (and they most often do), they choose it over sugar. 

HFCS is known to lead to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and even cancer. While consuming it is definitely okay in moderation, for some of us, having just a little bit of it can be harmful. 

Besides high amounts of sugar, ketchup is also extremely rich in sodium. In fact, just 8 tablespoons of it will give you your daily sodium intake. Eating any more of it will likely lead to high blood pressure and heart problems. 

So, are you convinced that making your own ketchup could be a healthier option than simply using the store-bought stuff? Anyways, if you’re not concerned with the health side of ketchup, making your own can be a fun weekend project, and can surely impress friends and family. 

Homemade Ketchup Recipe

Making ketchup is surprisingly simple. The recipe is also easy to alter and edit if need be. Add a bit less salt if you want to cut back on sodium intake. You can even replace the white vinegar with apple cider vinegar if that’s more convenient for you.

Read through the recipe below to see how you can make your own ketchup in just a few hours. 

You Will Need…

  • 14 ounces tomato paste
  • ½ cup water
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup white vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp allspice
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • ½ tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 ¼ tsp salt

Step 1 – Combine your ingredients. Put all of your ingredients into a large saucepan on the stove over medium heat. 

Step 2 – Let this mixture cook for about 20 minutes, mixing frequently, then begin whisking until the mixture is smooth. You can use a blender or food processor to get rid of any lumps. 

Step 3 – Taste! This is the perfect time to give your ketchup a taste. You can add in any more spices you think it needs. Or, if you think it could benefit from an herb, you can put that into the pot now, as well. 

Step 4 – Now, reduce the heat on the stove and let the mixture simmer for another 20 minutes. Stir it every few minutes to keep it from burning. 

Step 5 – Strain. Push the mixture through a strainer if necessary.

Step 6 – Chill until ready to serve. Ketchup tastes best cold, so make sure you give it time to cool off before you need it for a meal. This can take a few hours. 

Hopefully, this recipe is straightforward and easy to follow. This ketchup should last you a few weeks, depending on how much of it you use per meal (obviously). It’s super simple and doesn’t require much cooking skill to pull off. 

For an extra fun detail, why not put your ketchup into a classic ketchup bottle? There are some great ones on Amazon that I’d recommend.

The TableCraft 2-Piece Ketchup and Mustard Dispenser Set

If you want something a little bit more fun, try these:

The TableCraft 3-Piece Nostalgia Squeeze Bottle Set

If you want to enjoy ketchup without having to worry about how bad it can be for your health, look no further. Delicious homemade ketchup can be made quickly, and will definitely be a great topic of conversation at your next dinner party or backyard BBQ. 

Enjoy!

(Visited 133 times, 1 visits today)