Homemade Ketchup with Sweetness Options

Making a healthy, low-sugar or sugar-free ketchup at home is a simple and rewarding process that allows you to customize the flavor to your liking. While it may take a few tries to perfect the recipe for your specific taste, the preparation is quick and straightforward. Using basic pantry staples, you can have your ketchup ready in as little as 5–8 minutes when using garlic and onion powder, or up to 15 minutes if you opt for fresh garlic and onion for a richer flavor.

Base Ingredients:

1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1/2 cup white vinegar (option of apple cider vinegar or wine vinegar)
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon garlic powder (option of fresh garlic)
1 teaspoon onion powder (option of fresh onion)
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for a smoky flavor)
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)

Sweetness Options:

Classic Sweet Ketchup:
- Add 1/4 cup brown sugar
  This gives a traditional sweetness similar to store-bought ketchup.
Natural Sweetness (No Refined Sugar):
- Add 3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
  This option provides a subtle, natural sweetness and a richer flavor.
Low-Sugar Ketchup:
- Add 1–2 tablespoons monk fruit sweetener, stevia, or erythritol (to taste)
  Perfect for those who want to reduce sugar intake while maintaining sweetness.

Instructions:

Prep Fresh Ingredients (If Using):
If you’re using fresh onion and garlic, peel and cut them into smaller pieces for easier blending.
Prepare Other Ingredients:
Have all the other ingredients measured and ready to use for smooth preparation.
Blend the Ingredients:
Place the fresh onion, garlic, and all other ingredients in a blender, or use an immersion blender, and pulse until smooth.
Note: If you’re using garlic powder and onion powder (or granules), you can skip the blending step.
Cook the Mixture:
Transfer the blended mixture to a saucepan and cook over medium heat for about 5–15 minutes, stirring frequently. If using powdered ingredients, heat the mixture and cook just long enough to let the sweetener dissolve.
Cool and Store:
Once done, pour the ketchup into a clean glass jar. Let it cool before sealing and storing in the refrigerator for up to a month.
Preserve for Longer:
For longer storage, preserve the ketchup using a water-bath canning method following proper canning guidelines.

Tips for Customization:

Thicker Ketchup: Simmer longer to reduce the liquid.
Thinner Ketchup: Add a tablespoon of water at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
Flavor Boost: Add a teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce for extra depth.

Approximate Nutritional Facts (per 1 tbsp / 15 ml):

Calories: ~5 kcal
Net Carbs: ~0.9 g
Total Carbohydrates: ~1.1 g
Protein: ~0.2 g
Total Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
Fiber: ~0.2 g
Sugar: ~0.6 g
Sodium: ~85–90 mg
Magnesium: ~2 mg
Potassium: ~40–45 mg

Note: Nutritional values may vary slightly depending on the specific ingredients used, particularly the type of sweetener and tomato paste.

Enjoy your homemade ketchup!

With customizable sweetness options, you can effortlessly adjust the flavor to suit your taste or dietary preferences while keeping it both healthy and delicious. Pair it with low-carb French fries made from rutabaga or parsley root for a perfect low-carb complement to a variety of entrées.

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