Homemade ketchup (unsweetened options!)

I ran out of my unsweetened ketchup a few days ago, which makes it hard to eat my lovely kabocha fries.  Instead of paying another $5 for another measly bottle, I decided to make my own with an 89 cent can of tomato paste.  Sagan suggested this, and I’m so glad I tried it.

I really can’t get enough of this ketchup.  It’s awesome.  It has a lot of spices in it, and they really make it great.  Bobby kept stealing some to have on his rice (it was that good).  The spices I used are very interchangeable – just use whatever you like, and use as much or as little as you want!

Maggie’s Homemade Ketchup

26-homemade-ketchup

Ingredients

  • 1 6-ounce can of tomato paste (I used Trader Joe’s organic)
  • 1/4 to 3/4 cup water (I used close to 3/4 cup; just depends on how thick you like it)
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • NOTE – the following spices are all up to YOU and YOUR preferences
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1.5 teaspoons spice mix (sea salt, garlic powder, black pepper, onion) – I like to use a lot.

Directions

  1. Mix everything together.  Add more water until it’s the right consistency for you.  My tomato paste was very thick, so I added a lot of water.
  2. Optional – add sugar (up to 1/4 cup or so).  I’m trying to stay away from sugar.
  3. 13-kabocha-ketchup

EAT!  With kabocha (pumpkin) fries is my favorite way to do so.  What’s your favorite thing to have ketchup on?  Do you like it sweetened or unsweetened?

35 Replies to “Homemade ketchup (unsweetened options!)”

  1. I didn’t know ketchup making was so easy! I am definitely doing that. I have never eaten much of the stuff until I started consuming butternut squash fries at an alarming rate. So excited about this recipe!

  2. i sort of like ketchup and it definitely has to be unsweetened! i usually do a little dot on my fries of ketchup cause it’s overpowering! haha

  3. wow Maggie, I am impressed! Making your own ketchup! I never thought of that. Whenever ketchup is out over here and we’re makin’ fries, everyone is scrambling for the last dip. haha. this is so simple to make. Thanks for the recipe. I’m sure I’ll have to refer to it some day, but I’ll probably have rice vinegar (so Asian tehehe) or Distilled vinegar on hand instead of apple cider vinegar.

    P.S. I love how your site is developing!

  4. good job with the ketchup, especially with kabocha fries, that’s my weakness! hahha….. what’s your method for making fries? I’m looking for a really easy one! 😀

  5. Umm, I love ketchup on everything! My two currant favs are sweetp fries and burgers. But my old favorite used to be as a dip for grilled cheese =)

  6. You made your own ketchup! That’s so cool…you go girl!

    My fave thing to eat ketchup on is probably french fries…mmm… 🙂

  7. boy, am I glad to see this! I love ketchup, but hate the HFCS crap they use in it…I’m definitely gonna make a huge jar of this! thank you so much!

  8. I’ll put ketchup on just about anything, but I used to put in on Stouffer’s mac & cheese all the time. Since adopting my healthier ways, however, I really like it on butternut squash fries.

  9. I am a ketchup freak. I should probably switch to something more pure like this. It’s not that I put it on a bunch of weird things, it’s that I use TONS of it when I do use it! This is a great idea!

  10. this is so neat! I was actually just looking at an *organic* ketchup bottle in my parents’ fridge, and I was kinda surprised at how much sodium and sugar are in there. I am definitely going to give this a try! thanks =)

  11. I normally just use ketchup on fries, hashbrowns, and hot dogs.

    We’ve been buying the organic unsweetened ketchup, but it’s so pricey! Cool to have a recipe to make it at home – never knew it was so easy!

  12. Ketchup goes on EVERYTHING in my world!! I love ketchup & spinach or cabbage or spaghetti squash or ANYTHING! ha ha! I am obsessed with Heinz Sugar Free Ketchup these days! But this recipe sounds awesome!

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