Last Updated on January 31, 2019
The following easy homemade ketchup recipe is sugar-free, needs just 3 main ingredients and is ready within a few minutes. It was again my daughter who introduced it to me some months ago when she experimented in our kitchen. Now, this clean eating condiment has become a staple in our family.
The first recipe for this popular tomato dip emerged in the USA in 1812. Today, ketchup also known as catsup is so much in use that most people can’t imagine eating French fries (chips), hamburgers, hotdogs, scrambled eggs, and grilled cheese without it.
How to make it in general
Modern ketchup is traditionally made using tomatoes, sweeteners, vinegar, onions, herbs, and spices. Most commercial varieties use not only a lot of sugar but also plenty of salt, chemical flavors, and preservatives.
How to make homemade ketchup from fresh tomatoes
The most important ingredients in a homemade recipe are of course tomatoes. They should be fresh and ripe but not too hard. The best ones are organic tomatoes but the following homemade recipe works with tomato cans too. In that case, you have to drain the vegetables very well before you use them.
Options to replace table sugar
For sweetness, many homemade recipes use brown sugar, agave nectar or corn syrup. But in my opinion that doesn’t make them any healthier than if you used white sugar. For a clean eating version, you can use honey, maple syrup, dates or date syrup.
I’ve used dates for the following recipe. If you think you don’t like them please just do me a favor and give it a try before you judge it. I’m also not a big fan of “pure” dates taste but surprisingly I don’t notice it in this sauce.
PrintEasy homemade ketchup recipe
a delicious clean eating condiment
- Prep Time: 7
- Total Time: 7
Ingredients
- 9 oz/250 grams tomato cubes
- 3 oz/85 grams dried tomatoes (with oil or oil-free, I used oil-free dried tomatoes)
- 8 dates or 2 tablespoon date syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Put all ingredients in a food processor or blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Pour the sauce in a jar and put on the lid.
- If the sauce is too dry especially (especially when using oil-free, dried tomatoes) I recommend adding some olive oil and/or water according to your preferences.
Notes
- It can be stored in your fridge for up to one week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
Tipp: For a homemade curry ketchup you just add some curry and mustard to your tomato sauce. How much of each is dependent on your personal taste. For a spicy touch add some cayenne pepper and ground cloves.
Video: How to make clean eating catsup quick & easy
Check out my video below and watch how easy it is to make your own condiment within a few minutes. Enjoy!
Commercial varieties are loaded with sugar
As a clean eater, you are aware that store-bought bottles are loaded with sugar. But did you know that ketchup provides 1 teaspoon of sugar per 1 tablespoon of condiment? Imagine that one-fourth of a Heinz bottle is sugar! (23.6g sugar per 100g or 2.6g per serving). From my own experience, I know that one serving is seldom enough to satisfy the craving for this popular condiment.
But it is not just Heinz – most of the other brands, the store-labeled generics and many of the organic varieties have a similar high sugar content.
Supports a sugar addiction
I admit it – I’ve been a huge catsup lover since my early childhood. I can’t imagine eating French fries without this amazing tomato sauce. You probably know that I try to eat clean most of the time. The 80/20 rule gives me some room for seldom indulgencies. French fries with ketchup is one of them…
So…If someone would serve me a plate of French fries with ketchup right now – it would be hard for me to resist. The redder the fast food meal the better…
I’m aware that this love is, in fact, the hidden sugar addiction that is craving for more sugar and I will probably keep this addiction forever. But over the years I have luckily found more and more workarounds.
For me, the here presented clean eating recipe is a perfect substitute for store-bought bottles. Also the fact that it needs just 3 main ingredients makes it a winner. Who would have thought that one day I could turn this addiction into a healthy habit?!
It might take you several tries before you find your perfect homemade tomato ketchup but I think it is worth it. If you’d prefer a lighter red color just add a bit of sweet pepper powder.
Do you love the idea of home-made clean eating recipes that are quick and easy? Then you should consider to check out my 52 Chef Habits Course.