Make this super easy Homemade Ketchup at home with everyday ingredients. This from-scratch condiment tastes even better than many store-bought versions. It’s tangy, slightly sweet, and simple to make.
You’ll love the bright tomato flavor and the control over sweetness and acidity. It’s perfect for fries, burgers, chicken tenders, sandwiches, and more.
🩵 About This Recipe
This tomato ketchup recipe is a very easy, reliable way to make a flavorful homemade condiment. The result is classic—sweet with a little tang—and wildly versatile. Because it’s made from pantry staples, it comes together quickly and requires no canning or complicated processing.
Compared to commercial brands, this version is free of preservatives and artificial additives. You can tailor the balance of sugar, vinegar, and spices to match your family’s preferences so you get the perfect ketchup every time.
🧂 Gather Your Ingredients
- corn syrup – gives sweetness and a smooth, thick texture. Honey or maple syrup can be used as substitutes.
- brown sugar – adds molasses notes and brown sugar depth; light or dark both work.
- tomato paste – concentrates tomato flavor without processing fresh tomatoes.
- seasonings – onion powder and garlic powder round out the savory profile.
- Worcestershire sauce – adds umami and complexity.
- white vinegar – provides the bright tang that balances the sweetness.
- salt – essential for flavor balance.
🔪 Let’s Make Homemade Ketchup!
Simmer
Combine water, corn syrup, and brown sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Add Tomato
Whisk in the tomato paste until fully incorporated. Keep the heat moderate so the paste melds smoothly with the syrup mixture.
Finish Ketchup
Stir in onion powder, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, white vinegar, and salt. Simmer briefly to blend flavors, then remove from the heat and allow to cool. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
This homemade ketchup also makes a great glaze for meatloaf or a finishing sauce for grilled meats—try it anywhere you’d normally use ketchup.
💡 Expert Tips and Tricks
- Taste as you go. Adjust vinegar, salt, or sugar after simmering so the balance suits your palate. Start with less and add more if needed.
- Keep an eye on the pan while simmering; the concentrated mixture can scorch if the heat is too high.
- If the ketchup seems too thin, reduce the water, simmer a little longer, or stir in a bit more tomato paste. For a quicker thickener, a cornstarch slurry works well.
❔ FAQs
Most ketchups contain tomato, sugar, vinegar, salt, and spices. This recipe uses tomato paste and a sweetener to speed up the process while still delivering classic flavor.
If it’s too thin, it likely has excess liquid. Reduce simmering liquid, cook longer to concentrate, or add more tomato paste or a cornstarch slurry to thicken.
Yes. Mix about 1 teaspoon cornstarch with a little cold water to make a slurry, then stir it into the simmering ketchup until it thickens.
Making your own condiments is an easy way to reduce additives in your pantry and customize flavors. Once you know this basic ketchup formula, you can use it to build other DIY pantry staples.
📝 Substitutions and Variations
- Swap corn syrup for honey or maple syrup for a slightly different sweetness and texture.
- Add heat with chili powder, cayenne, or red pepper flakes for a spicy ketchup.
- Try smoked paprika, mustard powder, or a pinch of ground cloves for a distinct flavor twist.
- Increase brown sugar or add a spoonful of honey for a sweeter finish.
Kristin’s Kitchen Tip
If your household goes through a lot of ketchup, this recipe is easy to double or triple.
🥡 Storage
Store homemade ketchup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. A clean mason jar with a tight lid works perfectly.
🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
Use this ketchup on burgers, hot dogs, fries, onion rings, or as a dip for chicken tenders. Pair it with other homemade sauces like ranch dressing for a variety of dipping options.
😋 More Homemade Sauce Recipes You’ll Love
- Easy Lime Crema — bright and creamy for tacos and roasted vegetables.
- 4-Ingredient Tartar Sauce — simple and tangy for fish and chips.
- Creamy Sriracha Sauce — spicy and rich for burgers and sandwiches.
- Homemade Chick-fil-A Style Sauce — a sweet-savory option for dipping and spreading.
Recipe for Tomato Ketchup
⭐ Did you make this recipe? Awesome! I would love to hear about it—please leave a rating and a review if you enjoyed it.
📋 Recipe Card
Easy Homemade Ketchup
This super easy homemade ketchup comes together quickly and makes a fantastic condiment for all your favorite dishes.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup corn syrup (or honey/maple 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 water, corn syrup, and brown sugar to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Whisk in the tomato paste until smooth and combined.
- Stir in onion powder, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, and salt. Simmer briefly to blend flavors, watching carefully so it doesn’t scorch.
- Remove from heat and let cool. Taste and adjust vinegar, salt, or sweetness as desired. Transfer to a jar and chill.
Notes
- Adjust the flavor after cooking to reach your preferred balance of sweet and tangy.
- Watch the mixture while simmering to avoid burning.
- Substitute honey or maple syrup for corn syrup if preferred.
- For spicy ketchup, add a pinch of cayenne or a few dashes of hot sauce.
- Try smoked paprika, mustard powder, or a pinch of clove to vary the flavor.
- Store refrigerated in an airtight jar for up to two weeks.
Nutrition (per ounce)
Calories: 33 kcal | Carbohydrates: 8 g | Protein: 1 g | Fat: 0.1 g | Sodium: 211 mg | Sugar: 7 g
Nutritional information is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients and portion sizes.
Thanks for reading! Follow the recipe, make adjustments to suit your taste, and enjoy fresh, homemade ketchup any time. Happy cooking!
