Why did we like ketchup so much growing up? How did the manufacturers manage to take an acidic tomato and cook it into sweetness? It was a mainstay on french fries, burgers, hot dogs, and so much more. The answer was simple – sugar! More specifically – today – high fructose corn syrup! Processed ketchup is loaded with corn syrup. Even the vinegar is made from genetically modified corn. On top of the toxic nature of traditional processed ketchup, it is high in carbs. It is also lacking in protein and fiber. Processed ketchup is just not very healthy. We have a wonderful Homemade Sugar Free Ketchup recipe!
There are many recipes for healthy ketchup in the low-carb world. We, of course, do not use sugar in our version. We also like to stress healthy organic ingredients. Organic is a better option.
Ingredients
Making homemade ketchup with fresh ingredients, as many organics as possible, and no corn syrup will allow you to control what you are eating. It is simple and within a half-hour you will have a large bottle of this delicious condiment that will taste better than the processed variety.
Muir Glen makes wonderful organic tomato puree and tomato paste products. We also feel comfortable with Cento puree. These two tomato based products form the center piece of our homemade sugar free ketchup. For a truly fresh alternative you can boil fresh tomatoes for 10 minutes and make your own puree in a bender. Our vinegar of choice is Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar. Some recipes call for red wine vinegar and that is also acceptable. We find the apple cider vinegars deliver the truer ketchup flavor that we remember from our youth.
We buy our organic spices from Frontier Co-op or Simply Organic (owned by the co-op). They have been importing and selling products that are friendly to people and the planet since 1976. They are member owned and each year they set aside a percentage of their profits for social giving. Their motto is “Nourish people and planet. Always be Fair.” You can find out more about their products on their website. Their cinnamon is the best in the world – definitely try it. We also use organic Dijon mustard made by Annies. You can purchase these products from Amazon.
Instead of powdered sweeteners, we have been switching our recipes to use EZ Sweetz natural Sucralose drops for our sweeteners. Twenty-four drops are equal to 1/2 cup of sugar, but you can add a few more or less drops to adjust the sweetness of your ketchup. We like this sweetener since it has no fillers and leaves no after taste.
Preparation Tips
Many recipes call for a simple process of blending the ingredients in a bowl or a blender and serving right away. We still prefer melding the flavors (especially with tomato products) by cooking the sauce down on the stove top. This also will maintain the integrity of the ketchup. Without a cooking process the ketchup will tend to separate. We still use our blender to smooth out the finished cooked product.
The three key components in cooking homemade sugar free ketchup are texture, sweetness, and saltiness. The texture should mirror a processed ketchup. The texture will become thicker the more the recipe is cooked. We have already mentioned increasing or decreasing the amount of EZ Sweetz drops to achieve the sweetness you prefer and the amount of sea salt is also at your discretion. Experiment with different amount until it is just right for your taste.
You can also use an emersion blender to smooth out your ketchup. We let our version cool a bit as that will also mean more thickening and then we smooth it in our Vitamix blender. It comes out perfect ever time. We store our finished ketchup in a sealed canning jar to preserve the freshness. Transferring a good amount to a squeeze bottle for cookouts and guest parties is also a great idea.
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Low Carb Sugar Free Ketchup – Organic and Healthy!
Although technically a sauce, we also consider our homemade sugar free ketchup a “Low Carb Essential.” It is full of healthy ingredients. Certainly low in carbs without the sugars, and a tasty addition to your low-carb burger or zucchini fries. Try using it as a base for a low-carb barbecue sauce and even mixed with mayonnaise for a delicious shrimp dip or salad dressing. In 30 minutes you will have a healthy alternative to processed ketchup – stay low carb – stay organic – and stay healthy. Enjoy!
Homemade Sugar Free Ketchup
Ingredients
- 28 ounces Tomato puree (Cento or Muir Glen)
- 12 ounces Tomato paste (Cento or Muir Glen)
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil (extra virgin)
- 3 cloves Garlic (chopped)
- 4 ounces Apple cider vinegar (Bragg organic)
- ½ Medium onion (diced)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon Cloves
- ¼ teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Sea Salt
- 24 drops EZ Sweetz drops (equals 1/2 cup sugar)
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a skillet and add onion. Cook for 2 minutes then add the garlic for another minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the vinegar, sweetener and sea salt and bring to a boil.
- Add tomato puree and tomato paste and stir to combine.
- Add the mustard, cloves, and cinnamon and cook the sauce on low simmer for 10 minutes until it thickens to ketchup consistency. Taste for salt and sweetness – adjust as needed.
- Pour into a blender and blend until smooth. Refrigerate before using.
Nutrition
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This recipe is mouthwateringly delicious! I made a couple of tweaks:
Used petite diced tomatoes instead of crushed
Used 1/4 cup maple syrup for sweetener (obviously not low carb)
Reduced sodium by using Aromasong Dead Sea salt
Added a pinch of cayenne
Couldn’t be happier. Thanks so much for the recipe!
Adding one’s own touch is the essence of what being a foodie is all about. So pleased you found my creation and made it your own. There are sugar-free maple syrup’s on the market that are wonderful. Keeping’ it low carb, you know . . . Joanie.
I really want to try this — but how long will it last in the refrigerator? Thanks, Resa
One of the reasons ketchup last a long time (either refrigerated or not) is chemical preservatives, sugar, and vinegar. My ketchup does not contain preservatives or sugar. However, the vinegar will prolong its shelf life. I would suggest refrigeration. Mine is usually gone in a couple weeks, but it should stay fine for a month. You could try making half-a-batch, or even make more and can it for future use. Try it, it is delicious and healthy. Thanks for the question . . . Joanie.