Homemade Ketchup
Tomato Sauce is such a Kiwi thing, it's easy to make an easy homemade ketchup that your kids will love, is full of flavor but has less added sugar and salt than store-bought ketchup.
Serve it with all the classics; homemade burgers, bacon and egg pie and of course fries,
Ingredients you will need
Ingredient Notes, Substitutes, & Alternatives
- Maple Syrup: Depending on the age and palate of your child the maple syrup may not be necessary. I used to make this recipe with no added sweetener but as my kids have aged and have tried commercial sauce I have found adding the maple syrup increases the kid approval level. The maple syrup therefore can be left out or substituted for honey, brown sugar or apple sauce.
- Tomato Purée: I use canned tomato purée it may also be called passata or crushed sieved tomatoes. Look for tomato puree that is made with 100% tomatoes with no added salt or sugar.
- Olive oil: The amount of olive oil may see quite high, however don't skimp on it as the olive oil actually aids in the thickening of the tomato ketchup.
- Cinnamon: Adding cinnamon is optional, however it adds a depth of flavour and sweet notes to the sauce. I think it's much nicer with the cinnamon. Allspice or nutmeg can also be used.
- Garlic: If you don't have fresh garlic this can be substituted for 1 teaspoon of jarred crushed garlic, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder or onion powder.
Step-by-step instructions
Below are illustrated step-by-step instructions to make my Homemade Ketchup recipe, if you prefer just the written instructions then head straight to the printable recipe card below.
Step one: In a saucepan heat the olive oil over a medium low heat
Roughly chop the garlic, it does not need to be super fine, in fact large chunks are better so it does not burn.
Sauté for a few moments until lightly coloured and fragrant.
Step two: Pour in the tomatoes, add the cinnamon and (optional) maple syrup, then leave to bubble (simmer) over a medium/low heat for around 30 minutes.
Step three: Once the sauce is nicely thickened give it a good vigorous whisk to really incorporate the oil.
Enjoy!
Tips & Tricks
Here is how you can make this Homemade Ketchup perfectly every time!
- Take the time to whisk in the oil, this is what will thicken your sauce.
- Once cool, you can store your homemade sauce in a clean air tight jar or air tight container in the fridge for up to a week.
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How To Make This Recipe Suitable For Baby-Led-Weaning
- This recipe is suitable for baby led weaning, it can be made without the maple syrup to reduce the sugar content.
- Be sure to choose tomato purée that contains no added salt or sugar, the ingredient list should only contain tomatoes.
- Serve the tomato ketchup with baked meatballs, carrot fries, mini egg muffins or anything really!
If you tried this Homemade Ketchup recipe please leave a star rating and let me know how you go in the comments below. I love hearing from you!
Homemade Ketchup
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Save This Recipe!
I'll email this post to you, so you can easily come back to it later!
Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 Clove garlic
- 1 ½ Cups tomato purée 400 grams, 14 oz. crushed & sieved tomatoes or passata
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 Tablespoons maple syrup optional
Instructions
- In a saucepan heat the olive oil over a medium low heat
- Roughly chop the garlic, it does not need to be super fine, in fact large chunks are better so it does not burn.
- Sauté for a few moments until lightly coloured and fragrant
- Pour in the tomatoes, add the cinnamon and (optional )maple syrup, then leave to bubble over a medium/low heat for around 30 minutes.
- Once the sauce is nicely thickened give it a good vigorous whisk to really incorporate the oil.
- Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Yield: This recipe makes one cup of tomato sauce.
- Take the time to whisk in the oil, this is what will thicken your sauce.
- Once cool, you can store your homemade sauce in a clean air tight jar or air tight container in the fridge for up to a week.
- Maple Syrup: Depending on the age and palate of your child the maple syrup may not be necessary. I used to make this recipe with no added sweetener but as my kids have aged and have tried commercial sauce I have found adding the maple syrup increases the kid approval level. The maple syrup therefore can be left out or substituted for honey, brown sugar or apple sauce.
- Tomato Purée: I use canned tomato purée it may also be called passata or crushed sieved tomatoes. Look for tomato puree that is made with 100% tomatoes with no added salt or sugar.
- Olive oil: The amount of olive oil may see quite high, however don't skimp on it as the olive oil actually aids in the thickening of the tomato ketchup.
- Cinnamon: Adding cinnamon is optional, however it adds a depth of flavour and sweet notes to the sauce. I think it's much nicer with the cinnamon. Allspice or nutmeg can also be used.
- Garlic: If you don't have fresh garlic this can be substituted for 1 teaspoon of jarred crushed garlic, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder or onion powder.
Tips for Baby Led Weaning
This recipe is suitable for baby led weaning, it can be made without the maple syrup to reduce the sugar content. Be sure to choose tomato purée that contains no added salt or sugar, the ingredient list should only contain tomatoes. Serve the tomato ketchup with baked meatballs, carrot fries, mini egg muffins or anything really!Nutrition
Quick Start Guide To BLW
Baby led weaning doesn’t need to be complicated, grab my quick start guide to begin your little ones food journey.
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Hi, thank you for this great idea!!! Just wondering how long does this last for?
It will be absolutely fine for 3 days. It will freeze too. I my house with 3 kids we get through it quickly. I use it to stir through pasta, in toasted sandwiches, as a pizza base sauce or just as a dip so it goes quickly
Hi, looks great! How long do you think it will last in the fridge? Should freeze ok too?
Hi Gemma. It should store in the fridge for 3 days easily. It will freeze. The recipe makes a relatively small quantity around a cup of sauce... So in my family it gets used quickly ?
Ketchup can be so micronutrient-dense. I love that you've created a healthier version here! We can enjoy the powerful antioxidants without all the sugar and inflammation!
You are right! It is so rich in lycopene etc!
Soooooo, where is the actual recipe? This entire page is filled with everything BUT the actual ingredients...
I am soo sorry it seems my recipe plug in failed me. It is there now. Thank you so much for letting me know
Sugar free using canned tomatoes read the ingredients on the can
My canned tomatoes do not contain added sugar. Tomatoes will have dugar listed in the nutrients panels as tomatoes contain natural sugar, but there is no added suagr in the canned tomatoes I use.