Making your own sugar free ketchup is super-easy. This recipe is delicious, healthy, tangy and sweet. This keto ketchup recipe requires just 3 main ingredients plus spices!
"I tried this for the first time today and was amazed how easy it was. The taste is gorgeous, definitely making this again." (Jan)
Darling, would you like a spoonful of sugar with your chips?
Yes, seriously. Most varieties of store-bought ketchup contain a full teaspoon of sugar per serving!
This is the reason why I have been making my own sugar free ketchup for years. Alongside my keto mayonnaise, it is the condiment I always have in my fridge.
This keto ketchup recipe has been on my website for a long time and it is a firm reader favourite. You won't believe how simple and tasty it is!
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
First of all, this ketchup recipe tastes 100% authentic. It is sweet, tangy and packed with deep tomato flavor. In fact, I think it tastes even better than my one-time go-to, Heinz. Using natural ingredients and no additives always wins!
Next, I'd like to point out that making keto ketchup is incredibly straight-forward. It requires staple kitchen cupboard ingredients. You prep it in one minute and then let it simmer on the stove for half an hour.
Of course, you can buy sugar free ketchup in the store. However, many brands use artificial sweeteners and preservatives. And brands that do use clean ingredients are not only expensive, but can also taste pretty bland. Personally, I have not found a single ketchup brand that I truly enjoy.
With my recipe, you will save money and can tailor the flavor exactly to your palate. All in the knowledge that one tablespoon of ketchup is only 0.7g net carbs!
Ingredients
In the picture below you can see all my ingredients:
- Tomatoes - A tin good quality chopped tomatoes or passata.
- Apple cider vinegar - This is milder than a white vinegar. Vinegar helps to preserve the ketchup and adds that characteristic tanginess.
- Sugar substitute - I used a Golden Erythritol monk fruit sweetener blend, which is a brown sugar substitute. Allulose, xylitol, stevia or Bocha Sweet also work.
- Garlic - I used one fresh garlic clove, mashed. Or add ยผ teaspoon garlic powder.
- Mustard - My go-to is Dijon mustard.
- Spices: Onion powder, allspice, cinnamon
- Salt & pepper
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Instructions
This section contains step by step instructions and photos that show how to make the recipe.
STEP 1
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Put the lid on and cook on a low heat for 30 minutes, stirring regularly.
STEP 2
Puree the mixture with an immersion blender for a smooth consistency.
Fill the ketchup into clean, airtight jars and store it in the fridge.
Expert Tips
#1 I recommend that you use good quality tinned chopped tomatoes or passata (blended tomatoes). My favourite is an Italian brand called "Mutti". The budget brands often have a sour taste and you'll definitely have to add additional sweetener to balance this.
#2 Always taste the ketchup after it has cooked and adjust the sweetener and spices if needed.
Variations
Tomatoes
It's possible to use tinned whole tomatoes. Simply blend them before using.
You can even use fresh tomatoes for this recipe. It adds a little extra work, but would taste great if you use a sweet variety of tomatoes. The ones one the vine are normally quite good.
If you use fresh tomatoes, you may want to add some double concentrated tomato paste to enhance the flavour.
Make sure you blanch them first by pouring boiling water over them. Then remove the skins plus the hard green bit at the top. Cube them and proceed with the recipe as above.
Vinegar
Instead of the apple cider vinegar, you can also use white wine vinegar, red wine vinegar or baslamic vinegar. You will need to reduce the amount, depending on the variety. Apple cider vinegar is the mildest vinegar available - all others are more acidic.
Flavor Variations
See this recipe as a starting point for your own flavor experiments. Here are other spices and ingredients that you can add:
- ginger - ground ginger or freshly grated
- coriander / cilantro
- chili powder or sriracha sauce - for a bit of heat
- celery salt
- fresh onions (in place of the onion powder)
- Worcestershire sauce or Balsamic vinegar - these add depth and umami flavor
- roasted red pepper
- smoked paprika
Recipe FAQs
Yes. The carbs come from the natural sugar in the tomatoes. 1 tablespoon of this ketchup recipe contains only 0.7g net carbs. In comparison, 1 tablespoon of Heinz tomato ketchup has 3.5g net carbs.
Yes. Several brands, from Heinz to Real Good offer sugar-free ketchup. Check the label - some contain artificial sweeteners such as sucralose or aspartame.
Yes. If you choose quality tomatoes that are ripe and naturally sweet, this recipe tastes good without any additional sweetener.
To make a no cook sugar free ketchup, use tomato paste instead of canned tomatoes. I would use ยพ cup of tomato paste for this recipe.
Serving Suggestion
Here are recipes I serve with keto ketchup:
- Air fryer turnip fries - these are keto friendly "French fries"
- Keto chicken nuggets
- Keto hot dogs
- Hamburgers (check out this recipe for black burger buns)
- Keto chicken wings
- Keto onion rings
Storage
Refrigerator: The vinegar in the ketchup helps to preserve it. You can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for at least 3-4 weeks. I have had jars in the back of the fridge that have lasted for several months.
Freezer: Want to make a big batch? Freeze it in ice cube trays. This way, it keeps for 6 months or longer.
I am not an expert in canning and have never tried to make a big batch of homemade ketchup to then can it. Given that the recipe contains vinegar, it should be possible. I guess you would also need to sterilise the mason jars.
Fun Ketchup Facts
The first known written recipe for ketchup involving tomatoes was created by the horticulturist James Mease of Philadelphia in 1812. He called tomatoes "love apples".
Because of its acidity, ketchup can be used to polish metal or silverware.
More Sugar Free Sauces
Take a look at my other sugar free condiments and sauce recipes:
- Sugar-Free BBQ Sauce Recipe6 Minutes
- Sugar Free Sweet Chilli Sauce Recipe15 Minutes
- Sugar Free Teriyaki Sauce (Keto)10 Minutes
- Low Carb Keto Bechamel Sauce8 Minutes
Tried this recipe? Give it a star rating below!
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Recipe
Sugar Free Ketchup
from Sugar Free LondonerNote: The servings slider only changes the first amount in each line and not any subsequent amounts. Please make your own calculations where necessary.
Ingredients
- 14 oz / 400g tin good quality chopped tomatoes or passata just tomatoes!
- 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1-2 tablespoon golden erythritol optional ***see notes
- 1 garlic clove mashed, or ยผ teaspoon garlic powder
- ยผ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ยผ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 pinch ground allspice
- 1 pinch cinnamon
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients, cook on a low heat for 30 minutes.
- Stir frequently until sauce thickens.
- Blend with an immersion blender until smooth.
Pamela Shorland
Hello Katrin,
i am absolutely loving so many of your recipes as they make following a Keto lifestyle so much easier and possible to stay on track.
I particularly appreciate the recipes for the staples like this tomato ketchup, sweet chilli sauce, blueberry jam etc and some of your sensational bread recipes. I havenโt found a Keto mayonnaise recipe yet - if you are inspired to experiment.
I am also so looking forward to making some of your desserts!
My question for you today is that in your notes for this ketchup recipe you mention you made yours with red wine vinegar. The label on mine (a quality one with no added sugar) says it is 3 g carbohydrates per 1 tablespoon, yet under your nutritional facts the carbs are stated as 1.3 g per tablespoon. Have you taken the difference between using red wine vinegar and normal or apple cider vinegar into account in the nutritional advice? I would love to use red wine vinegar for the added flavour though am concerned about the โsneaky little carbsโ that one often forgets about in the total count - especially over the day if one is trying to stay in ketosis. Your perspective would be appreciated.
Katrin
Hello Pamela, thank you so much for your, and and Iโm really glad you like my website on the recipes. The nutrition I calculated for this catch up is for 1 tablespoon of ketchup, which will only contain a small amount of vinegar. Therefore, I donโt think it will make much of a difference which type of vinegar you use. I would just to make sure that it is a quality one and that you check the label to see if it contains any hidden sugars- but you are doing that already anyway!
marilyn
BALL COMPANY HAS A Frechtech Harvest pro sauce maker.it saves a lot of time.when making tomato sauce or ketchup.also can put rasberries thru it to remove the seeds.
Vicki Wick
How many cups of chopped fresh tomatoes would be in this recipe?
Katrin
400 grams of tinned tomatoes are around 2 cups. I'd think that if you used fresh chopped tomatoes, you need to use about 4 cups to make 2 cups of passata. Then you'll end up with about 1 cup of ketchup.
Beth
What is the serving size for your nutritional values?
Katrin
Itโs one generous tablespoon per serving:)
Alyssa Balch
Best way to store this and how long does this keep in the fridge?
Katrin
I use a glass jar with a lid and keep it in the fridge. As it does not contain preservatives, I'd say you can keep it for a week, provided you use a clean spoon to scoop it out. I'm sure you could freeze it too if you wanted to make a larger amount.
Lianne
Great recipe - thank you. I have been looking for a UK recipe without sugar (and also without any artificial sweeteners) and stumbled on your blog. Made it yesterday for my boys who are all ketchup addicts and they loved it!
Katrin
That's great! It's one of those staples I love. It's easy to adapt it as well and keep it interesting by adding different spices
Tabitha
So I don't have Dijon mustard at the moment and unfortunately can't get it at the moment. Do you perhaps have any tips for making this without the Dijon?
Katrin
If you have powdered mustard, you could use that instead. Otherwise, just make it without mustard. I'm sure it will still be nice.
Dan Allen
I've made a very similar recipe but instead of mustard used chilli powder and paprika.
1/2 tsp of chilli and 1tbsp smoked paprika will add piquancy to these numbers.
Dan Allen
Also, push it through a sieve and it will come out looking like (and having the 'mouth feel' of ) shop bought ketchups if you want that.
Katrin
What a great tip! Thanks for sharing this here. I'll definitely do this next time I make it.
Claire
I am trying to get my children off eh sweet supermarket ketchup and this recipe looked great. I added half a grated Apple to up the sweetness to a little more like what they are used to and its delicious!! Trying with in them with chips tomorrow
Katrin
That sounds like great idea! Thank you for sharing
Linda
I'm new at this, so need a little more direction, if you'd be so kind. Do you prep the tomatoes at all? Cut into pieces or just put in the pot whole? Wouldn't there be tomato skins in the mixture once they cook down? Could you cook the tomatoes first, strain them (to remove the skins), then put in the pot with the other ingredients to simmer/cook down?
I'm anxious to try this, and appreciate any help.
Megha
Ketchup is my favorite condiment, but I haven't been able to use it lately - this is the best find of the day! Thank you Katrin!
Katrin
We love it, and it's easy to make. Great you like it!