Sugar-Free Tomato Ketchup
Enjoy the classic tangy and sweet ketchup flavor without the guilt! This homemade version uses a natural sweetener, making it a perfect low-carb and diabetic-friendly condiment for burgers, fries, and all your favorite foods.
For 32 servings
Cook the Tomato Base (30 minutes)
- Wash and roughly chop the tomatoes. Add them to a large, heavy-bottomed pot along with the chopped onion and peeled garlic cloves.
- Create a spice sachet by tying the whole cloves, cinnamon stick, and black peppercorns in a small piece of muslin cloth or a tea infuser. Add the sachet to the pot.
- Pour in 1/4 cup of water to prevent the mixture from sticking.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Once simmering, cover the pot, reduce heat to low, and cook for 25-30 minutes until the tomatoes and onions are completely soft and pulpy.
Blend and Strain for Smoothness (15 minutes)
- Remove the pot from the heat and carefully take out and discard the spice sachet. Let the tomato mixture cool for 10-15 minutes for safer handling.
- Transfer the cooled mixture to a high-speed blender and blend until it is perfectly smooth. Alternatively, use an immersion blender directly in the pot.
- Place a fine-mesh sieve over a clean pot. Pour the blended puree through the sieve in batches.
- Use the back of a spoon or a spatula to press the pulp through, extracting all the liquid and leaving behind seeds and skins. Discard the solids left in the sieve for the smoothest texture.
Simmer and Season the Ketchup (25 minutes)
- Place the pot with the strained, smooth puree back on the stove over medium-low heat.
- Stir in the white vinegar, Kashmiri red chili powder, mustard powder, erythritol, and salt.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered for 20-25 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent it from sticking at the bottom. Be careful, as the thick mixture may splatter.
- The ketchup is ready when it has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon and a line drawn through it holds its shape for a few seconds.
Cool and Store (5 minutes + cooling time)
- Turn off the heat and allow the ketchup to cool completely to room temperature. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Once fully cooled, transfer the ketchup into a sterilized glass jar or bottle with a tight-fitting lid.
- Store in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3-4 weeks.
What to keep in mind.
6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1For the best flavor and color, use very ripe, deep-red tomatoes like Roma or plum tomatoes.
- 2Straining the puree is the most important step for achieving a silky-smooth, professional texture. Don't skip it!
- 3Sterilize your storage jar by boiling it in water for 10 minutes or running it through a hot dishwasher cycle to prolong the ketchup's shelf life.
- 4Taste the ketchup during the final simmering stage and adjust the sweetener, salt, or vinegar to match your personal preference.
- 5The ketchup will thicken significantly as it cools. Avoid over-reducing it on the stove.
- 6Using a spice sachet (muslin pouch) for the whole spices makes them easy to remove before blending.
Adapt it for your goals.
Spicy Ketchup
Add 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper or a finely chopped hot chili (like a jalapeño) along with the tomatoes in the first step for a spicy kick.
Smoky KetchupSmoky Ketchup
Incorporate 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika along with the Kashmiri red chili powder to give the ketchup a rich, smoky flavor.
Herb Infused KetchupHerb-Infused Ketchup
Add a sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme to the spice sachet during the initial cooking phase for an aromatic, herbal note.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Blood Sugar Friendly
By using erythritol instead of sugar, this ketchup has a minimal impact on blood glucose levels, making it an excellent choice for individuals with diabetes or those following a low-carb diet.
Rich in Antioxidants
Tomatoes are a fantastic source of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that is more easily absorbed by the body when tomatoes are cooked. Lycopene helps combat oxidative stress and supports overall cellular health.
No Artificial Preservatives
This homemade recipe is free from the artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors often found in commercial ketchup. You control every ingredient, ensuring a cleaner, more natural product.
Frequently asked questions
A one-tablespoon serving of this homemade sugar-free ketchup contains approximately 5-10 calories, making it a very low-calorie condiment compared to store-bought versions which can have 20-25 calories per tablespoon.