Easy 5 Minute Homemade Ketchup with Honey and Garlic
Make my better-than-store-bought Homemade Ketchup recipe in five minutes with tomato paste, honey, white wine vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and a touch of allspice. And it’s made without added sugar and high-fructose corn syrup with clean, simple ingredients for your fries and burgers.
This Homemade Ketchup recipe with honey and garlic is the perfect choice if you’re looking for a simple, five-minute condiment that tastes way better than anything you’d buy at the store. While store-bought ketchup often comes with added sugars and high-fructose corn syrup, this homemade version uses wholesome, clean ingredients like tomato paste, honey, white wine vinegar, garlic powder, and onion powder, with a hint of allspice for a unique twist. The result is a thick, flavorful ketchup that pairs perfectly with french fries or any dish that needs an extra kick.
Making your own ketchup can be a fun and rewarding experience, especially when it’s this easy. Whether you’re whipping it up for a weeknight meal or adding a homemade touch to a special occasion, this recipe will quickly become a favorite. Once you try it, you may not want to go back to store-bought ketchup! I highly recommend serving it with my High-Protein Loaded French Fries for an unbeatable combination of flavor and texture.
When you make your own ketchup, you get full control over the ingredients, making it a great way to ensure you’re avoiding unnecessary additives and artificial flavors. This recipe is perfect for anyone looking to enjoy a flavorful, homemade alternative to traditional store-bought condiments.
Why You’ll Love This 5-Minute Ketchup Recipe
- You only need a few simple ingredients.
- It is super easy to make for an impressive result.
- It is full of delicious flavor!
- All the ingredients are easily digestible for a gentle tummy.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here is everything you need to make the best homemade ketchup recipe:
Tomato Paste: You can substitute with 12 ounces of canned crushed tomatoes or tomato purée, cooked down to thicken.
Honey: You can use maple syrup, agave syrup in the same amount, or 1/4 cup of coconut sugar with a little extra water. You can also use brown sugar if you prefer.
White Wine Vinegar: Substitute with apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, red wine vinegar or slightly less balsamic vinegar (3 tablespoons) or lemon juice.
Water: You can use vegetable broth for added flavor or unsweetened apple juice for a complementary sweetness.
Garlic Powder: Substitute with 1-2 minced garlic cloves or the same amount of granulated garlic.
Onion Powder: Use 1/4 cup finely minced fresh onion cooked down, or an equal amount of minced shallots.
Salt: Replace with sea salt, Himalayan pink salt, or 1 teaspoon soy sauce or tamari, adjusting other liquids slightly.
Allspice: You can substitute a pinch of ground cloves or a small mix of cinnamon and nutmeg.
How to Make My Healthy Ketchup with Honey Recipe
Here are easy, detailed, step-by-step instructions for making my easy ketchup recipe. The instructions are also repeated in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.
Step 1: Combine the Ingredients
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add 6 ounces of tomato paste, 1/4 cup of honey, 1/4 cup of white wine vinegar, 1/4 cup of water, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/8 teaspoon of allspice, and a dash of black pepper.
Stir the ingredients together with a whisk, immersion blender, or food processor, until they are fully combined and the mixture is smooth. If you prefer a thinner consistency, you can add a bit more water, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired thickness.
Step 2: Simmer (Optional)
For a silkier and smoother ketchup, transfer the mixture to a small saucepan. Simmer over low heat for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. This step is optional but enhances the flavor and texture.
Serve with my High-Protein Loaded French Fries.
Expert Recipe Tips
Consistency: If you prefer a thicker ketchup, reduce the water slightly or simmer the mixture longer. For a thinner consistency, gradually add a little more water or vinegar.
Sweetness Level: Depending on your taste, you can adjust the amount of honey to make the ketchup sweeter or less sweet. If substituting with a different sweetener, start with a smaller amount and adjust to taste.
Simmering Tip: If you choose to simmer the ketchup, be sure to stir frequently to prevent sticking or burning at the bottom of the pan. Use a non-reactive saucepan (such as stainless steel) to avoid any metallic taste.
Delicious Ketchup Serving Suggestions
- Classic Hot Dogs: Elevate your hot dogs by spreading this homemade ketchup on top, and sprinkle with a pinch of celery seed or celery salt for extra flavor. For a bit of heat, mix in 1 tsp cayenne pepper to make a spicy ketchup that pairs perfectly with grilled hot dogs.
- Veggie Burgers: Spread a generous layer of this ketchup on your veggie burgers for a rich tomato flavor. You can enhance it by mixing in some mustard powder or adding a touch of smoked paprika or a dash of Worcestershire sauce for a deeper, smoky taste.
- Sweet Potato Fries: Serve this ketchup as a dipping sauce for sweet potato fries. To balance the sweetness of the fries, consider adding some fresh herbs like thyme or oregano during the simmering process for an herby twist.
- Plate of Fries: Drizzle your fries with olive oil and sprinkle with a bit of celery salt before baking. Serve with this ketchup on the side, perhaps spiced up with cayenne pepper for a fiery kick.
- Ranch Dressing Combo: Combine this homemade ketchup with a dollop of ranch dressing for a tangy, creamy dip that goes well with fries or as a topping for veggie burgers.
- Spicy Ketchup: If you enjoy a bit of heat, mix in some cayenne pepper and mustard powder to create a spicy ketchup. This version is excellent on hot dogs or with sweet potato fries.
- Tomato Flavor Boost: To enhance the natural tomato flavor, consider simmering the ketchup with ripe tomatoes, smoked paprika, or a dash of Worcestershire sauce (if not vegetarian). This makes it an even more robust and flavorful option compared to the store-bought version.
Do you love homemade sauces? Check out more of my easy and nutritious sauce recipes:
Easy 5 Minute Homemade Ketchup with Honey and Garlic
Ingredients
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon all spice
- dash black pepper
Instructions
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add 6 ounces of tomato paste, 1/4 cup of honey, 1/4 cup of white wine vinegar, 1/4 cup of water, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/8 teaspoon of allspice, and a dash of black pepper.
- Stir the ingredients together with a whisk, immersion blender, or food processor, until they are fully combined and the mixture is smooth. If you prefer a thinner consistency, you can add a bit more water, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired thickness.
- OPTIONAL: For a silkier and smoother ketchup, transfer the mixture to a small saucepan. Simmer over low heat for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. This step is optional but enhances the flavor and texture.
My family loved this!
I’m so glad, Gail! Thank you for the review 🙂
This was so easy to make! The kids couldn’t even tell it was different than our regular ketchup. And I love that it doesn’t have any corn syrup!!
Thank you for the review, Amanda! I’m so glad you like the recipe 🙂
I’m excited for you to try this really easy ketchup that tastes so much better than store bought and without all the unnecessary ingredients.