In an effort to cut back on grocery costs, eating nutritionally on a budget, I have found the most successful means of completing this is to learn how to make things on my own. Ketchup is one of those useful condiments that I personally can’t live without! Everything from hot dogs to sloppy lentils! Ketchup is often loaded with preservatives, or else the organic ketchup version is loaded with organic sugar! Sugar is sugar in my book, and I would rather substitute with a more natural alternative. After some experimenting, here is a rather tasty alternative!
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
2 tablespoons white vinegar
3 tablespoons Rapadura (rapadura is a wonderful natural sweetener, great replacement for brown sugar! I would imagine this would also be successful with replacing rapadura entirely with honey! Worth a try!)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon molasses
1 tablespoon honey
1 cup water
Mix together all ingredients in a saucepan over low heat; simmer gently until you get the consistency of ketchup, 30-45 minutes. Add a little more water, if necessary. Taste and adjust salt if desired before serving. Makes about 1-1/2 cups. On average, homemade condiments last anywhere from 2-3 weeks.
Thanks for the recipe. I’ll have to try it when I make sloppy lentils this week!
Thanks for the tip! I HEART ketchup and couldn’t imagine my life without it – that and ranch!
Make sure you come over to my blog – I have a giveaway going on!!
I’ve never heard of rapadura, will have to try it as well as the recipe.
My wife and I will be making this tonight! Thank you.
P. S.) On a somewhat unrelated note, I think you’d really enjoy this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCPEBM5ol0Q
Thanks for the recipe!!!!
I’ll have to try this…..I tried to make up one myself some time back but it didn’t impress my kids at all!:-)
Hi Lindsey…I’m enjoying your blog so much. My friend Michelle turned me on to it. We both recently attended the sustainable living on a budget workshop…which got us hopping aroung online for different resources. I also live in Vancouver. I REALLY love your Godly approach to this whole subject…that is so refreshing!I’ve been meaning to ask, where do you get your produce from? I read on another post about what you got weekly…including bananas etc, so I assume that’s not a CSA…do you mind sharing? Also, have you tried freezing your ketchup?
Eryn, during the winter months I use Organics to You (they do delivery in the Portland metro area), and they provide some fruits, which is probably why I mentioned bananas. Currently, I am using Hidden Oasis as our local CSA (which provides a variety of vegetables from Feb-Nov), which I love! I have to buy my fruits at the farmer’s market or Trader Joe’s. No, I have not attempted to freeze ketchup yet, but I wouldn’t imagine it would be a problem, as it is mainly a tomato base, and that freezes well.
I want to share a great place where I always shop for organic and gluten free products. Whole And Natural. They have lots of great stuff including organic ketchup.
I’m definitely trying this. I’m trying to lose 140 pounds and want to eat whole, unprocessed foods. Follow along with me on my blog.
I’ve been looking for a great homemade ketchup recipe! I might try it with honey
Erin
Wow, I’m so excited to peruse your blog more. I have been wanting to get rid of the HFCS products we buy. Thanks for sharing. I’ll be back!
This was a life saver for me tonight. I’m making a steak and wanted ketchup, and didn’t want to buy any (I’m really frugal). Believe it or not, I had all the ingredients (even the molasses!). I initally forgot the salt and couldn’t figure out what was wrong, so I added some fresh lemon juice and worchestershire sauce. In any event it tastes great. Thank you.
Hi, I made this with all honey and instead of tomato paste and water I used tomato sauce. I cooked it a little longer to thicken it up. It was awesome! Thank yo so much!
Neat! I made the NT ketchup and my family LOVES it. However, this one will work when I need ketchup in a hurry… Thanks!
Lindsay, I’m curious to know if one could use apple cider vinegar with this?
It will definitely affect the flavor but I am sure it is possible.