The Best Homemade Ketchup Recipe - (2024)

FAQs

Is it worth making homemade ketchup? ›

Heinz and many commercial ketchups also contain high fructose corn syrup, though HFCS-free versions have been making their way into the market. If this is something you prefer to avoid, making ketchup yourself is a sure bet for getting what you want. MAKE OR BUY? It's hard to side against a classic like Heinz.

But if you want a thicker texture, whisk two tablespoons of cornstarch into 1/4 cup of cold water.

Ketchup is a popular condiment made from a combination of tomatoes, vinegar, sweeteners (such as sugar or corn syrup), salt, and various spices and flavorings. The main ingredient in ketchup is tomatoes, which provide vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, potassium, and vitamin K.

But, little did I know ground cloves, cinnamon, and allspice are the key flavor factors to Heinz ketchup!

Pack and Store Your Homemade Ketchup

Ladle your ketchup directly into sterilized jars and store in fridge or freezer. Ketchup will keep 3 weeks in the fridge or 6 months in the freezer.

Two ingredients of concern in ketchup are salt and sugar. Per tablespoon, ketchup contains 4 grams of sugar and 190 milligrams of sodium. Although 4 grams of sugar doesn't seem like a lot, much of it comes from added sugar, as opposed to the natural sugar found in tomatoes.

You may see a layer of water appear when ketchup is left alone for long periods. Excess water can eventually separate out of this molecular matrix on its own; this is known as leaching [1]. What you need to do is to shake to hom*ogenize it – to redistribute the molecules of the ketchup.

The watery stuff in ketchup occurs when the tomato solids separate from their fibers. The same phenomenon occurs with applesauce and many other processed fruits and vegetables. The Heinz Trap Cap uses an extension tube on the inside of the cap to direct the ketchup away from the watery stuff.

Use an immersion blender for about 20 seconds to smooth the texture of the ketchup. Ladle ketchup into a fine strainer and press mixture with the back of a ladle to strain out any skins and seeds. Transfer strained ketchup to a bowl. Cool completely.

It contains high quantities of sugar, salt, fructose, preservatives and corn syrup. All of these ingredients when combined together have an adverse effect on the body.

Why does ketchup have 57 on it? ›

The '57 varieties' label represents the variety of products that Heinz has, but the number was actually selected at random by founder Henry Heinz himself. He didn't have 57 varieties when the brand began. Instead, it was a clever way to create authenticity and attract customers.

U.S. Grade A is the quality of tomato catsup that possesses a good color; that possesses a good consistency; that is practically free from defects; that possesses a good flavor; that possesses a good finish; that has a total solids content of not less than 33 percent, by weight; and that scores not less than 85 points ...

As it turns out, they're the same thing!

The condiment made its way west via European merchants, taking with it Westernized pronunciations. Early recipes for ketchup (or catsup, if you like) incorporated a wide variety of ingredients like mushrooms, walnuts, and shellfish (hence the distinction tomato ketchup).

Ashleigh Gibson, Heinz's brand director, said in an email that the company's founder felt there was something “mystical, magical, and memorable” about the number 57, which was a combination of five, his lucky number, and seven, his wife's lucky number.

From the Package

TOMATO CONCENTRATE FROM RED RIPE TOMATOES, DISTILLED VINEGAR, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, CORN SYRUP, SALT, SPICE, ONION POWDER, NATURAL FLAVORING.

While homemade ketchup can have a unique and delicious flavor, replicating the exact taste of commercial ketchup may be challenging due to the specific ingredients and processes used by large-scale manufacturers. Commercial ketchup often includes additives, preservatives, and precise formulations for consistency.

HOMEMADE VS STORE-BOUGHT

Store-bought ketchup contains some ingredients that I tend to avoid, such as high-fructose corn syrup and a list of preservatives. The homemade version, on the other hand, is cheaper and all about natural flavouring, ingredients and spices.

Tomato Ketchup can be harmful because it contains high levels of sugar and unhealthy fats. A nutrient-dense food provides protective micronutrients and helps to build immunity. Excessive consumption of foods with fructose corn syrup is related to high triglycerides and heart problems.

It contains high quantities of sugar, salt, fructose, preservatives and corn syrup. All of these ingredients when combined together have an adverse effect on the body.