Homemade ketchup recipe takes only 5 minutes to make. This recipe is a healthier version than store-bought using no refined sugar or preservatives. This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients and costs less than $2. See just how easy it is to make your own healthy homemade ketchup below.

Homemade Ketchup

Many old fashioned ketchup recipes require simmering and straining. Not this one! Just a few simple ingredients mixed together in a bowl and ta-da! You're done. It's so easy, you could get one of your kids to make it.

The store-bought ketchup that we've all grown up on uses refined liquid sugar. This old-fashioned ketchup recipe uses maple syrup to sweeten it.

Making it yourself will save money too. It cost me less than $2 to make this ketchup, versus about $6 for the store-bought stuff. So if you've got 5 minutes and six simple ingredients, then you can easily make your own ketchup!

ingredients to make homemade ketchup on a wood block. Maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, canned tomato paste, garlic powder and onion powder in a white container, and sea salt on a spoon.

Homemade Ketchup Ingredients

You only need six ingredients to whip up delicious homemade ketchup:

Tomato Paste - The base of this easy recipe is tomato paste. You'll need a 14 oz can.
Maple Syrup - To sweeten the ketchup I used maple syrup. You could also use honey.
Apple Cider Vinegar - You'll need apple cider vinegar or white vinegar (food grade).
Spices - For spices, you'll need onion powder, garlic powder and sea salt. You can also use regular salt.

Looking for measurements? Scroll down to the bottom of this post for the full recipe card that you can easily print-out.

homemade ketchup in a white bowl with wooden spoon

How To Make Homemade Ketchup

This recipe couldn't be easier to put together. There's no simmering over the stove, no straining tomatoes or anything like that. All you need is about 5 minutes:

Add the tomato paste, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt to a bowl and mix together thoroughly for 1-2 minutes.
Pour into a mason jar or container with a lid and store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

homemade ketchup in a small white bowl with fries surrounding it

Homemade Ketchup Tips

The ketchup will thicken a little in the fridge when chilled. You can add a bit more vinegar or water to the mixture if you want a thinner consistency. We liked it thicker and used a spoon or butter knife to spread it onto burger buns or dip our fries into it.

You can play around with how sweet you want it. Taste after you mix and consider adding more maple syrup if needed.

bowl of fries with ketchup in a dish on a cutting board.

What Can You Use Homemade Ketchup For?

Here are some ways to use homemade ketchup:

Spreading onto air fryer hamburger buns
Dipping sauce for crispy air fryer potatoes
As a sauce in burger salad bowls
Dipping sauce for baked chickpea nuggets
Sauce for homemade black bean burgers
Dipping sauce for cheesy garlic baguette sticks

hand dipping a fry into a cup of ketchup with fries behind it

More Pantry Staples To Try

I'm always making new pantry staples that will help you save time in the kitchen and eat healthier. Here are a few favorites to try:

How To Make Cauliflower Rice - a perfect substitute for regular white or brown rice. It can be used in stir frys, burritos, cauliflower crust pizza and more.
Easy Homemade Oat Flour - one of my favorite flours to use in baking recipes. You can save money making it yourself and it takes only 2 minutes.
Pork Chop Marinades - If you’re bored with eating plain old pork chops, it’s easy to zest them up with these four healthy pork chop marinades.
Chicken Marinades - these are full of healthy nutritious ingredients instead of the store-bought marinade sauces which are usually loaded with preservatives and other ingredients we don’t need.