Avoid the high fructose corn syrup added to most store bought ketchups by making this Easy Ketchup Recipe, which uses common pantry ingredients!
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.
When you think of ketchup, whats the first ingredient that comes to mind? For us, its tomatoes, the savory fruit that most commercial ketchup brands use as their base. Heinz, which is often ranked as the best ketchup on the market, lists tomato concentrate, distilled vinegar, corn syrup, and spices as the ingredients in its signature product. But did you know that the original ketchup was made with a different base ingredient entirely?
The Spruce Eats reports that ketchup was originally a fermented fish sauce. It spread across the globe as sailors toted it to different ports of call. Eventually, locals added their own ingredients to adapt the recipe. According to The Takeout, this fish sauce was likely introduced to British shores in the 17th century, when cooks adapted it using locally sourced ingredients that were also fermented, such as oysters, walnuts, and cucumbers. In fact, one of the first “ketchups” was made with salt-pickled mushrooms, according to The Daily Meal.
According to The Takeout, the word “ketchup” likely descends from the Hokkien Chinese word kê-tsiap — which wasnt tomato-based at all. Instead, it utilized fermented fish to make a strong sauce that was used sparingly to flavor dishes, rather than as a condiment. Grossed out? Intrigued? Both? The origin story of ketchup gets even better.
The condiment traveled across the globe, eventually reaching America, according to The Spruce Eats, where locals adapted it again. In 1801, Sandy Addisons “The Sugar House Book” contained a recipe for tomato ketchup that was flavored with spices, boiled down until thick, and stored long-term. And according to The Takeout, in 1876, tomato ketchup titan, Heinz released its now-famous signature sauce that graces the modern-day dinner plates of children and adults alike.
Do you love ketchup? Even as adults, weve got to admit that we still enjoy this thick, sweet, and glossy sauce. Its a perfect dip for French fries and onion rings, an ideal base for homemade BBQ sauce, and a yummy glaze for foods such as meatloaf and tofu.
Alternatives to Heinz Ketchup
Annies Organic Ketchup doesnt contain high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) so we would usually buy that in America before we moved to China. Here in China, however, most of the ketchups that we like are imported from America and still contain HFCS. So I became determined to make my own ketchup recipe that Brett would be willing to eat and actually enjoy!
YOU WILL NEVER BUY KETCHUP AGAIN! HOMEMADE EASY KETCHUP RECIPE
FAQ
What ingredients are in Heinz ketchup?
What’s ketchup made out of?
What are the 57 ingredients in Heinz ketchup?
What makes tomato ketchup?
What are the ingredients in ketchup?
The main ingredients in ketchup are: tomato paste, sugar, vinegar and some seasonings or spices. The combination of sugar and vinegar give this homemade ketchup recipe that sweet, tangy flavor that we all love! I’m so happy with this ketchup recipe and Brett loves it too! It will definitely be a staple in our fridge from now on.
How to make homemade ketchup?
All you really need to make your own homemade ketchup recipe are the following ingredients The main ingredients in ketchup are: tomato paste, sugar, vinegar and some seasonings or spices. The combination of sugar and vinegar give this homemade ketchup recipe that sweet, tangy flavor that we all love!
What is tomato ketchup made of?
Tomato ketchup is made from tomatoes, sugar, and vinegar, with seasonings and spices. The spices and flavors vary, but commonly include onions, allspice, coriander, cloves, cumin, garlic, and mustard, and sometimes include celery, cinnamon, or ginger. [citation needed]
What makes ketchup different?
Ketchup’s flavor profile is undoubtedly diverse; there are several factors contributing to this aspect. Its primary ingredients – tomatoes, vinegar, sugar – all contribute to different tastes that form the core foundation of the sauce’s unique flavor combination.