We take our condiments seriously in our house and always have at least one or two on the table for every meal. So, when I’m watching my sugar intake, you better believe I’m making sugar free BBQ sauce, sugar free honey mustard, and sugar free ketchup. Mainstream brands pack their sauces with copious amounts of sugar and, worse–high fructose corn syrup. Luckily, this sugar-free version tastes just as good as store-bought ketchup but with a fraction of the carbs and calories.
Why I love this recipe
Easy to make. If you ever thought making your favorite sauces and condiments from scratch was hard, this recipe will convince you otherwise. Simple ingredients. There are no hard-to-pronounce ingredients or additives in this recipe. Just kitchen staples and a little sugar substitute. Guilt-free. At 8 calories and 1 gram of net carbs per serving, this is a game changer for those of us on a low carb diet or trying to cut back on added sugar. It goes with anything. From air fryer french fries to healthy burgers and keto chicken nuggets, you can use this ketchup exactly as you would regular ketchup.
Ingredients you’ll need
Tomato paste. Not tomato sauce or passata! Tomato paste is super concentrated and gives plenty of tomato flavor, with no tomatoes needed. White vinegar. I used a combination of apple cider and white vinegar, so the apple flavor would not be overpowering. Sweetener of choice. Either keto brown sugar or powdered sugar substitutes. I prefer the former, as it gives the ketchup a more authentic flavor, but any store-bought or homemade sugar-free sweetener will work. Onion and garlic powder. A little of both for added flavor. Do not use onion salt and garlic salt, or the ketchup will be too salty! Water. To thin out the mixture and the ketchup.
How to make sugar free ketchup
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Step 1- Simmer: Start by mixing all your ingredients in a small saucepan. On medium heat, heat the mixture until it simmers. Once it has simmered, reduce to very low heat and stir regularly, for 10 minutes. Step 2- Chill: Remove from the heat and let cool completely, to thicken.
Recipe tips and variations
Be sure to taste-test the ketchup while you are stirring it up. If it is too thick, you can add more water to thin it out. Also, if you prefer sweeter ketchup, add extra sweetener. Do not use stevia or stevia blends of sugar. They are renowned for having a bitter flavor. Add other spices or herbs like oregano, cayenne pepper, or even red pepper flakes. Store in a squeezable bottle, for the same convenience as store-bought ketchup.
How to store leftovers
To store: Leftover ketchup must always be stored in the refrigerator since it doesn’t contain added preservatives to keep it safe at room temperature. If kept in an airtight container, it’ll stay good for up to 1 month. To freeze: Place the ketchup in a freezer-friendly container and store it in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and give it a mix before enjoying it.
More sugar free sauce & dips
Keto mayonnaise– This honestly tastes better than regular mayo. Keto teriyaki sauce– Same sweet and tangy flavor but with only 2 grams of net carbs per serving. Keto guacamole– Thick, creamy, and guaranteed to surprise even your non-keto friends. Keto hummus– Made with cauliflower instead of chickpeas, it’s my family’s favorite hummus recipe.
