How to Make Ketchup Recipe

Beefsteak Tomato

Tomato Ketchup Recipe Description

Why buy ketchup when you can make your own at home? You can vary the ingredients with each batch, to find the perfect combination of spices for your family. And, your kids will enjoy helping to make this ketchup recipe, too.

Today’s Quote: Know? “People are like dirt. They can either nourish you and help you grow as a person or they can stunt your growth and make you wilt and die.” – – Plato

Tomato Ketchup Recipe Ingredients

9 pounds of ripe tomatoes, washed

3 medium onions, peeled and sliced

2 large sweet red peppers, seeded and sliced

2 stalks of celery, strings removed, chopped

2 cloves fresh garlic, crushed

1 cup cider vinegar

1 teaspoon dry mustard

1 cup sugar

1 Tablespoon salt

1 teaspoon paprika

2 teaspoons allspice

1 teaspoon whole cloves

1 teaspoon whole peppercorns

1 cinnamon stick broken into small pieces

Recipe Directions

  1. Peel, stem, and quarter tomatoes. Place into a large pot.
  2. Add red peppers, onions, and celery.
  3. Cook uncovered until soft.
  4. Put the mixture through a food strainer.
  5. Rinse out the pot, then put the puree back into the pot.
  6. Add garlic, vinegar, mustard, sugar, salt, and paprika.
  7. Tie whole cloves, peppercorns, and cinnamon stick in a cheesecloth and add to the pot.
  8. Simmer uncovered on low heat for about 1 1/2 hour, until ketchup is the right consistency. It is important to cook off enough liquid so it is thick, not runny.
  9. Remove and discard the spice bag.
  10. Allow to cool.

A Spicy Variation: For spicy Ketchup, add a hot pepper or two to step #2 above.

Ketchup Can be Stored Three Ways

  1. Pour into plastic containers or glass jars and refrigerate for short term storage.
  2. Freeze in plastic containers. Refrigerate after defrosting.
  3. Can ketchup in canning jars.

Additional Resources

Also, people who liked this article will also like: 

Tomato Trivia

More Garden Recipes – Select from hundreds of our recipes.

Contribute a Recipe

Got a favorite garden recipe to share? Email it to us. Include your first name, last name (or the first initial of your last name), and where you live so we can give you proper credit and recognition. Contribute a recipe now

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

    Please support our site. Shop for:

    Scroll to top