I think you will enjoy adding this spicy ketchup recipe to your stable of condiments.
It is spicy, a bit smoky, and packs in a ton of flavor. Much less sweet than standard, store-bought tomato ketchup, this spicy version may just become you go-to!
What this homemade ketchup recipe does have is some spiciness and a ton of flavor. Your Whole 30 will thank you, and you may just decide you like making your homemade ketchup and customizing it however you want!
You may also enjoy my tangy, delicious cranberry ketchup recipe.
For ease of browsing, here are all of my condiments and jams. Thanks for stopping by!
Why Make This Spicy Ketchup?
Well, because it’s delicious.
It’s tangy with apple cider vinegar and smoky with chipotle.
It’s rich and thick but isn’t “chunky.”
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It’s similar enough to “regular” ketchup that your kids will probably like it but it is both more flavorful and less sweet. Everybody wins!
If this sounds like your kind of ketchup, I have a favor to ask:
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How to Make This Recipe
Ketchup is seriously easy to make. There are a few ingredients you’ll need to gather for this version, and then you’re good to go.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Here’s what you’ll need.
- onion: onion is what you need to start building up your flavors. Use sweet or yellow here
- avocado oil: or use olive oil. You’ll need a bit of oil for sauteeing the onion. It also adds just a bit of richness to the otherwise-fat-free recipe. If you prefer a fat-free ketchup, you can saute the onions in just a bit of water until they soften and start taking on a bit of color
- tomato puree: make sure your puree has no added sugar. You can also sub crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, or even whole canned tomatoes since you’ll be blending it all up anyway
- salt: helps to bring out all the flavors
- apple cider vinegar: provides tang which helps to wake up the flavors of almost anything you put this ketchup on
- date syrup: provides just a hint of sweetness without having to use any refined sugar. If using refined sugars doesn’t bother you, you can substitute brown sugar. Or use a touch of honey or sorghum syrup
- chipotle in adobo: These come in cans in the grocery store. You’ll be mincing up some of the dried smoked jalapenos (which is what chipotles are) as well as using a little of the sauce they’re packed in
- garlic powder: You can also substitute granulated garlic or even minced garlic
- smoked paprika: provides smokiness and heat. If you prefer to keep your ketchup on the less smoky side, substitute mild chili powder or sweet paprika. If you want it hotter, use extra smoked paprika, or add a touch of cayenne in addition to the smoked paprika
- ground cinnamon: most ketchup contains a bit of cinnamon, and I love the warmth it brings to this recipe. Use more or less than called for according to your taste
- ground clove: Not strictly necessary, but adds an almost cooling quality. Substitute ground allspice here, or you could even get away with using just a dash of pumpkin spice blend
Procedure
As I said, this stuff is seriously easy to make.
Here’s the rundown:
- saute onion in the avocado oil along with the salt
- put the sauteed onions in the jar of your blender
- add all the rest of the ingredients to your blender and puree
- return all to the pot and simmer for about 40 minutes until thickened
- cool and refrigerate for up to 3 weeks
Conversely, you can add all your ingredients straight to the pan, puree with your immersion blender, and simmer until thickened to your liking.
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Ketchup-Making Tips
Puree your ketchup before or after cooking it down. Either way will work.
This recipe is easily doubled or cut in half. The base recipe makes about 2 cups of ketchup.
Serving Suggestions
Use your lovely smoky ketchup the way you would use any ketchup. I rather like mine on scrambled eggs personally.
Feel free to slather it all over a burger, too. It would be great on my bacon double smashed burger or this pork burger with Hatch chiles.
And if you were my mom, you’d put it on mac & cheese. I leave that up to you, though!
Spicy Ketchup Q & A
Keep your spicy ketchup refrigerated and use it up within 4 weeks or so.
I am not a canner, so I honestly don’t know how well it will can. To be on the safe side, I would use a recipe specifically formulated for canning.
Questions?
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Spicy Ketchup Recipe
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Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil
- ¾ cup sweet onion diced
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cups tomato puree or sauce homemade or store-bought
- 6 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/4-1/3 cup date syrup or substitute brown sugar, honey, or sorghum syrup to taste
- 1 chipotle in adobo minced
- 2 teaspoons adobo sauce from the can of chipotles
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves or allspice
Instructions
- Heat a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the oil and then the diced onion and salt.
- Saute for 5 minutes until the onions are somewhat softened and have taken on a bit of color.
- Carefully transfer the onions to your blender jar. Add the rest of the ingredients to the blender and puree until smooth.
- Return the mixture to the saucepan and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to maintain a simmer and simmer for about 40 minutes, stirring fairly frequently to prevent sticking.
- Transfer to a container. Cool and then store in the fridge for up to 4 weeks.
Did You Make Any Changes?
Notes
Storing
Store your ketchup in the fridge for up to four weeks. I don’t recommend canning this ketchup, because I’m not sure of the pH.Nutrition
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And there you have it, friends. I hope you love this smoky, spicy ketchup recipe!
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It’s so much fun to make your own ketchup and this recipe is awesome!
I want to turn all the things into ketchup! And thanks–the smokiness is a really nice bonus!
We have a truckload of Roma & Sauce tomatoes coming on the vines so I think this will be s ketchup year. I’m going to try this. Couldn’t you can or preserve this? I’m sure it has enough acid with the tomatoes & vinegar. Thanks for breaking this down into a manageable portion too!
Hey Amy! I would think you could pressure can it, but I’m not a canner so I don’t know. Maybe check the ratios of acid to sugar on a tried and true canning ketchup recipe. You may have to tweak this o e a little.
beautiful recipe Jenni, I had stopped eating ketchup as I knew how much sugar it contained, but your recipe saves the day!
Oh, I’m so glad Amanda! Can’t wait to see your spin!