When you want a ketchup with bold flavor and a little heat, this spicy homemade keto ketchup is the perfect choice. Low in carbs and made from fresh ingredients, it delivers bright tomato flavor, balanced acidity, and a satisfying kick from jalapeños.
This recipe combines ripe tomatoes, onions, and jalapeños with a carefully chosen spice blend and keto-friendly sweetener to create a rich, tangy ketchup that’s perfect for anyone following a low-carb lifestyle or anyone who simply prefers a fresher, less processed condiment.
Tomatoes, onions, and jalapeños — what they bring
I use a mix of Roma (plum) tomatoes and vine-ripened tomatoes. Roma tomatoes add natural sweetness and break down well to thicken the ketchup, while vine-ripened tomatoes contribute extra juiciness and depth of flavor. A yellow onion works nicely here, though a white onion is also suitable. The heat comes from jalapeños: most of the spice is in the seeds and inner membranes. I include them for a pronounced kick, but you can remove some or all of them for milder heat. If you want it spicier, simply add another jalapeño.
Additional ingredients and seasoning
Along with the fresh produce, this ketchup uses distilled white vinegar for bright acidity and vegetable broth for body and a subtle savory note. For sweetness, a granulated keto sugar substitute works best—Swerve is a good example, as it closely mimics sugar’s sweetness with zero calories and zero net carbs. The spice mix includes celery salt, garlic powder, ground mustard, salt, smoked paprika, ground cloves, and ground nutmeg. The great advantage of making your own ketchup is that you can taste and tweak seasonings to suit your preferences.
Serving suggestions
This spicy keto ketchup is versatile. Use it as a condiment for burgers, brats, or sausages, or serve it with keto sandwiches and lettuce wraps. It makes a flavorful topping for meatloaf or meatballs and is an excellent dipping sauce for keto chicken nuggets, grilled meats, and seafood. You can also incorporate it into sauces, glazes, or dressings that call for ketchup. One favorite use is as a topping for fried or scrambled eggs, omelets, and egg casseroles.
Helpful hints
If you prefer a milder ketchup, remove some or all of the jalapeño seeds and membranes before cooking. After reducing, this recipe yielded about 2½ cups of ketchup.
Main kitchen equipment and utensils
- Large stockpot
- Measuring spoons
- Blender
Recipe overview
Spicy Homemade Keto Ketchup
40 Servings
20 minutes
2 hours
2 hours 20 minutes
Bright, tangy, and spicy—this homemade keto-friendly ketchup is made with fresh tomatoes and jalapeños and seasoned for great depth of flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Roma tomatoes, chopped
- 1 pound vine-ripened tomatoes, chopped
- ½ cup chopped onions
- 2 jalapeños, chopped
- ½ cup distilled white vinegar
- ½ cup vegetable broth
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar substitute (Swerve)
- 1 teaspoon celery salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a large stockpot. Stir to combine and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Carefully transfer the mixture to a blender and blend until smooth.
- Return the blended mixture to the cleaned stockpot and simmer over medium-low heat for 1 more hour, stirring occasionally, until desired thickness is reached.
- Cool, then store in a covered jar or container in the refrigerator.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 40
Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 9
Total Fat: 0g
Sodium: 94mg
Carbohydrates: 2g
Net Carbohydrates: 1g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 1g
Protein: 0g
Nutrition values are approximate and provided as a courtesy. Actual values vary with brands and ingredients used. Erythritol has been excluded from the carb count when applicable; net carbs equal total carbs minus fiber.
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