Homemade Ketchup

Chef John's homemade ketchup is easy to make in a slow cooker with crushed tomatoes and spices. It's tasty and thick and practically cooks itself.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 12 hr
• Total Time: 12 hr 10 mins
• Calories: 16 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 2 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
• 1 whole clove
• 0.125 teaspoon celery salt
• 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
• 0.66666668653488 cup white sugar
• 0.5 cup water, divided
• 0.75 cup distilled white vinegar
• 1.75 teaspoons salt
• 0.125 teaspoon mustard powder
• 0.25 teaspoon finely ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Pour tomatoes into slow cooker. Swirl 1/4 cup water in each emptied can and pour into the slow cooker. Add sugar, vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, celery salt, mustard powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and whole clove; whisk to combine.

Step 2

Cook on High, uncovered, until mixture is reduced by half and very thick, 10 to 12 hours. Stir every hour or so.

Step 3

Use an immersion blender for about 20 seconds to smooth the texture of the ketchup.

Step 4

Ladle ketchup into a fine strainer and press mixture with the back of a ladle to strain out any skins and seeds.

Step 5

Transfer strained ketchup to a bowl. Cool completely.

Step 6

Taste and adjust salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper as desired.