Easy Slow Cooker Ketchup Recipe

Slow cooker homemade ketchup is an easy recipe that allows you to control what goes into one of the most popular condiments. Not only that, I consider it a real treat! It’s simple but full of rich flavor that makes foods taste so much better. All you need is a handful of items that you probably have in your pantry.

Ingredients

Like I mentioned, you probably have all or most of these ingredients. If you’re missing something, you should be able to find it at almost any grocery store. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Tomato paste
• Apple cider vinegar
• Salt
• Onion powder
• Minced garlic
• Allspice
• Sugar (optional)

For measurements and detailed directions, please go to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Directions

Pour all of the ingredients into a small slow cooker. The one I use is a 2-quart crockpot. You really don’t need anything bigger than that.

Stir until the mixture is smooth and well mixed. Make sure you don’t have lumps of any of the dry ingredients.

Put the lid on the crockpot and cook on low for 2 hours or high for 1-1/2 hours. I like to stir a couple of times during the process to make sure it cooks evenly.

After it’s done, remove the lid. Let the mixture cool in the crockpot until it reaches room temperature. Then transfer it to a glass or plastic container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 or 4 weeks.

Extra Tips

You can adjust the sweetness to your personal taste. When I’m making it for myself, I leave out the sugar. However, my husband likes the more traditional ketchup flavor, which has sugar in it.

If you like it extra tangy, add a little bit more apple cider vinegar. Be careful, though, or you might make it too tart. A little bit goes a very long way, so only add a few drops at a time.

Spice it up with something you like from your spice cabinet. Some examples are garlic powder, smoked paprika, or even some cayenne for extra heat.

If you like it thicker or thinner, you can accomplish either one. For a thicker ketchup, remove the slow cooker lid for the last half hour so some of the moisture can escape. For thinner ketchup, add a small amount of water until you get it just like you want it.

Why Make Ketchup Yourself?

Although it’s much easier to purchase store-bought ketchup, most of the national brands contain high fructose corn syrup. Read the ingredients label, and you might also see that it has preservatives and artificial flavors. When you make your own, you control the ingredients as well as the flavor. It’s also rewarding to make it, but it requires very little effort.

More Delicious Homemade Condiments

I typically go back and forth between using store-bought and homemade condiments. Here are some of my favorite homemade ones:

Honey Mustard Dressing – This delicious sauce is just as good for dipping chicken as it is drizzled over salad greens. And it’s super easy!

Teriyaki Sauce – Add a little Asian flair to any of your favorite foods with this delicious sauce. It’s good on meat, vegetables, and fried rice!

Lulus Wow Sauce – Next time you want something for dipping vegetables, treat yourself to this yummy and out-of-this-world Lulus Wow Sauce from Call Me PMc.

Lemon Dill Cream Sauce – I really love this savory sauce on most types of seafood. It has just the right amount of tartness to deliver a burst of flavor to every bite! It’s also good on chicken and pork.

How to Use Homemade Ketchup

I use it the same way I use the store-bought version. It’s delicious on burgers, French fries, seafood, meatloaf, and even as one of the ingredients in barbecue sauce. You’ll be surprised by how much you like it.

Please feel free to share!