It’s National BBQ Week and the perfect time to share another BBQ staple. Ketchup is usually the first sauce that people reach for to cover their burger or hot dog, and I have a lower sugar and salt version for you that is really easy to make at home.
Happy National BBQ Week! Did you all have a nice long weekend? We had an AMAZING weekend and spent the whole time in the garden, so it’s nearly all finished. I can’t wait to share the before and after with you all. I told you I had lots of exciting new BBQ recipes planned for you this week and I am going to keep to my promise. Seeing as my Healthy BBQ Sauce recipe was so popular last week, I thought I would share my recipe for Healthy Tomato Ketchup too!
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I remember when I met Dave’s Mum for the first time, she made a delicious chicken roast dinner and I asked for tomato ketchup and smothered it all over my food. Needless to say I got some strange looks. What can I say, it was at a time where I was very unhealthy and anything healthy I was eating, like vegetables, I had to find a way to make it a little unhealthy. That usually meant covering it in some kind of sugary and salty sauce like ketchup.
I think we can all agree that we love sauce. Open up anyone’s fridge (I am not the only one that likes looking in other people’s fridge am I?) and even if there is no actual food in there, you can bet that the inside door is filled with sauces. Ketchup, mayo, mustards, chutneys – you name it. Sauce might be one of my biggest downfalls and Dave always used to joke that by the time I had finished adding sauces to my meal, he was nearly finished eating. I have got a lot better now, but I would still happily add chilli sauce to everything.
I don’t need to tell you that store bought sauces are full of weird ingredients. I know they are convenient, but if you spend just a little time making your own and you put it in a sterilised bottle/jar, then it will last a while in the fridge. If you don’t eat it all first that is. My version of tomato ketchup is lower in sugar and salt and has much fewer ingredients than the store bought ones.
Tomatoes are of course the main ingredient in making a tomato ketchup, so great quality is especially important. I used Cirio passata AND Cirio tomato puree to give you a double Cirio boost and the quality shines through. They are both bursting with tomato flavour and don’t water it down like some cheap and low quality tomato products can. It just goes to show what I keep banging on about – if you have some good quality tomato products, like Cirio, in your cupboard, then there is no end of things you can make.
Just a little insight in to some future recipes on HHH – Dave is really getting in tomaking homemade sauces and chutneys at the moment, as they are a great way to use up an abundance of produce (which we should have at the end of the year when everything we have planed in the garden has flourished), so there will be lots more sauce recipes coming.
Ingredients – Serves 12
– 125ml/Half cup passata (tomato sauce)
– 6 tbsp tomato puree (tomato paste)
– 60ml/Quarter cup water
– 60ml/Quarter cup apple cider vinegar (you can use white wine vinegar)
– 3 tbsp honey
– 1 tsp onion powder
– Half tsp garlic powder
– A pinch of sea salt and black pepper
1) Put all the ingredients in a pan and mix well. On a medium heat, simmer for 15 minutes.
Nutritional Information – per serving:
Calories: 25
Fat: 0
Carbs: 6
Protein: 0.25
Fibre: 0
What sauce recipe would you like to see a healthy version of on the blog?
Let’s stay in touch!
You can find me on Facebook at Hungry Healthy Happy, on Instagram at @hungryhealthyhappy, on Twitter at @HHH_Dannii or on Pinterest at hhhdannii or you can subscribe via email.
**This recipe is commissioned by Cirio, however all opinions are my own**
Claire says
So glad I made double! Certainly got the thumbs up in our house
Kate @ Veggie Desserts says
This sounds lovely and easy! I definitely have a few too many sauces in my fridge door 🙂
Dannii says
I need to have a good clear out of my fridge.
Nadia says
I’ve been meaning to make my own ketchup for ages! I don’t really eat it but hubby loves the stuff so I need to give him a healthier alternative!
Dannii says
It is 100% husband approved here.
Vikkie RICHMOND says
That looks so adorable! Think I’ll have to give it a go very soon instead of fresh tomatoes like I did last time. Luckily, I foun them reduced lol x
Dannii says
It does work much better with some Cirio passata.
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes says
I’ve never tried making my own ketchup before, but it looks so easy! Goring to have to give this a try because I love ketchup with my sweet potato fries.
Dannii says
I hope you enjoy it. It is delicious with sweet potatoes 🙂
Laura Agar Wilson says
Definitely need to try this recipe out, I love my ketchup!
Dannii says
Me too! I would still happily put it on everything haha
neil@neilshealthymeals.com says
This looks like a fantastic tomato sauce recipe Dannii. I’ve got a home-made one I use at the moment, but I’m always up for trying others, and so thanks for this!
Yesterday for dinner, I made Lynne your kale pesto spaghetti from your book. It was yummy!
Dannii says
Yay – I am glad you enjoyed the kale pesto recipe too!
Becky | GlutenFreeCuppaTea says
Saucey! I haven’t had ketchup in ages as regular shop bought ketchup doesn’t agree with me so much, i might try this out as a healthy alternative, thanks!
Dannii says
This is much lower in salt and sugar, so you might get on with it better. Unless it is the tomatoes you don’t agree with?
Jen says
My OH used to be like that and covered everything in ketchup and salt no matter what it was. I eventually managed to wean him off the extra salt and have finally stopped him putting ketchup on most things. Will have to try and see if he likes this one!
Dannii says
I hope he enjoys it as much as we do Jen!
Elena says
I love the simplicity of this recipe!
Dannii says
It’s so easy! No need to buy it again.
KC the Kitchen Chopper says
I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this recipe. I want to “step away from the bottle” in every way. Ketchup and BBQ sauce are my last challenges. You need ketchup for BBQ sauce so you’ve solved my problem. Thanks so much! 🙂
Dannii says
Make sure you check out my healthier BBQ sauce recipe too.
Tara says
Love homemade condiments, something that I have never done but would love to. Great recipe!!
Dannii says
I was surprised at how easy it was to make.
Diana Rambles says
This is very interesting. I have pretty much stopped using ketchup on things due to the sugar, but I might try this.
Dannii says
No need to give it up, just try making it yourself:)
Annie & The Garlic Diaries says
I love making homemade ketchup!! This looks so yummy :).
Dannii says
It’s so easy, isn’t it.
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
Nothing can bean a homemade tomato ketchup. And this one looks so vibrant and delicious! That jar looks stunning too! 🙂
Dannii says
Thanks! I need to get some more jars like this.
GiGi Eats says
I am 1000% in love with KETCHUP so this recipe is giving me quite the suggestive NODS!
Dannii says
Make it. Make it soooon!
Savita @ ChefDeHome says
Homemade tomato ketchup is so better than store versions! I love that I can control sweetness per my taste! stunning pictures, Dannii!
Dannii says
Thanks Savita 🙂
Kaitlyn says
I am going to a BBQ this weekend and I think I am going to make this to take with me. I am taking your coleslaw too 🙂
Dannii says
I hope the weather is nice for you this weekend 🙂
Amy says
How long does this keep in the fridge for?
Dannii says
About a week I would say. You can always make less if you don’t need the whole batch.
Olivia says
I find tomato sauce too sweet anyway, so at least I could put less sugar/honey in this. Thanks for sharing.
Dannii says
You can adapt it to suit your own taste 🙂
Amber says
I have to make this. Do you have a BBQ sauce recipe too?
Dannii says
I do! It is in the sauce section of my recipes 🙂
Ami@NaiveCookCooks says
I love that first sentence where you describe how you would smother anything healthy with something sweet/salty and make it sort of unhealthy hehe! I could relate!!
I love homemade ketchup, growing up my mom would make it all the time. I think I need to make it too!
Dannii says
It would the only way I would eat enough vegetables haha
Kelley says
I love making my own ketchup at home! Your version looks absolutely amazing!
Dannii says
I love that you can control the sweetness. You can also add other flavours, like BBQ ketchup.
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
I love the idea of making homemade ketchup! My son is starting to want to use ketchup on everything so I can’t wait to try this!
Dannii says
Give this a try on him and see how he likes it 🙂
Annmarie says
This is great! I used to put ketchup on everything when I was little but haven’t had it in years. I will definitely have to give this a try!!
Dannii says
I am much better than I used to be with sauces, but I still like ketchup on chips.
David @ Spiced says
What a fun idea, Dannii! I totally want to make my own ketchup now…it’s perfect for summer picnics with friends! 🙂
Dannii says
This is a MUST for BBQs. It is perfect on homemade burgers.
Laura says
I absolutely love the idea of making my own ketchup, what a novel idea!! My kids want to put ketchup on everything, they love it, but as you alluded too, it’s loaded in crap. I don’t know what yours is like in the UK, but our standards in the U.S. are not as high with processed foods, I’m amazed the ingredients they can put in our food and get away with and it’s a shame. We need more recipes like this to save us from eating all that artificial junk!
Dannii says
I think it is a lot better here in the UK, but things like sauces still have way too much salt and sugar in them. I have lots more recipes like this coming up!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Oh healthy ketchup? Sign me up! What a fantastic idea, Dannii! I think I would eat this on just about everything!
Dannii says
The temptation is definitely strong.
Serviced Apartments Lady says
That looks absolutely delicious! I want this straight in my condiments cupboard.
Dannii says
let us know how you get on with making it 🙂
Louisa says
Great recipe, I too make (well most of the time) my own tommie sauce but it’s not quite as healthy as yours…..still has sugar….but maybe I should sub for honey. Though we rarely have tomato sauce anyway, only with chips or bacon butties, nothing else.
Dannii says
Obviously honey is still sugar, but I find it has a stronger flavour, so you need less of it.
Nayna Kanabar (@SIMPLYF00D) says
Nothing beats home made ketchup.
Dannii says
It just tastes so much fresher.
Sylvia @ Happiness is homemade says
I add tomato ketchup to almost everything 😉 homemade is always the best, at least you know what you’re adding to food!
Dannii says
I am glad I am not the only one that wants to add it to everything.
Karen says
LOVE homemade ketchup and have been known to make some myself when I have a glut of tomatoes! GREAT recipe Dannii!
Dannii says
All our tomato plants failed last year. Really hoping to have more success this year.
Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says
Supper yum. The thing I could add in to this base recipe…
Dannii says
🙂
London Unattached Lifestyle and Travel says
That looks very good! I wonder how long ‘a while’ is – I’d be tempted to freeze small portions
Dannii says
It lasts around 2 weeks in a sterilised jar.
Janie says
Lovely! We grown bazillions of tomatoes every year, but I am still to get round to making ketchup, hopefully this is the year that I do 🙂
Janie x
Dannii says
Oh, you definitely should. A great way to use up tomatoes. Not that we ever seem to have a problem using up tomatoes in our house – I eat them like apples.
Morgan @ Peaches, Please! says
My grandfather would always ask for ketchup, even in the fanciest of restaurants. It was so hard not to laugh at the inevitable pained look on the waiter’s face when Papa asked for the ketchup.
Dannii says
It sounds like he and I would be great dinner companions.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
Right! That’s it I’m making some. It looks yummy!
Dannii says
Thanks! I hope you enjoy it.
Madeleine Morrow says
My son had a friend who ate ketchup on everything. I had to learn not to be insulted. My favourites are chutneys and mustards.
Dannii says
I do love a good mustard.
Fawn @ Cowen Park Kitchen says
Love the idea of ketchup with honey. I didn’t grow up with ketchup as a staple, but I’ve come to embrace it as a helpful kitchen friend (meatloaf, BBQ sauce, etc!).
Dannii says
This healthy version is also a great way to get fussy eaters to eat vegetables.
Sarah says
Tartar sauce for fish that does not involve mayo (a sub for mayo like Greek yogurt would be fine) and DOES involve pickles. I have been looking for a recipe online that does not involve a complicated 12-step process (like room-temperature eggs –ain’t nobody got time to wait for their eggs to “warm up”). I had a very frustrating experience at the grocery store trying to buy a ready-made tartar sauce. I only found 1 that did not have HFCS in it and even so, I bought it, but I am not crazy about it. So, to sum up– tartar sauce — clean — with something mayo-like that is not mayo — and the pickles — otherwise, why bother? Thank you in advance. I am sure we will be wowed!
Dannii says
I do actually have a tartar sauce recipe coming up soon and it does use Greek yoghurt. Keep a look out for it on the blog 🙂
Shannon says
Excellent, thank you for posting this! The only other sauces I would LOVE to find a healthier version of that tastes just as good would be mayo, Dukes original is the ONLY kind I like and would eat and oh how I miss it since eating healthier, and a cheese sauce for like mac & cheese!
Dannii says
I am working on a healthy mayo. It is going to take a few attempts before I have a recipe that I am happy posting though. Keep an eye on the blog for it.
nan says
how about a healthy creamy horseradish sauce
Dannii says
Good suggestion!
Gemma Button says
I love ketchup so much most meals are not complete without it, even mac and cheese! I will definitely trying this out, such a good post xxx
Dannii says
I haven’t tried it on mac and cheese yet, I will have to give that a go.
Jayne says
I love your recipes. They are really simple to make which means I can get my kids involved and get them in to healthy cooking from a young age.
Dannii says
Thank you! It is really important to get kids interesting in healthy eating from a young age.
Megan says
Looks delicious I’ll have to try it!! I’ve been looking for healthier versions of salad dressings -specifically ranch. Anyone know of any!?
Dannii says
I have a healthy ranch dressing recipe here: http://www.hungryhealthyhappy.com/healthy-ranch-dressing/
Janice Pattie (@FarmersgirlCook) says
Oh I love the look of your sauce. I do have a fridge full of sauces, chutneys and mayonnaise, some home made some from the farmers market and some manufactured products. I’ve never made my own tomato ketchup though, might give this a try.
Dannii says
I have a habit of picking up a couple of sauces/jams/chutneys every time I go to a farmers market. I am getting quite the collection.
Choclette says
Strangely I hate the classic bought tomato ketchup, but I love homemade and regularly make my own. Yours looks to have a really nice consistency. Always add a bit of chilli to mine.
Dannii says
The bought one does taste a bit “off”, doesn’t it.
Vicky (@aroundandupsidedown) says
Mmmm…..this looks scrum! I love the idea of healthy and it actually looks much ‘fresher’ than the bottled stuff – will have to have a crack at this myself 🙂
Dannii says
Enjoy!
Soraya Jane Kashfi says
So great to see a healthy alternative to something I absolutely love! Now I won’t feel as guilty. Any healthy mayonnaise options by any chance? x
Dannii says
I am working on a mayo recipe. Keep a look out for it 🙂
Amanda says
Maybe a pinch of cayenne in this would be really good too?
Dannii says
Good addition.
Tulmera says
Fantastic! We are big sauce fans in our house too. Always 3 or 4 on the table at dinner time.
Dannii says
That sounds like dinner time at my house.
Lianne says
Please can we have a clean cheese sauce recipe? Must try this tomato sauce
Dannii says
I have one here: http://www.hungryhealthyhappy.com/healthy-mac-and-cheese/
Beki R says
I am definitely going to try this, but I don’t always have time in the kitchen. If I am going to buy it, what would you say is the best option? I shop in Asda mainly if that helps?
Dannii says
I would say an organic low salt and sugar one. Make sure it doesn’t have artificial sweetener added to it though.
Kelly says
My friend shared one of your before and after photos on Facebook and it brought me to your blog to read more and I have come back every day since to see your new recipes. I have only just noticed that you have an email list I can sign up to, so I have done that now.
Dannii says
Thanks for subscribing 🙂
Catherine says
I would love some recipes for flavoured mayo. I really like the roasted garlic one that you can buy.
Dannii says
I am working on it. Keep checking back 🙂
Deena kakaya says
My husband used to do what you describe, smothering ketchup over tasty meals and it would drive me insane. He would even put it on dosa or with curry or in dhal. Thank goodness it doesn’t happen anymore, however for when he must eat it, your recipe provides a fabulous looking and healthy alternative. X
Dannii says
On curry? That is weird, even for me haha.
Lottie says
Oh my god! It is like you just described my fridge haha. I swear all I ever seem to have in there is sauce and eggs.
Dannii says
Oh yes, got to have eggs in there too. To go with all the sauce 😉
Raya says
I am giving this a go tomorrow.
Dannii says
Enjoy!
Laura says
I did laugh at the big about looking in other people’s fridge. I do that all the time and my boyfriend thinks I am weird. I just think you can tell a lot about someone by what they have in their fridge.
I also have way to many sauces and I am sure most of them need throwing out too.
Dannii says
You really can tell a lot. My mum calls me the fridge police, as I am always checking to see what everyone has in theirs.
Fiona says
This sounds great. Thanks for sharing.
Dannii says
You’re welcome.
Amelia says
Do you make your own chilli sauce? If so, do you have a recipe for that as well please?
Dannii says
I do: http://www.hungryhealthyhappy.com/chipotle-tabasco/
Kate says
A healthy BBQ sauce recipe would be good.
Dannii says
I have that here: http://www.hungryhealthyhappy.com/healthy-bbq-sauce/
Natalie says
I am so happy to see this recipe. My son also puts tomato sauce on everything and it is getting to the point where he won’t eat food without it, so I would love for him to enjoy a healthier version. Thank you Dannii.
Dannii says
You’re welcome. I hope he enjoys it.