Easy Homemade Ketchup Recipe for Kids (No Sugar Added!) (2024)

Medically reviewed by Abbey Sharp, Registered Dietitian (RD), BASc.

This healthy easy homemade ketchup recipe for kids and toddlers is a better-for-you option to sugary condiments and dips and is perfect for fries, burgers, chicken nuggets, and more!

My husband often teases me that I like fries with my ketchup. It’s true. I am a ketchup FIEND. But really, what’s not to love about a sweet and tangy condiment? Like most kids, I was raised on a squirtable bottle of Heinz, but when I go to a fancy gastro-pub and get to taste a homemade ketchup recipe, I can’t deny that it just tastes better.

Why This Recipe Works

Now that I’m a mom, I know there’s going to be a lot of ketchup in my future, so I figured I would come up with an easy homemade ketchup recipe that I feel good about serving ON MASS. I also love this recipe because:

• It’s gluten-free
• It’s vegan
• It’s kid-friendly
• There is no added sugar!

Key Ingredients

Tomato Paste – Tomato paste is made by cooking tomatoes for a few hours until the water is removed, therefore creating a thick paste consistency. Mixing this with the other ingredients helps give this easy homemade ketchup recipe the perfect texture.

Medjool Dates – Instead of adding high fructose corn syrup, Medjool dates give this easy ketchup recipe just the right amount of sweetness without all of the added processed sugar.

Apple Cider Vinegar – By adding just a little apple cider vinegar, it provides the ketchup with that semi-tangy/acidic taste that you would get in a traditional bottle of ketchup.

How To Make This Recipe

Step 1: Add the olive oil to a medium skillet over medium low heat. Add the onion and cook until it begins to caramelize, about 45 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until very aromatic, sweet and caramelized, about another 15 minutes. Set aside.

Step 2: To a pot, add the tomato paste, passata, dates, vinegars, cloves, allspice, oregano, thyme, salt, pepper and the caramelized onions. Allow to cook, covered, on low for 15 minutes until the dates are very soft, then transfer to the food processor or blender to puree until smooth. Season with pepper, to taste. Serve with fries, or on a burger.

Expert Tips

This easy homemade ketchup recipe is great to keep on hand, especially because you can store it in the fridge and use it whenever you need it! Personally, I like to store mine in a large mason jar or reusable condiment containers, that way I can easily grab one to put in my toddler’s or let’s be real my lunch too!

This recipe is gluten-free, but make sure to check the product label as some tomato pastes and sauces may have wheat gluten proteins

Recipe FAQs

More Recipes You Might Like

If you love creating your own condiments or dips like this easy homemade ketchup recipe, check out some of these recipes below!

• EASY TODDLER DIP RECIPES FOR PICKY EATERS
• SUMMER MELON STICKS WITH LEMON CHERRY DIP

Have you made this easy homemade ketchup recipe? Let me know in the comments what’s your favorite recipe to pair with ketchup!