Deliciously Savory: Slow Cooker Ketchup Recipe
As a nutritionist and food blogger, I am always on the lookout for recipes that are both healthy and delicious. That’s why I’m excited to share this Slow Cooker Ketchup recipe with you today. Not only is it free of added sugar and gluten, but it’s also incredibly easy to make.
I know what you’re thinking, “Ketchup without sugar? It won’t taste the same!” But I promise you won’t even miss the sugar in this recipe. Instead, we’ll use liquid stevia as a natural sweetener. Plus, the combination of spices like ground cloves, ginger, mace, cinnamon, allspice, and dry mustard will give you a flavor that’s even better than store-bought ketchup.
Another great thing about this recipe is that it’s made in a slow cooker. This means you can set it and forget it – no standing over a hot stove required. It’s perfect for those busy weeknights when you want a homemade condiment without all the fuss.
Whether you’re following a low-carb or gluten-free diet, or just looking for a healthier alternative to store-bought ketchup, this recipe has got you covered. So let’s get cooking!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Few things can rival the taste of freshly-made ketchup, and this slow-cooker ketchup recipe will leave you with a sense of joy once you’ve tasted it. For starters, it is sugar-free, gluten-free, and free from any unnecessary additives or preservatives. This means that if you are looking for a healthier condiment to go with your meals, this homemade ketchup is precisely what you need.
This recipe also utilizes natural sweeteners like liquid stevia and coconut sugar instead of refined sugar, making it perfect for anyone following a keto or low-carb diet. The unique blend of spices used in this recipe, including ground cloves, ginger, mace, cinnamon, and allspice all work together to create an incredibly rich flavor. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to make this homemade condiment.
Additionally, this slow-cooker ketchup recipe is incredibly versatile. Use it as a dip for your favorite finger foods like chicken tenders or French fries. Alternatively, add it to burgers or sandwiches for that classic ketchup taste. It’s also a great ingredient to have on hand when making slow cooker sloppy joes or honey garlic chicken thighs.
Overall, this recipe is an excellent option for anyone looking to take control of their health and diet without sacrificing taste. With just a few simple ingredients and some patience as it simmers in your slow-cooker, your taste buds are in for a real treat with this delicious homemade ketchup recipe.
Ingredient List
Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make this delicious slow cooker ketchup:
-
28 ounces tomato puree: Use organic, unsalted tomato puree for a healthier option. You can also use a combination of crushed and whole peeled tomatoes for some texture.
-
6 ounces tomato paste: Tomato paste adds thickness and depth of flavor to the ketchup.
-
1/2 cup cider vinegar: Cider vinegar gives a tangy flavor to the ketchup.
-
1/4 cup packed brown sugar or coconut sugar: If you prefer a brown-sugar sweetness, go for packed brown sugar. For a keto or low-carb version, use coconut sugar instead.
-
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard: Adds pungent and tangy flavor.
-
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon: A pinch of cinnamon adds a natural sweetness that goes really well with the acidity of the tomato puree.
-
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice: Allspice gives a complex, warm, and slightly sweet aroma.
-
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger: Ginger adds depth and warmth to the ketchup.
-
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves: Cloves give an aromatic, sweet, and savory taste which goes well with both sweet and salty dishes.
-
1/8 teaspoon ground mace: Mace has a similar but more delicate flavor than nutmeg. It adds another layer of complexity to the ketchup’s flavor profile.
-
1 1/2 teaspoons liquid stevia: Use liquid stevia as a sweetener alternative if you want to skip the added sugar in this recipe. Keto-friendly, has zero net carbs and zero glycemic index!
-
Black pepper to taste: Freshly cracked black pepper adds pungency and heat that balances out the sweetness of any ketchup recipe.
With these simple ingredients, you can whip up this homemade tomato ketchup in no time!
The Recipe How-To
Step 1: Saute the Onions
Ingredients needed:
– ½ yellow onion
– 1 tbsp. cider vinegar
– 1 tbsp. liquid stevia
Serving size: 10
Yellow onions are the unsung hero of many dishes. They enhance the taste by releasing a natural sweetness once they’re properly sauteed. So, we’ll start our flavorful ketchup journey by heating up some olive oil (2 tbsp.) in a pan over medium heat.
Once it’s hot, add ½ chopped yellow onion and stir occasionally until it becomes translucent for about 3-4 minutes. Then add 1 tbs. cider vinegar and 1 tbs. liquid stevia. Keep sauteing for another minute or two until the mixture starts to caramelize, but be careful not to burn it.
You can also use red onion or sweet onion if you prefer their taste over yellow onions.
Step 2: Prepare the Slow Cooker
Ingredients needed:
– 28 oz tomato puree
– 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
– ¾ packed brown sugar
– ½ cup apple cider vinegar
– 2 tsp dry mustard
– 1 tsp black pepper
– 1 tsp ground cinnamon
– ½ tsp ground ginger
– ¼ tsp ground allspice
– ¼ tsp ground cloves
– ¼ tsp ground mace
We’re almost halfway there! Now it’s time to preheat your slow cooker on low setting while we mix some ingredients together.
Get a small bowl to combine all the spices –2 tsp dry mustard, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground ginger, 1/4 tsp allspice, 1/4 tsp cloves, and 1/4 tsp mace, and set aside.
Step 3: Mix and Cook the Sauce
Ingredients needed:
– â…” cup apple cider vinegar
Now that you have your preheated slow cooker and spices ready, pour 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste, 28 oz tomato puree, ¾ packed brown sugar, ½ cup apple cider vinegar, and the spice mix into the slow cooker stir until all the ingredients are well combined.
Next, add the sauteed onions into the slow cooker, stir again, and let everything cook on low for 6-7 hours.
In approximately 6 hours, you will notice that it’s thickened up nicely. If you still find it a little runny at this point, just turn your slow cooker on high and let it reduce further for another hour or two.
Step 4: Let It Cool and Blend
Ingredients needed:
– 1/2 tsp salt
Now that our mixture has cooked for 6-7 hours let’s move to the final steps.
Substitutions and Variations
For those who want to experiment with different flavors, there are plenty of substitutions and variations that can be made to this recipe. One possible variation is to add honey, garlic or other spices to give it a unique twist.
If you prefer a sweeter taste, try swapping out the liquid stevia for some coconut sugar or honey. For a low FODMAP option, use green parts of scallions or chives instead of yellow onion. This will add a natural sweetness to your homemade ketchup without adding any added sugar.
Another option is to experiment with different vinegars like balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar instead of the apple cider vinegar. These vinegars bring their own signature tangy flavors and aroma that can enhance the dish’s taste profoundly.
To make this ketchup suitable for Whole30 or keto diet, simply replace the brown sugar with keto low carb sweetener and tomato paste with canned tomato sauce. You could also swap out the tomato puree for diced fresh tomatoes if you want more texture in your ketchup.
For those who love spice, consider adding some heat by mixing in a pinch of chili powder or cayenne pepper into your ketchup.
No matter how you choose to make this homemade ketchup recipe your own, you’ll enjoy this condiment with burgers, roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potato fries, eggs and lazy weeknight dinners like crockpot chicken breast and slow cooker pork chops from Gourmet Warehouse.
Serving and Pairing
When it comes to serving and pairing your homemade, slow-cooked ketchup, there are plenty of options to consider. I love to use this ketchup as a dipping sauce for sweet potato fries or crispy chicken strips, as it adds a tangy kick of flavor that complements the sweetness of the fries or chicken.
For a more substantial meal option, try using this sugar-free ketchup as a base for a homemade sloppy joe. Cook up some ground beef or turkey in your slow cooker with some diced onions and bell peppers, then add your homemade ketchup along with some tomato sauce and a sprinkle of black pepper. Let it simmer on low heat until the meat is tender and the flavors meld together; then spoon it onto toasted buns for a satisfying and flavorful meal.
If you’re looking for a healthier take on classic condiments, use this recipe to create keto-friendly versions of honey garlic chicken thighs or pork chops. Brush either protein with a mixture of coconut sugar, minced garlic, and tomato paste apple cider vinegar before baking; then serve with your homemade ketchup on the side for an extra boost of flavor.
No matter how you choose to enjoy your slow-cooker ketchup, rest assured that this recipe is versatile enough to complement any meal. Its bold flavor profile makes it the perfect pairing for everything from burgers to omelets; so why not try experimenting with different dishes until you find what works best for you?
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
Once you have made this delectable slow cooker ketchup, you probably would not want to limit yourself to just one serving. That is why it is crucial to learn how to store and reheat this masterpiece of a sauce. When it comes to make-ahead and storing, this recipe is your best friend as it can be kept in the fridge for up to four weeks, which means you won’t have to worry about constantly making a new batch.
To store your sugar-free ketchup, let it cool down before transferring it into an airtight container such as a jar or any plastic tub that seals tight. Refrigerate the container with the sauce and voila! You have your homemade ketchup ready anytime.
When you want to reheat the sauce, simply take out the jar from the fridge and allow it to sit at room temperature for a few minutes. Once it has reached room temperature, you can either heat it up on low heat in a saucepan or microwave it for a few seconds until warm.
Whether it is your favorite honey garlic chicken thighs or pork chops, pairing them up with gluten-free tomato ketchup makes everything taste even better. When hosting parties or events, this recipe can be made ahead of time so that you’re not stuck in the kitchen when guests arrive. Just keep the sauce refrigerated until served.
In conclusion, with an exceptional shelf life, make-ahead and reheating techniques, storing can be easier than making this sugar-free tomato ketchup. This remarkable ketchup will add an extra flair of taste to all your meals without having to worry about adding unwanted sugars or carbohydrates.
Tips for Perfect Results
To create the perfect slow cooker ketchup, there are some tips and recommendations that I’d like to share with you. These tips will help you make a sugar-free, gluten-free, and delicious homemade ketchup that will elevate any meal it accompanies.
Firstly, when measuring the ingredients for the ketchup recipe, be sure to have accurate measurements. Use measuring cups and spoons for dry and liquid ingredients respectively. This guarantees that you don’t add too much or too little of any ingredient resulting in an imbalanced recipe.
Secondly, before adding the tomato products into the slow cooker, run them through a sieve to remove skin, seeds, and excess water contents. This step is essential as it avoids having waterlogged ketchup by starting with a thicker tomato puree base.
Thirdly, use apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar as this option has less acidity which adds less sourness to the sauce while giving it a pleasant sweetness.
Fourthly, seasoned crockpot users know that opening the lid releases temperature from the slow cooker pot which can lengthen the total cook time. Resist the temptation of opening it until at least after five hours.
Lastly, several spices add up to create rich flavors and set your chosen mix aside from other mixes you may find out there. Use high-quality spices such as ground cinnamon in place of any mixed spice options offered; this elevates the flavor profile by adding slight sweet notes to your sauce.
Follow these tips for perfect results when making slow cooker ketchup and see how amazing your homemade sauce can be!
Bottom Line
:
In conclusion, this slow cooker ketchup recipe is one that I highly recommend for those who are looking for a sugar and gluten-free option. With the use of ingredients like liquid stevia, ground cloves, and ginger, you can enjoy the taste of ketchup without the negative health effects of added sugars.
This recipe is not only healthy but incredibly versatile. You can try it with slow cooker sloppy joes, honey garlic chicken thighs, pork chops, or even little smokies for a party appetizer. It’s also a great addition to any low carb or keto meal plan.
So why not make your own homemade ketchup instead of buying store-bought options? Not only can you control the ingredients, but it’s much more cost-effective in the long run. Plus, you’ll impress your family and friends with your culinary skills!
Overall, this easy homemade ketchup recipe is a game-changer. It’s perfect for those who have dietary restrictions or just looking for healthier options. So go ahead and give it a try – I promise you won’t be disappointed!
Slow Cooker Ketchup - Simple Sugar & Gluten Free Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 (28 ounce) can tomato puree
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, coarsely chopped
- 1/2 cup cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup gluten-free brown rice syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground mace
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground red chili pepper
- salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 25 drops liquid stevia, to taste
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients except the salt and pepper in a large (4 to 6 quart) slow cooker.
- Stir well. Cover and cook on high for 2 to 21/2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the onions are very tender.
- Remove the lid and puree with an immersion blender, or transfer to a regular blender or food processor and puree until smooth.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Add stevia to taste.
- The ketchup should be nice and thick. If necessary, return it to the slow cooker and cook on high, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes to 1 hour, until the ketchup has reached the consistency you want.
- Transfer to Mason jars.
- Refrigerate for up to 2 months, or freeze.
- Quick Tip: The brown rice syrup doesn't make this ketchup sweet. Instead, it balances the acid from the tomatoes.
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition
Recommended Recipes Just For You
None found