Lazy Day Tomato Ketchup Recipe

Name: Lazy Day Tomato Ketchup
Prep time: 60 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 100 min
Yield: Serves 1 or more
Ingredients: 8-10 large tomatoes (about 4 pounds); 1 medium white onion, finely chopped; Cider Vinegar; Dry Mustard; Allspice; Cloves; Ground Ginger; White Pepper; Celery Seeds; 1 cup packed light brown sugar (or to taste)

This recipe offers TWO ways to make delicious, salt-free tomato ketchup! Perfect for when your garden explodes with ripe tomatoes. Blanch, peel, and freeze your tomatoes ahead of time for a lazy-day cooking experience, or make it fresh in one go. Inspired by a vintage crock recipe, this ketchup simmers to perfection, developing rich, sweet, and tangy flavors. Easily customizable with your preferred level of sweetness!

Prep Time 60 mins

Cook Time 40 mins

Calories 20.4 kcal

Protein 1g

Rating 3.0 (1 Reviews)

Recipe Actions

Share this recipe:

Recipe Author

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Lazy Day Tomato Ketchup

8-10 large tomatoes (about 4 pounds)
1 medium white onion, finely chopped
Cider Vinegar
Dry Mustard
Allspice
Cloves
Ground Ginger
White Pepper
Celery Seeds
1 cup packed light brown sugar (or to taste)

Cook Smarter with Sous, Your Kitchen Companion

Missing an ingredient for this Lazy Day Tomato Ketchup? Need a perfect wine pairing or a healthy side dish idea? Don't guess—ask Sous! Your AI-powered sous-chef is ready to help you swap ingredients, adjust serving sizes, and discover flavor tips in seconds.

How to Make Lazy Day Tomato Ketchup

**Blanch and Prepare Tomatoes:** Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 8-10 tomatoes and blanch until skins wrinkle (about 1-2 minutes). Immediately transfer to an ice bath. Peel, stem, and roughly chop tomatoes.
**Freezing (Optional):** Place chopped tomatoes in freezer bags, label, and freeze for later use. To make fresh, skip to step 7.
**Thawing (If Frozen):** Thaw tomatoes completely before proceeding.
**Sauté Onions (Fresh Prep):** If making fresh, sauté finely chopped white onion in a large pot over medium heat until softened.
**Combine Ingredients:** Add the thawed or fresh chopped tomatoes to the pot. Add apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, allspice, cinnamon, cloves, and cayenne pepper (if using).
**Simmer:** Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Cook for 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
**Sweeten:** Stir in the brown sugar. Simmer for another 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Taste and adjust sweetness to your preference. Add up to 1 cup of water if using liquid sweetener, for desired consistency.
**Blend:** Carefully transfer the ketchup to a blender in small batches. Puree until smooth.
**Sterilize Jars:** Preheat half-pint or pint jars in a low oven (200°F/93°C) for at least 10 minutes. Heat lids in boiling water.
**Fill and Seal:** Bring the pureed ketchup to a gentle simmer (do not boil). Fill sterilized jars, leaving ½-inch headspace. Wipe rims clean, apply lids and rings, and tighten securely.
**Water Bath:** Process jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. Remove, let cool completely, and check for proper sealing. (Note: Do not add additional tomatoes to the recipe in the middle of the process. Do not add all at once for processing in the hot bath.)