Easy Whole30 & Paleo Ketchup (Tessemae’s Copycat)
Easy Whole30 and Paleo Ketchup – a homemade Tessemae’s ketchup copycat recipe. 7 ingredients, and sweetened naturally with dates, no added sugar! Ready in 10 minutes. Whole30, Paleo, refined sugar free, gluten free, grain free, dairy free, vegan, clean eating.
I love making homemade condiments! I know the exact ingredients that are going in, and they’re much healthier than store bought versions.
I’ve perfected my paleo & whole30 mayonnaise, bbq sauce, pesto and ranch dressing. I’ve gotten a ton of comments and emails from you saying how much you’re loving those recipes. I’ve also had a few readers asking me how to make a paleo & whole30 ketchup. Here it is!
Have you read the ingredients label of store bought ketchup? Packed with high fructose corn syrup and sugar. Horrible.
This ketchup is sweetened naturally with dates! So no refined sugar at all! It is made with just 7 ingredients you probably already have in your pantry and spice cabinet right now. And it takes just 10 minutes from start to finish. The blender does all the work for you. It is seriously so easy. No excuses not to make your own healthy ketchup!
The only store bought ketchup that I have found that is made with real, healthy ingredients is Tessemae’s.
After making my Copycat Tessemae’s BBQ sauce recipe and liking it even more than store bought, I thought I would tackle their ketchup too. After 5 batches, I got the flavors just right! And surprise surprise, I like my homemade version more than the store bought. It’s a lot more affordable too. Homemade is always best!
This ketchup is a little thicker than the store bought ketchup you are used to. I prefer it that way. I find it sticks to meats better. But if you like yours thinner, just add water until it is the consistency you like.
You are going to love the sweet and tangy taste of this easy homemade paleo and whole30 ketchup. And you’re going to love how healthy it is even more! Paleo, Whole30, sugar free, dairy free, gluten free, grain free, vegan and clean eating.
I store this ketchup in wide mouth pint size mason jars. This recipe makes 2 cups, so it fits perfectly. If I’m making it, I’ll make a double batch of ketchup. I’ll keep 1 jar in the fridge, and freeze the other jar for when I run out. The ketchup will keep in the fridge for at least a month, if you don’t eat it all faster than that! The wide mouth pint size mason jars are freezer friendly, and the ketchup will keep in the freezer for at least a year.
Easy Whole30 & Paleo Ketchup (Tessemae's Copycat)
Ingredients
- 1 6-ounce can tomato paste
- 10 pitted medjool dates
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, from about 1/2 lemon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Heat a sauce pan over medium low heat. Add all ingredients, stir to combine, and bring to a low simmer for 5 minutes. You don't want it to boil, just get warmed through. Heating will allow the flavors to marry and soften the dates.
- I like my ketchup on the thicker side. If you like yours thinner, add water and blend until desired consistency is reached.
- Transfer to an airtight container. I keep mine in wide mouth pint sized mason jars, perfect size! Will keep in the fridge for at least 4 weeks. You can also freeze them in the wide mouth pint sized mason jars for up to 1 year.
Notes
More Homemade Whole30 & Paleo Condiments:
Homemade Whole30 & Paleo Mayonnaise (3 minutes!)
Easy Whole30 & Paleo BBQ Sauce (Tessemae’s Copycat)
Homemade Whole30 & Paleo Ranch Dressing
Dairy Free Whole30 & Paleo Pesto
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22 Comments on “Easy Whole30 & Paleo Ketchup (Tessemae’s Copycat)”
Hi! Thank you for the super easy recipe, just a quick question, could I replace white vinegar for apple cider vinegar and fresh Roma tomatoes for the tomatoes can? I understand that I will have to first make a paste from the tomatoes by evaporating water and removing seeds and blending, other than that any other step that I might have to do? Also what quantities would you suggest for white vinegar and tomato paste? Can I replace them 1:1 for ACV and tomatoes can? Thanks a lot!
You can for sure swap the ACV for white vinegar! And I would *think* you would be able to use fresh tomatoes. I’ve never done this before, but am sure you can find a recipe that shows you how to turn fresh tomatoes into a paste. Great way to use garden tomatoes!
I have already commented, but am making this recipe for the umpteenth time and just had to say – THANK YOU! It has been such a lifesaver for me! I’m ordering those wide mouth pint sized mason jars now so that I can freeze a batch!
Thank you so much for your comments on my ketchup recipe Leslie. Your feedback really means the world to me! I am so glad it has been a lifesaver for you!
This was so tasty that I honestly prefer it over normal ketchup! I might go one or two less dates next time, as it is a little on the sweeter side. But it’s still so incredibly good. I’ll be making this even after Whole30. Thank you!
I love that you prefer it over regular ketchup Melissa. I am so glad you will continue to make it.
Thank you so much for posting this. I used this recipe to make ketchup to add to a “clean” Japanese omurice recipe. It was perfect and allowed me to make one of my fave comfort recipes while eating clean. I didn’t have all the ingredients (#quarantine) and had to use a lime instead of a lemon and agave in place of the dates…it still turned out great!
I am so happy you liked my ketchup Leslie! I am so glad you were able to use it to make one of your favorite comfort foods while clean eating. I love your substitutions and I am glad to hear they worked well. These days we are all having to adapt and modify recipes based on what we have at home.
What is the shelf life/fridge and freezer life after opening?
Hi Steve – It will keep in the fridge for at least 4 weeks. You can also freeze them in the wide mouth pint sized mason jars for up to 1 year.
We made and it tastes and smells like apple cider vinegar. Most recipes only call for tablespoons of the vinegar, why is this one so much and is there a way to fix my batch.
Hi Bonnie! Sorry it’s too strong. You can make a second batch to combine with your first batch, but not add any vinegar. This will dilute it so it’s not as strong for you.
I’m in love! I had resigned myself to no ketchup or other sauces. Th se are easy to make and DELICIOUS!!!!!! Thank you so much!
Yea! So glad you liked it Karen! Thank you for letting me know!
Are the dates dried? Where do you suggest buying them?
Yes, dried dates. You can get them anywhere! Costco, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, etc. Medjool dates are my favorite. If they’re not very moist and plump, soak them in hot water first so they blend up easier. Or you can use date paste!
I found your barbeque sauce and it was DIVINE, so when I decided to try my hand at healthy homemade ketchup I knew just where to look. It is AMAZING! I only used 6 dates, and it was plenty sweet for me (I don’t have much of a sweet tooth). Thanks for the great recipes!
I am so happy to hear this Delilah! (Your name is so pretty, by the way) Glad you liked both my BBQ sauce and ketchup recipe. They’re so easy to make at home, and cheaper than store bought. Plus, you can adjust it to taste just how you like it. Thanks for letting me know you liked my recipe, you made my day!
I already have some date paste made up. How much date paste would you recommend in place of the dates?
Probably 3 or 4 tablespoons, or more to taste!
Amazing! If anything I would say this recipe is too sweet! I’m new to eating sans refined sugar, so I’m glad to have a sweet ketchup I can feel good about and tastes wonderful. Thank you!!!
I’m so glad you like it Betsi! Such a healthier way to enjoy ketchup. And if you find it too sweet, leave out a date or 2 until it suites your taste : ) Thanks for letting me know you liked my recipe, you made my day!