Easy Homemade Ketchup With a Twist

Aug 18, 2010
Lauren Wise

Fresh tomatoes are best for homemade ketchup - By StockVault.net

The perfect grill-out should be topped with a delicious homemade ketchup. Make some at home and say bye-bye to store-bought.

Homemade ketchup compliments an array of food - not just burgers and hot dogs. After all, whether it is a backyard clambake or some indoor George Foreman burgers on a rainy day, good food deserves the best homemade toppings.

The Ever-Traditional Topping

As one of the best toppings for most grilled meat, whether it is beef, lamb or veal burgers, hot dogs, french fries, potato chips or even veggie burgers, ketchup provides a fresh, tangy, smoky flavor. Everyone has a bottle of this condiment in their fridge. As a matter of fact, the Food Network reports that about 97% of Americans have a bottle of ketchup in their fridge at any given time.

Make a more sophisticated version (not too mention more healthy) by adding a twist of personal style and ingredients. In the end, this will save more money as well. Just make sure to have some clean ketchup bottles or containers on hand to save the delicious concoction for future use, because guests and family will love this recipe.

Charred Pepper, Tomato and Cilantro Ketchup

Preheat a grill on high heat. Halve and seed 6 tomatoes (plum work best, but heirloom provide a richer flavor), one red bell pepper, and halve one onion. Chop up one cup of cilantro.
Grill the vegetables until softened, turning once to allow grill char marks.
Throw the vegetables into a food processor and puree until desired consistency, smooth or chunky.
Add the vegetables to a saucepan along with 1/3 cup brown sugar (use 1/4 cup for less sweetness), 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 2 teaspoons fresh cracked pepper and 1 teaspoon salt.
Stir until the mixture boils and sprinkle in the cilantro.
Lower the heat to a simmer and stir until thickened, around 45 minutes. Let cool before bottling.

More Ketchup Recipes

Several other herbs, spices and vegetables can be used for a homemade ketchup recipe, it is just a matter of substituting them in.

Green Tomato, Pepper and Jalepeno Ketchup. For a different flavor and color, sub green tomatoes in for the red tomatoes, and green peppers mixed with jalepenos for the red peppers. Omit the cilantro.
Charred Tomato Ketchup with Basil and Blood Orange. Sub the basil for the cilantro and the blood orange juice in for the apple cider.
Garlic Ketchup. Omit the brown sugar and replace with 1/4 cup minced garlic.
Spicy Peach Ketchup. Replace the red pepper and onion with peach halves, reduce the apple cider vinegar to 2 tablespoons, and add 2 tablespoons of favorite hot sauce.

Incorporate favorite flavors of family members to make these recipes extra tasty. The ketchup can be made in large amounts for future storage, which is not only economical but impressive for the home cook. Happy grilling!