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Balsamic Ketchup is a rich and savory version of your favorite condiment that you can stir together in minutes. This homemade ketchup recipe with a burst of balsamic vinegar flavor and Italian seasonings adds something special to burgers, fries, and more. As a bonus, there’s no added sugar and it’s naturally gluten free and vegan.
Why You’ll Love Balsamic Ketchup
Delicious Details
- Cuisine Inspiration: American
- Primary Cooking Method: No-cook
- Dietary Info: Gluten-free, Dairy-free
- Skill Level: Easy
If I am being completely honest, my kids, though they have their bouts of being picky, have always been very good eaters. However, when they turned their nose up at something, I could usually change their mind by offering some sort of dip. Sometimes it was Ranch dip or salsa, but most of the time it was ketchup.
I started making Homemade Ketchup so that if my kids were practically eating it with a spoon, I didn’t mind since I had control over the ingredients and didn’t add any sugar. After awhile, I realized I could amp up the flavors just by changing the liquids and seasonings. That’s when I decided to infused one of my favorite flavors and make this Balsamic Ketchup sauce recipe! I’ve been making it for years, and here’s why you’ll love it too:
- So simple. The ingredients are all likely in your pantry already, and you just have to stir everything together. Yes, the flavors will blend and mellow as it sits in the fridge, but you can just enjoy it right away.
- Adds a pop of flavor. This sauce provides an extra burst of rich umami flavor to everyone’s favorite condiment. The addition of balsamic vinegar makes it tangy and savory, whether you are dunking onion rings, slathering it on burgers, or even dolloping some onto egg muffins.
- Suitable for many. This recipe is naturally gluten free, dairy free, and vegan. Plus there is no added sugar, so it’s lower in carbs and practically counts as a serving of veggies!
Recipe Ingredients
Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need to make this balsamic ketchup recipe. You probably have everything in your pantry! Scroll down to the recipe card for the full amounts and instructions.
- Tomato paste. From a can.
- Balsamic vinegar. We happen to love balsamic vinegar, but if you think this might be too strong for you, then you can cut the amount and add in a little water to get the consistency you want. But the flavor does mellow as it sits.
- Seasonings. A combination of dry mustard powder, dried oregano and basil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper gives the Italian flavors to this ketchup sauce.
How to Make Balsamic Ketchup
All you have to do to make balsamic ketchup is combine the ingredients in a bowl and stir until smooth! It takes five minutes and no cooking required. If this is too large of a batch for you, you can easily cut it in half by using one of the small 6-ounce cans of tomato paste.
Variations
You can change up the liquid and seasonings to customize your homemade ketchup sauce with your favorite flavor profiles. Try these:
- Buffalo Ketchup kicks up your basic ketchup recipe.
- Worcestershire Ketchup has a steakhouse flavor that complements your burgers.
- Whiskey BBQ Ketchup is bold with a hint of booziness.
Proper Storage
Transfer the ketchup to an old plastic ketchup or mustard bottle that you’ve cleaned thoroughly, or store it in a mason jar, squeeze bottle, or another airtight container. Then store it in the refrigerator. It will last up to a couple of months because of the vinegar preserving it.
Make it a Meal
I’m a big fan of tots with balsamic ketchup, whether its veggie packed Baked Cauliflower Tots or Zucchini Tots, or if I’ve just whipped up a quick batch of Air Fryer Tater Tots. But there are so many ways to use this easy condiment:
- Next-level burgers and fries. Blue Cheese Stuffed Burgers taste amazing with Balsamic Ketchup, especially when you add a side of Italian Herb Baked French Fries.
- Infuse your meatloaf. This balsamic ketchup makes Roasted Veggie Balsamic Meatloaf extra delicious, along with the roasted vegetables added for moisture and flavor. Serve the meatloaf with extra ketchup for dipping Asparagus Fries or Air Fryer Zucchini.
- Serve with appetizers. You can have an incredible cocktail party with a spread of Spinach Artichoke Quinoa Bites and Prosciutto-Wrapped Chicken Tenders with this ketchup sauce on the side.
- With some nuggs. Whether you make Gluten Free Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets or Gluten Free KFC Popcorn Chicken, this will be a better dip than your basic ketchup or BBQ sauce. Then try a side of cheesy quinoa.
More Homemade Condiments
Balsamic Ketchup
Ingredients
- 12 oz. tomato paste (one 12 oz. can or two 6 oz. cans)
- 1 cup balsamic vinegar (you can use less and make up the difference with water if this is too vinegary for you)
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl, and mix well. Enjoy right away or store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
Notes
Did you make this?
Leave a rating below and tag @cupcakesandkalechips on Instagram and hashtag it #cupcakesandkalechips
Can’t I just buy ketchup and just mix in the Balsamic Vinegar? I can’t afford all that stuff to make this.
Since ketchup already contains vinegar and water, just adding balsamic will make it quite watery. You could just start with the tomato paste and simply add the herbs or spices you might already have in your pantry. Even just a bit of garlic powder and a teaspoon of oregano or Italian seasoning will give it a little extra boost of flavor.
I love ketchup and I also happen to love balsamic so I must try this.
We love it!
This was really great! My youngest (who is almost 2 and who loves “dip dip” and who I also call “Bug”) and I love Balsamic vinegar so we really enjoyed it freshly made but I do hope it’ll settle down a little for the rest of the family. I look forward to testing it in recipes like meatless loaf and veggie sloppy joes. Yum!! Thanks for working out this awesome recipe.
I am so happy you and YOUR Bug enjoyed it!
Precious Shirts and your little guy is adorable!! I can’t wait to try the Balsamic Ketchup, your recipe looks awesome. Hope you have a great week end and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Thank you, yes, I do think he is pretty cute. Even when he is covered in ketchup.
I LOVE ketchup! I love the cute T-shirts too, just might have to get one. I put ketchup on just about EVERYTHING! Thanks so much for linking up your wonderful recipes on Fabulous Friday. I am so honored to have you party with us. I’m super excited to make my own ketchup, thanks again for sharing! xoxox
Haha! Give it a try – super-easy, and lots of ways to change it up.
Ooh, I posted a version of this earlier this year after I looked all over for the Heinz version & couldn’t find it anywhere! And it is SO GOOD and amazingly easy. I’m afraid of canning things, so I froze the leftovers in small containers and I still have some left. We usually have it with sweet potato fries. 🙂
I made sweet potato tots, and it was awesome with those. I usually make a half batch at a time, unless I need more for a recipe, and The Bug will go through it quick enough that I don’t have to bother with canning or freezing.
Your recipe looks terrific. I thought others would enjoy it too so i pinned it. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, and thanks for pinning and sharing!
Thanks so much for linking up to Creative Thursday this week. I have always wanted to make my own ketchup, we go through enough of it. And this just seems so much healthier. I would love to try it with some horseradish to give it a kick too. Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful recipes this week.
I can’t wait to see what you link up next week. Have a wonderful weekend.
Michelle
It is really easy – takes only a few minutes! A horseradish kick would be interesting to try.
That looks terrific. I am trying this out. Come visit. We did a great post on gourmet ketchup that we got to taste test. I was awesome.
Thanks! And I checked out your taste test. Sounds like tasty fun!
I should have tried this recipe so long ago – me and tomato sauce are best friends at every meal 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Oooh, I hope you love it!
This is going on my must-try-soon list. Looks great.
And Bug is adorable!
Oh yay! Hope you like it! And thank you – I think he is pretty cute, too!
Saving this recipe! We love balsamic vinegar!
Great! I hope you like it!
This sounds so good! I must admit, I love ketchup!!! And I love that there is no sugar in this ketchup!
I know, that is the best thing about making it myself. I think the tomato is sweet enough, and then especially with the balsamic in this recipe.
Oh my! {Easy} Gourmet Ketchup. This is already definitely approved based on pictures and title alone. 😉 And I have a whole bottle of balsamic screaming to be used. Will try this out on the fam. Thank you. Pinning.
I never realized ketchup was so easy. Now I try to never buy it!
I just love this!! I’ve been meaning to make my own ketchup for ages and this looks like a great place to start.
You should! It is so easy and fast, and usually just takes stuff from your pantry. I make it all the time now.
I’m definitely going to give this a try! I imagine the balsamic really sweetens it up. We love a chipolte flavor to our ketchup…maybe I will mess around with your recipe and see what I can create! Love that bug loved this! lol
You know, my kids are older now, but none of them were really dippers. In fact, when we would get chicken nuggets on occasion from MCD’s, they never wanted any dip…which I totally did not get! Even today, my middle son will eat salad without salad dressing…my gosh…who does that? lol
Mmm, chipotle sounds yummy! Can’t wait to see what you come up with. I don’t like a lot of salad dressing, but none – what?!?! 🙂