Beef Free Paleo Ketchup
Most store-bought ketchup is technically beef-free, but the ingredient lists are often loaded with high-fructose corn syrup, natural flavors of uncertain origin, and preservatives that don't belong anywhere near a clean plate. This homemade version keeps things simple and transparent: tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, and a warm blend of spices that actually tastes like something. The cinnamon and allspice give it a subtle depth that commercial ketchup never quite achieves, while the cayenne option lets you dial up a gentle heat if you're feeling bold. Whisking everything together in a single saucepan and letting it simmer until the color deepens is genuinely satisfying — you can watch it transform in real time. A short chill in the fridge is all it takes for the flavor to sharpen and the texture to firm up into something that rivals anything squeezed from a plastic bottle. It's the kind of condiment that makes you wonder why you ever bought the packaged stuff in the first place.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
16 servings
- 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp ground mustard
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- ⅛ tsp ground allspice
- ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions
- 1
Combine the tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, water, maple syrup, garlic powder, onion powder, ground mustard, cinnamon, allspice, cayenne (if using), and salt in a small saucepan. Whisk until smooth.
- 2
Set the saucepan over medium-low heat and cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens slightly and the color deepens to a rich red, about 10–12 minutes. Watch the heat — the sugars in the tomato paste can scorch quickly; reduce to low if the bottom begins to stick.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!