Today, I am excited to share with you all about sugar free ketchup options that will not only please your family’s taste buds, but also promote a healthier lifestyle. We all know that ketchup is an essential condiment in most households, but did you know that most store-bought brands are loaded with sugar? In this blog post, I’ll give you a run down on my favorite quick store bought sugar free ketchup options. In addition, I’ve also included a super easy sugar free ketchup recipe you’re sure to love!
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Is ketchup keto friendly | Sugar free ketchup brands | Net carbs vs total carbs | Lowest net carb ketchup | Best value | Organic winner | My opinion | Equipment | Ingredients | How to make homemade ketchup | Conclusion | Sugar free keto recipes | Homemade ketchup recipe card
🤔 Is ketchup sugar free?
Traditional store bought ketchup or the kind you get in those little packets all over fast food restaurants, are filled with sugar and/or high fructose corn syrup.
In fact, a single tablespoon of ketchup can contain up to 4 grams of sugar! That’s why it’s so important to check the label and make sure you’re getting a sugar free version. Not only sugar free, but with a sweetener that you’re sure will fit your low carb diet, ketogenic diet, or whatever goal you have in mind.
🙋♀️ But is ketchup keto friendly?
Personally, I’ve always loved ketchup. As a kid, I dipped not only my fries in it, but all meats, and even apples!
Why do we love ketchup so much?
The answer is simple: Ketchup makes just about anything taste better. That’s why it’s so important to make sure you’re getting the healthiest, best-tasting ketchup for your lifestyle.
The cheapest regular store bought ketchup, as I mentioned, is going to be packed with sugar so definitely NOT keto friendly.
However, don’t panic! There are more and more brands out there making sugar free options, and there’s always my favorite, homemade sugar free ketchup. I love being able to select the organic ingredients and exact flavors I want for my own ketchup.
🍅 Different sugar free ketchup brands
Let’s break down prices, ingredients, and carb content!
Ketchup is one of those staples with many options on the market. But are any better than the others? Let’s take a look!
Primal Kitchen Organic & Unsweetened Ketchup
Primal Kitchen is a great option for those looking for unsweetened ketchup that is also organic. This ketchup is made with ripe tomatoes, vinegar, and spices, and does not contain any added sweeteners. Primal Kitchen Organic & Unsweetened Ketchup can be found online and at some natural food stores. They now also have a Spicy Ketchup which I love if you prefer a bit of kick, as well as A Tad Sweet Ketchup.
Calories: 10 per tablespoon
Total carbs: 2g per tablespoon
Sugar: 1g per tablespoon
Price: $6-7 for 11.3 oz bottle
(I’ve worked out a coupon code for you if you use my Primal Kitchen affiliate link! Get 10% off your order with the code EXPLORERMOMMA)
Heinz No Sugar Added Tomato Ketchup
Heinz is a trusted name when it comes to ketchup, and their no sugar added variety is a great option for those looking for a sugar free ketchup.
WARNING: Read your labels!! I’ve found 2 different versions of this ketchup, one with sucralose (which is basically sugar and will still raise blood glucose) and one with stevia extract. While I’m okay with the stevia, I do not suggest sucralose. I think this just grounds in the idea you should always read labels even when you think you know what’s in the product. Companies change ingredients all the time.
This ketchup is made with real tomatoes and has a classic taste that everyone will love. Heinz No Sugar Added Tomato Ketchup can be found at most major grocery stores.
Calories: 10 per tablespoon
Total carbs: 2g per tablespoon
Sugar: 1g per tablespoon
Price: $3-4 for 13 oz bottle
True Made Foods, No Added Sugar Vegetable Ketchup
True Made Foods has created a no added sugar ketchup made with real vegetables and apples. It’s a great option for those looking for an alternative sweetener and contains natural sweetness from apples, carrots, butternut squash, and spinach. This makes it a great option to use as a dip or condiment on low carb foods. Although it has more natural sugar, both of my kids approve of this ketchup and give it a thumbs up.
Calories: 10 per tablespoon
Total carbs: 3g per tablespoon
Sugar: 2g per tablespoon
Price: $5-6 for 17 oz bottle
Yo Mama’s Foods Keto Spicy Ketchup
This is another great sugar free ketchup option for those on a low carb or keto diet. Made with monk fruit sweetener, this spicy ketchup has a nice kick and contains only 1g of net carbs per serving. Yo Mama’s Foods Keto Spicy Ketchup can be found online and at select local natural foods or grocery stores.
Calories: 0 per tablespoon (according to the bottle!)
Total carbs: 1g per tablespoon
Sugar: 1g per tablespoon
Price: $11-12 for 14 oz bottle
Good Food For Good Organic Sugar Free Ketchup
Good Food For Good Organic Sugar Free Ketchup is a great option for those looking for a sugar free ketchup that is also organic. This ketchup is made with organic tomatoes and does not contain any artificial sweeteners or preservatives. It uses date paste for sweetener and is available online, at Whole Foods stores, and some natural food stores.
Calories: 10 per tablespoon
Total carbs: 2g per tablespoon
Sugar: 1g per tablespoon
Price: $7-8 for 9.5 oz bottle
Kroger Simple Truth Organic No Sugar Added Tomato Ketchup
Kroger Simple Truth Organic No Sugar Added Tomato Ketchup has a rich tomato flavor and contains no artificial ingredients, preservatives, sweeteners, or colorings. It uses balsamic vinegar and carrot puree for sweetness. This ketchup can be found at Kroger stores or online.
Calories: 10 per tablespoon
Total carbs: 2g per tablespoon
Sugar: 1g per tablespoon
Price: $7-8 for 9.5 oz bottle
Kroger No Sugar Added Tomato Ketchup
Kroger Simple No Sugar Added Tomato Ketchup is made with real tomatoes and contains no added sugar. Interestingly enough it contains dried banana and stevia leaf for sweetener. I hadn’t seen that before! It’s available at Kroger stores or online.
Calories: 10 per tablespoon
Total carbs: 2g per tablespoon
Sugar: 1g per tablespoon
Price: $3 for 19 oz bottle
G Hughes Sugar Free Ketchup
G Hughes Sugar Free Ketchup is an often seen sugar free option. It contains cornstarch for thickener and sucralose for sweetener. This ketchup can be found at Walmart, most major retailers, or online. Personally, because I follow a low carb diet, I generally stay away from anything with cornstarch or sucralose as a sweetener. It is still a sugar free option.
Calories: 5 per tablespoon
Total carbs: 1g per tablespoon
Sugar: 0g per tablespoon
Price: $4 for 13 oz bottle
📏 Net carbs vs total carbs
When looking for a sugar free ketchup, it’s important to look beyond the label. Many of these ketchups are made with artificial sweeteners or other ingredients that may contain carbohydrates, or are just not recommended. That means it’s important to check the nutrition facts and look at the total carbohydrate count as well as the net carbohydrates. Net carbs are the total amount of carbohydrates minus any fiber or sugar alcohols, which can be beneficial to a ketogenic diet.
📋 Lowest net carb ketchup
If we’re looking for a ketchup low carb winner, we have a tie! Drum roll please!
Tied at 1 net carb per serving, we have Yo Mama’s Foods Keto Spicy Ketchup and G Hughes Sugar Free Ketchup.
💰 Best value sugar free ketchup
When we look at the best value for your money in this group, there’s a clear winner.
Kroger No Sugar Added Tomato Ketchup (currently $2.79 for 19 oz)
While I personally prefer an organic option, it’s a great choice for those who are carb-conscious and on a budget.
🎉 Overall sugar free ketchup winner
The winner overall for taste, value, and my preferred organic option is…
Primal Kitchen Organic & Unsweetened Ketchup
a close runner up is:
Kroger Simple Truth Organic No Sugar Added Tomato Ketchup
👩🍳 My opinion
The best ketchup, in my own personal opinion, is your own homemade ketchup. It’s really so much easier to make than you would think. As far as store brands go, I like the Primal Kitchen Spicy Ketchup.
🙋♂️ Is homemade sugar free ketchup keto?
Yes, homemade sugar free ketchup can definitely fit into a keto diet.
Let’s take a look at the macros. In this sugar free ketchup recipe, one serving is one tablespoon. A tablespoons has 7 calories, 0 grams of protein, 0 grams of fat, and 1 gram carbs per serving.
These macros for keto ketchup are figured with MyFitnessPal, with the ingredients I use in the recipe. I always recommend figuring out your own with the exact ingredients you use. It’s especially important to determine your own if you’re keeping close track and want to be accurate.
🍽 Equipment needed to make homemade sugar free ketchup
To make your own sugar free ketchup, you will need a few kitchen items:
- A blender or food processor (optional)
- A medium saucepan or small saucepan and a spoon for stirring
- Measuring cups and spoons
- A jar to store the ketchup
🥘 Ingredients in this keto ketchup recipe
When it comes to making a delicious sugar free ketchup recipe, the ingredients are key! Here’s what you’ll need to look for when selecting each ingredient:
Tomato paste
Look for a brand of tomato paste that is made from fresh tomatoes and has no added sugars or preservatives. Some keto recipes for ketchup use tomato sauce, but I prefer the punch of flavor and the texture of tomato paste.
Raw apple cider vinegar
It’s best to opt for organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar as this retains more of its natural enzymes and contains beneficial probiotics. You can also use white vinegar if you prefer.
Brown sweetener
Choose a brown sweetener that has been naturally derived, such as Swerve Brown. This sugar substitute adds sweetness without any artificial flavors or chemicals. If you don’t like erythritol, choose your own desired sweetener.
Onion granules or onion powder
Look for onion granules or powder with nothing else added – it should just be 100% onion.
Garlic granules or garlic powder
Select garlic granules or powder with no additives – just pure garlic!
Smoked paprika
This adds a smoky flavor to the ketchup and should have no added sugars.
Mustard powder
The mustard powder should have no added preservatives or fillers and provide a strong, spicy taste. Or you can also substitute a teaspoon of Dijon mustard if you don’t have mustard powder.
Ground cloves (optional)
If you’d like to add an extra layer of flavor, ground cloves can be used. They’re optional, but I highly suggest them!
Salt
Use a good quality sea salt, or I also like to use Redmond Real Salt.
🔪 Instructions
Hey there, friends! Do you want to find a healthier alternative to the sugar-filled ketchup that your family loves? Well, I’ve got you covered with my recipe for sugar-free ketchup. Let me walk you through it.
Get ready to cook. In a medium saucepan, stir together tomato paste and water over medium heat. Keep stirring until it becomes a smooth mixture. This is the base of our ketchup.
Next, add in the raw apple cider vinegar and brown sweetener, or another sweetener of your choice. Keep stirring until the brown sweetener has dissolved completely.
Now, for the delicious part – add in the onion granules, garlic granules, smoked paprika, mustard powder, and ground cloves to the mixture. Make sure to stir everything together until it’s thoroughly combined, and you see that gorgeous color!
Let simmer
You’re almost done! Reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer for 5-10 minutes on low heat, stirring occasionally. You’ll love how all the flavors meld together and the ketchup thickens. Taste the ketchup at this point and add more salt or other spices as you prefer.
Take the saucepan off the heat and let it cool down to room temperature.
Once cooled, pour the mixture into a blender and blend until it’s smooth and silky. If you find that your ketchup is too thick, don’t worry, it’s an easy fix! Just add a tablespoon of water at a time until your ketchup reaches the desired consistency.
And voila! Your very own homemade sugar-free ketchup.
Put it in an airtight container like a glass jar and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve it up on burgers, chicken, as a dipping sauce, or anything else your heart desires. This recipe is not only healthier, but your taste buds will love it.
🥣 How to store this low carb ketchup recipe
This healthy recipe will keep in the fridge for up to three weeks. Make sure it’s stored in an airtight container or jar to preserve its freshness. Also, it can be kept in the freezer for up 3-4 months.
🍅 Revamp your condiments
Overall, making simple swaps like using sugar free ketchup can make a significant impact on our health and well-being. I hope this blog post has been helpful in guiding you toward some tasty and nutritious gluten free ketchup options without added sugar.
Whether you choose to purchase a store bought brand or try out my easy peasy homemade keto ketchup recipe, I’m confident that you and your family will enjoy the delicious flavor without the added sugars. It’s almost grilling season, and I know you’ll enjoy this great recipe.
Make the switch and embrace a healthier lifestyle filled with delicious foods! Happy eating!
📝 Related articles and sugar free recipes
- What’s the lowest carb peanut butter for a keto diet?
- Best Ever Keto Spice Cake
- Keto Fruit Dip
- Sugar Free Popsicles: Keto Strawberry Lemonade
- Keto Salad Dressing: Lemon Poppy Seed
- Sugar Free BBQ Sauce (coming!)
Be on the lookout for more sugar free condiments and delicious recipes coming soon!
📌 Pin the keto recipe here:
📖 Printable recipe card
Easy Sugar Free Ketchup Recipe
Get ready for a healthier and tastier ketchup with this sugar-free recipe! Made with tomato paste, vinegar, and spices, you'll never go back to traditional store-bought!
Ingredients
- 6 oz can tomato paste
- 1/4 cup raw apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup brown sweetener (I use Swerve Brown)
- 1 teaspoon onion granules (or onion powder)
- 1 teaspoon garlic granules (or garlic powder)
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves (optional but suggested)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the tomato paste and water over medium heat. Stir until it becomes a smooth and even mixture.
- Add in the raw apple cider vinegar and brown sweetener. Keep stirring until the brown sweetener or sweetener of your choice has dissolved.
- Add in the onion granules, garlic granules, smoked paprika, mustard powder, and ground cloves. Make sure to stir everything together until it is thoroughly combined.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 5-10 minutes. This will allow all the flavors to meld together.
- Take the saucepan off the heat and let the mixture cool to room temperature.
- Transfer the mixture to a blender and blend it until it is smooth and silky (optional). If the ketchup is too thick, add a tablespoon of water at a time until it is the desired consistency.
- Pour the ketchup into an airtight container, like a glass jar, and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 32 Serving Size: 2 tablespoonsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 7Total Fat: 0gCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 0g
*Nutrition Facts per MyFitnessPal dot com. For the most accurate facts, calculate your own with the exact ingredients you use in the recipe.
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Nutrition Disclaimer
Please be aware I am not a medical specialist or nutritional professional. On this blog, I share recipes and what works for me. Please do not take anything on this blog as medical advice and always consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program.
I use MyFitnessPal dot com to calculate nutrition facts as a courtesy to my readers, and I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count because does not affect my own blood glucose levels.
This is as accurate as possible, but it’s best to independently calculate nutritional data on your own with the specific ingredients you use. I expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website.