Homemade Copycat Chilli Ketchup Recipe (With Fresh Tomatoes)

Chilli Ketchup Recipe

Making your own condiments at home can be an exciting journey, especially when you're aiming for healthier alternatives to the regular ketchup you find at the grocery store. This chilli ketchup recipe is the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors, with a few adjustments to keep things more nutritious. I swapped out the usual brown sugar for natural sweeteners like maple syrup and apples, making this a great recipe for health-conscious families looking to avoid added sugars. The fresh tomatoes and aromatic spices create a smooth texture that's deliciously rich and perfect as a simple condiment for various meals.

A Healthier Twist on The Chilli Ketchup

As a parent, I understand the importance of feeding my family meals that are both healthy and satisfying. Store-bought tomato ketchup, while convenient, often comes loaded with sugar and preservatives. This homemade ketchup recipe not only eliminates unnecessary ingredients but also adds wholesome ones like fresh apples and chilli peppers. The apple provides a subtle sweetness, while the chilli peppers and chilli powder give it just the right amount of heat to create a spicy ketchup that the whole family can enjoy.

I love how this spicy sauce pairs perfectly with our homemade sausage rolls. The balance of flavours makes it an irresistible dipping sauce, whether you're serving it with hot dogs, french fries, or your favourite savoury snacks. It’s also a versatile addition to your pantry, offering a homemade, healthy alternative to store-bought ketchup.

The Perfect Consistency

To achieve that classic smooth texture, it's essential to blend the cooked ingredients thoroughly using a food processor. Fresh tomatoes, capsicum (bell pepper), garlic, and apple blend beautifully, giving you a rich tomato puree that will form the base of your ketchup. After blending, I always strain the mixture using a fine mesh strainer to ensure it's silky smooth—this step is key to creating a perfect homemade ketchup.

Once you've got your puree, transfer it to a skillet on medium heat, allowing the flavors to meld together. Adding a teaspoon of salt, chili powder, and maple syrup at this stage will give it that unmistakable tangy, spicy flavor. For me, it’s the low heat simmer that brings out the depth of flavor, as the tomato sauce slowly thickens. You'll also want to ensure that it reduces just enough to create a thick, spreadable consistency, much like regular ketchup but with a more exciting punch from the chili powder or cayenne pepper.

How to Use the Chilli Ketchup Recipe

This homemade ketchup is incredibly versatile, making it more than just a dipping sauce. I’ve found that it works well with both savory and slightly sweet dishes. Aside from sausage rolls, it complements grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, and even as a base for homemade pizza or burgers. You can adjust the heat to your liking by adding more chili powder or cayenne pepper for extra kick.

One thing I appreciate about this recipe is how easy it is to store. I typically pack the ketchup in an airtight container once it has cooled down completely. Stored in the fridge, it stays fresh for up to two weeks, giving you plenty of time to enjoy your own ketchup without rushing through it. Plus, there’s something incredibly satisfying about making your own condiments from scratch—knowing exactly what's in them.

The Perfect Balance of Flavors

This delicious recipe offers the perfect balance between sweet and spicy, making it an excellent option for health-conscious individuals or families. With natural sweeteners like apples and maple syrup replacing brown sugar, and aromatic spices like chilli powder and cayenne pepper for that spicy kick, it’s a great way to introduce healthier eating habits without compromising on taste.

If you’re tired of the same old regular ketchup from the grocery store, this homemade version will be a game-changer. Whether you're serving it with homemade sausage rolls or using it as a dipping sauce for fries, this chilli ketchup recipe is sure to become a family favourite!