Over the years, I have tried many sauce recipes, but McDonald’s Ketchup remains a classic in my household. I mean, everybody loves tomato ketchup, especially from McDonald’s, because it will make the taste of anything 10 times better, and this recipe is here to the rescue!Â
Being a proud ketchup lover, I can surely say that after you give it a try, you will kiss the store-bought version bye-bye! Made with five easy ingredients, McDonald’s Ketchup does not call for sugar and uses fructose corn syrup instead.
It is customizable and makes McDonald’s Ketchup taste much different from that of other food chains. McDonald’s Ketchup is also extremely thin and sweet, and it has that tangy kick due to the fresh, ripe red tomatoes.
I always thought that ketchups were quite basic. How different can they be? But McDonald’s ketchup is gold for me, and you will always find it in my fridge.
I swear by this recipe, so let me share how I make it at home in the easiest way possible. Pair it with your favorite food; it will be a chef’s kiss with all your meals. So, let’s get into the recipe.
Equipment Required
- Saucepan: To eliminate the tangy taste, cook your tomatoes in a pan.
- Knife: For best results, I like to chop the tomatoes in extremely small pieces, and for that, I use a sharp knife.
- Cutting Board: I use a cutting board to keep things hygienic.
- Sieve: Whenever I see chunks of tomatoes that need to be removed, I use a sieve to get a clear, thick sauce.
- Spatula: To give everything a nice stir, I use a spatula.
- Bowl: I am using a medium-sized bowl to serve the final ketchup.
McDonald’s Ketchup Ingredients & Substitutions
Note: This recipe’s ingredients can serve up to 4 people. You can increase or decrease the quantities for more or fewer portions.Â
- 3 Tablespoon Tomato Concentrate: I am using tomato concentrate to make this recipe, but you can also use store-bought canned tomatoes. Keep in mind that different brands of canned tomatoes will have different tastes.
- 1 Tablespoon Distilled Vinegar: I am using distilled vinegar to control the ketchup’s tanginess, but you can also use white vinegar.
- 1 Tablespoon High Fructose Corn Syrup: I am using this ingredient as a replacement for sugar, but you can also use sugar in this recipe.
- 1 Cup Water
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
Preparation And Cooking Time
| Preparation Time | Cooking Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Minutes | 10 Minutes | 20 Minutes |
How To Make McDonald’s Ketchup At Home
Step 1
Start by adding tomato concentrate, distilled vinegar, high fructose corn syrup, water, and salt to a pan. Heat it at medium heat and stir it slowly in between.
Step 2
Continue heating it until it starts boiling and reaches your desired consistency.
Step 3
Let it cool and enjoy.
Expert Tips That I Recommend
- I like to let it chill in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour to allow the flavors to meld properly.
- Tomatoes are the hero ingredient in this recipe. You need to use ripe, good-quality tomato concentrate, or else it will result in poor-quality ketchup.Â
- Whenever I share this recipe, I get many questions about why it is important to add distilled vinegar to tomato ketchup. Distilled vinegar prevents the ketchup from being contaminated if you store it for a long time. Vinegar acts as a preservative while also adding a sour taste to the ketchup.
- This recipe does not recommend using high heat. Instead, let it cook at medium heat, as high heat can ruin the texture and taste of the ketchup.
- While making McDonald’s Ketchup at home, there have been times when my ketchup was not bright red. Don’t worry; it totally depends on the quality of the tomatoes used. If you are using underripe tomatoes, then it will lead to a yellowish color. Try cooking it longer to darken the color, which will also thicken the consistency of your ketchup.
- How thick or thin you want it to be depends on your preference. You can either reduce the cooking time to enjoy a thin sauce or extend the cooking time to get a thick sauce.
FAQs About McDonald’s Ketchup
Nutritional Information Per Serving
When I told you that I have McDonald’s Ketchup with all of my foods, I was not joking since it is a healthy option. Being low in calories, this ketchup can be enjoyed every day in a balanced diet.Â
If you don’t believe me, then have a look at the nutrition chart below:
| Calories | 25 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 6 g |
| Protein | 1 g |
| Fat | 0.1 g |
| Saturated Fat | 0.01 g |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.02 g |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.01 g |
| Sodium | 680 mg |
| Potassium | 122 mg |
| Fiber | 0.5 mg |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Vitamin A | 183 IU |
| Vitamin C | 3 mg |
| Calcium | 14 mg |
| Iron | 0.4 mg |
Not only that, this McDonald’s Ketchup recipe is also completely vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, keto, and dairy-free. Moreover, it is also nut and soy-free. Hence, people following those diets can have it without any restrictions. Â
Recipe Variations For Different Diets
- Sugar-Free Diet: I like to alter the sweeteners I use to make it suitable for a sugar-free diet. You can use honey or even maple syrup to keep the sweetness content under control.
Storing This Recipe
- Freezing: To further extend the shelf life, you can freeze McDonald’s Ketchup. Simply pour the leftovers into a freezer-friendly tight container and store it for about 6 months.
- Countertop: I do not leave McDonald’s Ketchup on the countertop for more than an hour to prevent contamination. After that, it goes straight to the fridge.
- Refrigeration: Whenever I make McDonald’s Ketchup, I always make it in large quantities so I can refrigerate it for later use. I start by transferring the leftovers into a tight ketchup bottle or airtight container so that they do not come in contact with moisture. Then, I refrigerate them for three weeks.Â
What To Serve With This Recipe
If you ask me, I can enjoy this McDonald’s Ketchup with countless options. I like to have it with French fries, sweet potato Fries, and Hash Browns.
Dipping spicy Chicken Wings or Cauliflower Wings in this sweet and tangy sauce is also one of my most followed ways of enjoying this sauce.Â
If you like Tater Tots, try one with this ketchup, and you will never have them with any other sauce. When it comes to burgers and Pizzas, I also like to layer them off with this simple tomato ketchup. Finally, I also like to use it for simple Pasta recipes, which takes it to the next level.
Printable Version
McDonald’s Ketchup Sauce Copycat Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoon Tomato Concentrate Tomatoes
- 1 Tablespoon Distilled Water
- 1 Tablespoon High Fructose Corn Syrup
- 1 Cup Water
- 1 teaspoon Salt
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Cutting Board
- Knife
- Sieve
- Spatula
- Bowl
Instructions
- Start by adding chopped tomatoes, distilled vinegar, high fructose corn syrup, water, and salt to a pan. Heat it at medium heat and stir it slowly in between.
- Continue heating it until it starts boiling and reaches your desired consistency.
- Let it cool and enjoy.
Notes
- I like to let it chill in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour to allow the flavors to meld properly.
- Tomatoes are the hero ingredient in this recipe. You need to use ripe, good-quality tomato concentrate, or else it will result in poor-quality ketchup.Â
- Whenever I share this recipe, I get many questions about why it is important to add distilled vinegar to tomato ketchup. Distilled vinegar prevents the ketchup from being contaminated if you store it for a long time. Vinegar acts as a preservative while also adding a sour taste to the ketchup.
- This recipe does not recommend using high heat. Instead, let it cook at medium heat, as high heat can ruin the texture and taste of the ketchup.
- While making McDonald’s Ketchup at home, there have been times when my ketchup was not bright red. Don’t worry; it totally depends on the quality of the tomatoes used. If you are using underripe tomatoes, then it will lead to a yellowish color. Try cooking it longer to darken the color, which will also thicken the consistency of your ketchup.
- How thick or thin you want it to be depends on your preference. You can either reduce the cooking time to enjoy a thin sauce or extend the cooking time to get a thick sauce.
Nutrition
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Conclusion
This McDonald’s Ketchup is classic for a reason. It is simple, easy, and quick for college students and working professionals. I have never heard anyone complain about ketchup, but there is always a demand for it.Â
So why not fulfill this demand by keeping a homemade bottle of ketchup at home? This recipe is also made for leftovers, so you can enjoy it multiple times a week.
I am sure you will give this McDonald’s ketchup a try after seeing how easy it is to replicate at home. After testing and tasting it, do let me know in the comments section if you love it!
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