Flavorful Homemade Smoked Ketchup Recipe

Difficulty:

1/5

Serves:

2 cups PEOPLE

Prep Time:

15 minutes

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Homemade Smoked Ketchup Recipe

Transform ordinary tomatoes into a rich, smoky condiment with this Homemade Smoked Ketchup Recipe from License to Grill, hosted by Rob Rainford. Featuring hickory-smoked tomatoes, roasted garlic, cider vinegar, and aromatic spices, this homemade ketchup delivers a delicious balance of sweetness, tanginess, and barbecue flavor. Perfect for grilled burgers, hot dogs, crispy fries, and backyard cookouts, this easy smoked ketchup adds homemade character to everyday meals.

The Inspiration

Ketchup is one of the most recognizable condiments in the world, traditionally enjoyed with everything from burgers and hot dogs to fries and sandwiches. While store-bought ketchup offers familiar sweetness and tanginess, homemade ketchup provides an opportunity to explore deeper flavors through fresh ingredients, carefully selected spices, and different cooking techniques.

In License to Grill, Rob Rainford takes this classic condiment to another level by incorporating the unmistakable flavor of hickory smoke. Instead of relying solely on simmering tomatoes with vinegar and sugar, this recipe begins by slowly smoking fresh tomatoes over indirect heat.

What makes this homemade smoked ketchup especially appealing is its versatility. It can be served as a dipping sauce, spread onto grilled sandwiches, or used as a flavorful accompaniment to barbecue favorites.

Ingredients

2 pounds of tomatoes, halved and seeded
3 tablespoons of olive oil (45ml)
1 tablespoon of white sugar (15ml)
5 cloves of garlic, peeled
3 cups of hickory wood chips (750ml)
3 tablespoons of cider vinegar (45ml)
2 tablespoons of brown sugar (30ml)
1 teaspoon of ground allspice (5ml)
½ teaspoon of ground cumin (2.5ml)
¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg (1.25 ml)
1 teaspoon of Worcheshire Sauce (5ml)

Method

Place 1 cup of the wood chips in water to soak for 30 minutes.
Place the tomatoes on a perforated grill baking sheet and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of oil until well coated. Sprinkle with sugar. Place the cloves in individual tomato halves.
Preheat the grill to high heat on one side and off on the other.
Prepare a smoke package. Squeeze the excess water from the wood chips and place in the centre of a large piece of foil. Add the remaining dry wood chips and mix lightly. Fold the foil around the wood chips to create a smoke package. Using a fork, poke holes on both sides of the package to release the smoke.
Place the smoke package directly over the heat source and close the lid. Wait for smoke.
Place the tomatoes on the side of the barbecue where there is no direct heat. Close the lid and smoke the tomatoes for 1 ¼ hours.
Once fully smoked place the tomatoes and garlic to a blender and blitz. Saute onions in oil until tender – approximately 2 minutes. Pour the blender mixture into a sauce pan. Add vinegar, brown sugar, allspice, cumin, nutmeg and Worcheshire Sauce.
Simmer over medium heat for 30 minutes until thickened. Season to taste and leave to cool in the fridge. This will keep for up to 1 week covered in the fridge.

Serving Suggestions

For a traditional pairing, serve this ketchup alongside crispy French fries, roasted potato wedges, or homemade sweet potato fries. The sauce’s natural sweetness complements the salty, golden exterior of fried potatoes, while the smoky notes create a more distinctive alternative to ordinary ketchup.

For vegetarian meals, pair the smoked ketchup with grilled vegetable skewers, roasted mushrooms, or homemade veggie burgers. The savory depth of the smoked tomatoes and garlic enhances vegetables while providing a satisfying barbecue-inspired finish.

This condiment also works beautifully with grilled chicken, pork chops, and barbecue ribs. Its tomato-rich flavor and aromatic spices complement the caramelized exterior of grilled meats without overwhelming their natural taste. It can also be served as a dipping sauce for chicken tenders or alongside grilled sausages.

Final Thoughts

This Homemade Smoked Ketchup Recipe from License to Grill demonstrates how a familiar condiment can become something special through the simple addition of wood smoke, fresh ingredients, and aromatic spices.

Find more recipes from License to Grill here!