Copycat Heinz Catsup Recipe

This copycat Heinz catsup recipe gets you as close to the original as you can get at home. The secret is the sugar-to-vinegar ratio — Heinz is sweeter than most people expect, and the spice blend is subtle, not bold.

Recipe Overview

• Prep time: 5 minutes
• Cook time: 20 minutes
• Yield: About 1 1/4 cups (one standard ketchup bottle)

Ingredients

• 6 ounces (one small can) tomato paste
• 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/8 teaspoon celery salt

Instructions

1. Combine the tomato paste, white vinegar, sugar, and water in a medium saucepan. Whisk until smooth.
2. Add the onion powder, garlic powder, salt, allspice, cloves, and celery salt. Whisk again.
3. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Cook for 20 minutes, stirring frequently, until the catsup has thickened to a consistency slightly thinner than store-bought (it thickens more as it cools).
4. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
5. Transfer to a squeeze bottle or jar. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving — the flavor needs time to meld.

Tips

• The 2:1 sugar-to-vinegar ratio (by volume) is what gives Heinz its signature sweet-tangy balance. Do not reduce the sugar if you want the authentic taste.
• If the result tastes too sharp right after cooking, wait. The vinegar mellows significantly after a day in the fridge.
• This keeps refrigerated for up to 4 weeks.

See all of our homemade catsup recipes on the catsup recipes page.