Best Keto Tomato Sauce: A Tasty, Healthy Option

There are many keto-friendly tomato sauce recipes available online, and they all have slightly different ingredients and preparation methods. However, they all share the common goal of creating a delicious, low-carb sauce that can be used in various dishes. Some recipes call for fresh tomatoes, while others use canned or pureed tomatoes as a base. Spices and herbs such as garlic, basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes are commonly added to enhance the flavour, and some recipes include vegetables like onion and celery. Whether you're looking for a chunky texture or a smooth, pureed sauce, there is a keto tomato sauce recipe to suit your taste and preferences.

Keto-friendly store-bought pasta sauces

If you're looking for a keto-friendly pasta sauce, there are several options available in stores. Here are some of the best store-bought keto pasta sauces:

Rao's Pasta Sauce

Rao's Pasta Sauce is a popular choice among keto enthusiasts. It has 8g of fat, 4g of net carbs, and 1g of protein per 1/2 cup serving. The ingredients include Italian whole peeled tomatoes, olive oil, fresh onions, garlic, basil, black pepper, and dried oregano. It has a well-balanced flavour and tastes like homemade pasta sauce without being overly sweet. Rao's offers a variety of sauces, including marinara, vodka, alfredo, and pizza sauce. While it is on the pricier side, costing around $6.98 per jar, it is worth stocking up on when it's on sale.

Ragu Simply Pasta Sauce

Ragu Simply is another option for keto dieters. It contains 2.5g of fat, 8g of net carbs, and 2g of protein per 1/2 cup serving. The ingredients include tomato puree (water and tomato paste), olive oil, salt, onions, carrots, dehydrated onions, garlic powder, onion powder, and spices. Although it came in second place in a taste test, some may be concerned about its higher carb count compared to other options. Ragu Simply is a more affordable option, costing around $1.77 per jar.

Dave's Gourmet Pasta Sauce

Dave's Gourmet Pasta Sauce is a good choice for those watching their fat intake. It has 1.5g of fat, 5g of net carbs, and 1g of protein per 1/2 cup serving. The ingredients include organic tomatoes, water, organic carrots, onions, tomato paste, extra virgin olive oil, spices, and sea salt. While it received only one vote in a taste test, it may still be worth trying as personal preferences vary. Dave's Gourmet costs around $6.04 per jar.

Yo Momma's Pasta Sauce

Yo Momma's Pasta Sauce has a unique flavour profile but may not be for everyone. It contains 4.5g of fat, 4g of net carbs, and 1g of protein per 1/2 cup serving. The ingredients include fresh non-GMO tomatoes, onions, garlic, organic chicken stock, white wine, olive oil, basil, salt, oregano, and black pepper. Some people may find it lacking in salt and tasting slightly like seafood. Yo Momma's is priced at around $8.06 per jar.

In addition to these options, there are other keto-friendly pasta sauces available, such as Victoria Marinara Sauce, Prego No Sugar Added Pasta Sauce, and Primal Kitchen Tomato Basil Marinara Sauce. It's always a good idea to check the nutrition labels and ingredient lists to ensure they align with your dietary needs and preferences.

Making keto tomato sauce at home

Keto tomato sauce is a great option for those looking for a quick, low-carb sauce to use in their favourite recipes. Making your own keto tomato sauce at home is easy and inexpensive. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you make the perfect keto tomato sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1 (28-ounce) can of canned San Marzano-style peeled plum tomatoes
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Optional ingredients:

• Red wine vinegar
• Red pepper flakes
• Onion powder
• Kosher salt

Instructions:

Place the tomatoes and olive oil in a blender and pulse until smooth. Then, add the garlic powder, basil, oregano, and pepper, and blend until well combined. For a chunkier sauce, you can use a masher or your hands to squish the tomatoes instead of blending them.

If you're using any of the optional ingredients, stir them into the sauce now. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed.

This keto tomato sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, consider freezing it in 1/2 cup portions so you can easily thaw the amount you need.

Tips:

• It is recommended to use certified San Marzano tomatoes for the best flavour. However, if you can't find or don't want to use San Marzano tomatoes, you can use any no-sugar-added whole tomatoes.
• Don't omit the juice from the tomatoes during pureeing, as it will reduce the amount of sauce and increase the concentration of carbs per serving.
• If you want to add a bit of sweetness to your sauce, you can add a teaspoon of erythritol or another carb-free sweetener.

Variations:

You can also make keto ketchup at home with similar ingredients and a few additional spices. Here are the ingredients you'll need:

• Olive oil
• Fire-roasted red capsicum
• Tomato paste
• Apple cider vinegar
• Sweetener (allulose or xylitol)
• Paprika
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Salt flakes

Simply place all the ingredients in a large pot and cook until the sauce is thick and reduced by one-quarter. Then, blend the sauce until smooth and pour it into sterilised jars for storage.

Now you're ready to make your own delicious and healthy keto tomato sauce at home! Enjoy experimenting with different ingredients and flavours to find your perfect sauce.

Tomato sauce/ketchup recipes

Keto Marinara Sauce

This sauce is perfect for those looking for a quick and low-carb option. It can be used with your favourite recipes, such as zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash.

Ingredients:

• 1 (28-ounce) can of canned San Marzano-style peeled plum tomatoes
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions:

Place the tomatoes and olive oil in a blender and pulse until smooth. Then, add the garlic powder, basil, salt, oregano, and pepper, and mix until well combined.

Easy Keto Homemade Tomato Sauce

This sauce is perfect for those looking for a quick, low-carb marinara sauce to use with their favourite recipes.

Ingredients:

• 28 oz can Peeled San Marzano Tomatoes (no sugar added)
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (add more if necessary)

Instructions:

Puree the tomatoes, olive oil, and 1/2 cup of the liquid from the can in a small blender. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

Rao's Pasta Sauce

Rao's pasta sauce was rated the best-tasting keto-friendly pasta sauce by a team of six reviewers. It is well-balanced, made with all the right ingredients, and is tasty.

Ingredients:

• Italian whole peeled tomatoes
• Olive oil
• Fresh onions
• Salt
• Fresh garlic
• Fresh basil
• Black pepper
• Dried oregano

Yo Momma's Pasta Sauce

Although this sauce was not well-liked by most reviewers, it does have several positive reviews on Amazon.

Ingredients:

• Fresh non-GMO tomatoes
• Fresh onions
• Fresh garlic
• Organic chicken stock
• White wine
• Olive oil
• Fresh basil
• Salt
• Dried oregano
• Black pepper

Keto Ketchup

This is a sugar-free tomato sauce or ketchup that is easy to make at home.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup fire-roasted red capsicum
• 1 cup tomato paste
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 3 tablespoons sweetener (allulose or xylitol)
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon salt flakes (if using iodised salt, reduce to 1 teaspoon)

Instructions:

Place all ingredients into a large pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thick and reduced by one-quarter (about 10-15 minutes). Ladle the sauce into a blender in batches and puree until smooth. Pour into clean sanitised jars and store in the refrigerator.

How to store keto tomato sauce

Storing your keto tomato sauce is a simple process. If you're planning to eat your sauce within a few days, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

If you want to keep your sauce for longer, consider freezing it. Let the sauce cool, then transfer it to freezer containers or bags. It will keep in the freezer for at least three months.

You can also can your keto tomato sauce, but this requires adding citric acid or bottled lemon juice to prevent bacterial growth. For a pint-sized can, add a quarter of a teaspoon of citric acid or a tablespoon of bottled lemon juice. For a quart, use half a teaspoon of citric acid or two tablespoons of bottled lemon juice.

Best tomatoes for keto tomato sauce

There are a few options when it comes to choosing the best tomatoes for keto tomato sauce. The type of tomato you use will depend on your personal preference, what is available to you, and how much time you want to spend preparing your sauce.

Fresh tomatoes

Fresh tomatoes are a great option if you want to make a quick keto tomato sauce with a small number of servings. They are also a good choice if you want to control the amount of sugar and other ingredients in your sauce. However, fresh tomatoes contain a lot of water, so it is important to take the time to squeeze out the jelly and seeds before cooking to prevent a watery sauce.

Canned tomatoes

Canned tomatoes are a convenient option that can save you time in the kitchen. They are also a good choice if you want to make a larger batch of sauce, as they have a longer shelf life than fresh tomatoes. When choosing canned tomatoes, look for a good-quality brand such as Cento or San Marzano, and opt for whole peeled tomatoes in puree for the best results.

San Marzano tomatoes

San Marzano tomatoes are considered by many to be the best type of tomato for keto tomato sauce. They are available in both fresh and canned varieties and are known for their sweet flavour and low acidity. While they may cost a bit more, the difference they make to your sauce is well worth the price.

Other ingredients

In addition to tomatoes, you will need olive oil, garlic, basil, oregano, and salt to make a basic keto tomato sauce. You can also add other ingredients such as red pepper flakes, onion, chicken broth, and low-carb sweetener to adjust the flavour to your taste.

Preparation

To make your keto tomato sauce, simply combine your desired ingredients in a blender or food processor and pulse until smooth. If you are using fresh tomatoes, you may need to cook them down a bit before blending to remove excess water. Once your sauce is blended, taste it and adjust the seasoning as needed.

Storage

Your keto tomato sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or frozen for up to three months.

Frequently asked questions