Low-Carb Keto Marinara Sauce
Simmering a pot of healthy marinara sauce made with canned tomatoes, fresh garlic, and Italian herbs beats buying a premade mix from the store. This sauce is smooth, slightly tangy, and rich without needing any sugar or additives. All it takes is 15 minutes for me to make this extremely versatile sauce that elevates any meal.
Servings: 16
Calories: 26kcal
Ingredients
- 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes 800g
- 2 garlic cloves crushed
- ½ onion diced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian mixed herbs
- ¼ tsp salt more to taste
- ⅛ tsp black pepper more to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot. Add the diced onion and sauté until translucent, add the garlic and continue to cook for one to two minutes.
- Add all the remaining ingredients, bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for five minutes; stirring.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool completely before storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for five days. This recipe makes 4 cups of marinara sauce. One serving is ¼ cup.
Notes
- My #1 Secret Tip for this healthy marinara sauce recipe is to cook the onion slowly until it turns soft and lightly sweet before adding anything else. This step builds the base flavor and helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes without sugar.
- Gentle simmer: I keep the heat low once the tomatoes are added, to avoid a harsh over-reduced flavor.
- Taste as you go: Since tomatoes differ in flavor, I taste at various stages and adjust the seasoning as I go.
- Choose good tomatoes: Where possible, I use tomatoes like canned San Marzano tomatoes for the best flavor. These are naturally sweet, low in acidity, with an intense flavor.
- Rub herbs: If using dried herbs, I like rubbing them between my palms before adding to the pot. This releases their oils and intensifies the flavor.
- Add umami: Whenever I have Parmesan or pecorino rinds leftover, I add them to the sauce as it simmers and remove them before serving. This does a great job of adding more dimension to the sauce.
Nutrition
Serving: 4tbsp | Calories: 26kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 102mg | Potassium: 152mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 107IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 1mg