7 Best Tomato Paste Substitutes (+ Homemade Tomato Paste Substitute Recipe)
on Dec 08, 2022
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Tomato paste is a convenient and popular ingredient in many Italian dishes. It also adds a deep and rich umami flavor to soups, stews, and casseroles. But what if you’ve run out of tomato paste while preparing a meal? Save yourself a last-minute trip to the grocery store with these simple Tomato Paste Substitutes.
What Is Tomato Paste Exactly?
It’s really just tomatoes that have been peeled, deseeded, and cooked down into a dense and concentrated paste-like texture.
We’ve included tomato paste in many hearty and delicious recipes like Bobby Flay Salisbury Steak, Gigi Hadid Pasta, and Texas Roadhouse Chili. If you haven’t purchased tomato paste before, you’ll find it in the condiment aisle of most grocery stores.
Best Tomato Paste Substitutes
1. Tomato Puree
If you’re looking for a substitute for tomato paste, your best bet is tomato puree because they are similar in taste.
To thicken up the tomato puree, you’ll need to cook it, stirring constantly, until it has reduced and thickened.
Substitution Tip: For every 1 tablespoon of tomato paste required, use 3 tablespoons of tomato puree.
2. Tomato Sauce
Tomato sauce is also an excellent and handy substitute for tomato paste. You’ll need to cook to reduce and thicken the tomato sauce to achieve a flavor and consistency that’s similar to tomato paste.
Substitution Tip: Similar to the steps for using tomato puree, for every 1 tablespoon of tomato paste required, use 3 tablespoons of tomato sauce.
3. Ketchup
You might be a little surprised at this suggestion but yes, if you have no other option available, ketchup can be used as a substitute for tomato paste.
While ketchup is thinner than tomato paste, because of its high sugar and salt content it does have a similar taste.
Substitution Tip: As ketchup is sweeter than tomato paste, you’ll need to add less sugar to the recipe if using ketchup.
4. Canned Tomatoes
With a bit of finessing, canned tomatoes can work well as a tomato paste substitute. You’ll need to strain out the juice and only use the tomatoes.
And similar to tomato sauce, canned tomatoes aren’t as concentrated as tomato paste, so you’ll need to double the amount of canned tomatoes used to get the flavor just right.
Substitution Tip: Use 2 tablespoons of strained, canned tomatoes for every 1 tablespoon of tomato paste.
5. Chopped Fresh Tomatoes
Fresh tomatoes can also be a great substitute for tomato paste. You’ll need to puree the fresh tomatoes until liquified.
Similar to tomato puree and tomato sauce, you’ll also need to cook the fresh tomatoes stirring constantly until reduced and thickened.
Substitution Tip: For every 1 tablespoon of tomato paste required, use 3 tablespoons of pureed fresh tomato
6. Marinara Sauce
Marinara sauce can be used as a substitute, just like tomato sauce.
Keep in mind that the recipe won’t be as thick as it would be if you had used tomato paste, so you might need some extra time to reduce the sauce on the stove.
Substitution Tip: If you’re looking for tomato flavor without the thickness, use 3 tablespoons of tomato sauce for every 1 tablespoon of tomato paste.
7. Tomato Soup
We recommend that you only use tomato soup as a substitute when all other options are not available. While tomato soup does have a flavor that’s similar to tomato paste, it is sweeter and has significantly more liquid.
This is important to note as you don’t want your recipe to turn out runny.
Substitution Tip: If you do use tomato soup as a substitute, remember that you’ll need to reduce the amount of other liquid ingredients called for in your recipe.
What’s the Best Substitute for Tomato Paste in a Stew?
Tomato paste is added to stews to create a base layer of umami – a word meaning depth of flavor. You can achieve similar results by combining tomato puree or tomato sauce with soy sauce.
What’s a Tomato Paste Substitute in Chili?
Our preferred tomato paste substitute for chili is canned tomatoes. Another option that may surprise you is to use a can of Campbell’s tomato soup which brings a delicious and tangy flavor to chili.
What’s the Best Tomato Paste Substitute to Thicken Spaghetti Sauce?
If you find yourself with spaghetti sauce that’s too thin or watery, tomato sauce can be used to thicken the sauce similar to tomato paste. For more alternatives, read our post on How to Thicken Spaghetti Sauce.
How to Make Homemade Tomato Paste
- Add tomato puree, sugar, and olive oil to a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Stir constantly until simmering.
- Reduce the heat to medium and continue to cook. As the water evaporates, the sauce will thicken.
- Keep cooking and stirring until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
Tomato Puree vs Tomato Paste vs Tomato Sauce
There are a lot of varieties of canned tomato products on grocery shelves. Read on to better understand the differences between these three popular tomato-based products.
Tomato puree is exactly what it sounds like – it’s a thick puree of cooked tomatoes. It is slightly less watery than tomato sauce and not as dense as tomato paste. Tomato puree can be used in place of tomato sauce and can also be used as a base for your own homemade tomato sauce.
Tomato paste is tomatoes that have been peeled, deseeded and cooked down to a concentrated paste. It is sold in small cans, jars or tubes in grocery stores. You may notice that cans of tomato paste are much smaller than cans of tomato puree or tomato sauce.
Tomato sauce is similar to tomato puree in consistency, but is slightly thinner. It’s made with tomato puree, and may include water and additional seasonings to make it more flavorful. Popular seasonings added to tomato sauce include garlic, onion, basil, and oregano.
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Homemade Tomato Paste Substitute Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup tomato puree, or tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
Instructions
- Add tomato puree, sugar, and olive oil to a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Stir constantly until simmering.
- Lower to medium heat, continue to cook. As the water evaporates, the sauce will thicken.
- Keep stirring and cook until it reaches your desired consistency.
Nutrition information provided is an estimate only and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods used.
