Quick Answer: What Works Best To Substitute Tomato Puree?
The best substitute for tomato puree is ketchup. Ketchup is a sauce typically made from tomatoes, vinegar, and spices. The flavor is tangy and sweet, with a hint of spice. Apart from these, concentrated tomato paste, tomato sauce, tinned tomatoes, pizza tomato sauce, and garden tomatoes are worth trying.
Perhaps one of the most common ingredients in recipes around the world is the humble tomato puree. This is a thick sauce that can be used to add a whole depth of flavor to your dishes, and is often used as a base ingredient.
It can also be used to thicken your sauces, so makes a fantastic base for things like homemade barbecue sauce.
However, there may come an occasion when you’ve already started the cooking process only to find out that you have run out of your favorite tomato puree. So what can you use instead of it to continue making your dish?
Today, we’re going to cover the best substitutes for tomato puree so that you can keep on cooking your favorite dishes without having to rush to the store at the last minute.
The best alternatives for tomato puree are concentrated tomato paste, fresh tomato sauce, garden tomatoes, fresh pizza tomato sauce, tomato ketchup, or tinned tomatoes.
We are also going to show you how you can create your very own tomato puree from the comfort of your own kitchen.
The Best Substitutes For Tomato Puree
While tomato puree is of course a very common cooking ingredient, there may come a time when you don’t have any to hand.
The good news is that this is a fairly simple ingredient that you can substitute for one of the fantastic alternatives that we will delve into in more detail below.
So let’s look at the best substitutes for tomato puree so that you can get cooking!
| Substitutes | Calories (Per 100 gm) |
| Concentrated Tomato Paste | 167 |
| Fresh Tomato Sauce | 89 |
| Garden Tomatoes | 18 |
| Fresh Pizza Tomato Sauce | 221 |
| Tomato Ketchup | 97 |
| Tinned Tomatoes | 23 |
| Passata | 26 |
| Marinara Sauce | 51 |
| V8 Juice | 21 |
| Rotel Tomatoes | 100 |
| Roasted Tomatoes | 90 |
| Ragu | 56 |
| Red Bell Pepper | 28 |
| Tomatillo Salsa | 33.3 |
| Pumpkin Puree | 33 |
Concentrated Tomato Paste
One of the best substitutes for tomato puree is of course concentrated tomato paste. Tomato paste features a higher concentration than tomato puree, but it is a good match in terms of flavor and taste.
You will typically find tomato paste in larger quantities than tomato puree, and you won’t need to add any additional seasonings or spices.
Because tomato paste features a much more concentrated flavor, you won’t need to use the same amount of it as you would need to use tomato puree.
You should use a third of a cup of tomato paste and two-thirds of a cup of water as an alternative to tomato puree. This mixture will give you the same thickness and texture as you would get from tomato puree.
How To Substitute
The most popular tomato puree is concentrated tomato paste, which tastes almost similar. However, paste has a higher concentration than puree, but you can deal with that by adding a little water to make it up to the requirement of your dish.
Fresh Tomato Sauce
Perhaps one of the best substitutes for tomato puree is actually tomato sauce. While it has a thinner consistency than tomato puree, you can simmer it over a medium heat in a pan to get the tomato sauce to thicken up or even to reduce its volume a little.
Another factor to consider is that unlike tomato puree, tomato sauce tends to come ready seasoned. So you may not need to use additional seasonings in your dish. It will be best to taste test your dish to see whether it needs additional seasoning or spice.
Tomato sauce can be substituted in equal parts in place of tomato puree.
How To Substitute
There are many ways to use tomato sauce in the kitchen. You can use it for marinara, soup bases, pasta sauces, and more. In addition, you can get all the benefits of tomato puree with fresh tomato sauce if you are running short of it.
Garden Tomatoes
You can’t go wrong with fresh garden tomatoes. If you have a ton of these to hand in your refrigerator, you can turn them into your very own homemade tomato puree.
All you will need to do is chop your tomatoes, place them in a large saucepan, then heat them over a boiling heat. Allow the tomato sauce to simmer for around 10 to 15 minutes.
Next, you will need to remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the tomato sauce to cool. Place your now cooled mixture in your blender, then select the pulse function.
Blend your tomatoes until you get a smooth puree that you can then use in your dishes.
The great thing about using fresh garden tomatoes is that you can use any variety to make the tomato puree. Make note that you will need roughly four cups of tomatoes to make around one cup of tomato puree.
How To Substitute
Garden tomatoes are sweeter and more flavorful to make a thicker and creamier sauce. These garden tomatoes are an easy replacement for tomato puree.
Fresh Pizza Tomato Sauce
An ingredient that you are likely to have in your store cupboard as a keen cook is of course fresh pizza tomato sauce. As the name suggests, there are of course tomatoes in this pizza sauce.
You will typically use this as a dipping sauce or even to top your pizza base before you add the cheese and other toppings. You may even have fresh pizza tomato sauce to hand to use for other dishes.
Pizza sauce can be substituted in equal parts in place of tomato puree. It will be important to note that pizza tomato sauce has likely been seasoned, so you may need to check if the flavor is appropriate for the dish you are trying to make.
How To Substitute
Fresh pizza tomato sauce is a common ingredient that we can find in our kitchen easily. However, it is a seasoned product, but it might work for you depending on the taste you try to bring out in your recipe.
Tomato Ketchup
If you’re really stuck for what to use as a substitute for tomato puree, then you can opt for tomato ketchup. This won’t be the absolute best alternative as it contains lots of seasonings and spices.
However, it will do the job in a pinch. You won’t need to use as much of this, either, as a small dash of ketchup will be more than enough for your recipe.
How To Substitute
If you run short of alternatives to tomato puree, tomato ketchup might help you. Although, please keep in mind to use it wisely as it contains content of seasonings and spices, so excessive use might lead to messed up taste.
Tinned Tomatoes
Another easy to use substitute for tomato puree are tinned or canned tomatoes. These are very easy to find in your local grocery store, and chances are that you will have a can or two hiding at the back of your pantry.
You can also use your blender to rid your canned tomatoes of excess liquid.
Tinned tomatoes will make an ideal substitute for tomato puree as these are often unseasoned. You can use equal parts tinned tomatoes in place of tomato puree.
How To Substitute
There are many ways to substitute tomato puree with tinned tomatoes. To substitute tomato puree with tinned tomatoes, drain the water from the tinned tomatoes and blend the tomatoes into a smooth puree. Then, you can use it in any recipe for tomato puree.
Passata
Love that tangy flavor and intense color in your recipe that comes with passata, but what if you don’t have any on hand?
In situations like these, passata can help you out. Tomato puree is the most common way to make a sauce, but you can use a tomato passata instead for a vegetarian sauce.
It is a mixture of finely grated tomatoes and a little olive oil that you can use in place of tomato puree.
The passata will have less flavor than the real thing, but it will be easier and less expensive.
How To Substitute
Use passata for tomato puree in a 1:1 ratio.
Marinara Sauce
If you want to make a sauce with a tomato puree substitute, use the best quality store-bought marinara sauce you can find. It is a straightforward and quick substitution to make.
Marinara Sauce is an Italian sauce with tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and spices. It is commonly used in pasta dishes and pizza and is a famous sauce for seafood dishes.
The sauce is typically thicker than tomato puree and is more complex in flavor. It is also denser than puree.
How To Substitute
Use one teaspoon of marinara sauce for one teaspoon of tomato puree.
V8 Juice
V8 juice can be used as a substitute for tomato puree in many recipes. It is a good source of lycopene and vitamin C and is consistent with tomato puree.
If you’re looking for a way to save money on your grocery bill, you can save some cash by replacing tomato puree with V8 Juice, which is cheaper than tomato puree.
How To Substitute
To substitute V8 juice for tomato puree, use an equal amount of V8 juice in the recipe.
Rotel Tomatoes
Tomato puree is a delicious, rich, and thick sauce traditionally made by pureeing tomatoes and then adding a blend of spices and herbs.
However, if you don’t have it or want to save money, try substituting tomato puree with Rotel tomatoes. The key is to drain the Rotel tomatoes before you puree them.
How To Substitute
Use 1 part of Rotel tomatoes for 1 part puree.
Roasted Tomatoes
Roasted tomatoes can make a delicious and healthy substitute for tomato puree.
You may place the roasted tomatoes in a food processor and puree until smooth. You can use roasted tomatoes in any recipe that calls for tomato puree.
The flavor of a roasted tomato is more concentrated than a fresh tomato. Therefore, it is possible to substitute tomato puree for Roasted tomatoes.
Roasting tomatoes will produce a thicker, creamier, and richer sauce.
How To Substitute
You can substitute roasted tomatoes for tomato puree in a 1:1 ratio.
Ragu
Ragu is a tomato-based pasta sauce brand, making it one of the great substitutes for tomato puree in various dishes. In addition, the ragu offers a wide variety of flavors, such as Italian Herbs, White Meat, Creamy Garlic, etc.
Ragu sauce is trendy and has a good flavor. You can easily substitute tomato puree with Ragu sauce. It is an excellent option if you’re trying to save money and still enjoy the sauce you’re used to.
How To Substitute
You may substitute ragu for tomato puree in a 1:1 ratio.
Red Bell Pepper
Red bell peppers can be a delicious and healthy substitute for tomato puree.
To use red bell peppers as a substitute for tomato puree, roast them until they are soft and blend them into a smooth paste.
You may use this roasted red pepper puree in any recipe that calls for tomato puree, adding a beautiful sweetness and depth of flavor to your dish.
How To Substitute
Use 1 part of red bell pepper puree for one tomato puree.
Tomatillo Salsa
Tomatillo salsa is a great substitute for tomato puree in many recipes. It is a crucial ingredient in Mexican cuisine and can be used in various dishes.
Tomatillo salsa is made with fresh tomatillos, chili peppers, onions, and cilantro. The salsa can be blended or left chunky, depending on your preference.
It is a versatile sauce used as a condiment, dipping, or cooking sauce.
How To Substitute
For best results, use 1 part of tomatillo salsa for 1 part of tomato puree.
Pumpkin Puree
Pumpkin puree is one of the best tomato puree substitutes if you are running short of it.
If you want to substitute tomato puree with pumpkin puree in your recipes, there are a few ways to do it. First, you can use pumpkin puree instead of tomato puree in the recipe.
You can also use a combination of pureed pumpkin and tomato puree. The third way is to omit the tomato puree and use pumpkin puree instead.
How To Substitute
For one teaspoon of tomato puree, you may use one teaspoon of pumpkin puree. Although for that tangy flavor of a tomato, you may use some vinegar in your recipe.
What Even Is Tomato Puree, Anyway?
Tomato puree is of course one of the most common ingredients called for in a variety of different recipes. But what even is tomato puree?
Tomato puree is a thicker sauce that has been crafted using cooked tomatoes. These have then been strained to get rid of any seeds and leftover tomato skin.
Tomato puree is often used to add flavor to dishes such as stews and soups, and it can also be used to help thicken sauces.
This is an ingredient that is often used for marinara sauces as well as for pizza bases. It tends to be thicker than tomato sauce, and doesn’t feature any additional ingredients such as herbs or seasonings.
How To Make Your Own Tomato Puree
As we have briefly mentioned above, you can also use fresh garden tomatoes to create your very own homemade tomato puree.
You can also freeze your homemade tomato puree in an airtight container for up to 6 months, so none of it will go to waste. It will also mean that you have more tomato puree ready to use in a pinch the next time you run out!
All you will need is a sharp knife, a large saucepan, a blender, cutting board, peeler, airtight containers, and of course a supply of fresh garden tomatoes.
First, you will need to wash your tomatoes under running water, then pat these dry with kitchen paper. Now you will be ready to peel your tomatoes. Use a sharp peeler to remove the skin, and make sure to cut away any spots.
Slice your tomatoes in half, then remove the core. Use a medium sized spoon to scoop out the seeds and any watery pulp that is left behind. Chop your tomatoes into smaller pieces, then place them in your prepared saucepan.
Heat your chopped tomatoes over a medium to high heat, allowing them to reach boiling point. Reduce the heat to a medium heat, allowing your tomato sauce to simmer for a further 10 minutes until the tomato flesh is tender and the juices have been released.
Remove your saucepan from the heat, then allow the tomato sauce to cool for around 5 to 10 minutes. Next, you will need to add your tomato sauce to your blender.
Use the pulse function to blend your tomatoes until a smooth puree is formed. If you haven’t peeled your tomatoes beforehand or removed the seeds, you may wish to strain the mixture before you place it in your blender.
Now that all the hard work has been completed, you can divide the tomato puree into the prepared airtight containers. You can keep these in your refrigerator for around 12 to 15 days.
Alternatively you can place the airtight containers in your freezer, where the puree will keep for up to 6 months.
In Summary
So there you have it! You now have 6 fantastic substitutions that you can use in place of tomato puree. So if you don’t have any tomato puree to hand the next time you get cooking, why not reach for one of these great alternatives instead?
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Tomato Puree And Tomato Sauce The Same Thing?
No, tomato puree and tomato sauce are not the same thing. Tomato puree is thicker than tomato sauce, and has a much more potent flavor. Tomato sauce is much thinner in consistency and is often seasoned whereas tomato puree is not.
Can You Use Tomato Puree To Thicken Sauces?
Yes, you can use tomato puree to thicken sauces. Simply cook your sauce for a couple of minutes, then add the tomato puree and your chosen stock.
Can You Use Diced Tomatoes In Place Of Tomato Puree?
Yes, you can use diced tomatoes in place of tomato puree. While tomato puree is often used to thicken sauces, diced tomatoes can make an excellent substitute. You can also use them to make your very own tomato puree.
What Can Be Used Instead Of Tomato Puree?
There are several different variations that you can use instead of tomato puree if you don’t have any to hand. You can use tomato paste, tomato sauce, pizza tomato sauce, fresh garden tomatoes, tinned tomatoes, or even tomato ketchup.
The best substitute will depend on the recipe that you need it for.
Can You Make Tomato Puree From Tomato Paste?
You can make tomato puree from tomato paste, yes, though this will take a little bit of time. You will need to place a cup of water and your tomato paste in a saucepan over a medium heat.
Make sure to keep whisking your mixture until the sauce reduces into a smooth puree.
What’s The Difference Between Puree And Paste?
Tomato puree and tomato paste are indeed similar, however, they are not the same thing. The main difference between the two is in their texture.
Tomato puree is made using a thick sauce of strained and cooked tomatoes. Tomato paste is much more concentrated in flavor, as it has been made using tomatoes that have been cooked, then strained, before being cooked again.
Tomato paste is much thicker than tomato puree.
Best Substitutes For Tomato Puree
5
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minutesIf you’re looking for a substitute for tomato puree, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve got you covered with the best alternatives to tomato puree.
Ingredients
Concentrated Tomato Paste
Fresh Tomato Sauce
Garden Tomatoes
Fresh Pizza Tomato Sauce
Tomato Ketchup
Tinned Tomatoes
Passata
Marinara Sauce
V8 Juice
Rotel Tomatoes
Roasted Tomatoes
Ragu
Red Bell Pepper
Tomatillo Salsa
Pumpkin Puree
Directions
- Choose your favorite substitute from the list given above
- Follow the directions given in the recipe after having substituted the ingredient in the correct ratio
Recipe Video
Through this blog I hope to help others learn the basics and more intricate details of cooking. I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be to cook a meal, only to realize you are missing one ingredient from your list. This is why I love to write articles chatting readers through some great substitutes that can be used in an emergency.
I hope you will find this blog useful, and that it will help you to develop your culinary skills, to help you cook up a storm!
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