List of 9 Best Tomato Puree Substitutes

Unsure of what to do when you're out of tomato puree? Don't worry, we've got you covered! Here are nine substitutes for tomato puree that will still give your dish the same great flavor.

Jump to:

• What is Tomato Puree?
• How It Is Made
• Uses
• 9 Best Substitutes for Tomato Puree
• 1. Tomato Paste
• 2. Tomato Sauce
• 3. Passata
• 4. Marinara Sauce
• 5. Crushed Tomatoes
• 6. Fresh Tomatoes
• 7. V8 Juice
• 8. Rotel Tomatoes
• 9. Ketchup
• People Also Ask [FAQs]
• Wrap Up: Tomato Puree Substitutes
• Recipe

What is Tomato Puree?

Tomato puree is a red, thick sauce made from cooked tomatoes. It is used as a base for many dishes, including pasta sauces, such as Bolognese Sauce, stews, and soups. It is typically made from Roma tomatoes, which are a type of plum tomato that has lower water content and fewer seeds than other varieties.

How It Is Made

The tomatoes are peeled and cooked until they break down into a soft pulp. The pulp is then strained to remove the seeds and skin before it is canned or bottled.

Tomato purée can also be made at home using fresh tomatoes, and I have added a quick recipe for it at the bottom of this article. One of the most important steps is to cook the tomatoes long enough to reduce their water content, or the puree will be too thin.

Uses

Tomato puree is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many different recipes.

It can be used as a substitution for tomato paste, pizza sauce, pasta sauce, or soup base. It can also be used to add flavor and color to chili, stews, and casseroles.

Tomato Purée is available in both canned and fresh forms. Canned tomato puree has a longer shelf life than fresh tomato puree and can be stored at room temperature. Fresh tomato puree should be refrigerated and used within a few days.

9 Best Substitutes for Tomato Puree

1. Tomato Paste

Tomato paste is a thick, red paste made from cooking down fresh tomatoes.

• It is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many recipes that call for tomato puree or tomato sauce.
• The main difference between tomato paste and tomato puree is that tomato paste is more concentrated and has a deeper flavor. This makes it ideal for dishes where you want the flavor of tomatoes without the watery texture of pureed tomatoes.
• To substitute tomato paste for tomato puree, use a 1:1 ratio. For example, if the recipe calls for 1 cup of tomato puree, use 1 cup of tomato paste.

2. Tomato Sauce

Tomato sauce is a great substitute for tomato purée, and it's easy to make at home. All you need is a can of diced tomatoes, some garlic, and some salt and pepper, if liked, for added flavor.

The process to make your own homemade tomato puree:

• Simply sauté the garlic in a bit of olive oil until it's softened, then add the chopped tomatoes and let them cook down for about 15 minutes.
• Once they're nice and soft, season them with salt and pepper to taste, then use a blender to puree the sauce until it's smooth.
• Be sure to let the sauce cool slightly before blending to avoid getting burned! Once your sauce is smooth, it's ready to use as a tomato puree substitute in any recipe.
• Homemade tomato sauces will last for three to five days and should be stored in the fridge in an airtight container.
• To substitute tomato sauce or homemade tomato puree for tomato puree, use a 1:1 ratio.

3. Passata

Passata, also known as strained tomatoes, is a thick, smooth tomato purée typically made from Roma tomatoes.

• It is sold in cartons or bottles and can be found in the Italian section of most supermarkets.
• Passata makes an excellent substitute for tomato puree because it is already strained and has a rich, intense tomato flavor.
• To use passata as a substitute for tomato puree, simply combine equal parts passata and water. Be sure to adjust the other seasonings in the recipe as needed.

4. Marinara Sauce

Marinara sauce is a type of sauce made from tomatoes, garlic, and herbs.

• It is commonly used as a dipping sauce or as a topping for pasta or pizza. While the sauce is traditionally made with fresh tomatoes, it can also be made with canned tomatoes.
• In order to substitute you can use an equal amount of the sauce in its place.
• The main difference between the two sauces is that marinara sauce contains chunks of tomato and added flavorings, whereas tomato purée is smooth. However, both sauces are similarly flavorful and can be used interchangeably in recipes.
• When substituting, remember that the sauce may thin out your dish slightly due to its higher water content. You may need to cook the dish for a minute or two longer than called for in order to allow the excess water to evaporate.

5. Crushed Tomatoes

Crushed tomatoes are a type of tomato that has been peeled and seeded, and then crushed or ground.

• This makes them a thick, chunky sauce that is perfect for using as a substitute for tomato puree.
• When substituting crushed tomatoes for tomato puree, the general rule of thumb is to use 2 cups of crushed tomatoes for every 1 cup of tomato puree. This will ensure that your dish has the correct consistency and flavor.

6. Fresh Tomatoes

Another good tomato puree substitute is fresh tomatoes. You can use them in any recipe that calls for tomato puree, and they're easy to prepare at home. Here's how:

1. Start with ripe, fresh tomatoes (whole or chopped tomatoes). The riper the better - they'll be sweeter and more flavorful.
2. Cut the tomatoes in half and remove the seeds.
3. Place the chopped tomatoes on a baking sheet, flesh-side up, and roast in a preheated oven at 375 degrees for about 45 minutes.
4. Allow the roasted tomatoes to cool, then transfer them to a food processor or blender and blend until smooth.
5. Use the puree immediately, or store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Enjoy!

7. V8 Juice

V8 juice is a type of vegetable juice that is made from eight different vegetables.

• Tomatoes are one of the main ingredients in V8 juice, and the juice also contains carrots, celery, beetroot, parsley, lettuce, watercress, and spinach.
• While V8 juice can be used as a substitute for tomato puree, it is not an exact replacement.

8. Rotel Tomatoes

Rotel tomatoes are a type of canned tomato that is often used as a tomato puree substitute.

• The main reason for this is that Rotel tomatoes are already pre-seasoned with garlic, onions, and green chilies, which helps to save time and effort when preparing a dish.
• To substitute Rotel tomatoes for tomato puree, use a 2:1 ratio.

9. Ketchup

Ketchup is a popular condiment made from tomatoes, vinegar, sugar, and spices.

• It is used as a dip for fries and as a sandwich spread.
• It is also used as an ingredient in many recipes, such as meatloaf, chili, and pasta sauce.
• Even though ketchup is made from tomatoes, it is not the same as tomato puree; also, keep in mind that ketchup has a strong flavor while purée tastes mild.
• Ketchup is thinner and has a sweet flavor due to the addition of sugar.
• When substituting ketchup for tomato purée, use half the amount of ketchup called for in the recipe.

People Also Ask [FAQs]

Wrap Up: Tomato Puree Substitutes

• There are many substitutes for tomato puree, including marinara sauce, crushed tomatoes, fresh tomatoes, V8 juice, Rotel tomatoes, and ketchup.
• However, it is important to keep in mind that each of these substitutes will change the flavor and consistency of your dish slightly.
• Be sure to experiment until you find a substitute that you like best!

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