Tomato puree is a thick, red paste made from cooked tomatoes. It is commonly used in recipes as a substitute for fresh tomatoes or tomato sauce. Tomato puree is lower in water content than tomato sauce, and it has a deeper, richer flavor. In addition, it is smoother and less acidic than fresh tomatoes.
As a result, it is often used in recipes for stews, soups, pasta sauces, and pizzas. Tomato puree can be found preseasoned with herbs, garlic, and other spices. It is also available in diced, crushed, and whole peeled varieties.
Whether you are looking to add depth of flavor to your cooking or simply need a substitute for fresh tomatoes, tomato puree is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of recipes.
But what if you don’t have any on hand? Let’s take a look at what you can do.
Substitute for Tomato Puree
Let’s look at some substitutes for tomato puree.
Tomato sauce
Tomato sauce can be used as a substitute for tomato puree in many recipes. It is important to note that tomato sauce is thinner than puree and has a more watery consistency. As a result, it may not provide the same level of flavor or thickness to your dish. However, it can be a suitable replacement in a pinch. Simply add less tomato sauce to your recipe than the amount of puree called for, and thin it out with water or broth as needed.
Diced tomatoes
Diced tomatoes can be used as a substitute for tomato puree in many recipes. However, they will not provide the same level of thickness or flavor as tomato puree. As a result, it is important to add other ingredients to your recipe to make up for the lack of flavor and consistency that tomato puree would provide.
For example, you may want to add more spices or seasonings to your dish if you are using diced tomatoes as a substitute for puree, or even a bit of tomato paste.
Crushed tomatoes
Crushed tomatoes can be used as a substitute for tomato puree in many recipes. The flavor will be more concentrated than if you used diced tomatoes, but still not as concentrated as tomato puree.
Whole peeled tomatoes
Whole peeled tomatoes can be used as a sub for tomato puree. Simply remove the seeds and skin from the tomatoes and then mash them up until they’re the consistency of puree.
Fresh Tomatoes
If you have fresh tomatoes on hand, you can use those as a sub for tomato puree. Just remove the seeds and skin from the tomatoes and then chop them up into small pieces. Once they’re chopped, cook them down until they’re soft and the consistency of puree.
Marinara sauce
Marinara sauce is another option for substituting tomato puree. This sauce is usually made with tomatoes, garlic, and herbs, so it will add a similar flavor to your dish as tomato puree would.
Pizza Sauce
Pizza sauce can also be used as a sub for tomato puree. Pizza sauce is similar to marinara sauce, and usually made with tomatoes, garlic, and spices. Depending on the brand, pizza sauce tends to be a bit thicker than marinara sauce.
Ketchup
Believe it or not, ketchup can be used as a sub for tomato puree in some recipes. Ketchup is made with tomatoes, vinegar, and spices. Keep in mind that ketchup is also much sweeter than tomato puree, so you may want to adjust your recipe accordingly.
Tomato Paste
Tomato paste is a great sub for tomato puree because it’s very concentrated. You can dilute tomato paste with water to get the consistency of tomato puree.
Roasted red peppers
Roasted red peppers can be used as a sub for tomato puree. Simply remove the seeds and skin from the peppers and then mash them up until they’re the consistency of puree. This is a great option if you are allergic to tomatoes!
Questions About Tomato Puree Substituions
Have questions about substituting tomato puree? We have answers.
Can you use diced tomatoes instead of tomato puree?
Yes, diced tomatoes can be used as a sub for tomato puree. Simply remove the seeds and skin from the tomatoes and then mash them up until they’re the consistency of puree.
How do you make tomato puree from canned diced tomatoes?
To make tomato puree from canned diced tomatoes, simply place the diced tomatoes in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. You can then use this puree in any recipe that calls for tomato puree.
If you don’t have a blender or food processor, you can also make tomato puree by simmering canned diced tomatoes in a saucepan over low heat until they are very soft. Once they are soft, you can use a potato masher to mash them into a puree.
How much tomato paste equals tomato puree?
One cup of tomato paste equals about three cups of tomato puree. This means that if a recipe calls for one cup of tomato puree, you can one third of a cup of of tomato paste instead.
Are tomato paste and tomato puree the same?
No, tomato paste and tomato puree are not the same. Tomato paste is a thick, concentrated form of tomato puree that has been cooked down to remove water. This makes it much more shelf-stable than tomato puree.
However, it also means that it is much more concentrated in flavor. As such, you generally wouldn’t use an equal amount of tomato paste as you would tomato puree in a recipe. Instead, you would use a smaller amount of tomato paste and add water to thin it out to the desired consistency.
Can I blend diced tomatoes to make puree?
Yes, you can blend diced tomatoes to make puree. Simply place the diced tomatoes in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. You can then use this puree in any recipe that calls for tomato puree.
What is the difference between tomato puree and diced tomatoes?
Tomato puree is a smooth, thick sauce made from cooked and strained tomatoes. It is commonly used as a base for other tomato sauces or as an ingredient in soups, stews, and other dishes.
Diced tomatoes, on the other hand, are fresh tomatoes that have been peeled and diced into small pieces. They can be used in a variety of dishes, but are not as commonly used as tomato puree.
What’s the difference between tomato sauce and tomato puree?
Tomato sauce is a thin, watery sauce made from tomatoes, while tomato puree is a thick, smooth sauce made from cooked and strained tomatoes. Tomato sauce is commonly used as a pasta sauce, while tomato puree is commonly used as a base for other sauces or as an ingredient in soups, stews, and other dishes.
What’s the difference between tomato puree and crushed tomatoes?
Tomato puree is a smooth, thick sauce made from cooked and strained tomatoes. Crushed tomatoes are fresh tomatoes that have been peeled and crushed into chunky pieces. Tomato puree is commonly used as a base for other tomato sauces or as an ingredient in soups, stews, and other dishes.