Substitutes for Crushed Tomatoes: 5 Best Alternatives!

Crushed tomatoes are our go-to ingredient for classic Italian recipes like spaghetti. For my red-based spaghetti noodles and marinara pasta, I use crushed tomatoes. I also make chilis and meat or chicken stews with a red foundation. These meals are fantastic with rice or tortillas.

When store-bought crushed tomatoes are unavailable, did you know that you may make your own homemade crushed tomatoes? If you have other tomatoes in the fridge, you can do so. Stay with us, and in a few minutes, I’ll provide a simple dish that you can make at home.

Canned tomato chunks, Sun-dried tomatoes, Smoked Tomatoes, Tomato Paste, and Homemade Crushed Tomatoes are all excellent substitutes for crushed tomatoes if you don’t have time.

Crushed Tomatoes Substitute

1. Tomato chunks in a can

This is the most straightforward and practical option on our list. When you walk into the grocery store, you will immediately notice an isle of canned tomato chunks arranged by brand.

You can pick any brand you like or choose based on your preferences. It also depends on the food you’re preparing.

Tomato bits from a can are best utilized in spaghetti sauces, taco salsa, and vegetable or meat stews. It also goes nicely with any carbohydrate combinations.

Just make sure to check the expiration date on the label to keep yourself and your family from eating spoiled food. The advantage of canned goods is that they have a longer shelf life than other perishable items.

2. Tomatoes that have been sun-dried

Ripe tomatoes are picked and put through a rigorous preservation procedure before being sun-dried. To keep the tomatoes fresh for a long time, they are marinated in many salts. It loses its water content, dries up, and shrinks when preserved and dried.

If you reside in an area with a winter season, drying tomatoes during the summer is the best way to keep tomatoes fresh over the long winter months.

These sun-dried tomatoes have a salty, flavorful flavor. When eating these, keep in mind that they contain much salt due to preservation.

Sun-dried tomatoes, like canned tomato pieces, have an extended shelf life. Depending on the type, salt content, and drying procedure, it can be preserved for 1-2 years. Bella Sun Luci’s dried tomatoes are a good choice. Their sun-dried tomatoes are of excellent quality and may be used in various dishes.

Sun-dried tomatoes are best used in recipes like pasta and pizza. It can also be used as a condiment or topping for cuisine. Even though the tomatoes brought extra flavor to the dish, you won’t need to add too much spice or salt.

Sun-dried tomatoes are used to make the famous tomato pesto in various parts of Italy. Alternatively, you could eat it as a snack to enjoy its great dried sweetness.

3. Tomatoes that have been smoked

If you don’t like sun-dried tomatoes, you may always substitute smoked tomatoes. The manner it’s treated to be preserved is the difference between sun-dried and smoked.

There is no or minimal salt added to the smoked tomatoes. It all comes down to the smoking process, where the magic happens. The variety of tomatoes used and the length of time it was smoked can affect the flavor of the smoked tomato.

Yes, and it’s deliciously smoky! Pizzas and pasta, of course, are the ideal uses for smoked tomatoes. However, smoked tomatoes are actually fantastic for salsas and soups, which astonished me during my culinary journey.

This is your best bet if you enjoy your soup with a tinge of smokiness. It tastes like the soup was cooked over an open fire. Perfect for a chilly autumn day or even cold winter.

4. Tomato paste

Tomato paste is similar to a handy red toothpaste. It’s not so commonly known of making your teeth whiter; yet, it’s a hidden component found in most household kitchens and restaurants. Unlike the previous entries we’ve covered, tomato paste is free of skins and seeds.

Tomato paste already has a high concentration. You don’t have to use the entire tube to prepare a meal. All you need is one or two tablespoons of spaghetti, and you’re done!

You’ve got yourself a red-based soup or stew on your hands. Dissolve the paste in warm water to dilute it faster before adding it to the meal while it’s cooking.

Trader Joe’s tomato paste is a good choice. Apart from the fact that the brand is trustworthy due to its firm base, you can tell that the quality is superior to that of the competition. It’s also affordable and long-lasting. With every 130 grams, you can cook at least 4-5 dishes.

For red-based sauces and stews, combine the stew with a can of tomato sauce. I prefer to use it to make vegetable soup, but just the thinner kind. It gives the soup a fresh taste that makes you want to eat more!

5. Crushed tomatoes made from scratch

The handmade crushed tomatoes are the final but not the least on our list. I understand that we prefer to buy speedier and more convenient food in our hectic lives, which is usually canned items. However, it’s vital to remember that overeating canned or processed food might harm our health.

Remember that anything in excess is never beneficial for you, especially your body. Most health professionals advise that people consume at least healthier choices, including organic vegetables.

If you have time, go to the farmer’s market and pick up a pound of tomatoes to make this recipe at home. You won’t need to buy store-bought foods regularly to keep your canned food consumption in check.

Here’s a simple recipe for you to try!

How to make homemade crushed tomatoes

Ingredients:

1. Ten medium or large fresh tomatoes, peeled and chopped
2. Water (about 3-4 liters)
3. Olive oil with salt (optional)

Instructions:

1. Wash your tomatoes, whether you picked them yourself or bought them. Make sure there isn’t any dirt on the skin. It’s crucial to thoroughly wash the tomatoes, especially if they aren’t organically farmed. Some farms spray fertilizers on their crops to not have to worry about swallowing these dangerous substances.
2. Then, using a clean cloth or kitchen napkin, pat-dry the tomatoes.
3. Form an “X” in the center of the tomatoes on the top area where the stem was cut.
4. Prepare a sizable deep-type pot and fill it with 3-4 liters of water.
5. You may also add a teaspoon of olive oil and half a teaspoon of salt to give it a little more flavor. You don’t need to add any seasonings if you want a more natural and clean flavor.
6. When the water begins to boil, add the tomatoes and cook for 10 minutes over medium heat.
7. Check your tomatoes after 10 minutes to see whether the skin has begun to peel, and the flesh has become softer. Drain the cooked tomatoes and save the tomato broth for later when it’s done.
8. Allow around 3-5 minutes for the tomatoes to cool.
9. Peel the skin off the tomatoes once they’ve cooled down. Instead of throwing away the skin, use it as plant fertilizer.
10. Using a mashed potato masher or a fork, crush all tomatoes in a large mixing basin after peeling them.
11. Now that you’ve created your crushed tomatoes, you may use them in any recipe!
12. In an airtight jar or container, store your crushed tomatoes. This will last a week in the fridge. They last about a month if they are frozen.

ENJOY!