Substitutes for Tomato Puree: 6 Best Alternatives!

One of the most regularly used components in cooking is tomato puree. It’s easy to make, thick, and adds much flavor to the dish. Tomato puree is a thickening used in soups and various sauces. It’s also a great starting point for homemade barbeque sauces.

What happens if you run out of tomato puree, but your recipe calls for it? Maybe you want to switch up the recipe and try something new. Is there another option?

Tomato sauce, tomato paste, pizza sauce, fresh tomatoes, canned tomatoes, and ketchup are the most acceptable alternatives for tomato puree.

Also, find out how to produce the tastiest tomato puree at home.

You’ll find the most straightforward recipe, as well as everything else you need to know about tomato puree, in this post, so scroll down to learn more.

Substitutes for tomato puree

Even though tomato puree is a popular component that can be easily manufactured at home, you may always substitute anything else. There are many different tomato-based choices available to assist you in preparing the most fabulous dinner possible.

No. 1 Tomato sauce

One can use tomato sauce in place of tomato puree at any time. Please place it in a pan and heat it to lower the volume or thicken it somewhat. It will make up for the fact that it has a thin consistency.

Also, remember that most tomato sauces are seasoned and flavored, which can be a problem given the puree’s lack of flavor.

You can use the puree in place of puree in equal amounts. When substituting, be sure to lessen the seasoning levels to avoid overpowering the other components.

No. 2 Tomato paste

Another tomato puree alternative is an excellent match in texture and flavor. It will give you a texture and thickness similar to the tomato puree. Tomato paste is highly concentrated and available in huge quantities. Don’t add any spices or seasonings to the dish when using tomato paste. As a substitute for tomato puree, use 13 cups of tomato paste and 23 cups of water.

No. 3 Pizza sauce

This sauce is thick and rich, and it’s typically used as a pizza topping or dipping sauce. One can also use it in various recipes, such as meatball subs, chicken, eggplants, or a dipping sauce for breadsticks.

One can substitute pizza sauce for tomato puree in equal proportions. As long as the spices are compatible with your recipe, this will work well.

No. 4 Tomatoes (fresh)

Because fresh is always better, making tomato puree from many tomatoes is a terrific idea. Chop the tomatoes, place them in a large pot, bring to a boil, and then reduce to low heat for 10-15 minutes.

Allow them to cool before blending the mixture until smooth. Roma tomatoes are a good choice, but you may use any tomatoes on hand.

Four cups of tomatoes can replace one cup of tomato puree in a recipe.

No. 5 Tomatoes in a can

Canned tomatoes are another fantastic option that will do the job well. It is one of the more practical choices, readily available in stores. You can always combine them and drain the liquid. Because puree is generally unseasoned, don’t add seasoning, spices, or salt.

To substitute, use the same amount of each ingredient.

No. 6 Ketchup

Because tomato puree is unspiced and unseasoned, and ketchup contains a lot of herbs and spices, this may not be the perfect substitute. Still, it will suffice as long as you enjoy the flavor. Only a dab of tomato ketchup is required.

Tomato puree is a type of puree made from tomatoes. Tomato puree is a thick sauce formed from tomatoes that have been strained to remove the skin and seeds after being cooked briefly. Its most commonly used to thicken sauces and flavor soups and stews. It’s a frequent ingredient for pizza and marinara sauce bases. Tomato puree is thicker than tomato sauce and usually contains no other ingredients (spices or salt).

Other sauces, such as hot and sweet sauces, are excellent dips for various foods, including nachos, breadsticks, and pretty much anything else. You may improve the sauces even more by adding tomato puree. You may always add more flavors if you’re thickening your sauces with it.

Tomato puree made at home

If you can’t get tomato puree or have a lot of fresh tomatoes at home and don’t want to waste them, you may always try the following method.

Make a delicious homemade tomato puree with your fresh tomatoes. Nothing will be thrown away, and a perfect tomato puree will be the result.

All you have to do now is follow the steps below. Make sure you have a big saucepan, a cutting board, a knife, a peeler, a blender, and quart zip-top bags on hand, as well as a bag full of fresh red tomatoes.

Instructions:

• Tomatoes should have their cores removed. The tomatoes must first be washed in cool water and then patted dry. Then, using a sharp, serrated vegetable peeler, peel the tomatoes and clip away any spots.
• Scrape out the seeds and any other watery pulp with a spoon. One should then chop the tomatoes.
• Add the tomatoes to a big, heavy-bottomed pot once they’ve been emptied and chopped. Cook them over medium-high heat until the mixture reaches a boil, then reduce to medium heat. Cook for another 10 minutes, or until the juices have been released and the meat is soft.
• Allow the tomatoes to cool for 5 to 10 minutes after removing them from the heat. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth.
• Fill the zip-top bags with the pureed tomatoes in portions. Remove excess air and store the bags in the freezer for later use.
• Remember that the flavor will alter depending on whether you use fresh or canned tomatoes. It is due to the tomatoes’ freshness, or the manner canned tomatoes are stored. The puree will be thicker, and the flavor will be more potent if you increase the simmering time.
• After chopping the tomatoes, you can always smash them, which is sometimes a better option for some recipes.
• Tomatoes provide a dish with a unique flavor and texture. To avoid losing the primary flavor, you recommend that you substitute and utilize it according to the instructions.
• If you’re using a tomato paste to prepare a marinara sauce, keep in mind that the paste has more spices and herbs, so be sure to adjust the amount accordingly.

Related questions:

Is there a difference between tomato sauce and tomato puree?

The puree is a thick liquid, and the consistency of the puree differs from that of the paste. Tomato puree has a thicker consistency than sauce and a much richer flavor.

Is it true that tomato puree thickens sauces?

Yes. To thicken sauces, you can always use tomato puree. After a few minutes of cooking, add the sauce to your stock. In no time, you’ll have a superb sauce.

Is it possible to substitute diced tomatoes for tomato puree?

Yes, you certainly can. Tomato puree is generally boiled to give the dish more thickness. Despite their differences, one can use the two interchangeably in various recipes.