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7 Best Substitutes for Tomato Paste in Sauces & Stews

7 Best Substitutes for Tomato Paste

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Tomato paste adds thick, concentrated flavor to dishes. These seven substitutes offer similar richness with adjusted liquid and flavor profiles based on your dish’s needs.
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Prep Time 8 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 18 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Substitution Guide
Cuisine: Universal
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 tablespoons Tomato Sauce Use 3 tablespoons of tomato sauce for every 1 tablespoon of tomato paste. More liquid, milder flavor.
  • 2 tablespoons Tomato Puree Use 2 tablespoons of tomato puree for every 1 tablespoon of tomato paste. Smoother texture, less intense.
  • 3 tablespoons Crushed Tomatoes Use 3 tablespoons of crushed tomatoes for every 1 tablespoon of tomato paste. Chunkier texture, fresher taste.
  • 1 tablespoon Red Pepper Paste Use equal parts red pepper paste for tomato paste. Spicy, fermented kick.
  • 1 tablespoon Ketchup Use equal parts ketchup for tomato paste. Sweeter, tangy with vinegar. Skip added sugar or vinegar in dish.
  • 0.5 tablespoons Sun-Dried Puree Use half the amount of sun-dried tomato puree compared to tomato paste. Intensely savory, umami-rich.
  • 2 tablespoons Roasted Red Peppers Use 2 tablespoons of blended roasted red peppers per 1 tablespoon of tomato paste. Smoky sweet, less acidic.

Method
 

  1. Choose the substitute based on your dish’s texture and flavor needs, ranging from liquid-heavy to bold and intense.
  2. Simmer tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes uncovered longer to reduce extra liquid and concentrate flavors.
  3. Blend sun-dried tomatoes with liquid or olive oil for a smooth puree before measuring the reduced amount.
  4. Use the specified ratio for each substitute to replace 1 tablespoon of tomato paste exactly.
  5. Adjust seasoning after tasting, adding salt or vinegar if needed, especially when using milder options like puree or sauce.
  6. Avoid substitutes like ketchup in recipes needing pure tomato flavor due to added sugar and vinegar impacting taste.

Notes

Blend sun-dried puree smoothly to prevent gritty texture that affects sauce consistency.

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