The consistency is thinner and more watery than paste, so it’s not suitable for dishes where the thick consistency of the paste is essential. Probably the best tomato paste alternative, puree comes in cans or sometimes in plastic tubs. If you have any of your own tomato paste left, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator with a thin layer of olive oil drizzled over the top. Scoop the mixture onto a large plate and spread it out to allow it to cool. Reduce the puree on low heat until it becomes thick and most of the liquid has evaporated. Keep stirring to prevent it from burning or sticking to your pan.

Bring the puree to a simmer on medium-high heat while stirring frequently, and then turn the heat to low.Īdd a pinch of salt if desired. The bigger the surface area of the pan, the more of the puree will be exposed to heat, allowing excess liquid to evaporate faster. Pour the smooth strained puree into a wide saucepan. You can always toss the seed remains into the garden to grow your own little red fruits. Pour the pureed tomatoes into the sieve and let the juices move through while the net catches the seeds and skin. You can use a sieve or food mill for this. Now it’s time to strain out the seeds and skin. Place the chopped or diced tomatoes into a food processor and blitz until you get a smooth puree. Chop them roughly into quarters or halves if they are small. Wash the red fruit and cut off the stem end. As a general guideline, you can expect to yield around 10 tablespoons of paste from 1 pound of tomatoes or work on one medium-size tomato for each tablespoon of puree that you need. The number of tomatoes you use will depend on how much paste you want to make and also on the variety of tomatoes you use. Using moisture-rich tomatoes will take more time to reduce and will yield less paste. Roma and plum tomatoes have fewer seeds and are meaty as opposed to more watery varieties like heirlooms. The reduction process will still take a fair amount of time, depending on the quantity and types of tomatoes you’re using.Īlthough you can use any variety, the best type of tomatoes to use for making a paste are Roma, plum, or San Marzano. For the sake of a pizza night dilemma, we’re going with a less elaborate process here to save you some time. Although they all entail blending and reducing fresh tomatoes, some methods involve a lengthy slow-bake process after cooking to further remove moisture. There are various ways to make tomato paste. Best Replacement for Tomato Paste Homemade Tomato Paste In the below list of tomato paste substitutes, we’ll help you choose the perfect alternative for the specific dish you’re making. However, if you are making pizza, using a substitute that is too watery will cause your dough to become soggy. This gives you more options since a replacement with a thinner consistency can be countered by reducing liquid elsewhere in the recipe. Stew, soup, curry, and marinades have a liquid and saucy consistency.

When choosing a alternative to tomato paste, consider the liquid content of your dish. Tubes of tomato paste will last somewhat longer, up to 45 days.Ĭanned tomato paste is not only for pizza but is used in pasta sauces, soups, stews, chili, bbq sauce, and curry. However, once that can is opened, the shelf life shortens significantly and will only last between 5 to 10 days. When unopened, it can last up to 6 months. The salty tomato paste is available in a can, tube, or sachet. The skins and seeds are strained, after which the liquid continues to cook to reduce further, thicken, and intensify in flavor.Ĭommercially produced tomato paste generally contains some kind of preservative to enhance its shelf life. Tomatoes are cooked for a few hours to evaporate and reduce the water content.

Tomato paste has a rich red color and thick, spreadable consistency. Before we get into the best substitutes for tomato paste, let’s look at what makes it different from other tomato products so you can choose your replacement accordingly. In this guide, we’ll help you conquer your pizza-night dilemma (or any tomato paste shortage for that matter). Before you send your significant other to the store in a panic, there may be a quicker solution in your pantry already. It’s pizza night, and you can’t wait to get your homemade pie in the oven until you realize you’re missing a key ingredient, tomato paste.

Tomato paste substitute in stock recipe