Most recipes use tomato paste in small quantities, so using a 1:1 substitution should not affect the integrity of the recipe too much. The next best tomato paste substitute is ketchup! Ketchup has a consistency similar to tomato paste, but it has a saltier, tangier, and sweeter flavor.

For 1 tablespoon tomato paste, use 2 tablespoons tomato puree or sauce mixed with ¼ teaspoon sugar, and remove 1 tablespoon of other liquids in the recipe.ĭon’t have tomato sauce or puree? No problem.

To make up for both, use this substitution ratio: These sauces are not nearly as thick as tomato paste, and they don’t have the lightly sweet flavor either. Transfer the beef and onion to a stock pot or Dutch oven placed over medium heat. The best substitute for tomato paste? Canned tomato sauce or tomato puree. Keep cooking and stirring until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. As the water evaporates, the sauce will thicken. Reduce the heat to medium and continue to cook. It comes in a very small, thin can: or you can also find it in a squeezable tube (our favorite).ĭon’t have time to shop for it? Or cooking and just realized you don’t have it? (It happens often, over here!) Here are some substitute ideas. Add tomato puree, sugar, and olive oil to a large saucepan over medium-high heat. You can even prepare a nice mixture of red, yellow, and orange bell peppers. For ½ cup tomato puree, substitute ¼ cup tomato paste + ¼ cup water. In fact, that’s what’s in most cans of tomato puree anyway.

Since bell peppers all have similar flavor profiles though, you can use any bell peppers you have on hand. The best tomato puree substitute Equal parts tomato paste and water This makes a flavor and texture almost exactly like tomato puree. Reduce the tomatoes until they’re a third of the original volume, about 2/3 cup. I like to use red bell peppers for this substitution because it gives the same color as the tomato sauce. As the water starts to evaporate, reduce the heat to low and continue stirring to keep the mixture from burning. Bring the mixture to a light simmer, stirring frequently. It’s used for enhancing tomato sauces and stews. Place the blended tomatoes in a small saucepan over medium-high heat.

Tomato paste is a paste made from tomatoes that are cooked for hours until they reduce into a thick, rich and lightly sweet paste. Making a recipe that calls for tomato paste and don’t have it? Don’t worry, there are few options that are perfectly suited as a substitution. Don’t have tomato paste, or realized you’re all out while you’re cooking? Here’s the best tomato paste substitute to use in recipes.

Tomato paste substitute chili sauce