Out of Ketchup, one case
Ketchup substitute for tomato paste
4 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Concentrated tomato paste
Same amount as the ketchup
The best ketchup substitute for tomato paste is concentrated tomato paste (1:1 ratio), tomato sauce reduced by half (1:1 ratio), or sun-dried tomato paste (1:1 ratio). Each provides the concentrated tomato flavor needed for cooking.
- Best for —
- cooking and baking
One casethe full ketchup card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of ketchup |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Concentrated tomato pastecooking and baking | Same amount |
| 2 | Tomato sauce reduced by halfcooking applications | Same amount |
| 3 | Sun-dried tomato pasteMediterranean dishes | Same amount |
| 4 | Crushed tomatoes reducedcooking applications | Same amount |
Concentrated tomato paste
pure tomato
Pure concentrated tomato paste with no added ingredients. Most direct substitute for ketchup when you need tomato paste.
- Best for
- cooking and baking, sauces and gravies, soups and stews, when you need pure tomato flavor, Italian dishes
- Texture
- thick paste
Use directly as 1:1 substitute. No additional preparation needed. Provides concentrated tomato flavor without sweetness or vinegar.
Tomato sauce reduced by half
concentrated tomato
Regular tomato sauce simmered until reduced by half to concentrate the flavor and thicken the consistency.
- Best for
- cooking applications, when you have tomato sauce available, soups and stews, pasta sauces
- Texture
- thick sauce
Simmer tomato sauce in a pan over medium heat until reduced by half. This concentrates the flavor and thickens the consistency to match tomato paste.
Sun-dried tomato paste
intense tomato with slight sweetness
Reconstituted sun-dried tomatoes blended into a paste. Provides intense tomato flavor with slightly different taste profile.
- Best for
- Mediterranean dishes, when you want intense flavor, pasta sauces, dips and spreads
- Texture
- thick paste
Soak sun-dried tomatoes in warm water for 30 minutes, then blend into paste. May need to add a little water to achieve paste consistency.
Crushed tomatoes reduced
concentrated tomato
Crushed tomatoes simmered until thick and concentrated. Good substitute when you need tomato paste consistency.
- Best for
- cooking applications, when you have crushed tomatoes, soups and stews, pasta dishes
- Texture
- thick sauce
Simmer crushed tomatoes over medium heat, stirring frequently, until reduced by about 60-70%. This creates a thick, concentrated tomato base.
Tips for substituting ketchup
5 tips- Tomato paste is more concentrated than ketchup, so use less when substituting
- If using tomato sauce as substitute, reduce it by half to concentrate the flavor
- Sun-dried tomato paste adds a more intense, slightly sweet flavor
- For best results, cook tomato paste briefly in oil to enhance its flavor
- Store opened tomato paste in the refrigerator for up to 5 days
Questions
3 questionsCan I use ketchup instead of tomato paste?
Ketchup can work as a substitute for tomato paste in some recipes, but it will add sweetness and vinegar flavor. Use about ½ the amount of ketchup compared to tomato paste, and reduce other sweet ingredients in your recipe.
What's the difference between tomato paste and ketchup?
Tomato paste is pure concentrated tomatoes with no added ingredients, while ketchup contains sugar, vinegar, and spices. Tomato paste is more concentrated and has a pure tomato flavor.
How do I make tomato paste from fresh tomatoes?
Blend fresh tomatoes, strain to remove seeds and skin, then simmer over low heat for 2-3 hours until reduced to a thick paste consistency. Stir frequently to prevent burning.