Out of Ketchup, one case
Ketchup tomato substitutes
9 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Tomato paste
Same amount as the ketchup
The best ketchup substitutes are tomato paste (1:1), tomato sauce (1:1), tomato puree (1:1), or tomato juice (1:1). For sweetness, use tomato paste with sugar. For tang, use tomato sauce with vinegar. Each works differently depending on your recipe needs.
- Best for —
- sauces
One casethe full ketchup card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of ketchup | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tomato pastesauces | Same amount | No verdict on record |
| 2 | Tomato saucecooking | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 3 | Tomato pureecooking | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 4 | Tomato juicecooking | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 5 | Crushed tomatoescooking | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 6 | Diced tomatoescooking | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 7 | Marinara saucecooking | Same amount | No verdict on record |
| 8 | Fresh tomatoeswhen you want fresh flavor | 2 cups fresh tomatoes per 1 cup ketchup | No verdict on record |
| 9 | Stewed tomatoescooking | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
Tomato paste
similar, intense · different texture
Concentrated tomato product that provides intense tomato flavor. Can be sweetened with sugar and tangy with vinegar to mimic ketchup's flavor profile.
- Best for
- sauces, marinades, when you want intense flavor, cooking, emergency substitute
Tomato paste is more concentrated than ketchup. Add sugar for sweetness and vinegar for tang. Mix with water to achieve ketchup-like consistency.
Tomato sauce
similar taste, different texture
Smooth, liquid tomato product that works well when you need similar flavor but don't need the thick consistency of ketchup. Can be sweetened and seasoned to mimic ketchup.
- Best for
- cooking, sauces, stews, when you want smooth consistency, quick recipes
Tomato sauce is thinner than ketchup. Add sugar for sweetness and vinegar for tang. May need to reduce to achieve ketchup-like consistency.
Tomato puree
similar taste and texture
Smooth, thick tomato product that's closer to ketchup in consistency. Can be sweetened and seasoned to mimic ketchup's flavor profile.
- Best for
- cooking, sauces, stews, when you want smooth consistency, most cooking applications
Tomato puree is thicker than sauce but thinner than ketchup. Add sugar for sweetness and vinegar for tang. Provides similar consistency to ketchup.
Tomato juice
similar taste, different texture
Liquid tomato product that provides similar flavor but thinner consistency. Can be sweetened and seasoned to mimic ketchup's flavor profile.
- Best for
- cooking, soups, stews, when you want liquid consistency, quick recipes
Tomato juice is thinner than ketchup. Add sugar for sweetness and vinegar for tang. May need to reduce to achieve ketchup-like consistency.
Crushed tomatoes
similar taste, different texture
Chunky tomato product that provides similar flavor with more texture. Can be sweetened and seasoned to mimic ketchup's flavor profile.
- Best for
- cooking, sauces, stews, when you want chunky texture, emergency substitute
Crushed tomatoes have more texture than ketchup. Add sugar for sweetness and vinegar for tang. May need to puree for smooth consistency.
Diced tomatoes
similar taste, different texture
Chunky tomato product that provides similar flavor with more texture. Can be sweetened and seasoned to mimic ketchup's flavor profile.
- Best for
- cooking, sauces, stews, when you want chunky texture, emergency substitute
Diced tomatoes have more texture than ketchup. Add sugar for sweetness and vinegar for tang. May need to puree for smooth consistency.
Marinara sauce
enhanced with herbs · different texture
Seasoned tomato sauce that provides similar flavor with added herbs and spices. Can be sweetened and seasoned to mimic ketchup's flavor profile.
- Best for
- cooking, sauces, stews, when you want seasoned flavor, Italian dishes
Marinara sauce contains added seasonings. Add sugar for sweetness and vinegar for tang. May need to reduce to achieve ketchup-like consistency.
Fresh tomatoes
enhanced, fresh · different texture
Fresh tomatoes that provide the most authentic flavor. Can be sweetened and seasoned to mimic ketchup's flavor profile.
- Best for
- when you want fresh flavor, summer cooking, when you have good fresh tomatoes, all recipes
Use ripe, firm tomatoes. Peel, seed, and puree before using. Add sugar for sweetness and vinegar for tang. May need to reduce to achieve ketchup-like consistency.
Stewed tomatoes
enhanced taste, different texture
Canned tomatoes that have been cooked with seasonings. Can be sweetened and seasoned to mimic ketchup's flavor profile.
- Best for
- cooking, sauces, stews, when you want seasoned flavor
Stewed tomatoes often contain added seasonings. Add sugar for sweetness and vinegar for tang. May need to puree for smooth consistency.
How it behaves in this recipe
Ketchup serves as a sweet and tangy condiment in many recipes, providing tomato flavor with added sweetness and acidity. The best substitutes work because they provide similar tomato flavor and can be adjusted to achieve the desired sweetness and tang. The choice of substitute depends on whether you need the concentrated flavor of ketchup (tomato paste) or just the tomato flavor (tomato sauce).
Tips for substituting ketchup
12 tips- For 1 cup ketchup, use 1 cup tomato paste + 2 tbsp sugar + 1 tbsp vinegar
- For 1 cup ketchup, use 1 cup tomato sauce + 2 tbsp sugar + 1 tbsp vinegar
- When using tomato paste as substitute, add sugar for sweetness and vinegar for tang
- For concentrated flavor, use tomato paste (1:1 ratio) with added sugar and vinegar
- Fresh tomatoes need to be peeled and seeded - blanch in boiling water for 30 seconds, then peel
- If using crushed or diced tomatoes, puree them first for smooth consistency
- For emergency situations, use tomato sauce (1:1 ratio) with added sugar and vinegar
- When substituting with tomato puree, add sugar for sweetness and vinegar for tang
- For Italian-style dishes, use marinara sauce with added sugar and vinegar
- Stewed tomatoes often contain added seasonings - taste before adding other herbs and spices
- For best results, taste and adjust seasonings after substituting
- Ketchup is often used as a base for barbecue sauce - tomato paste works well for this
Notes on ketchup
- For a quick substitute, use 1 can of tomato sauce + 2 tbsp sugar + 1 tbsp vinegar for every 2 cups of ketchup
- Make your own ketchup by pureeing fresh tomatoes and adding sugar and vinegar
- For emergency situations, use tomato paste (1:1 ratio) with added sugar and vinegar
- Consider using tomato puree with added sugar and vinegar for similar consistency
- For a different approach, use tomato juice reduced by half with added sugar and vinegar
Questions
10 questionsWhat's the best substitute for ketchup in cooking?
Tomato paste or tomato sauce work best in cooking. Use a 1:1 ratio and add sugar for sweetness and vinegar for tang. Tomato paste provides intense flavor, while tomato sauce provides similar consistency.
Can I substitute tomato paste for ketchup?
Yes, tomato paste can substitute for ketchup in a 1:1 ratio. Add sugar for sweetness and vinegar for tang. Mix with water to achieve ketchup-like consistency.
How much tomato sauce equals 1 cup ketchup?
1 cup ketchup equals about 1 cup tomato sauce + 2 tablespoons sugar + 1 tablespoon vinegar. Mix together and adjust seasonings to taste.
What's the best substitute for ketchup in barbecue sauce?
Tomato paste works best in barbecue sauce. Use a 1:1 ratio and add sugar for sweetness and vinegar for tang. This provides the concentrated flavor needed for barbecue sauce.
Can I substitute tomato puree for ketchup?
Yes, tomato puree can substitute for ketchup in a 1:1 ratio. Add sugar for sweetness and vinegar for tang. This provides similar consistency to ketchup.
What's the best substitute for ketchup in meatloaf?
Tomato sauce or tomato puree work best in meatloaf. Use a 1:1 ratio and add sugar for sweetness and vinegar for tang. Both provide similar flavor and consistency.
Can I substitute crushed tomatoes for ketchup?
Yes, crushed tomatoes can substitute for ketchup in a 1:1 ratio. Puree them first for smooth consistency, then add sugar for sweetness and vinegar for tang.
What's the best substitute for ketchup in sloppy joes?
Tomato sauce or tomato puree work best in sloppy joes. Use a 1:1 ratio and add sugar for sweetness and vinegar for tang. Both provide similar flavor and consistency.
Can I substitute diced tomatoes for ketchup?
Yes, diced tomatoes can substitute for ketchup in a 1:1 ratio. Puree them first for smooth consistency, then add sugar for sweetness and vinegar for tang.
What's the best substitute for ketchup in marinades?
Tomato paste or tomato sauce work best in marinades. Use a 1:1 ratio and add sugar for sweetness and vinegar for tang. Tomato paste provides intense flavor, while tomato sauce provides similar consistency.