🥬 Vegetables & Aromatics

Plum Tomatoes Substitute: Complete Guide

Find the best substitutes for plum tomatoes including canned, fresh, and Italian varieties. Learn proper ratios, cooking techniques, and when to use each alternative for perfect results in any recipe.

✓

Quick Answer

The best plum tomatoes substitutes are Roma tomatoes (1:1 ratio), cherry tomatoes (1:1 ratio), or canned diced tomatoes (1:1 ratio). Roma tomatoes are the closest match in shape and texture, while cherry tomatoes provide similar sweetness and size.

Best Substitutes

Roma Tomatoes

1:1

The closest substitute to plum tomatoes with similar oval shape, meaty texture, and sweet flavor. Roma tomatoes are often used interchangeably with plum tomatoes in recipes.

Best for:

cookingroastinggrillingsaucespasta disheswhen you want identical shape and texture

Roma tomatoes are essentially the same as plum tomatoes - they're the same variety with different names. They have identical shape, texture, and flavor characteristics.

Cherry Tomatoes

1:1

Small, round tomatoes with similar sweetness to plum tomatoes but different shape and size. They work well in most recipes that call for plum tomatoes.

Best for:

cookingroastinggrillingsaladspasta disheswhen you want similar sweetnesswhen size doesn't matter

Cherry tomatoes have similar sweetness to plum tomatoes but are round instead of oval. They work well in most recipes where the shape isn't critical.

Canned Diced Tomatoes

1:1

Convenient canned alternative to fresh plum tomatoes with similar flavor and texture. Perfect for cooking when fresh tomatoes aren't available.

Best for:

cookingsaucessoupsstewspasta disheswhen fresh tomatoes aren't availableyear-round consistency

Canned diced tomatoes provide consistent flavor year-round and are perfect for cooking applications. They have similar flavor to fresh plum tomatoes but softer texture.

Grape Tomatoes

1:1

Small, oval tomatoes with similar shape to plum tomatoes but smaller size. They have sweet flavor and firm texture that works well in most applications.

Best for:

cookingroastinggrillingsaladswhen you want similar shapewhen you want similar sweetness

Grape tomatoes have a similar oval shape to plum tomatoes but are smaller. They have sweet flavor and firm texture that works well in most recipes.

Cocktail Tomatoes

1:1

Small, round tomatoes with similar sweetness to plum tomatoes. They work well in most cooking applications where the shape isn't important.

Best for:

cookingroastinggrillingsaladswhen you want similar sweetnesswhen shape doesn't matter

Cocktail tomatoes have similar sweetness to plum tomatoes but are round instead of oval. They work well in most recipes where the shape isn't critical.

Pear Tomatoes

1:1

Pear-shaped small tomatoes with similar sweetness to plum tomatoes. They have a unique shape but work well in most cooking applications.

Best for:

cookingroastinggrillingsaladswhen you want similar sweetnesswhen shape doesn't matter

Pear tomatoes have similar sweetness to plum tomatoes but a different shape. They work well in most recipes where the shape isn't important.

Regular Tomatoes

1:1 (cut to size)

Larger tomatoes that can be cut to size to match plum tomatoes. They have similar flavor but different texture and size.

Best for:

cookingroastinggrillingwhen you want similar flavorwhen you can cut to sizesauces

Regular tomatoes can be cut to size to match plum tomatoes. They have similar flavor but different texture and need to be cut appropriately.

Sun-Dried Tomatoes

1:1

Dried tomatoes with concentrated flavor that can be rehydrated or used as-is. They have a different texture but intense tomato flavor.

Best for:

cookingwhen you want intense flavorsauceswhen you want concentrated flavorpasta disheswhen texture doesn't matter

Sun-dried tomatoes have a very different texture than plum tomatoes but provide intense tomato flavor. They can be rehydrated or used as-is depending on the recipe.

Cooking Tips

  • 💡Plum tomatoes are oval-shaped with meaty texture and sweet flavor
  • 💡They're perfect for roasting, grilling, and adding to sauces
  • 💡Plum tomatoes hold their shape well when cooked
  • 💡They're sweeter than cherry tomatoes but less intense in flavor
  • 💡Plum tomatoes work well in both hot and cold applications
  • 💡They're perfect for creating thick, rich sauces
  • 💡Plum tomatoes add sweetness and depth to pasta dishes
  • 💡They're great for adding to soups and stews
  • 💡Plum tomatoes are perfect for creating balanced flavors in dishes
  • 💡They work well in both Mediterranean and Italian dishes
  • 💡Plum tomatoes are perfect for creating visual appeal in dishes
  • 💡They're great for adding to stir-fries and roasted vegetables
  • 💡Plum tomatoes are perfect for creating colorful salads
  • 💡They work well in both sweet and savory dishes
  • 💡Plum tomatoes are perfect for creating depth of flavor in sauces

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary

Find the best substitutes for plum tomatoes including Roma tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, and canned alternatives. Learn proper ratios, cooking tips, and when to use each substitute for perfect results in any recipe.