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Out of Plum tomatoes, one case

Plum tomatoes substitute, in depth

8 options, ranked, with the exact amount

Use thisBest of 8 options

Use Roma tomatoes

Same amount as the plum tomatoes

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 for —
cooking

One casethe full plum tomatoes card

Every option, one card

Ranked
Plum tomatoes substitutes compared
SubstituteInstead of plum tomatoes
Roma tomatoescookingSame amount
Cherry tomatoescookingSame amount
Canned diced tomatoescookingSame amount
Grape tomatoescookingSame amount
Cocktail tomatoescookingSame amount
Pear tomatoescookingSame amount
Regular tomatoescookingSame amountCut to size
Sun-dried tomatoescookingSame amount
What changes8 options

Roma tomatoes

identical sweet flavor

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
cooking, roasting, grilling, sauces, pasta dishes, when you want identical shape and texture
Texture
identical meaty 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

similar sweet flavor

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
cooking, roasting, grilling, salads, pasta dishes, when you want similar sweetness, when size doesn't matter
Texture
similar firm texture

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

similar flavor

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

Best for
cooking, sauces, soups, stews, pasta dishes, when fresh tomatoes aren't available, year-round consistency
Texture
softer texture

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

Grape tomatoes

similar sweet flavor

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
cooking, roasting, grilling, salads, when you want similar shape, when you want similar sweetness
Texture
similar firm texture

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

similar sweet flavor

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

Best for
cooking, roasting, grilling, salads, when you want similar sweetness, when shape doesn't matter
Texture
similar firm texture

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

similar sweet flavor

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

Best for
cooking, roasting, grilling, salads, when you want similar sweetness, when shape doesn't matter
Texture
similar firm texture

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

similar flavor

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

Best for
cooking, roasting, grilling, when you want similar flavor, when you can cut to size, sauces
Texture
different texture

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

intense tomato flavor

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

Best for
cooking, when you want intense flavor, sauces, when you want concentrated flavor, pasta dishes, when texture doesn't matter
Texture
chewy and concentrated

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.

The longer answer

About this case

Plum tomatoes are oval-shaped tomatoes known for their meaty texture, sweet flavor, and versatility in cooking. They're good for sauces, roasting, grilling, and adding to various dishes. When you need a substitute for plum tomatoes, there are several excellent alternatives that can work depending on your specific needs and recipe requirements.

Tips for substituting plum tomatoes

15 tips
  1. Plum tomatoes are oval-shaped with meaty texture and sweet flavor
  2. They're good for roasting, grilling, and adding to sauces
  3. Plum tomatoes hold their shape well when cooked
  4. They're sweeter than cherry tomatoes but less intense in flavor
  5. Plum tomatoes work well in both hot and cold applications
  6. They're good for creating thick, rich sauces
  7. Plum tomatoes add sweetness and depth to pasta dishes
  8. They're great for adding to soups and stews
  9. Plum tomatoes are good for creating balanced flavors in dishes
  10. They work well in both Mediterranean and Italian dishes
  11. Plum tomatoes are good for creating visual appeal in dishes
  12. They're great for adding to stir-fries and roasted vegetables
  13. Plum tomatoes are good for creating colorful salads
  14. They work well in both sweet and savory dishes
  15. Plum tomatoes are good for creating depth of flavor in sauces

Questions

10 questions

What is the best substitute for plum tomatoes?

Roma tomatoes are the best substitute for plum tomatoes as they are essentially the same variety with identical shape, texture, and flavor. Cherry tomatoes and canned diced tomatoes are also excellent alternatives depending on your specific needs.

Can I use Roma tomatoes instead of plum tomatoes?

Yes, you can use Roma tomatoes instead of plum tomatoes in a 1:1 ratio. Roma tomatoes and plum tomatoes are the same variety with different names, so they have identical characteristics.

What's the difference between plum tomatoes and Roma tomatoes?

There is no difference between plum tomatoes and Roma tomatoes - they are the same variety with different names. Both have the same oval shape, meaty texture, and sweet flavor.

Can I use canned tomatoes instead of fresh plum tomatoes?

Yes, you can use canned diced tomatoes instead of fresh plum tomatoes in a 1:1 ratio. Canned tomatoes provide consistent flavor year-round and work well in most cooking applications.

What can I substitute for plum tomatoes in Italian cooking?

For Italian cooking, Roma tomatoes, canned diced tomatoes, or cherry tomatoes work best as substitutes for plum tomatoes. They provide similar flavor and texture that work well in Italian dishes.

Can I use cherry tomatoes instead of plum tomatoes?

Yes, you can use cherry tomatoes instead of plum tomatoes in a 1:1 ratio. Cherry tomatoes have similar sweetness and firm texture, though they are round instead of oval.

What's the best substitute for canned plum tomatoes?

The best substitute for canned plum tomatoes is canned diced tomatoes or canned Roma tomatoes. Both provide similar flavor and texture and are readily available year-round.

Can I use regular tomatoes instead of plum tomatoes?

Yes, you can use regular tomatoes instead of plum tomatoes by cutting them to size. Regular tomatoes have similar flavor but different texture and size, so you'll need to cut them appropriately.

What can I use instead of plum tomatoes for sauce?

For sauce, Roma tomatoes, canned diced tomatoes, or canned crushed tomatoes work best as substitutes for plum tomatoes. They provide similar flavor and texture that work well in sauce applications.

Are plum tomatoes and Italian plum tomatoes the same?

Yes, plum tomatoes and Italian plum tomatoes are the same variety. The term 'Italian plum tomatoes' is often used to refer to plum tomatoes grown in Italy or used in Italian cooking, but they are the same as regular plum tomatoes.

All 6 plum tomatoes substitutes All ingredients