🥬 Vegetables & Aromatics

Tomato Puree Substitute: Complete Guide to the Best Alternatives for Every Recipe

Discover the best tomato puree substitutes for every cooking need. Learn how to replace tomato puree with tomato paste, tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, and other alternatives with detailed ratios and cooking tips for perfect results.

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Quick Answer

The best tomato puree substitutes are tomato paste + water (1/2 cup paste + 1/2 cup water = 1 cup puree), crushed tomatoes (1:1), or tomato sauce (1:1). For authentic Italian flavor, use passata. For fresh flavor, use diced tomatoes blended smooth.

Best Substitutes

Tomato Paste + Water

1/2 cup paste + 1/2 cup water = 1 cup puree

This is the most accurate substitute for tomato puree. Tomato paste is essentially concentrated tomato puree, so adding water recreates the exact texture and flavor. This combination provides the same concentrated tomato flavor and thickness as puree.

Best for:

saucessoupsstewscurriespasta sauceswhen you need concentrated tomato flavor

Most accurate substitute, provides identical flavor and thickness

Crushed Tomatoes

1:1

Crushed tomatoes work excellently as a tomato puree substitute. They have similar flavor to puree but are slightly chunkier. They're perfect when you don't need perfectly smooth texture and work well in most applications.

Best for:

saucessoupsstewschiliwhen you don't mind some texturepasta sauces

Similar flavor and texture, slightly chunkier than puree

Tomato Sauce

1:1

Tomato sauce is thinner than puree but has similar flavor. It works well when you want a looser consistency or when you're making soups and stews. You can add tomato paste to thicken if needed.

Best for:

soupsstewschiliwhen you want thinner consistencyquick saucespasta sauces

Similar flavor but thinner consistency than puree

Passata

1:1

Passata is Italian strained tomatoes and is essentially the same as tomato puree. It can be used interchangeably and provides authentic Italian flavor. It's perfect for pasta sauces and other Italian dishes.

Best for:

Italian saucespasta saucespizza sauceswhen you want authentic Italian flavorMediterranean dishes

Italian strained tomatoes, essentially identical to tomato puree

Diced Tomatoes + Blender

1:1

Diced tomatoes blended smooth provide the freshest tomato flavor. Use canned diced tomatoes for convenience, or fresh tomatoes when in season. This method gives you the most vibrant, fresh tomato taste.

Best for:

fresh sauceswhen you want fresh tomato flavorsoupsstewsseasonal cooking

Fresh tomatoes processed to puree consistency

Tomato Juice + Tomato Paste

3/4 cup juice + 1/4 cup paste = 1 cup puree

This combination allows you to control both the thickness and flavor intensity of your substitute. Tomato juice provides the liquid base while tomato paste adds concentrated flavor and body.

Best for:

saucessoupswhen you need specific consistencymarinadesstews

Combination that provides both liquid and concentrated tomato flavor

Fresh Tomatoes + Cooking

1 1/2 cups fresh tomatoes = 1 cup puree

Fresh tomatoes cooked down provide the freshest, most vibrant flavor. This method takes longer but gives you the best possible tomato taste. Use ripe, in-season tomatoes for optimal results.

Best for:

when you want fresh flavorseasonal cookingwhen you have excess tomatoesgarden-to-table cooking

Fresh tomatoes cooked down to puree consistency

Canned Whole Tomatoes + Blender

1:1

Canned whole tomatoes are often higher quality than diced or crushed tomatoes. Blending them smooth creates a puree-like consistency with good flavor. This is a great option when you want quality without the work of fresh tomatoes.

Best for:

saucessoupsstewswhen you want good quality tomatoespasta sauces

Whole tomatoes blended smooth for puree consistency

Cooking Tips

  • 💡Tomato puree is thicker than tomato sauce but thinner than tomato paste
  • 💡It's made by cooking tomatoes and straining out seeds and skins
  • 💡Puree provides concentrated tomato flavor without the texture of diced tomatoes
  • 💡It's perfect as a base for pasta sauces, soups, and stews
  • 💡Tomato puree can be made at home by blending and straining fresh tomatoes
  • 💡It's a good source of lycopene, an antioxidant found in tomatoes
  • 💡Puree works well in both hot and cold preparations
  • 💡It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week or frozen for longer storage
  • 💡Tomato puree is essential in many Italian and Mediterranean dishes
  • 💡It provides a smooth, rich base for curries and other spiced dishes
  • 💡For the most accurate substitute, use tomato paste + water
  • 💡Crushed tomatoes work well when you don't mind some texture
  • 💡Passata is perfect for authentic Italian flavor
  • 💡Fresh tomatoes provide the best flavor but require more preparation
  • 💡Canned whole tomatoes often have better quality than diced or crushed
  • 💡Always taste and adjust seasoning when using substitutes
  • 💡Consider the final dish when choosing your substitute
  • 💡For smooth sauces, blend any chunky substitutes
  • 💡For chunky dishes, crushed tomatoes work perfectly
  • 💡Store any leftover puree in the refrigerator for up to a week

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary

Find the best tomato puree substitutes for every recipe. Learn how to replace tomato puree with tomato paste + water, crushed tomatoes, passata, and other alternatives with detailed ratios and cooking tips.