Last Updated on July 12, 2022 by
Tomato puree is one of the most often used culinary ingredients. It’s simple, thick, and adds a lot of flavor to the meal. Tomato puree may be used in soups, numerous sauces, and a thickening. It’s also a great starting point for homemade barbecue sauces. What happens if you run out of tomato puree, but your recipe calls for it? Can I use ketchup instead of tomato puree?
Ketchup may be used in place of tomato sauce when only it is not the major component. This is because ketchup contains sugar and vinegar, which are significantly missing in tomato sauce. In a 1:1 ratio, replace the tomato sauce with ketchup. But there are other better substitutes. Below are 7 other tomato sauce substitutes.
7 Other Tomato Sauce Substitutes
Even though tomato puree is a popular component that can be readily manufactured at home, you may always replace it. Several different tomato-based choices help you create the best meal possible.
Passata
This is a simple alternative. Passata is just cooked tomatoes that have been pureed. It almost never contains any additional ingredients. This makes it ideal for use in spaghetti, ratatouille, and other cuisines that call for tomato paste. The consistency of passata is substantially thinner than that of tomato paste. This is because it is not reduced similarly to a paste.
However, passata is a far healthier option. This is due to the absence of any extra additives. Because it is often kept and sold in cardboard boxes, it may include preservatives. Passata is more nutritious than tomato pasta sauce. Many jarred tomato pasta sauces include a high level of sugar and salt. This helps to enhance the taste.
Because it is simple, passata may be a better choice than tomato sauce. As a result, you will be able to add your flavors. You can modify passata if you want something healthy that tastes and feels like tomato paste. In a saucepan over medium heat, warm the passata. Then, for saltiness, add some soy sauce. Heat will cause the passata to thicken and gradually diminish to a thicker consistency.
Fresh Tomato
If you like cooking, you may produce your own tomato paste replacement. Take five fresh tomatoes and dice them as tiny as possible. Please place them in a medium-high-heat saucepan. Pour in freshly boiling water until the tomatoes are completely submerged. Season with salt, herbs, and spices to taste. Then cook until the tomatoes have softened and broken down.
Reduce the heat to low and continue to stir the tomatoes. Eventually, the tomatoes will decrease and thicken. Be careful to cook the tomatoes until all the water has evaporated. Continue heating it if you want it thicker and closer to a paste. As a result, the tomatoes may begin to adhere to the bottom of the pan. Continue to stir the tomatoes and, if necessary, decrease the heat. If necessary, add a little amount of oil.
This method of cooking tomatoes allows you the greatest control. To prepare a spaghetti sauce, heat the tomatoes. Alternatively, you may continue to reduce it until it resembles a paste. You may also use whichever herbs and spices you choose. This is similar to creating a marinara sauce. If you’re worried about the tomatoes clinging to the pasta, add a splash of pasta water.
Fresh Pizza Tomato Sauce
Fresh pizza tomato sauce is an element you are likely to have in your pantry if you are a good chef. This pizza sauce, as the name implies, contains tomatoes. This is often used as a dipping sauce or to top your pizza foundation before adding the cheese and other toppings. You could even have some fresh pizza tomato sauce on hand to use in other recipes.
Pizza sauce may be used instead of tomato puree in an equal amount. It’s vital to remember that pizza tomato sauce has most likely been seasoned, so check to see whether the taste is acceptable for the meal you’re attempting to cook.
Red Pepper Paste
If you do not like tomatoes, you may substitute red pepper paste. This isn’t as widely available as tomato paste. But it will be worthwhile if you can locate it. The consistency of red pepper paste is comparable to that of tomato paste. However, the taste will be somewhat different. The consistency of red pepper paste is frequently thicker than tomato pastes. This is mostly due to the lack of liquid in peppers compared to tomatoes.
Red pepper paste has a little sweeter taste, though occasionally hotter than tomato paste. This is determined by the kind of peppers used, in addition to the kind of seasoning. If you have particular preferences, search for one with no seasoning. This will enable you to use whichever seasoning you choose.
Tomato Sauce
Tomato sauce may always be used in place of tomato puree. Cook it in a pan to lower the volume or to thicken it somewhat. This will make up for the thin consistency. Also, remember that most tomato sauces are seasoned and flavored, which might be challenging since the puree is unseasoned. Puree may be substituted for equal parts sauce. Keep the spice levels low to avoid overpowering the other components when replacing.
Tomatillo Salsa
The majority of green salsa is created from the tomatillo fruit. These are tomato relatives with a similar acidic taste. Tomatillos, on the other hand, are more acidic and less sweet than tomatoes. A little sugar may help balance the taste by offsetting the acidity. Cooking tomatillo salsa may also assist in softening the harsher flavors and making them integrate better into recipes. Also, remember that many tomatillo salsas include other ingredients such as garlic or chili peppers. If you want to replace tomato puree, seek a brand that provides a simpler salsa.
Pumpkin
When searching for a tomato puree substitute, pumpkin may not be the first item that springs to mind, but it may be more beneficial than you think. It has a silky feel comparable to tomato puree when purchased in a can. It’s a little thicker, so you may need to dilute it to reach the correct consistency.
Pumpkin puree has a moderate sweetness to it, similar to squash. You may create a taste similar to tomato puree by adding a tiny quantity of vinegar and sugar to it. While it is unsuitable as a stand-alone pasta sauce, it may be used well in prepared foods.
How To Make Your Tomato Puree
You may also use fresh garden tomatoes to make your homemade tomato puree, as we briefly stated above. You may also store your homemade tomato puree in an airtight jar in the freezer for up to 6 months, ensuring that none of it goes to waste. It also means you’ll have extra tomato puree on hand when you run out the next time!
You’ll need a sharp knife, a big pot, a blender, a chopping board, a peeler, airtight containers, and fresh garden tomatoes. First, wash your tomatoes under running water and blot them dry with kitchen paper. You are now ready to peel your tomatoes. Remove the skin using a sharp peeler, carefully cutting away any spots. Cut the tomatoes in half and remove the core. Scoop off the seeds and any watery pulp with a medium-sized spoon. Chop your tomatoes into tiny pieces and lay them in your prepared pot.
Allow the chopped tomatoes to reach boiling point over medium to high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and cook the tomato sauce for another 10 minutes, until the tomato flesh is soft and the fluids have been released. Allow the tomato sauce to cool for 5 to 10 minutes after removing it from the heat. After that, add your tomato sauce to your blender.
Blend your tomatoes with the pulse function until they make a smooth purée. If you haven’t already skinned or seeded your tomatoes, you may want to drain the mixture before putting it in the blender. After finishing all the hard work, divide the tomato puree among the prepared airtight containers. These may be stored in the refrigerator for 12 to 15 days. Alternatively, you may store the puree in sealed containers in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Is Tomato Sauce The Same As Tomato Puree?
While tomato sauce and tomato puree might have similar textures at times, they are two different products. Tomato puree is made out of just one ingredient: tomatoes. On the other hand, tomato sauce might include garlic, onion, herbs, or even meat and other veggies. To put it simply, tomato puree is a component of tomato sauce.
Can You Use Diced Tomatoes In Place Of Tomato Puree?
Yes, you may use chopped tomatoes for the tomato puree. While tomato puree is often used to thicken sauces, chopped tomatoes are a good replacement. You may even prepare your tomato puree using them.
Conclusion On Can I Use Ketchup Instead Of Tomato Puree
Now you know that you can use ketchup instead of tomato puree, and you now have 7 wonderful alternatives for tomato puree. So, if you don’t have any tomato puree on hand the next time you cook, why not try one of these delicious alternatives instead?
