The closest alternatives to Stewed Tomatoes are Tomato Paste, Canned Whole Tomatoes, Tomato Sauce, Diced Tomatoes, and Tomato Purée.
Tomato Paste is the closest match - it has a similar flavor and works at a 1:1 ratio in most recipes.
For cooking, Canned Whole Tomatoes also works well - adjust the amount to taste since it may be slightly stronger or milder.
Finding the perfect substitute for stewed tomatoes can feel like a culinary treasure hunt. Luckily, we're here to guide you through it.
Why swap out stewed tomatoes, you ask? Sometimes you're aiming for a different texture or flavor.
Other times, your pantry just isn't cooperating.
We've lined up five stellar stand-ins that'll keep your dishes dazzling.
5 Tomato Options Instead of Stewed Tomatoes
Still, there are other options for dishes that call for stewed tomatoes.
When a recipe calls for stewed tomatoes, their unique texture and flavor can be difficult to replicate.
However, if you don't have stewed tomatoes on hand or simply prefer alternatives, there are several substitutes available that can provide similar characteristics.
| Substitute | Key Characteristics | Proper Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Tomato Paste | Concentrated tomato flavor with a thick consistency | Dilute 1 tablespoon of tomato paste with ¼ cup of water per cup of stewed tomatoes |
| Canned Whole Tomatoes | Juicy tomatoes in their natural state, providing texture and flavor | Use an equal amount of canned whole tomatoes as a substitute for stewed tomatoes |
| Tomato Sauce | Smooth and blended consistency, offers a cooked tomato flavor | Use an equal amount of tomato sauce as a substitute for stewed tomatoes |
| Diced Tomatoes | Chunks of tomatoes preserved in juice or sauce, providing texture and a balance of acidity and sweetness | Use an equal amount of diced tomatoes as a substitute for stewed tomatoes |
| Tomato Purée | Smooth and thick texture with a concentrated tomato flavor, suitable for improving dishes | Use an equal amount of tomato purée as a substitute for stewed tomatoes |
Here is a closer look at each option:
1 - Tomato Paste
When you use a can of diced tomatoes, make sure to pour it into a strainer.
If you skip this step, the excess water will dilute your dish and make it taste watered down.
After strain, the canned tomatoes, purée them in a blender or food processor.
This will transform them into tomato paste.
You can use tomato paste in place of stewed tomatoes to make almost any recipe.
Tomato paste is available in cans at most grocery stores, and it makes the perfect substitute for stewed tomatoes when you want that rich flavor and compressed texture.
Proper Ratio: Dilute 1 tablespoon of tomato paste with ¼ cup of water for each cup of stewed tomatoes required in your recipe. Adjust the ratio based on your desired taste and consistency.
2 - Canned Whole Tomatoes
You can also use canned whole tomatoes to replace stewed tomatoes.
Whole canned tomatoes are an excellent option for those who would like a dicing option similar to fresh diced tomatoes.
Whole canned tomatoes can be used as a replacement for stewed or puréed tomatoes, and they give you more freedom to chop them up into smaller chunks.
Once the diced tomatoes are chopped, they can be added to almost any recipe.
In addition, you do not have to worry about the excess water in whole canned tomatoes.
That is a lot of extra flavor without a lot of extra fuss.
Just make sure to chop the tomatoes into smaller pieces if necessary.
Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of canned whole tomatoes as a substitute for stewed tomatoes in your recipe. Crush or blend the tomatoes to match the texture of stewed tomatoes if needed.
3 - Tomato Sauce
Alternatively, you can use homemade or store-bought tomato sauce to replace stewed tomatoes.
Tomato sauce is typically made with fresh Roma tomatoes passed through a sieve and then cooked in an open pot.
Because this cooking process is time-consuming and requires lots of attention, many people use canned tomato sauce to save cooking time.
The is that there are many ways you can create the same delicious taste in your dishes when you substitute stewed tomatoes with fresh or canned tomato sauce.
Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of tomato sauce as a substitute for stewed tomatoes in your recipe. Adjust the quantity based on the desired taste and consistency.
4 - Diced Tomatoes
Any canned diced tomatoes, either with or without juice, can be an excellent substitute for stewed tomatoes.
This is especially true if the recipe calls for canned crushed tomatoes instead of stewed ones, typically chunkier in their texture.
You can use canned diced tomatoes to replace stewed tomatoes because they usually maintain their juices and don't require draining.
If the diced tomatoes are whole, you may want to use a colander to drain out excess water before using them in your recipe.
This step is not necessary if the diced tomatoes are already crushed.
Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of diced tomatoes as a substitute for stewed tomatoes in your recipe. Adjust the quantity based on personal preference and the desired texture.
5 - Tomato Purée
Last but not least, you can also use tomato purée as an alternative for stewed tomatoes.
Tomato purée is made with Roma tomatoes that are passed through a sieve.
Some people may want to heat the pulp after passing it through the sieve to make it easier to remove the excess liquid.
The best part of using tomato purée as a replacement for stewed tomatoes is that it mimics the texture of puréed or canned diced tomatoes.
This means you can use it to make any recipe, even if it calls for crushed tomatoes.
While it is best to heat the tomato purée, it's not necessary, as stated earlier.
You can also use tomato paste or purée as a replacement for stewed tomatoes even if you don't preheat them, but they may slightly alter the taste of your recipe.
Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of tomato purée as a substitute for stewed tomatoes in your recipe. Adjust the quantity based on personal preference and the desired thickness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tomato Paste is the best substitute for Stewed Tomatoes because it shares a similar flavor and texture. Use it at a 1:1 ratio in any recipe that calls for Stewed Tomatoes.
Yes, and the results are often hard to tell apart. Tomato Paste is the go-to replacement.
For variety, Canned Whole Tomatoes adds its own twist to the dish.
Sometimes. Blending two partial substitutes - one for flavor and one for texture - gets closer to the original.
This works best when neither alone fully replicates what you need.
Not always. Some substitutes are processed or have a strong raw flavor that disappears with heat.
Check whether the original is typically used raw before assuming the substitute will work the same way.