Substitutes for tomato paste
Tomato paste substitutes
Tomato paste is concentrated tomato. Thinner products work if you use about three times as much and simmer them down.
What tomato paste does
Concentrated tomato that adds deep tomato flavour, savouriness, colour and body to sauces, stews and braises.
Quick reference
| Substitute | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tomato sauce, simmered down Sources vary | 3 tbsp tomato sauceper 1 tbsp tomato paste |
| Tomato purée or passata, simmered down Sources vary | 3 tbsp tomato purée or passataper 1 tbsp tomato paste |
| Ketchup Sources vary | 1 tbsp ketchupper 1 tbsp tomato paste |
When the substitute matters
- Stews and braises: tomato sauce, 3 tbsp per tbsp, simmered.
- Smooth sauces: passata or purée, reduced until thick.
- Barbecue sauce or meatloaf: ketchup, equal amount, with less added sugar.
The substitutes, in detail
Tomato sauce, simmered down
Amount: 3 tbsp tomato sauce per 1 tbsp tomato paste
Sources vary
Food Network, Red Gold and The Takeout use 3 tbsp per tbsp of paste. Saskatchewan Health Authority gives 2 to 3 tbsp, and Tasting Table 2 tbsp.
- Simmer the tomato sauce until very thick, then add it in place of the paste.
- If you add it unreduced, simmer the dish a little longer so it thickens.
Best for
- soups
- stews
- braises
- sauces
What changes
Milder than paste; unless reduced first, it adds extra liquid.
- vegan
- dairy-free
- egg-free
- gluten-free
Tomato purée or passata, simmered down
Amount: 3 tbsp tomato purée or passata per 1 tbsp tomato paste
Sources vary
Food Network uses 3 tbsp pureed tomatoes per tbsp of paste, simmered until very thick. For passata, Red Gold, Tasting Table and The Takeout all use 3 tbsp. For tomato purée, The Takeout uses 3 tbsp while Red Gold and Tasting Table use 2 tbsp.
- Simmer until very thick, then cool and use in place of the paste.
Best for
- sauces
- stews
What changes
Less concentrated than paste and adds extra liquid unless reduced.
- vegan
- dairy-free
- egg-free
- gluten-free
Ketchup
Amount: 1 tbsp ketchup per 1 tbsp tomato paste
Sources vary
Saskatchewan Health Authority, Red Gold and Tasting Table use 1 tbsp per tbsp of paste. A second Tasting Table article starts at 2 tbsp because ketchup is thinner, then adjusts to taste.
- Reduce any added sugar in the recipe, since ketchup is sweet.
Best for
- barbecue sauce
- meatloaf
- quick sauces
What changes
Sweeter and tangier than paste because it contains sugar and vinegar.
- vegan
- dairy-free
- egg-free
- gluten-free
How we source this
Each swap is backed by at least two independent sources, including a test kitchen, university extension service or product maker. The amounts replace one unit of the original ingredient and do not work in reverse. See the full source list.
Sources
- Food Network — Ingredient Substitution Guide
- Saskatchewan Health Authority (provincial government health agency, Canada) — Ingredient Substitutions (Food Mentoring Toolkit)
- Red Gold — Out of Tomato Paste? Here Are the 7 Best Substitutes (and How to Use Them)
- The Takeout — What Are The Best Substitutes For Tomato Paste?
- Tasting Table — The 14 Absolute Best Tomato Paste Substitutes
- Tasting Table — This Common Condiment Can Replace Tomato Paste In The Right Dishes