5 Best Substitutes For Crushed Tomatoes

The transformation that a meal goes through when a can of crushed tomatoes is added is nearly amazing. This basic and easy-to-find ingredient goes a long way toward providing our favorite Italian recipes with the flavor and appearance that we want them to have.

Crushed tomatoes are a versatile ingredient that may be used in a wide variety of recipes, including spaghetti and marinara pasta, soups, beef, chili, and chicken stews, and your favorite salsa.

But what do you do if you discover that you are out of your usual supply of crushed tomatoes in the middle of the night while you are cooking?

Now we get to the point when the most effective alternatives to crushed tomatoes come in helpful. Tomato paste, diced tomatoes, and sun-dried tomatoes are three excellent options to consider when looking for alternatives to crushed tomatoes.

What Are Crushed Tomatoes?

Crushed tomatoes are just fresh tomato fruits that have been carefully sliced into an even texture, crushed, partially cooked, refrigerated, and kept in a tin or can. Crushed tomatoes may be used in place of fresh tomatoes in any recipe that calls for tomatoes.

The majority of companies use very particular processes in the preparation of their puree, however the majority of them use chopped tomatoes. Crushed tomatoes have a consistency that is suitable for use in the preparation of pasta sauce.

Best Substitutes for Crushed Tomatoes

Have you run out of crushed tomatoes, despite the fact that your recipes call for them? Don’t worry; this article will provide you with an exhaustive list of the most suitable alternatives to using crushed tomatoes in your recipe.

Any recipe that calls for crushed tomatoes as the foundation for the sauce may, in theory, use any of the other ingredients listed as an equivalent base. In a dire situation with smashed tomatoes? The following list, which was compiled with great care, will show you how to get the most out of what you have.

1. Tomato Paste

This alternative’s thickness density is considerably larger than that of the crushed tomatoes when it is entirely ground, therefore the easiest way to get the desired consistency is to add diced fresh tomatoes and mix them along with the alternative, or to add a little amount of water.

It is essential to keep in mind that while working with tomato paste, you won’t need as much as when working with crushed tomatoes.

2. Diced Tomatoes

You may simply create your own diced tomatoes at home, or you can readily get many different kinds of diced tomatoes in cans at any supermarket.

The only thing that needs to be done is to cut your fresh tomatoes into bits and then mix them in with your tomato puree or paste in order to create the desired texture.

3. Sun-dried Tomatoes

Tomatoes are picked after they have reached their peak maturity, put through stringent preservation processes, and then sun-dried once the process is complete.

The technique of preserving tomatoes involves the use of a significant quantity of salt, and after being dried, the tomatoes lose their moisture content and shrivel.

This alternative offers a flavor that is similar to that of savory foods and need to be used moderately.

4. Whole Peeled Tomatoes

This is a straightforward approach. Prepare the tomato parts by dicing the tomatoes. After that, you put them in a bowl, mash them with a spoon or a masher, and then put the bowl on the stove over medium-high heat to bring the contents to a boil.

After three minutes, they would be tender and have a mild, cooked flavor.

5. Homemade Crushed Tomatoes

This is the greatest substitute for canned tomatoes that have been crushed. It is healthful and fresh, and the amount of salt used for preservation is very low or nonexistent.

How To Make Homemade Crushed Tomatoes

Ingredients:

• 10 or more medium-sized fresh tomatoes (depending on size)
• 3-4 liters of water
• Salt or olive oil (optional)

Steps:

• Clean your fresh tomatoes with water. Perform this step with salt to ensure that it is cleaned thoroughly.

• You may either let it air dry or dry it with a clean dish towel.

• Remove the stems and leaves from the tomatoes (the point of attachment to the brand).

• After giving a large, deep pot a quick rinse, fill it with between three and four liters of water.

• If you want to give it more flavor and taste, you may add a tablespoon of olive oil and some salt to it.

• Bring the water to a boil, add the tomatoes, and then place the pot over a medium heat to steam for ten minutes.

• After 10 minutes, the flesh of the tomato should be softer, and the skin should have begun to peel. At this stage, you should pull back and use some force. It is recommended that the broth be stored for later use.

• Wait three to five minutes before touching the tomatoes again.

• Remove the skin from the tomatoes as soon as they have cooled down sufficiently.

• Place the peeled tomatoes in a large container, and using a potato masher or a fork, crush the tomatoes until they are a pulp.

• And with that, your home-crushed tomatoes are now all set to be used in a variety of different recipes and meals.

• Keep your crushed tomatoes fresh by storing them in a jar or container that is airtight.

• When stored in the refrigerator, it has a shelf life of up to a week, and when frozen, it has a shelf life of up to a month.

Crushed Tomatoes And Its Substitutes Are Ideal For:

• Pizza sauce
• Tomato soup
• Chili
• Salsa
• Meatball dishes
• Spaghetti sauce
• Marinara sauce

Conclusion

Canned meals are a fantastic time saver, which is exactly what we need given how crazily busy our lives are. However, it is imperative for the sake of our health that we reduce the amount of food that we consume from cans.

On our list of the best alternatives to crushed tomatoes, homemade crushed tomatoes are at the top of the list as the greatest choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Difference Between Crushed Tomatoes And Diced Tomatoes?

Tomatoes cut into cubes and packed with their own liquid make up diced tomatoes. They help you eke out a lot of extra time. Crushed tomatoes are created by combining diced tomatoes with either tomato puree or tomato paste.

Can Diced Tomatoes Be Used Instead Of Crushed Tomatoes?

Yes, diced tomatoes may be used in place of crushed tomatoes; however, the cooking time will need to be increased in order to break down the diced tomatoes into smaller pieces.

To get a consistency that is comparable to that of crushed tomatoes, you could alternatively puree them and add a little amount of tomato paste to the mixture.

Can I Substitute Tomato Paste For Crushed Tomatoes?

As an alternative to crushed tomatoes, you might use tomato paste instead since it is nicer and thicker than you would imagine.

Can I Substitute Tomato Sauce For Crushed Tomatoes?

You certainly can, but in that case, your consistency won’t be perfect at all times. To get the desired consistency, you might try combining tomato paste and tomato sauce in equal parts.

Can I Substitute Tomato Puree For Crushed Tomatoes?

Because tomato puree is not nearly as thick as crushed tomatoes, you may need to alter the quantity of the other liquid components and lengthen the cooking time in order to obtain the ideal consistency.