This article provides an overview of tomato paste, what it tastes like, its availability, alternative names, and of course what other ingredients make tomato paste substitutes.
What is Tomato Paste?
Tomato paste is created by cooking tomatoes for several hours to reduce the water content. The liquid is then strained to remove the seeds and skins and cooked again to create a thick, rich, concentrated paste.
What does Tomato Paste taste like?
Tomato paste is highly concentrated, resulting in a rich, full-body tomato flavor. Some people have described the flavor as almost meaty.
Is Tomato Paste readily available in Supermarkets?
Yes, tomato paste is usually found in all supermarkets, in a tube, jar, or tin. It is normally found with other sauces in the canned goods section. Note that the pastes are actually better value than the cheaper tins as they have a longer shelf life.
What are some alternative names for Tomato Paste?
There are no alternative names for tomato paste, however, it can be mistaken for tomato puree, which is actually a thinner and more liquidated sauce. The puree is often made by mixing tomato paste with water.
What is a good substitute for Tomato Paste in recipes?
Luckily, there are a number of great substitutes for tomato paste. These include:
- Tomato Sauce (Not the ketchup type) – actual sauce from 100% tomato (you can concentrate 3x the volume by boiling on the stove or in the oven to create the same consistency)
- Tomato puree also works well and can also be concentrated at approximately 3x the volume to create the same consistency.