The 7 Best Tomato Paste Substitutes for Every Kitchen Emergency
Out of tomato paste? Discover seven effective pantry swaps to save your recipes—from tomato sauce and fresh tomatoes to unexpected umami-rich alternatives.
Tomato paste can transform a recipe—lending it remarkable richness, deep color, and concentrated umami. But home cooks know it’s also the ingredient that vanishes from the pantry precisely when you need it most. Whether you’re simmering a stew or building a pasta sauce, forgetting this essential doesn’t have to derail dinner. Here are seven tried-and-true tomato paste substitutes, including tips, flavor notes, and substitution ratios to keep your dish on track.
Why Tomato Paste Matters in Cooking
Before diving in, it’s helpful to understand why tomato paste is so valuable in recipes:
- Concentration: Tomato paste is made by slow-cooking tomatoes until most of their water evaporates, creating a thick, intensely flavored paste.
- Umami Power: Paste brings umami, that deep, savory note that enhances everything from braises to soups.
- Color and Texture: Just a spoonful delivers vibrant vermillion color and pleasant thickness to sauces and stews.
If you’re out of tomato paste, focus on replacing its flavor, consistency, and color. The following stand-ins do just that, each with its own kitchen-friendly advantages.
Canned (or Homemade) Tomato Sauce
If you have a can of tomato sauce in your pantry—or some made from scratch—you already own the closest thing to tomato paste most kitchens keep stocked. Tomato sauce is thinner and less concentrated, but it’s built on the same foundation of tomatoes and delivers familiar flavor, especially as it cooks down.
- Substitution Ratio: Use 2 to 3 tablespoons of tomato sauce for every tablespoon of tomato paste the recipe calls for.
- Usage Tip: If your recipe simmers for a long time (in a stew or braise), tomato sauce will have a chance to reduce and build flavor, replicating the depth of tomato paste.
Keep in mind that tomato sauce is milder and more watery. You may want to let it cook longer to evaporate excess liquid and mimic the paste’s trademark body.
Fresh Tomatoes
When summer tomatoes are abundant or you keep a few on the counter, you can make a surprising stand-in for tomato paste from scratch. Here’s how:
- Peel and deseed the tomatoes for the smoothest result.
- Chop and place them in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Cook down, stirring often, until the mixture is very thick and most liquid has evaporated.
- Strain if needed to remove any remaining skin or seeds.
- Substitution Ratio: Approximately 1 large tomato yields one tablespoon of paste.
This method provides the freshness of real tomato, but expect a lighter, brighter flavor profile than commercial paste. Use when you want a noticeable tomato presence without the intensity of a store-bought paste.
Ketchup
Ketchup is a surprisingly effective substitute, mainly for recipes calling for small amounts of tomato paste. Its similar color and thickness make swapping a breeze, but flavor adjustments are important: ketchup contains sugar and vinegar, giving it extra sweetness and acidity.
- Substitution Ratio: Use 1:1—equal parts ketchup to tomato paste for most savory dishes.
- Usage Tip: If your recipe also calls for sugar or honey, reduce those to prevent the final dish from being overly sweet.
While ketchup’s signature tang may not suit every recipe (avoid for classic Italian sauces), it can work in barbecue sauces, chili, and casual stews.
Canned (or Homemade) Crushed Tomatoes
Crushed or diced tomatoes, often sold in cans, are kitchen staples. They are more watery and less intense than paste, but can be easily reduced to reach a similar thickness and flavor profile.
- Substitution Ratio: Start with three tablespoons of crushed tomatoes for every tablespoon of paste. Simmer until the mixture thickens and its flavor concentrates.
- Usage Tip: Drain some of the liquid before reducing to speed up the process and avoid diluting the dish.
The result will be slightly chunkier—ideal for rustic sauces, chilis, and braises.
Tomato Passata or Tomato Purée
Tomato passata (pureed, strained uncooked tomatoes) and tomato purée (cooked and strained tomatoes) are both suitable, especially if you want a completely smooth substitute. Their consistency sits between tomato sauce and paste, providing more intensity than sauce but less than true paste.
- Substitution Ratio: Use 2 tablespoons of purée or passata for every 1 tablespoon of paste. Simmer to reduce to a paste-like consistency.
- Usage Tip: Taste and season as desired, and be mindful of liquid content—it may need extra reduction for thick sauces.
Miso Paste
This suggestion may seem unconventional, but white or red miso paste can rescue a dish needing tomato paste’s umami and depth, even if it doesn’t deliver tomato flavor. Both tomato paste and miso pack umami thanks to glutamic acid (in tomatoes) and fermentation (in miso).
- Flavor Note: Miso adds complex, earthy depth but not tomato taste. Use in soups, stews, or gravies where umami is more important than true tomato presence.
- Substitution Ratio: Start with half the quantity of miso paste compared to tomato paste, tasting as you go.
Try blending a little miso and another tomato-based alternative for the best of both worlds.
Other Flavorful Substitutes
- Pureed Roasted Red Peppers: Similar in consistency to tomato paste with a vibrant, smoky sweetness. Use half as much purée and adjust seasonings as needed for richness.
- Harissa Paste: This North African chili paste has a concentrated, spicy depth and is thick like tomato paste. Match paste quantities, but note the added heat and flavor.
- Olive Tapenade: While a departure from tomato, its robust, salty profile can enrich braises and sauces when tomato character is less essential. Use sparingly.
- Soy Sauce: Thin but loaded with umami. Not a thickening substitute, but a few drops will deepen flavor in liquidy dishes.
Handy Substitution Table
| Substitute | Ratio (to Tomato Paste) | Best Uses | Flavor Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canned Tomato Sauce | 2-3 tbsp sauce : 1 tbsp paste | Stews, braises, sauces | Milder, needs reduction |
| Fresh Tomatoes | 1 large tomato : 1 tbsp paste | Soups, fresh sauces | Bright, lighter |
| Ketchup | 1:1 | BBQ, chili, quick sauces | Sweeter, tangy |
| Crushed/Diced Tomatoes | 3 tbsp : 1 tbsp paste | Braises, rustic sauces | Chunkier, reduce for depth |
| Tomato Purée/Passata | 2 tbsp : 1 tbsp paste | Neapolitan sauces, smooth soups | Smoother, less intense |
| Miso Paste | ½:1, to taste | Soups, stews, braises | Umami only, no tomato |
| Roasted Red Pepper Purée | ½:1 | Sauces, roasted dishes | Sweet, smoky |
Tips for Getting the Most from Your Substitute
- Simmer substitutes like tomato sauce, purée, or canned tomatoes to reduce liquid and intensify flavor.
- For ketchup, balance sweetness by adjusting sugar in your recipe.
- Mix and match: pair a tomato-based substitute with miso or soy for both tomato flavor and umami depth.
- Taste as you go—tomato paste is more concentrated than most stand-ins, so refinement may be needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best substitute for tomato paste in a pinch?
Canned tomato sauce or ketchup are the quickest, most pantry-friendly swaps. Both offer similar consistency and color; cook sauce down for best results.
Will substitutes change the flavor of my recipe?
Expect some difference, particularly if you’re using ketchup (sweeter) or miso (umami with no tomato flavor). Simmering substitutions and adjusting seasonings helps maintain the intended taste profile.
How can I make my own tomato paste at home?
Simmer peeled, deseeded tomatoes—or canned crushed tomatoes—over low heat until very thick and all excess water is gone. This homemade paste won’t last as long as canned but can be stored in the fridge for up to a week.
Does miso really work in tomato-based recipes?
Miso is not a flavor or color match but amplifies umami and rounds out complex dishes. Use alongside a tomato-based swap for richness.
How should I store leftover tomato paste or substitutes?
Refrigerate tightly covered and use within a week. For longer storage, freeze leftovers in tablespoon portions for easy future use.
Final Thoughts: Customizing Your Substitute
Running out of tomato paste is no longer a kitchen crisis. Each substitute offers unique advantages, from the homey comfort of tomato sauce to the creative umami of miso. With a little adaptation—and perhaps some simmering—your dish will remain flavor-packed, thick, and satisfying. Stay flexible, taste often, and remember: the best cooks transform obstacles into new culinary favorites.
