15 Best Tomato Paste Substitutes for Cooking

Finding the perfect tomato paste substitute can be a culinary lifesaver, whether you’ve run out during cooking or can’t find any at the store. Whatever the reason, there is a tomato paste substitute out there that will do the trick — and you probably have it in the pantry already.

So, if you’re wondering: “What can I substitute for tomato paste in my favorite recipes?”, read on for an extensive list of the 12 best alternatives to this commonly used ingredient.

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• What Is Tomato Paste?
• What Is the Purpose of Tomato Paste in Cooking?
• The 15 Best Substitutes for Tomato Paste

What Is Tomato Paste?

Tomato paste is a thick concentrate of tomatoes that is widely used to add a rich, deep flavor to a variety of dishes. It is made by cooking tomatoes, sometimes with olive oil and spices, for several hours to reduce moisture content and then blending until it reaches a dense, paste-like consistency. 

Understanding what tomato paste is and how it's made can help you choose the best tomato paste substitute for your recipes when you don’t have the original ingredient. If you have fresh or canned tomatoes in your kitchen, and a little time, you could even make some yourself. However, there are many more convenient tomato paste alternatives on offer should you need a quicker option. 

What Is the Purpose of Tomato Paste in Cooking?

Tomato paste is a versatile ingredient used to enhance the flavor and texture of various dishes. Its concentrated nature provides a deep, robust tomato flavor, making it a key component in many recipes. It is commonly used in pasta sauces, soups and stews to add body and an extra hit of umami flavor.

When used alongside other tomato-based ingredients, such as in a sauce with fresh or canned tomatoes, it can help to enhance the dish's zesty tomato flavor, making the finished dish more vibrant.

Just a few dishes to add tomato paste to for a more robust flavor include red chili and the sauce for penne pomodoro. To discover more about cooking with tomato paste and what recipes work well with it, consider taking some cooking classes near you, such as Italian cooking classes, or convenient online cooking classes.

The 15 Best Substitutes for Tomato Paste

1. Tomato Sauce

One of the first things you may think when looking for a tomato paste substitute is: “Can I substitute tomato sauce for tomato paste?" Yes! Tomato sauce is a great tomato paste substitute due to its similar flavor profile. Using it in dishes where a slightly thinner consistency won't ruin the recipe is recommended.  

Because tomato sauce is less concentrated than tomato paste, you typically need to use more of it to achieve the same depth of flavor. To substitute tomato sauce for tomato paste, use three times the amount of tomato sauce. To thicken the sauce and concentrate the flavors, you may need to simmer it for a bit longer, allowing some of the liquid to evaporate. You could also stir in some cornstarch slurry (a paste made with water and cornstarch) to thicken your sauce. 

2. Ketchup

Ketchup is a handy tomato paste substitute that almost everyone has in their kitchen. While ketchup is less concentrated and sweeter than tomato paste, it can still provide a comparable depth of flavor in many recipes.

It's best used in dishes where a touch of sweetness will complement the overall flavor profile, such as in barbecue sauce recipes like Korean BBQ sauce or keto BBQ sauce. To substitute ketchup for tomato paste, use a 1:1 ratio, keeping in mind that you may need to reduce other sweet ingredients in your recipe to balance the flavors. 

3. Fresh Tomatoes

Fresh tomatoes can be used as a tomato paste substitute if you’re using tomato paste to add a hit of zesty flavor to a dish. Notably, fresh tomatoes work great in dishes where the fresh, juicy texture of tomatoes can shine through, such as in homemade sauces, soups and stews. Do note that fresh tomatoes provide a lighter, more natural tomato taste compared to the concentrated flavor of tomato paste. 

To use fresh tomatoes as a tomato paste substitute, peel, deseed, chop and cook them down over medium heat until they break down and thicken. You’ll need to use about four to five times the amount of fresh tomatoes to match the intensity of tomato paste. 

4. Canned Tomatoes

Canned tomatoes can also be used in recipes like soups, stews and sauces to replace tomato paste. Canned tomatoes offer a rich tomato flavor, though not as concentrated as tomato paste, which makes them a suitable replacement when cooked down properly for about 20 to 30 minutes. Due to their long shelf life, it’s also easy to always have this tomato paste alternative on hand. 

By cooking down canned tomatoes, you can maintain the rich, savory tomato flavor that tomato paste offers. You’ll want to use about three tablespoons of canned tomatoes for every tablespoon of tomato paste. 

Interestingly, using only the juice from canned tomatoes can also work well as a tomato paste substitute. To do this, follow the same ratio of three tablespoons of canned tomato juice to one tablespoon of canned tomato paste, noting that you may also need to thicken your recipe with something like cornstarch due to the increased liquid content. 

5. Tomato Purée

Made from cooked, strained and blended tomatoes, tomato purée is a good tomato paste substitute. This versatile ingredient can be used as a sub for tomato paste in a variety of dishes, such as soups, stews, sauces and casseroles, providing a robust tomato base.

To use tomato purée as a tomato paste substitute, you will need to adjust the quantity to match the intensity of tomato paste. Typically, you can use two to three times the amount of tomato purée to replace tomato paste. 

6. Tomato Passata

Tomato passata is an excellent tomato paste substitute due to its smooth texture and pure tomato flavor. Unlike tomato paste, which is heavily concentrated, tomato passata has a texture and flavor closer to fresh tomatoes, giving it a lighter taste while still providing a rich tomato base.

To use tomato passata as a tomato paste substitute, you'll need to adjust the quantity (use about two tablespoons of passata to one of tomato paste) and potentially cook it down to achieve a similar thickness and intensity. 

7. Tomato Soup

While tomato paste is concentrated and thick, tomato soup is a milder, more liquid tomato paste substitute that still captures the essence of tomatoes. It's particularly useful in recipes where a bit of extra liquid is acceptable.

To use tomato soup as a substitute for tomato paste, start by reducing the amount of other liquid ingredients in your recipe to account for the watery nature of the soup. Use about three times the amount of tomato soup compared to the quantity of tomato paste required.

As tomato soup generally has a decent amount of salt, you’ll want to adjust the salt quantity in your recipe when using this tomato paste alternative. Adding tomato soup to taste before adding other flavor-enhancing ingredients like spices is also recommended. 

8. Harissa

Harissa is a piquant tomato paste substitute with complex, bold flavors. Using this alternative can add a unique twist to your dishes. The North African chile paste is made from roasted red peppers, hot chile peppers, garlic and various spices, creating a rich, spicy and smoky taste. While it lacks the tomato base of traditional tomato paste, its depth of flavor can enhance many recipes, especially those where a bit of heat and spice is welcome.

9. Ajvar

Ajvar is a flavorful tomato paste alternative that can take your dishes in a different direction. This Balkan condiment, made from roasted red peppers, eggplants and garlic, offers a rich, smoky flavor with a slight sweetness that can directly replace tomato paste in various recipes. Ajvar’s robust taste adds depth and complexity to dishes while maintaining a similar texture to tomato paste.

10. Marinara Sauce

Made from tomatoes, garlic, onions and herbs, marinara sauce is a flavorful tomato paste substitute, offering a robust, slightly tangy taste that can mimic the depth of flavor provided by tomato paste. Substitute tomato paste 1:1 with this alternative. It works best in dishes where the additional seasonings in marinara can complement the overall flavor profile, such as in pasta sauces and as a pizza topping.

11. Salsa Verde

To use salsa verde as a tomato paste substitute, you should consider the flavor profile of your dish and adjust accordingly. Since salsa verde is more acidic and has a different taste than tomato paste, it’s best used in recipes where its unique flavor complements the other ingredients. 

Use it as a 1:1 ratio sub for tomato paste, but be mindful that the final dish may have a slightly different flavor and color. For recipes like Spanish rice and beans, enchiladas or tacos, salsa verde can provide a refreshing twist.

12. Olive Tapenade

Olive tapenade can be a surprisingly effective tomato paste substitute, especially when you’re seeking a flavorful and rich alternative. Made from finely chopped olives, capers, olive oil and sometimes anchovies, olive tapenade offers a rich, savory taste that can add depth to dishes much like tomato paste does. 

Its robust flavor profile makes it an excellent choice for enhancing sauces, dips and spreads where a touch of saltiness and umami flavor is desired. You can use olive tapenade in a 1:1 ratio as a substitute for tomato paste, but adding to taste is recommended. 

13. Worcestershire Sauce

Interestingly, umami-rich Worcestershire sauce can work as a tomato paste substitute in certain dishes. To use this alternative, start by adding it in smaller amounts and adjusting it according to taste. 

Since it's liquid and quite concentrated in flavor, you should use just a few splashes of Worcestershire sauce for each tablespoon of tomato paste called for in a recipe, adjusting to taste. This substitute for tomato paste works well in rich dishes like meat stews, where tomato paste is used to add extra richness instead of enhancing a strong tomato flavor. 

Soy sauce can also be used in a similar way. To replicate the thicker texture of tomato paste, you might want to combine soy sauce with a bit of flour or cornstarch to thicken the mixture.

14. Miso Paste

Made from fermented soybeans, miso paste adds a deep, savory taste to dishes. It’s particularly effective in recipes where a rich, concentrated flavor is desired, such as in a meaty soup or vegetable stew. 

To use miso paste as a tomato paste substitute, start by mixing it with a small amount of water or broth to achieve a paste-like consistency similar to tomato paste. Keep in mind that miso has a distinct fermented taste, so this substitute for tomato paste is best suited for dishes where this flavor complements the other ingredients. 

15. Frozen Tomato Paste

While this won’t be of use if you’re currently out of tomato paste, it’s a great option to keep on hand if you use the ingredient frequently. Tomato paste can be frozen in ice cube trays and then stored in freezer-safe bags or containers for use at a later date. So next time you buy tomato paste, pick up extra for freezing, allowing you to have some ready to grab from the freezer if you realize you're out of fresh tomato paste.

In fact, you can freeze tomatoes in almost all forms, from fresh to puréed and canned. By freezing various kinds of tomatoes, you’re guaranteed to have a great tomato paste alternative on hand at all times.

Finding your go-to tomato paste substitute not only helps you adapt to different cooking situations but also encourages culinary creativity. Hopefully, this guide has helped you answer the question: "What can I use to substitute tomato paste?" and given you lots of ideas for how to use these alternatives to boost the flavor of your dishes, ensuring your recipes always pack a punch! 

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