9 Tomato Paste Substitutes You Probably Already Have in Your Kitchen

Searching for tomato paste substitutes for your cooking? You can use tomato sauce, ketchup, canned tomatoes and several other replacements. Here’s how to do it properly.

Tomato Paste Substitutes	Ratio for 1 T Tomato Paste
Canned Tomatoes	3 T
Ketchup	2-3 T
Red Pepper Sauce	2-3 T
Roasted Red Bell Pepper	Use an equal amount as tomato paste (1:1)
Stewed Tomatoes	3T
Tomato Powder	1-2 t
Tomato Puree	2-3 T
Tomato Sauce	3 T
Tomato Soup	Use an equal amount as tomato paste (1:1)

How much tomato paste is in one tomato?

One medium-sized tomato yields just over half a tablespoon of tomato paste, considering the water removal and concentration process. You’d need two tomatoes for a full tablespoon. You can get a full recipe here.

How many tablespoons or teaspoons are in a standard can of tomato paste?

A standard 6-ounce can of tomato paste, like Hunt’s, contains approximately 10 tablespoons or 30 teaspoons. Each serving is 2 tablespoons, and with approximately 5 servings in a can, this totals to around 10 tablespoons or 30 teaspoons.

How to convert tomato paste from tablespoons to cups or vice versa?

To convert tomato paste from tablespoons to cups, divide the number of tablespoons by 16; to convert from cups to tablespoons, multiply the number of cups by 16.

Tomato Paste Substitutes

1. Canned Tomatoes

Canned tomatoes can replace tomato paste, but they have a milder and less concentrated tomato flavor than tomato paste. This means they may not provide the same intensity. They are also more liquid, you’ll need to simmer them to reduce the moisture and thicken the mixture. If used as a substitute, use them in recipes where a thinner tomato base works, like soups and marinara sauce. After simmering the canned tomatoes you will still end up with that rich tomato flavor. 

Use 3 tablespoons of sauce from canned tomatoes for every tablespoon of tomato paste.

2. Ketchup

You can substitute ketchup for tomato paste, but keep in mind that it’s sweeter, tangier, and has a thinner texture. So this substitute may not work well in recipes needing thickening or strong tomato flavor, such as pasta sauces or stews. But it’s a good fit for recipes that can benefit from a slight touch of sweet flavor, like barbecue sauces or meatloaf glazes. 

Substitute 2 to 3 tablespoons of ketchup for every tablespoon of tomato paste. 

3. Red Pepper Sauce

It’s possible to replace tomato paste with red pepper sauce, but expect that this substitute introduces a distinct flavor and texture shift. Red pepper sauce is spicy and tangy, unlike the milder tomato. It’s thinner as well, so you might require additional thickening in your recipe. It may not suit tomato-based dishes like marinara, but it adds a spicy kick to recipes that welcome heat and tang, such as chili, spicy dips, or marinades.

Use 2 to 3 tablespoons of red pepper sauce for every tablespoon of tomato paste. 

4. Roasted Red Bell Peppers

You can replace tomato paste with roasted red bell peppers, but be aware that the flavor, acidity, and color will be different. While they offer a smoky and sweet profile, they aren’t as tangy as tomato paste. For dishes that rely on the deep red hue or the consistency of tomato paste, bell peppers may not be ideal. However, in adaptable recipes like pasta sauces, soups, stews, or dips, roasted red bell peppers can be a flavorful alternative. 

Start with a 1:1 ratio and adjust if needed. 

5. Stewed Tomatoes

You can use stewed tomatoes instead of tomato paste, but they will need to be adjusted for texture and flavor. By blending and simmering stewed tomatoes, you can achieve a thicker consistency closer to tomato paste. But the taste might be milder and more herby, so additional seasoning adjustments might be necessary depending on the recipe. This swap works best in sauces, stews, and casseroles. 

Use 3 tablespoons blended and reduced stewed tomatoes for every tablespoon of tomato paste. 

6. Tomato Powder

Tomato powder features a concentrated tomato taste, making it a suitable substitute for tomato paste in sauces, stews, and other dishes requiring a burst of tomato flavor. While it doesn’t naturally possess the thick consistency of tomato paste, when mixed into wet ingredients or dishes, it disperses its rich flavor throughout.

Substitute 1 to 2 tablespoons of tomato powder for every tablespoon of tomato paste, and adjust if needed. 

7. Tomato Puree

Tomato puree is milder and thinner than tomato paste, but it can serve as a substitute. When using puree instead of paste, you’ll likely need more of it to match the tomato flavor and to reduce the liquid content in the recipe to prevent it from becoming too watery. It’s also important to tweak the seasonings, as the gentler flavor of the puree could alter the dish’s overall taste. This swap is effective in dishes such as marinara sauce, stews, chili, and certain casseroles.

It is best to cook down tomato puree so that it reaches the same consistency as tomato paste.

Replace a tablespoon of tomato paste with 2 to 3 tablespoons of tomato puree (reduced). 

8. Tomato Sauce

Using tomato sauce as a substitute for tomato paste can work in a pinch, but it comes with some differences to consider. It’s thinner and less concentrated, so you might need to use more and cook longer to thicken your dish. Tomato sauce is a good substitute in soups, stews, and sauces where its thinner texture won’t make a big difference, but expect a slightly different taste and longer cooking.

To use tomato sauce as a substitute for tomato paste, it’s best to reduce the sauce by boiling it. This process thickens the sauce to be more like the consistency of tomato paste. 

Use about 3 tablespoons of tomato sauce (reduced) for every 1 tablespoons of tomato paste.

9. Tomato Soup

It’s possible to replace tomato paste with tomato soup in some recipes, but it will change the flavor and consistency. This substitute is milder and thinner, so you may need to adjust your dish’s seasonings and liquids to get the right taste and texture. It’s best for dishes where a mild tomato flavor and thinner sauce are okay, like soups or stews, but not for recipes needing the strong tomato taste and thick consistency of tomato paste.

Start with a 1:1 ratio and adjust if needed.

The bottom line

When it comes to tomato paste substitutes, there are many options to choose from. You can try different substitutes like sun-dried tomatoes or red bell peppers to add variety to your dishes. Just make sure to understand how each substitute works and enhances your cooking. If you’re still confused about what substitute to use, I recommend using 3 tablespoons of crushed canned tomatoes for every 1 tablespoons of tomato paste your recipe requires.