Whether you’re whipping up a quick pasta sauce, making chili, or preparing a fresh salad, you may find yourself reaching for a can of tomatoes when fresh ones aren’t available. Canned tomatoes can be a convenient substitute for fresh tomatoes, but there are some key differences in taste and texture to consider before making the swap.
Quick Answer
Yes, you can replace fresh tomatoes with canned tomatoes in most recipes that call for tomatoes. Canned tomatoes work well in long-simmered dishes like soups, stews, chili, and pasta sauce. However, the taste and texture will be different from fresh tomatoes. Rinse canned tomatoes before using to reduce the metallic taste. You may need to adjust seasoning since canned tomatoes have more acidity. Avoid using canned tomatoes for dishes like Caprese salad where raw tomato flavor and texture are important.
Canned Tomato Basics
Canned tomatoes are picked at peak ripeness and canned within hours to lock in flavor and texture. The two most common types of canned tomatoes are:
- Diced tomatoes – Peeled, seeded, and chopped into uniform dice sized pieces. Great for recipes like chili, soups, and stews.
- Crushed tomatoes – Tomatoes that are crushed by machine to remove skins and seeds. Excellent for making sauces and tomato paste.
Other less common varieties include whole tomatoes, seasoned tomatoes with ingredients like garlic and basil, and fire-roasted tomatoes. Canned tomato products are available organic or conventionally grown. Higher quality canned tomatoes will only have tomatoes and tomato juice listed as ingredients.
Benefits of Canned Tomatoes
- Convenient and always in season – Canned tomatoes provide quick access to tomatoes year-round.
- Nutritious – Canning locks in key nutrients like lycopene, vitamin C, vitamin A, and potassium.
- Affordable – Canned tomatoes are typically cheaper than fresh tomatoes.
- Consistent quality – Canning tomatoes at peak freshness means consistent flavor and texture.
- Long shelf life – Unopened cans can be stored for over a year.
Downsides of Canned Tomatoes
- Less flavor – Canned tomatoes tend to be less sweet and acidic than fresh tomatoes.
- Softer texture – The canning process breaks down cell walls, resulting in a softer, mushier texture.
- Metallic taste – Compounds in the can liner can give canned tomatoes a metallic taste.
- Added sodium – Canned tomatoes often have added salt as a preservative.
- BPA lining – Some cans are lined with BPA, a chemical that may disrupt hormones.
Differences in Taste and Texture
When substituting canned tomatoes for fresh, there will be noticeable differences in taste and texture:
| Characteristic | Fresh Tomatoes | Canned Tomatoes |
|---|---|---|
| Sweetness | Sweeter, fruity taste | Less sweet with more acidic flavor |
| Texture | Firm, juicy flesh | Softer, mushier texture |
| Moisture | High moisture content | Less moisture due to canning process |
Taste
The canning process reduces some of the natural sugars and flavors of fresh tomatoes. So canned tomatoes end up with a less sweet, more acidic taste. If substituting canned for fresh, you may need to increase seasonings like sugar, salt, basil, or garlic to compensate for the lack of flavor.
Texture
Canned tomato products tend to be softer and mushier than their fresh counterparts. The high heat of canning causes the cell walls to break down, resulting in a mushy texture. Canned crushed tomatoes often end up paste-like, while diced and whole canned tomatoes turn soft. The soft texture is desirable for dishes like chili and pasta sauce, but may not work as well for salads and salsas.
How to Use Canned Tomatoes
Canned tomatoes work best in recipes where their softer texture and more acidic taste get cooked down into sauces, stews, and braises. Follow these tips for using canned tomatoes:
Rinse before use
Rinsing canned tomatoes helps remove excess sodium and some of the metallic taste. Place the tomatoes in a colander and rinse under cool running water for 30 seconds to a minute before use.
Simmer recipes with canned tomatoes longer
Allowing recipes made with canned tomatoes to simmer for a longer time helps the flavors develop. Simmer chili, pasta sauce, or soups made with canned tomatoes for 10-15 minutes longer than recipes made with fresh tomatoes.
Boost flavor with seasonings
Counteract the lack of sweetness in canned tomatoes by adding a bit more salt, sugar, garlic, herbs, spices, or acid like vinegar or lemon juice.
Drain liquid for salads and salsas
The liquid in the can, known as tomato juice, can make dishes like salsa watery. Drain and discard the liquid from the can before using for fresher recipes.
Use canned whole tomatoes for texture
Whole canned tomatoes retain more of their texture than crushed or diced. Use for dishes like shakshuka or tomato soup where you want chunks of tomatoes.
Dishes Best Made with Canned Tomatoes
When tomato flavor will be cooked down and concentrated, canned tomatoes shine. Some of the best uses for canned tomatoes include:
- Pasta sauce – Simmered for hours, canned tomatoes melt into a rich, delicious sauce.
- Chili – Diced tomatoes break down and thicken chili while cooking.
- Soups and stews – From minestrone to beef stew, canned tomatoes add backbone.
- Braises – Braises like pulled pork get depth of flavor from canned tomatoes.
- Shakshuka – Whole canned tomatoes keep their shape in this eggs and tomato skillet dish.
- Tomato sauce – Canned crushed tomatoes easily transform into quick tomato sauce.
Dishes Best Made with Fresh Tomatoes
When fresh tomato flavor and texture are important, canned tomatoes will not provide the same quality. Better to use fresh for:
- Caprese salad – Sliced fresh tomatoes are critical for this simple Italian salad.
- Pico de gallo – The crisp chunky texture of fresh tomatoes makes this salsa sing.
- Sandwiches – Sliced tomatoes provide juice and texture on sandwiches and burgers.
- Salads – Freshly sliced tomatoes add sweetness and refreshing moisture to salads.
- Guacamole – Diced tomatoes add texture and flavor contrast to creamy guacamole.
- Bruschetta – Simple diced fresh tomatoes shine on top of toasted bread.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use canned tomatoes instead of fresh for homemade salsa?
It’s best to use fresh tomatoes for salsa recipes. The crisp texture and bright flavor of fresh tomatoes is important for the overall taste and mouthfeel of salsa. Canned tomatoes will make your salsa too soft and watery.
What’s the best canned tomato to use for pasta sauce?
Crushed tomatoes are the ideal canned product for pasta sauce. Crushing breaks down the tomatoes and removes seeds and skins. This allows the tomatoes to melt into the most cohesive, smooth sauce. Diced tomatoes can also work well but may need to be blended at the end for a silky sauce.
How do I soften canned diced tomatoes?
To soften the texture of canned diced tomatoes, cook them down for 10-15 minutes over medium heat while stirring frequently. You can also run canned diced tomatoes briefly through a food processor or blender to break them down further if you want a really smooth, pasty texture.
Should canned tomatoes be rinsed before use?
It’s recommended to rinse most canned products before use, including canned tomatoes. A quick rinse will remove excess sodium from the canning liquid. Rinsing also helps wash off any metallic flavor from the can liner. Shake off excess water before adding rinsed canned tomatoes to recipes.
Can I substitute canned tomato paste for fresh tomatoes?
Tomato paste is highly concentrated and used in small amounts, so it’s not a good 1:1 substitute for fresh tomatoes. In sauces or stews, you can replace 1 fresh tomato with about 2 tablespoons of tomato paste, then add water to thin out the consistency. The flavor will be different though, with a darker, deeper tomato taste.
The Bottom Line
Canned tomatoes offer convenience and make an excellent substitute for fresh tomatoes in many cooked dishes where great tomato flavor is still appreciated. Chili, pasta sauce, stews, and braised meats are all improved by the addition of canned tomatoes. However, for recipes where fresh tomato texture and bright flavor are critical like salads, salsas, and sandwiches, it’s best to stick with fresh ripe tomatoes.
When substituting canned for fresh, rinse the canned tomatoes first and season with a little more salt, sugar, herbs, or acid to make up for the less sweet and more acidic taste. Allow dishes made with canned tomatoes to cook a bit longer to meld the flavors. With the right techniques, canned tomatoes can be delicious and save prep time in the kitchen.