Many recipes call for the popular salsa and dip ingredient Rotel, which is a blend of diced tomatoes and green chilies. However, if you find yourself out of Rotel, you may be wondering if regular diced tomatoes can be substituted in its place. The answer is yes, you can use diced tomatoes as a replacement for Rotel in most recipes. Here’s what you need to know.
What is Rotel?
Rotel is the brand name of a canned tomato product that contains diced tomatoes and diced green chilies. The tomatoes and chilies are blended together in the can, creating a quick and convenient salsa-like mixture. Rotel original blend contains a 4:1 ratio of diced tomatoes to green chilies. The most common varieties of Rotel are:
- Mild – made with green chile peppers
- Hot – made with jalapeño peppers
- Original – made with a blend of mild and hot chiles
In addition to the diced tomato and green chile base, Rotel may contain ingredients like onion, garlic, lime juice, and cilantro to give it extra flavor. The convenience, consistency, and versatility of Rotel has made it a staple ingredient in many Tex-Mex and Mexican-style dishes like queso, chili, casseroles, and more.
Can Diced Tomatoes Be Substituted for Rotel?
The main ingredients in Rotel are diced tomatoes and chilies. So if you don’t have a can of Rotel on hand, you can mimic it by using a combination of plain diced tomatoes and diced green chilies.
Most standard diced tomatoes at the grocery store come packed in either juice or puree. Opt for diced tomatoes packed in juice rather than puree to get a closer match to the Rotel texture. Then simply drain off some of the tomato juice before mixing in the green chilies.
Canned green chilies can be found right next to the canned tomatoes in the grocery aisle. Look for mild, hot, or a blend depending on the type of Rotel you are substituting for. Make sure to drain and dice the green chilies to achieve the right consistency.
Approximate Substitution Ratios:
- For mild Rotel – 4 parts diced tomatoes to 1 part mild green chilies
- For hot Rotel – 4 parts diced tomatoes to 1 part hot green chilies
- For original Rotel – 4 parts diced tomatoes to 1 part blended mild and hot green chilies
You may need to experiment with the ratios slightly depending on the variety and spiciness of the chilies you use. Taste and adjust the mixture as needed to suit your preference.
Tips for Recreating Rotel
When substituting diced tomatoes and chilies for Rotel, keep these tips in mind:
- Drain the tomatoes and chilies – Drain both the tomatoes and chilies before mixing to prevent too much excess liquid from leaking into the dish.
- Dice the chilies – For the right Rotel-like consistency, make sure to dice the canned chilies into small pieces.
- Add extras for flavor – Consider adding a pinch of cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, lime juice, or cilantro to more closely mimic the Rotel flavor profile.
- Adjust spice to taste – Rotel spice levels can vary, so taste your homemade version and spice it up if needed by adding hot sauce or more chilies.
- Can substitute frozen – If canned tomatoes and chilies are not available, substitute with frozen diced tomatoes and chilies.
Recipes Using Rotel
Rotel is used in a wide variety of hot and comforting dishes. Here are some of the most popular recipes that traditionally call for Rotel:
| Recipe | How Rotel is Used |
|---|---|
| Queso dip | Blended into cheese sauce for flavor and spice |
| Taco chili | Added to chili recipe for tomato base and heat |
| King ranch casserole | Layered between tortillas, chicken, and cheese |
| Rotel artichoke dip | Primary ingredient blended with artichokes |
As you can see, Rotel adds both texture and flavor. When using diced tomatoes and chilies as a substitute, you may need to adjust other seasonings in the recipe to make up for any flavor differences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the tomato variety matter when substituting?
Most standard canned diced tomatoes will work fine as a Rotel replacement. You can use regular, petite cut, fire roasted, or Italian seasoned. Just avoid crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, or tomato puree, as the texture won’t match up.
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
Using fresh tomatoes is doable but will require more work. You’ll need to dice them into small pieces and drain off the excess juice and seeds. Canned tomatoes are pre-diced and closer to the right consistency for mimicking Rotel.
Do I have to use green chilies or can I use jalapeños?
For the most authentic flavor, try to use canned diced green chilies. But in a pinch, you can dice fresh or pickled jalapeños or other peppers instead. Adjust the quantity based on the spice level you want to achieve.
Can I freeze my homemade Rotel substitute?
Absolutely! Combining the diced tomatoes and chilies ahead of time and freezing allows you to have a homemade version handy whenever you need it. Portion it out into freezer bags or containers before freezing.
What’s the best way to store homemade Rotel?
In the refrigerator, homemade Rotel will keep for 4-5 days in an airtight container. For longer storage, freeze it for up to 3 months. Make sure frozen Rotel is thawed completely before using.
Conclusion
With some diced tomatoes, green chilies, and a few simple seasoning adjustments, you can easily recreate the taste of Rotel right at home. Keeping canned tomatoes and chilies on hand gives you the convenience of whipping up zesty Rotel whenever recipes call for it. So don’t let a lack of Rotel stop you from enjoying your favorite chili, taco dip, casserole, and more.