Canned tomatoes are a kitchen staple for many home cooks. They’re convenient, budget-friendly, and lend themselves to a variety of dishes from soups and chilis to casseroles and pasta sauces. But some cooks wonder if it’s necessary to cook canned tomatoes before using them in recipes. Here’s a look at whether or not canned tomatoes need cooking.
Do I need to cook canned tomatoes?
Canned tomatoes are already cooked inside the can during the commercial canning process. This heat processing not only cooks the tomatoes but also kills any bacteria, rendering the tomatoes shelf-stable. So canned tomatoes are safe to use straight from the can without any additional cooking.
However, some recipes do call for canned tomatoes to be cooked before using. This additional cooking can intensify the flavor and thicken the texture of the tomatoes. The high heat helps break down the tomato cell structure, releasing more flavor compounds. It also evaporates some of the liquid in the tomatoes, resulting in a thicker, more saucy texture.
So while not strictly necessary from a food safety standpoint, cooking canned tomatoes can improve their flavor and consistency in some recipes. It often depends on the specific dish and your personal preferences. Quick-cooking tomato sauces may taste great with just a brief simmer, while long-cooked stews and braises tend to benefit from thoroughly cooked tomatoes.
How should I cook canned tomatoes?
If a recipe calls for cooking canned tomatoes, there are a few simple methods you can use:
- Sauté – Heat a skillet over medium heat and add a tablespoon of olive oil or butter. When hot, add the canned tomatoes and sauté for 2-3 minutes until warmed through.
- Simmer – Add the canned tomatoes to a pot along with other sauce or soup ingredients. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes until flavors meld.
- Roast – Place canned whole tomatoes on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and roast at 400°F for 15-20 minutes until tomatoes are caramelized.
- Purée – For smoother sauces, purée cooked canned tomatoes in a blender or food processor until smooth.
Aim for just enough cooking to achieve the flavor and texture you want. Overcooking can make the tomatoes mushy. Go light if you want fresh tomato flavor for bruschetta or salad, or cook down longer for rich pasta sauce.
Canned Tomato Cooking Times
As a general guideline, here are suggested cooking times for canned tomatoes:
| Tomato Type | Cooking Time |
|---|---|
| Diced tomatoes | Simmer 5-10 minutes |
| Crushed tomatoes | Simmer 10-15 minutes |
| Tomato sauce | Simmer 15-20 minutes |
| Tomato paste | Simmer 20-30 minutes |
| Whole tomatoes | Roast 15-20 minutes |
Remember that cooking times can vary based on the recipe and your personal preference. Taste as you go and adjust cooking times as needed.
Should I cook canned tomato paste and sauce?
Canned tomato paste and tomato sauce have typically already been cooked down significantly during the canning process. Tomato paste often contains added seasonings as well, for more flavor. So you may not need to cook these products very much, if at all, before using in recipes.
A brief simmer to allow flavors to meld is often sufficient for canned tomato paste and sauce. Going beyond 15-20 minutes risks diminishing fresh tomato flavor and makes the product overly thick and paste-like.
What about canned whole and diced tomatoes?
Whole canned tomatoes and canned diced tomatoes tend to be less cooked than paste or sauce. The whole tomatoes simply undergo enough heat processing to make them shelf-stable. And diced tomatoes may get a light simmer but stay chunkier in texture.
These tomato products will often benefit from additional cooking time in recipes. Aim for 5-15 minutes of simmering, sautéing, or roasting to enhance flavor. You can also purée cooked diced tomatoes to make a fresh quick sauce.
Should I sauté canned crushed tomatoes?
Canned crushed tomatoes offer a nice middle ground between whole tomatoes and puréed sauce. The tomatoes get lightly crushed and simmered during canning but still retain some texture and fresh flavor.
Many recipes call for sautéing canned crushed tomatoes before making pizza sauce, pasta sauce, or shakshuka. A quick sauté of 5-10 minutes concentrates the tomato flavor beautifully without overcooking the tomatoes.
Tips for Cooking Canned Tomatoes
Here are a few additional tips for getting the most flavor and best texture when cooking canned tomatoes:
- Sauté aromatics first – Cook onion, garlic, herbs in olive oil before adding tomatoes.
- Season well – Sprinkle with salt, pepper, spices, sugar to balance acidity.
- Use cooking liquids – Include juices from the tomato can for extra flavor.
- Finish with basil and parsley – Stir in fresh herbs right before serving.
- Simmer gently – Avoid boiling to prevent tomatoes from breaking down too much.
- Taste and adjust – Add more tomatoes, seasonings, or liquids as needed.
What about BPA from canned tomatoes?
Some home cooks express concerns about BPA exposure from canned tomatoes. BPA is a chemical previously used to make certain food can linings. But today, most canned tomato producers use BPA-free cans.
To be sure your canned tomatoes don’t contain BPA, look for cans labeled “BPA-free.” Reputable organic brands also avoid BPA in cans. Or choose glass jars or cartons instead of cans.
With BPA-free options widely available, you can enjoy canned tomatoes without worry. Just check the label if concerned.
Should I use canned or fresh tomatoes?
Both fresh and canned tomatoes have their perks in cooking. Fresh tomatoes offer bright, vibrant tomato flavor at the peak of ripeness. But canned tomatoes provide consistency year-round at a budget-friendly price.
In general, canned tomatoes work best for cooked dishes like sauces, soups, and stews where you want thick, saucy tomatoes. Choose fresh tomatoes for lighter cooking applications and dishes where you want fresh tomato chunks.
Of course, you can always substitute fresh for canned or vice versa. Just keep in mind cooking times will vary.
Conclusion
Canned tomatoes offer convenience and value. While not always necessary, taking the time to cook canned tomatoes can intensify their flavor and make them even tastier. A quick simmer or sauté is often all it takes to make canned tomatoes shine.
Experiment with different cooking methods and tomatoes in sauces, stews, shakshuka, chili, and more. Taste as you go and stop cooking when the texture and flavor is just right. With a few simple tricks, you can easily transform canned tomatoes into something delicious.