Stewed tomatoes are a pantry staple for many home cooks. Canned tomatoes are already cooked and softened, making them an easy addition to dishes like soups, stews, pasta sauces, and casseroles. But why choose stewed tomatoes over other canned tomato options like diced, crushed, or tomato sauce or paste? Here are some of the key benefits of keeping cans of stewed tomatoes on hand:
They’re already cooked through
Stewed tomatoes have been cooked thoroughly before canning. This gives them a very soft, tender texture, perfect for recipes where you want the tomatoes to blend in smoothly without any chunks or tough skins. Other canned tomatoes may still have some firmness or need additional cooking time. With stewed tomatoes, no prep or simmering is required – you can add them straight to recipes as-is.
Great flavor
The cooking process for stewed tomatoes helps concentrate and intensify their flavor. Stewed tomatoes often contain seasonings as well, like onion, garlic, basil, oregano, and black pepper. This extra flavor punch makes them ideal for soups, chilis, braised meats, and more dishes that benefit from a rich, savory tomato presence. Plain diced tomatoes can sometimes taste watery and lackluster by comparison.
Works well in smooth, blended dishes
Thanks to their broken down texture, stewed tomatoes are perfect for making smooth tomato sauces and soups. Try adding them to pasta sauce, shakshuka, chicken noodle soup, or tomato bisque. Since there are no large chunks, you’ll get a silky texture and don’t have to strain or blend the tomatoes. With chunkier whole or diced tomatoes, you’d need to puree to achieve the same consistency.
Easy to use one-handed
Unlike a can of whole peeled tomatoes, stewed tomatoes are ready to be easily scooped out with a spoon or squeezed out of the can. This makes quickly measuring out what you need mess-free and easy, even with just one hand free. You can spoon stewed tomatoes directly into pots when starting soups or stews.
Nutritional benefits
In addition to being convenient and full of flavor, stewed tomatoes offer great nutritional value:
Low calorie
Tomatoes are naturally very low in calories – about 27 calories per 100g. Stewed canned tomatoes are no different. Draining the can eliminates most of the liquid, leaving just the tomato solids and seasoning behind. This makes stewed tomatoes a nutritious addition to recipes if you’re watching your calorie intake.
High lycopene
Lycopene is a beneficial antioxidant found in tomatoes and other red fruits and vegetables. Cooking tomatoes actually increases the bioavailability of lycopene. Since stewed tomatoes are cooked thoroughly during the canning process, they contain higher amounts of lycopene compared to raw tomatoes. Lycopene has been linked to improved heart health, reduced cancer risk, and protection against inflammation.
Vitamin C
Despite being cooked, canned stewed tomatoes still supply a decent dose of immune-boosting vitamin C – over 20% of the Recommended Daily Intake per cup. So enjoying stewed tomatoes provides a punch of this essential nutrient.
| Nutrient | Per 1 cup serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 41 |
| Protein | 2g |
| Fat | 0.5g |
| Carbs | 9g |
| Vitamin C | 23mg |
| Potassium | 449mg |
Versatile uses
Beyond nutrition, one of the biggest advantages of canned stewed tomatoes is how endlessly versatile they are in cooking and recipes. Here are some of the many ways you can utilize stewed tomatoes:
Soups
Thanks to their soft texture and condensed tomato flavor, stewed tomatoes are ideal for soups. Use them in minestrone, tomato soup, tortilla soup, ramen soup and more. Simply add them straight from the can into the soup pot.
Chili
For hearty meat or vegetarian chilis, stewed tomatoes create the right consistency and tomato base without needing to cook them down further.
Pasta sauce
To quickly transform stewed tomatoes into pasta sauce, simply throw them in a pan with garlic, olive oil, Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Simmer until warmed through and toss with your favorite pasta.
Curries
Stewed tomatoes work wonderfully in curries, imparting richness and sweet acidity. They’ll blend smoothly into the sauce. Use them in any curry like Indian butter chicken or Thai red curry.
Braises and stews
Thanks to their tender texture, stewed tomatoes are ideal for braises and stews where everything simmers together into a cohesive dish. Try adding them to chicken cacciatore, beef bourguignon, vegetarian chili, or oxtail stew.
Shakshuka
For this Mediterranean baked egg dish, stewed tomatoes make the ideal tomatoey base. Sauté aromatics, add the tomatoes and simmer until slightly reduced before baking with the eggs.
Casseroles and bakes
Mixing stewed tomatoes into casseroles like lasagna or eggplant parmesan adds extra flavor and moisture. The softened tomatoes blend seamlessly into the dish.
Bruschetta topping
For an easy bruschetta topping, chop some stewed tomatoes and toss with olive oil, balsamic glaze, garlic, and fresh basil. Spoon over toasted baguette slices.
Quesadillas and tacos
Stir drained stewed tomatoes into shredded chicken or beef filling for extra juiciness. Or add them to vegetarian quesadillas and tacos for a nutrition and flavor boost.
Salad dressing base
Puree stewed tomatoes with olive oil, balsamic or red wine vinegar, garlic, and herbs for a tasty tomato vinaigrette dressing. Drizzle over leafy and grain salads.
Salsa
For an easy homemade salsa, pulse stewed tomatoes in a food processor along with onions, jalapeños, cilantro, lime juice and seasonings. Serve with tortilla chips.
Pizzas
In place of tomato sauce or paste, try using stewed tomatoes as the base for homemade and frozen pizzas. Spread over dough or flatbread before adding toppings.
Eggs
Add stewed tomatoes to egg dishes like omelets, frittatas and scrambles for extra flavor and nutrition. The tomatoes pair well with most egg fillings.
Sandwich and wrap fillings
Chopped stewed tomatoes add moisture and flavor to tuna, chicken, or egg salad sandwich fillings. You can also include them in wraps along with other veggies and cheese or hummus.
Bloody Mary
For a tasty DIY Bloody Mary, puree stewed tomatoes and combine with vodka, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, celery salt, black pepper, and other desired seasonings.
Buying and storage tips
Here are some useful pointers for selecting and storing cans of stewed tomatoes:
Look for BPA-free cans
Some tomato cans may contain BPA in their lining. Choose brands labeled as BPA-free whenever possible. Glass jars are another option.
Go for low- or no-salt added
Many stewed tomato cans include added salt, which you may want to avoid. Seek lower sodium options to control the saltiness. Adding your own salt is always an option.
Check the ingredients
Stewed tomatoes simply cooked in tomato puree are a blank slate. But other versions contain onions, garlic, basil, oregano and more. Decide if you want seasoned or plain.
Opt for whole or diced
Both whole and diced stewed tomatoes work beautifully in recipes. Diced will blend in more smoothly when appearance doesn’t matter. Go for whole if you want some shape and texture.
Use within 1 year for best quality
Properly stored, unopened cans of stewed tomatoes last 2 to 3 years. But they’re best consumed within a year for optimal flavor and texture.
Transfer leftovers to airtight containers
Once opened, leftover tomatoes should be transferred to sealed glass or plastic containers and stored in the fridge for up to a week.
Freeze for longer storage
For storage beyond 1 week, stewed tomatoes freeze well for 4-6 months. Portion into freezer bags or containers, removing excess air.
Conclusion
With their soft, well-cooked texture, rich tomato flavor, and stellar nutritional profile, stewed tomatoes are one of the most useful canned products to always keep stocked in your pantry. They effortlessly lend their bright, sweet richness to countless soups, stews, pastas, pizzas, egg dishes, and more – no prep needed. Canned stewed tomatoes make cooking and improvising delicious homemade meals quicker and simpler. Keep several cans or jars on hand for anytime you need that quintessential flavor and goodness of fresh, ripe tomato goodness without the wait.