Tomato Paste Substitute
Out of tomato paste? Here's what to use instead, tablespoon for tablespoon.
Real substitutes for 1 tablespoon of tomato paste
Ketchup
3 tablespoons ketchup per tablespoon of tomato paste
Already seasoned with sugar and vinegar, so cut back on any added sugar or acid elsewhere in the recipe -- best in sauces where a little sweetness isn't a problem.
Tomato sauce, reduced
Simmer 1/2 cup tomato sauce down to about 3 tablespoons
The cleanest substitute flavor-wise since it's the same product, just concentrated the same way tomato paste is made.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use instead of tomato paste?
Ketchup (3 tablespoons per tablespoon of tomato paste) works in sauces and braises, though it's already sweetened and seasoned. Reducing regular tomato sauce (simmer 1/2 cup down to about 3 tablespoons) gives the cleanest, most similar flavor.
Does ketchup taste the same as tomato paste in a recipe?
Not exactly -- ketchup adds real sweetness and vinegar tang that plain tomato paste doesn't have, so it works best in dishes where a little extra sweetness and acidity isn't a problem, like a braise or barbecue-style sauce.
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead?
Not directly as a 1:1 swap -- tomato paste is concentrated through hours of cooking down, so fresh tomatoes would need to be reduced significantly first to reach the same intensity and thickness.