Stewed tomatoes are fresh tomatoes, and that can be cooked with or without salt and even with or without any seasoning. However, they can be cooked, heated, and used in various sauces, various soups, and stews. In short, they get along with almost every dish as a base ingredient.
Also, this is a very common product you would find in every grocery store.
In order to make these stewed tomatoes, fresh tomatoes are peeled, sometimes with chemical procedures or sometimes they are flash-steamed. Then they are simmered in their own liquid. And this is how you find them in a can submerged with tomatoes and their own red liquids. Although you will find a substitute for stewed tomatoes below in the article, so, keep reading below.
What are the Substitutes for Stewed Tomatoes?
However, stewed tomatoes can be used in various dishes as a base ingredient. We all know these tomatoes are caramelized versions of a basic tomato and enhanced in flavours. So, they could contribute to the basic dishes a lot more than even it is possible.
But if you don’t have stewed tomatoes, then you don’t have a reason to worry about it anymore, We are listing a couple of good substitutes for stewed tomatoes as follows:
- You can use Rotel, in which there are cooked tomatoes along with diced chillies. However, this combination is used frequently in salsa and dip recipes that go along with everything.
- Although you may cook whole canned tomatoes with 1/4 cup of chopped bell pepper and 1/4 cup of chopped onion. However, there are most people who prefer this combination and their own recipe rather than a substitute for stewed tomatoes. Because it is wholly homemade and delicious in taste.
Some substitutes for stewed tomatoes are as follows:
- Tomatoes
- Tomato Juice
- Sugar
- Salt
- Dehydrated onions
- Dehydratedcelery
- Dehydrated peppers
- Spice
- Calcium chloride
- Citric acid
- Natural flavorings
What Can Be Used Instead of a Substitute for Stewed Tomatoes?
It is not an uncommon case, it may happen that you run out of ingredients while cooking, and you do not have that much time to run to a grocery store and bring all the ingredients back and cook. And with these stewed tomatoes, such cases can happen frequently as the family loves stewed tomatoes.
But if you want to deal with this case, preparing yourself with some substitutes for stewed tomatoes would be the best solution ever.
- Generally, it is a combination of tomatoes and some spices, such spices can be onion, garlic, celery, bell peppers, herbs, and much more. They are seasoned together in a jar or can. While eating these stewed tomatoes you can taste the sweetness, sourness, and umami flavour of those tomatoes.
- Keeping aside this substitute for stewed tomatoes, this combination is not only great in taste but is also enriched in the source of folate, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin K, and much more.
- And such nutrients are good for the heart, skin, bones, and overall health. Also, it can improve fertility and reduce the risk of cancer as well.
7 Best Substitutes for Stewed Tomatoes
You have decided to make your own substitute for stewed tomatoes, now you only need to decide which texture you want that substitute to be. Because it totally depends upon the dish for which you need that tomato. However, to your knowledge, there is no such difference among the substitutes below since their main ingredient is only tomato.
Choosing an appropriate flavor and quality is far better than ending up in a confusion about food combinations of a substitute for stewed tomatoes, and your dishes will look good and taste good. Now, it is the exact time when you need to find out which replacement will satisfy your taste buds.
1. Canned Whole Tomatoes
As you can decide from the name itself, there are several whole peeled tomatoes that are canned. These canned tomatoes are the best substitute for stewed tomatoes.
This canned tomato combination is also known as plum tomatoes. These plum tomatoes are mainly used for their rigid texture and can be retained in the can for longer. These whole peeled tomatoes are very versatile in various dishes as they get along with most dishes nicely.
However, these canned tomatoes with their juice have their own place in pizza and pasta recipes.
2. Diced Tomatoes
For your information, diced tomatoes appear good in dishes and are also a good substitute for stewed tomatoes. Storing diced tomatoes is very easy. All you need to do is, chop them into small square pieces, remember not too small, and store those pieces in a can along with their juice.
While stewed tomatoes have their big and soft chunks, diced tomatoes have smaller but soft pieces. However, there are a few brands that have these diced tomatoes along with salt and seasoning, If you want to add salt and seasoning into diced tomatoes you are free to do so.
3. Crushed Tomatoes
Here is another versatile technique to make a substitute for stewed tomatoes. It is a technique of crushing and smashing fresh tomatoes and a little tomato puree.
However, these crushed tomatoes are very soft and delicious. Also, there are so many brands promoting crushed tomatoes with a few chunks in them. This combination brings in a sweet and bright flavor.
Crushed tomatoes are great for making pizza, pasta, creamy stew, and various sauces.
4. Tomato Paste
Tomato paste is generally a thick tomato sauce. However, few people do not prefer tomato seeds in their dish, for such people tomato paste is a great alternative. Because tomato paste does not have seeds or skin in them.
You will find no chunk there, just a soft paste contributing to a substitute for stewed tomatoes. One can make sweet tomato soup as well with the help of this tomato paste.
5. Tomato Sauce
However, tomato sauce is almost the same as tomato paste, but slightly different in texture.
There are a few brands that are capturing the tomato sauce along with cheese, basil, sugar, onion, and other seasonings. Because of its great combinations, tomato sauce is widely used for creamy stews, pasta, pizza toppings, and much more.
6. Tomato Puree
Tomato puree is a thick liquid made by cooking tomatoes and then straining them from skins and seeds, Tomato puree is a very versatile substitute for stewed tomatoes.
However, the consistency of tomato puree lies between tomato sauce and tomato paste. But the flavors are quite different. There are a few brands that are only adopting tomato puree along with water. But you may add some onion, bell peppers, spices, sugar, black pepper, and other seasonings. So, this could be a good substitute for stewed tomatoes.
7. Fresh Tomatoes
If you have fresh tomatoes then you are good to make your own substitute for stewed tomatoes. But for this procedure, you will need to invest more time than previous ones.
The recipe is pretty simple, all you need to do is invest 30 minutes for stewed tomatoes and you have your homemade substitute for stewed tomatoes.
In order to make these stewed tomatoes, fresh tomatoes are peeled, sometimes with chemical procedures or sometimes they are flash-steamed. Then they are simmered in their own liquid. And this is how you find them in a can submerge with tomatoes and their own red liquids.
Ingredients to Make a Substitute for Stewed Tomatoes
- 7 to 10 fresh tomatoes
- 2 tablespoon salt or you may add to your own taste
- 1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon of sugar
- 2 teaspoons of unsalted butter
A Step-By-Step Guide to Make a Substitute for Stewed Tomatoes
- Peel the tomatoes very first and discard all the skins.
- Then cut them into slices as you desire.
- Heat those slices or chunks of tomatoes in an appropriate saucepan.
- Then add seasoning to the tomatoes.
- Keep simmering those tomatoes.
After cooking for about 20 minutes, your substitute for stewed tomatoes is ready and you are good to add them to your dishes. Although you may store the paste in a jar or can. However, storing it in a jar is a preferred way. This recipe is healthy and does not contain preservatives that might harm your health.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are Black Beans and Red Kidney Beans the Same?
Almost the same. The only difference you will find is its taste. In case of nutritional value, both are identical and both the Black Beans and Red Kidney Beans contain the same calories, fiber, and vitamins.
2. Can You Substitute Kidney Beans for Black Beans In Chili?
Yes. You can substitute Kidney Beans for Black Beans In Chili and that will work for sure. You can also use pinto beans in the recipes in their places.
3. Can I Substitute Black Beans For Red Beans?
Yes, you can. The only difference is the dried beans you need to deal with. In fact, black beans are considered safer than red beans. So, go ahead.
4. Why Are Beans Bad For You?
Beans are bad for you if you consume them with high lectins. But, the result is not point-blank, at all. After soaking and boiling beans, the lectin level reduces. So, make sure that you are cooking the beans for at least 10 minutes. It will reduce the common side effects of eating beans.
5. Can Kidney Beans be substituted for Black Beans?
Yes. You can use kidney beans as a substitute for black beans. You can cook kidneys in the same way you do with black beans. The taste is almost identical.
6. Do I Drain Black Beans For Chili?
You can do that to get a vibrant and flavorful dish instead of a dish with a dingy colour. So, it’s always a safe side to drain and rinse the black beans. This advice is applicable to other beans as well as they are not much different.
Summing Up
Stewed tomatoes are fresh tomatoes, and that can be cooked with or without salt and even with or without any seasoning. However, they can be cooked, heated, and used in various sauces, various soups, and stews.
Many people love canned tomatoes as they are way more convenient, helpful, and inexpensive than cooking them at home. But it is not yet debated that are these canned tomatoes are healthy or not. So, making stewed tomatoes at home is an evergreen option for all of us.
In the above, we have given you 7 different but best substitutes for stewed tomatoes. Now you can add your homemade tomato stew to different dishes and your family will love these combinations, and you may again run out of stewed tomatoes, but don’t worry now you have these recipes handy so you can make stewed tomatoes whenever you want to.
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3 comments
Thank you for saving dinner tonight, ChefD! Ran out of stewed tomatoes, but your substitutes saved the day.
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned for stewed tomatoes?
ChefD, any chance you can make stewed tomatoes taste like pizza sauce?