Grocery
Canned Tomato Paste
What it is
This is a concentrated form of tomatoes that have been cooked down to remove most of their water content. It is a thick, rich paste with an intense tomato flavor. It is often used as a base for sauces, soups, and stews, adding depth and a vibrant red color to dishes. The canning process preserves the tomatoes, making them available year-round. It is a pantry staple for many home cooks.
How people cook with it
Tomato paste is a fundamental ingredient for building flavor in many savory dishes. It adds a concentrated tomato essence that is hard to replicate with other forms of tomatoes.
- Sauce base
- Soup thickener
- Stew enhancer
- Flavor booster
To use tomato paste, you can add it directly to your cooking pot when sautéing aromatics like onions and garlic. Browning the paste for a minute or two can deepen its flavor and reduce any raw taste. It is commonly stirred into simmering sauces, chilis, and braises. You can also whisk it with water or broth to create a smoother sauce or soup base. Its concentrated nature means a little goes a long way in adding rich tomato notes.
How it differs from similar foods
Unlike diced or crushed tomatoes, tomato paste has had most of its water removed, resulting in a much thicker consistency and a more potent, concentrated tomato flavor. This makes it ideal for intensifying the tomato taste without adding excess liquid to a dish.
Who it is for
Home cooks looking to add rich tomato flavor to their recipes will find this ingredient useful.
How to keep the rest
After opening, transfer any unused tomato paste to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, consider freezing portions of the paste in ice cube trays for easy, pre-measured additions to future meals.