H-E-B
H-E-B Tomato Paste Concentrate
What it is
This is a concentrated form of tomato paste. It is made by cooking down tomatoes to remove most of their water content, resulting in a thick, rich paste. The process intensifies the natural tomato flavor, making it a powerful ingredient for adding depth to dishes. It comes in a small can, designed for concentrated flavor delivery.
How people cook with it
Tomato paste concentrate is a foundational ingredient in many savory recipes. It provides a deep tomato base that enhances sauces, stews, and braises.
- Sauce base
- Soup thickener
- Marinade enhancer
- Flavor booster
To use, you can add it directly to your cooking. It is often sautéed with aromatics like onions and garlic at the beginning of a recipe to build flavor. It can also be stirred into simmering liquids to deepen their taste and color. A little goes a long way due to its concentrated nature. It dissolves well into broths and sauces, integrating smoothly.
How it differs from similar foods
Unlike crushed tomatoes or diced tomatoes, tomato paste concentrate has a much thicker consistency and a more intense, cooked-down tomato flavor. It lacks the liquid and chunkiness of other tomato products, offering pure, concentrated tomato essence.
Who it is for
Home cooks looking to add rich tomato flavor to their meals will find this useful.
How to keep the rest
After opening, transfer any unused tomato paste concentrate to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator. It can also be frozen in small portions for longer storage, making it easy to grab a bit for future use.