Hunts · 12 oz (340 g)
Hunts Tomato Paste 12 oz
What it is
This is a concentrated form of tomatoes. It is made by cooking down ripe tomatoes until much of the water has evaporated. This process intensifies the tomato flavor and creates a thick, smooth texture. It is a staple ingredient in many kitchens, providing a rich tomato base for a wide variety of dishes. The small can size makes it convenient for recipes that call for a smaller amount.
How people cook with it
Tomato paste is a foundational ingredient for building deep flavor in sauces and stews. It adds body and a concentrated tomato taste that is hard to achieve with other forms of tomatoes.
- Sauce base
- Stew thickener
- Flavor enhancer
- Marinade component
To use tomato paste, you can often sauté it in a bit of oil at the beginning of cooking. This step, called "blooming," helps to deepen its flavor and reduce any raw tomato taste. It can then be incorporated into soups, stews, chilis, and pasta sauces. It is also a key ingredient in many braising liquids and can be mixed with other ingredients to create flavorful glazes or rubs for meats. Its concentrated nature means a little goes a long way.
How it differs from similar foods
Compared to crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce, tomato paste is significantly thicker and more concentrated. It has a much more intense tomato flavor due to the removal of most of its water content. This makes it ideal for adding depth without adding a lot of liquid to a dish.
Who it is for
Home cooks and professional chefs use tomato paste to add rich tomato flavor and body to their dishes.
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, you can freeze portions of the paste in an ice cube tray and then transfer the frozen cubes to a freezer bag.