What is the difference between tomato puree, paste and sauce?

What is the difference between tomato puree, paste and sauce? - Dim sum and vegetables on wooden board in cafe

I was looking for a recipe for an Italian tomato sauce when I came across an old cookbook from an American Creole Chef I like, but I'm really confused about the terminology he uses for some of the ingredients and wondered if someone could clarify exactly what he's referring to.

In the recipe he asks for -

  • 2 cans (6 ounces) of tomato paste
  • 2 cans (10 3/4 ounces) of tomato sauce
  • 2 cans (10 3/4 ounces) of tomato puree

I've always assumed that tomato paste and tomato puree were the same thing, but clearly not. Can anyone clarify the difference between these two?

Tomato sauce in the UK comes out of a ketchup bottle, is he referring to passata, sieved tomatoes? If not, what is he referring to?



Best Answer

In the US at least, common canned tomato products include:

  • Paste, cooked down tomatoes, to the point where they are scoopable with a spoon but will not flow. Very thick, like peanut butter. Often sold in six or twelve ounce cans.
  • Pureee - cooked tomatoes that have been--well--pureeed, but are mostly at their natural density; also called crushed tomatoes.
  • Sauce - cooked down, strained tomatoes, a little thicker than tomato soup. May include herbs, spices, or some flavoring in addition to pure tomato product.
  • Diced - solid chopped tomatoes, usually in tomato juice.
  • Whole - whole cooked (usually peeled) tomatoes, usually packed in tomato juice. These will still have the seeds.



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Quick Answer about "What is the difference between tomato puree, paste and sauce?"

Though both are pantry staples made out of cooked and strained tomatoes, tomato paste is a thick tomato concentrate, and tomato sauce is a thick sauce made out of tomatoes.

Can you substitute tomato sauce for tomato puree?

Tomato sauce The flavor is less developed than tomato puree, but in many recipes you might not notice a difference. You can use it as a 1:1 replacement, keeping in mind the texture is slightly looser than puree.

Can I substitute tomato sauce for tomato paste?

How to Substitute Tomato Sauce or Puree for Tomato Paste. You don't have to dash out to the store if you're out of tomato paste; tomato sauce and tomato puree are both an excellent substitute. For every 1 tablespoon of tomato paste needed, use 3 tablespoons of tomato puree or sauce.

Can you substitute puree for sauce?

Tomato Sauce Adjust the other ingredients in your dish to compensate as needed. Tomato sauce also has a thinner consistency than tomato puree. Add it to a saucepan and simmer on low until some of the water cooks out. You can then use it as a 1 to 1 substitute.

Why use tomato paste instead of sauce?

Tomato paste has a higher nutritional value than tomato sauce. Not only is it denser and more concentrated but it also contains higher levels of lycopene. This is an antioxidant that is known to deliver many health benefits such as improved skin health and heart health and protection against some forms of cancer.



What's The Difference Between Tomato Sauce + Tomato Puree? | Q \u0026 Ray + J




More answers regarding what is the difference between tomato puree, paste and sauce?

Answer 2

Passata is not the same as sauce or puree, and is an additional item to SAJ14SAJ's list.

Here is a an excerpt from Wikipedia:

Tomato purée is never referred to by its Italian name, passata di pomodoro, when it has been "passed" through a sieve to remove seeds and lumps. Passata is an entirely different product, its main point of difference being the fact that it is not cooked. In this form, it is generally sold in bottles or aseptic packaging, and is most common in Europe. In the United Kingdom, in this form the product passata is always uncooked, otherwise it would be tomato puree (see above).

Answer 3

In the US, ketchup is prepared with tomatoes, sugar, vinegar/acetic acid and spices. It is used as a dressing or table condiment. Ketchup is cold and is never heated as a rule. Tomato sauce, on the other hand, is made from tomatoes, oil, meat or vegetable stock and spices. Vinegar is not usually used. Sauces are generally served hot. Most manufacturers insist that ketchup is made with spices while sauce is generally made without spices.

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