Running out of tomatoes or cooking for someone who's not a fan? No worries! There are plenty of substitutes that can fill the tomato gap in your recipes. From sauces to salads, these 10 tomato alternatives will keep your dishes deliciously on track. Let's explore options that bring flavor without the classic red fruit.
AUTHOR: Alimi Samuel
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According to some chefs, bell pepper is the closest substitute for tomatoes in Mexican cuisine. "It can serve as the base of any sauce or stew, and you should add an extra smidge of vinegar to reduce the acidity if you have a history of gastrointestinal issues," one cook advises. A second chef says they'd prefer dark chili like Pasilla Ancho instead of vinegar, which may affect the taste.
2. Sazon Seasoning
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Sazon seasoning gives you the tomato taste and feel without the digestive issues many users suggest. "You get the color, flavors, and everything that makes a tomato meal without the acidity," a cook who thinks tomatoes are overrated expounds.
3. Achiote
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Achiote would be the choice replacement for one contributor, although he believes nothing can perfectly replace tomato in a meal. "Achiote is the best suggestion I have seen so far. Used it a couple of times. Nothing can really replace tomato, but the spice's color will trick your mind enough not to notice it's a tomato-free cuisine."
4. Canned Carrots
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One use recommends "use canned carrots or cook fresh carrots and add some chili powder for color and flavor." A second user endorses carrots: "The sweetness from the carrots may be the magic you need for a delicious tomato-free recipe."
5. Jarred Piquillo Peppers
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One restauranteur says he uses jarred Piquillo peppers instead of tomatoes when cooking, arguing that Piquillo is "less conspicuous than bell pepper when pureed." Piquillo peppers have a delicious, tangy flavor, someone else admits, adding that they have versatile use and are packed with loads of antioxidants.
6. Beets
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Someone tips that the blend of red bell peppers and beets is a fantastic replacement for tomatoes. "You can use them individually or mix all three. The flavor profile of this combo makes it more Mexican than just tomatoes, he suggests.
7. Roasted Butternut Squash Puree
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Butternut squash puree can replace tomatoes, a chef shares. While it has a taste and flavor distinct from actual tomatoes, adding cilantro, lime juice, and other spices can effectively mitigate the difference in flavor." he adds. Someone claims they've made pizza, pasta, and a handful of other dishes using butternut squash puree as tomato replacement.
8. Olives Tapenade
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Like the earlier recommendation of butternut squash puree, "Olive Tapenade will provide your Mexican cuisine with the savory umami flavors you'll get from tomatoes," according to one forum member. "If tomatoes are the main ingredient in the dish, you may not be able to replace it with Tapenade," a second person warns.
9. Nomato Sauce
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One person asserts that Nomato sauce tastes like marinara and is a gluten-free replacement for tomatoes." You can prepare it yourself by blending garlic gloves with beets and large onions, or opt for the branded one, which serves the same purpose.
10. Tamarind Paste
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"I have not tried it for a Mexican dish, but using tamarind pulp has worked for me in scenarios where I couldn't lay hands on tomato," one individual discloses. A second contributor says, "In theory, tamarind can work," warning that cooks must be careful not to overcook the tamarind so it doesn't lose its flavor."
Source: Reddit
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