These products sound similar but are more different than you may think.
Find out how they differ plus if you’re free to use them interchangeably.
There are few ingredients that have an underdog story like tomatoes.
Getty Images
Forover two centuries,they were regarded with extreme suspicion, their reputation badly maligned in medieval society.
To this day, tomatoes arestillnot fully understood, despite their quintessential importance to many world cuisines.
For instance, is it a fruit or a vegetable?
(Technically a fruit but more commonly used as a vegetable.)
The versatility of tomatoes is part of why they’ve become such an integral part of many global cuisines.
They come seasoned, unsalted and fire-roasted.
Or perhaps you’d like tomatoes with peppers.
We’ve all done it!
What Is Tomato Puree?
It sounds pretty straightforward: tomatoes that have been pureed, right?
Well, kind of.
“Canned tomato puree is made from fresh tomatoes,” Wright says.
They are also usually put through a blender or food processor.
All of these attributes make them visually very different fromtomato paste, which is considerably denser and darker.
What Is Tomato Sauce?
In many cases, it’s also watered down.
This is good guidance forjarred tomato sauces, too.
These tend to skew sweeter than plain puree, and not just from additives.
in cocktails like Bloody Marys.
Can I Use Tomato Puree and Tomato Sauce Interchangeably?
Most of the time, yes.
If it’s a small amount, it’s perfectly fine to do a 1-to-1 swap.
Bear in mind, though, that the flavors will be deeper and the seasonings will become stronger.
