Food Lens Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Food Lens · Canned
Tomato paste
Concentrated tomato, sweet-tart, savory, and caramel-like when browned.
Lens analyzedTomato paste is tomatoes cooked down into a concentrated thick puree for deep tomato flavor and body.
Where it comes from
Concentrating tomatoes into paste preserves ripe tomato flavor and lets cooks build sauces, stews, soups, and braises from a small amount.
Varieties — Cans, tubes, and double-concentrated paste vary in intensity and convenience.
It appears in Italian, Middle Eastern, North African, Latin American, and many weeknight pantry dishes.
In a modern kitchen — Brown it briefly in fat to remove raw metallic flavor and unlock sweetness.
Buying it
Tubes are convenient for small spoonfuls; small cans are economical when using the whole amount. Check for added salt, herbs, or allergens.
Storing it
Store unopened in pantry. Refrigerate opened tube or transfer leftover canned paste to a sealed container; freeze tablespoons for longer storage.
Keeps about 2 years in the pantry.
Out of tomato paste? Good swaps
- Tomato puree — Use more and simmer longer.
- Ketchup — Only in casual sauces; it is sweeter and seasoned.
General cooking guidance — always check the labels on the products you use. Listahan’s allergen checks run automatically when you plan a recipe in the app. Not medical advice.
Recipes that use tomato paste
Common questions about tomato paste
Is tomato paste vegan?
Tomato paste is generally plant-based and suitable for a vegan diet, but brands differ — confirm on the label.
What can I use instead of tomato paste?
Good swaps include Tomato puree, Ketchup. Each behaves a little differently — see the swaps above for notes, and always check labels for allergens.
How do I store tomato paste?
Store unopened in pantry. Refrigerate opened tube or transfer leftover canned paste to a sealed container; freeze tablespoons for longer storage. It keeps about 2 years in the pantry.
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Make tomato paste about your kitchen — with Listahan Pro
Everything above is free, forever. Pro adds the Household Lens — the same food, seen for your family:
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Checked for each member
Flags tomato paste per person against your household's allergies and school rules — not just a generic "contains" tag.
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Pantry-aware
Knows whether you already have it, what is running low, and the best swap from what is in your kitchen tonight.
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What it costs near you
A real price from the Presyo community index, so you can plan the budget — not guess.
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Your household memory
Who likes it, plus your own private notes — brand, where you keep it, who skips it.
Allergen safety is always free — Pro adds the automation, never the safety.
Cook with tomato paste — safely
Plan a recipe in Listahan and the household allergen check runs automatically — every plan, every swap, every lunchbox. Safety is never paywalled.