Canned Tomatoes
Canned tomatoes deliver concentrated tomato flavor all year round. They are convenient, budget friendly, and perfect for sauces, stews, curries, and tray bakes. From whole peeled to crushed, passata, and paste, each type brings a different texture and intensity that can turn simple ingredients into a rich, satisfying meal.
Nutrition
One half-cup canned tomatoes (~120 g) contains:
✓ Vitamin C and Vitamin K with small amounts of folate;
✓ Potassium and trace minerals;
✓ Lycopene - a powerful antioxidant that becomes more available after cooking;
✓ Very few calories with no fat by default.
Pair canned tomatoes with a little olive oil to improve absorption of fat-soluble antioxidants like lycopene.
Health Benefits
Canned tomatoes provide antioxidants that support heart and skin health and help counter everyday oxidative stress. Their potassium supports healthy fluid balance and nerve function. Because they are ready-to-use, they make it easier to cook vegetable-forward meals more often.
Types of Canned Tomato Products
Whole Peeled: Most versatile and often best quality. Crush by hand for rustic sauces or blend smooth.
Crushed: Ready for quick sauces with a medium texture.
Diced/Chopped: Cubed tomatoes that hold their shape. Excellent for chunky sauces, stews, and chili.
Passata (Sieved Tomato): Smooth and pourable with no seeds or skins. Perfect for fast, delicate sauces and soups.
Tomato Puree: Thicker than passata with a deeper, cooked flavor.
Tomato Paste: Highly concentrated tomato solids for intense umami. Use to boost depth and color in sauces.
Fire-Roasted: Adds a subtle smoky sweetness to salsas, soups, and pastas.
How to Prepare
- Choose the right type for your texture: chopped for chunkiness, crushed for mid-body, passata for smooth, paste for intensity.
- Sauté aromatics in a little olive oil, add tomatoes, and simmer 10–30 minutes to mellow acidity and develop sweetness.
- Season to taste with salt, herbs, garlic, and a splash of balsamic or a pinch of sugar if needed to balance acidity.
Label Tips
Pure ingredients: Look for cans that list only tomatoes (and sometimes tomato juice) with no added sugar, flavors, or firming agents. Choose unsalted to control sodium. Diced tomatoes often include calcium chloride to keep cubes firm—pick “no calcium chloride” if you prefer softer texture in sauces.
Storage
Unopened cans: Store in a cool, dry cupboard. Use by the best-by date.
After opening: Transfer leftovers to a non-reactive, airtight container and refrigerate for 3–4 days.
Tomato paste: Scoop by the tablespoon onto a plate, freeze, then transfer to a bag for easy portions, or keep in a tube for convenience.
Can You Freeze Canned Tomatoes?
Yes. Freeze leftover tomatoes or sauce in portions for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge or add directly to hot dishes from frozen. Texture softens slightly, which is perfect for sauces and soups.
What Do We Use?
At DAREBEETS, we use chopped canned tomatoes that are pure with no other additives - chopped tomatoes, unsalted. They give us clean flavor and full control over seasoning in sauces, stews, and tray bakes.
