whats the difference between canned tomatoes and stewed tomatoes

Diced tomatoes are generally tomato chunks packed in tomato juice. They can be an excellent timesaver. Crushed tomatoes are a mixture of diced tomatoes and tomato puree or paste. Stewed tomatoes are cooked and then canned, usually with other seasonings and sugar added.

What’s in a Can of Tomatoes?

Every kind of canned tomato starts the same way: with freshly-picked tomatoes (usually plum tomatoes) that are peeled, cooked, and processed shortly after theyre harvested in order to retain that ripe, red flavor they have at their peak.

For peeling, the tomatoes are either placed in a lye bath, which is cheap and efficient, or steam-peeled. Many brands state “steam peeled” on the label if thats how theyve been processed. All organic peeled tomatoes must be steam-peeled in order to be labeled organic.

Depending on the type of canned tomato and the brand, ingredient lists on a can of tomatoes can range from short and sweet (“tomatoes, tomato juice”) to slightly longer if the tomatoes were processed with citric acid, calcium chloride, or include flavorings like basil and garlic. Diced tomatoes, for example, always include calcium chloride because it helps the tomato pieces keep their shape.

Whole Peeled Tomatoes

Whole peeled tomatoes are packed in either tomato juice or puree. They are the most versatile kind of canned tomato you can buy, since you can basically turn a whole peeled tomato into whatever you need! On their own theyre great for long-simmering recipes like homemade tomato sauce, tomato soup, or chicken stew where you want the tomatoes to really break down.

SWAP TIP: Turn whole peeled tomatoes into what you need! Chop them into diced tomatoes, press them through a food mill, with a potato masher (or use your hands) to make crushed tomatoes, or blend them in a food processor or blender for a purée.

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FAQ

Can I substitute stewed tomatoes for canned tomatoes?

What is the difference between canned tomatoes and stewed tomatoes?

Do stewed tomatoes cook down?

What kind of canned tomatoes for soup?

Are tinned tomatoes as nutritious as fresh tomatoes?

Yes. Studies show that canned tomatoes have as good a nutritional value as or even better than fresh tomatoes – if they don’t contain salt and added sugars.

What is the difference between diced and stewed tomatoes?

Stewed tomatoes are best used in dishes that require either larger chunks of cooked tomato, such as pot roast, or foods that require longer cooking times, such as stew and chili. As stewed tomatoes cook, their cell walls break down, making them mushier and less firm than diced tomatoes.

What are stewed tomatoes?

Stewed tomatoes have been cooked, sliced and canned. While still made from ripe tomatoes and peeled before canning like diced tomatoes, the stewed variety are sliced into rings rather than diced into cubes. They are often mixed with seasonings such as onions, celery and peppers. They are canned in their own juices along with chemical preservatives.