To Prepare Canned Tomatoes for Cooking

Transform your pantry staple into a fresh and flavorful base for countless dishes with this simple guide to preparing canned tomatoes for cooking. In just 20 minutes, elevate canned whole tomatoes into a rich, homemade-tasting ingredient enhanced with a touch of olive oil and perfectly seasoned with salt. This recipe focuses on creating the ideal texture and flavor—whether you crush the tomatoes by hand, fork, or kitchen shears—while offering the flexibility to adjust the consistency with reserved tomato juice or water. Perfectly warmed and slightly thickened, these prepared canned tomatoes are ready to shine in your favorite recipes, from hearty pasta sauces to comforting soups and stews. This easy technique is a kitchen game-changer, turning humble canned tomatoes into a gourmet essential!

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 can (28 ounces) Canned whole tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil (optional)
• 0.5 teaspoons Salt
• 0.5 cups Water (or tomato juice from the can)

Directions

Step 1

Open the can of whole tomatoes and pour the contents into a large bowl.

Step 2

Use clean hands to carefully crush the whole tomatoes into smaller pieces. Alternatively, use a fork or kitchen shears to achieve the desired texture.

Step 3

Separate the tomatoes from their juices by using a strainer. Reserve the juice for cooking, if needed.

Step 4

Heat a medium-sized skillet or saucepan over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil (if using).

Step 5

Once the oil is warm, add the crushed tomatoes to the pan.

Step 6

Stir in 0.5 teaspoons of salt to enhance the flavor of the tomatoes.

Step 7

Pour in 0.5 cups of water (or the reserved tomato juice) to adjust the consistency of the mixture.

Step 8

Cook the tomatoes over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are warmed through and slightly thickened.

Step 9

Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed, adding more salt or a pinch of sugar if the tomatoes taste too acidic.

Step 10

Your canned tomatoes are now prepared and ready to be used in your favorite recipes, such as sauces, soups, or stews.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(930.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	460.4

Total Fat 37.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 7.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.8g
Cholesterol 15.9mg	0%
Sodium 2212.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 25.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 14.3g	0%
Total Sugars 23.1g
Protein 6.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 230.3mg	0%
Iron 4.5mg	0%
Potassium 1532.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 72.5%

Protein: 5.6%

Carbs: 21.9%