Fire-roasted tomatoes are delicious, smoky, and rich in flavor. They are used in numerous dishes and recipes, such as pizza or pasta. This dish-enhancing tomato can be used in dozens of recipes. So if you don’t have any on hand, what are some excellent substitutes for fire-roasted tomatoes?
Fire-Roasted Tomato Substitute: Best Options
1. Sun-dried Tomatoes
Sun-dried tomatoes might be the best alternative for fire-roasted tomatoes, and not because they both have hyphens in the name. What both of these have in common is a unique and distinct flavor.
These tomatoes are baked in the sun to remove all moisture. They are then salted, drizzled with olive oil, and ready to eat. The result is a rich mouth-bursting flavor.
These can be easier to find in grocery stores and work well as a fire-roasted replacement in pizzas.
2. Seared Tomatoes
It might not be the same as roasting a tomato over a fire, but seared tomatoes are still a fantastic option that unlocks many similar flavors through the cooking process.
Take some freshly diced tomatoes:
- Grab a skillet (frying pan)
- Add a little olive oil and brush it over the entire base of the pan
- Cut tomatoes into halves
- Use high heat to preheat the pan until the oil begins to smoke
- Add the tomatoes to the pan and cook until a browned crust begins to develop
- Turn the tomato and repeat
The high heat and browning of the tomato lock in the delicious flavors.
3. Pan-roasted Tomatoes
Pan-roasted tomatoes are a good substitute for fire-roasted tomatoes because they undergo a similar process of being cooked at a consistent heat that will cook evenly. This is also an easier option than searing tomatoes, but the result can be somewhat similar.
- Take your tomatoes and cut them in half
- Add them to an oven dish
- Drizzle in a small amount of olive oil
- Add a little kosher salt or rock salt
- Bake in the oven at high heat for 20-30 minutes
4. Freshly Diced Tomatoes
Using diced tomatoes over other options on this list is a good option when the flavor isn’t as important as the tomato itself. Some recipes taste perfectly fine without fire-roasted tomatoes and they have been recommended as a way to give the whole dish an extra dimension.
Salads are a good example of dishes where freshly-diced tomatoes can be used in place of fire-roasted and perhaps even taste better in some circumstances.
Because diced tomatoes haven’t undergone a cooking process, they do retain water, and this should be taken into account when using them as a substitute in other dishes or recipes.
5. Canned Plum Tomatoes
Canned tomatoes are a good option, but making sure that the tomatoes are plum tomatoes can be an even better idea. They are most similar to fire-roasted tomatoes in texture – although they won’t have the same skin.
Used in place of fire-roasted tomatoes when creating pasta dishes, this can be a good alternative, especially if you remove excess sauce and cut the tomatoes into halves.
Conclusion
No matter the requirement, there are so many brilliant substitutes for fire-roasted tomatoes. There are quick and easy options and even an ideal replacement such as sun-dried. Give them a go and enjoy your cooking!