Canned tomatoes are an essential part of any pantry, yet there are so There are numerous choices available. In order to identify the top option for three common cooking uses, I opted to carry out an evaluation. canned tomato The initial phase? I head to the supermarket for the tasting session.
Opening cans again back there In the Test Kitchen, I observed numerous variations among canned tomatoes. Some included additives such as calcium chloride, others had varying consistencies from thin to thick sauces, and several came with added herbs like basil. It turns out that not every canned tomato is made alike! After tasting 11 different brands of canned whole tomatoes together, here are my top picks tailored for three distinct cooking techniques, along with an additional choice that excelled overall.
What Kind of Tomatoes Are Included in Canned Tomatoes?
Firstly, let’s delve into what precisely goes inside a can of tomatoes. Typically, these cans contain plum tomatoes, often being either San Marzano—a specific variety—or Roma types. The San Marzano tomato holds a special status; should you spot “San Marzano” labeled on your can, know that this signifies the product originates specifically from the Agro Sarnese Nocerino area within Campania, Italy. These tomatoes stand out due to their optimal balance between skin, seeds, and pulp content. Genuine San Marzano products will feature an additional tag marked as "D.O.P.", standing for "Protected Designation of Origin". This ensures authenticity, verifying that the produce was both grown and picked in the designated Italian district. However, if only “San Marzano” appears without mentioning the D.O.P., then the contents might lack official certification of genuine provenance.
Ideal for Sunday Sauce: Red_pack
The secret to a great Sunday sauce Cooking it for hours along with other seasonings will imbue it with plenty of flavor. Therefore, opting for a less intense choice such as Red Pack is perfectly fine. This brand offers a pleasant taste without being overly sweet or strong, making it suitable to pair with onions, garlic, olive oil, fatty pork ribs, beefy meatballs, or whatever additional components you might include in your long-stewed sauce.
Best For Marinara: Cento
My version of marinara Is a swift, aromatic sauce that you can whip up in a pot or frying pan effortlessly. Cento serves as an excellent choice for such a sauce since, based on my tasting session, it boasts a smooth, silky texture without being overly sugary. It holds its own even when combined with onions, which are essential components in many marinara sauces. The brand maintains an ideal thickness right out of the can, rendering it suitable for easy, speedily-prepared dishes.
Best for Pizza: La Fede
In this selection, I opted for tomatoes that shine without needing many additional components and cook swiftly. The La Fede canned tomatoes work wonderfully as a pizza sauce since they lack bitterness, offer ample natural sweetness, and possess the ideal consistency for a sauce. These tomatoes come from D.O.P. San Marzano stock, which, in my opinion, offers an excellent choice for crafting a traditional Neapolitan-style pizza. Being authentically Italian certainly adds to their appeal.
Best Overall: San Merican
I initially intended to choose a genuine D.O.P. San Marzano tomato as my favorite, but surprisingly, this particular one made with ordinary tomatoes stood out instead. In the blind taste test, I really enjoyed how smooth this brand’s consistency was along with its perfectly balanced blend of sweetness and savoriness. Although not overly thick, the purée inside the can also didn’t seem watery; it possessed a mild flavor profile suitable for various uses. Incorporate this into the foundation of your Neapolitan-style pizza dough. tomato soup , or as a beginning for sauce—and you’re ahead.
