With these best canned tomatoes at your disposal, you’ll find preparing several dishes in the kitchen a lot easier and more time-saving.
Fresh and delicious, these scrumptious canned tomatoes will help you whip up several dishes for your unforgettable dinners with pizza sauces, soups, bolognese, marinara, chilies, and more.
While there might be the stigma that canned food can never be fresh and delicious, I’m sure that you’ll be surprised once you have a bite of the products on this list. In fact, after trying out these canned tomatoes, you might never go back to fresh ones ever again.
With the ever-increasing availability of canned tomatoes, you might find the sheer number of options quite overwhelming. Understanding the struggle one might have while looking for canned tomatoes, I’ve written this article to help you.
What Are The Advantages Of Canned Tomatoes
If you think that there’s virtually no benefit to canned tomatoes, you’re gravely mistaken. In fact, there are quite a lot of health benefits to canned tomatoes. For instance, canned tomatoes are a great source of several vitamins, fiber, and potassium.
Furthermore, these products are also exceedingly rich in antioxidants, lycopene, and beta-carotene. Because canned tomatoes are usually cooked before they’re canned, your body can absorb these beneficial, cancer-fighting lycopene a lot better.
Additionally, because canned tomatoes come in many forms, you’ll gain access to a wide range of dishes, including stews, salsa, soups, sauce, chilies, curry, and more. Therefore, you’ll be able to quickly whip up a lot of delicious dishes for your friends and family.
The average shelf-life of canned tomatoes is quite impressive as well. So as long as you store these canned tomatoes according to the manufacturer’s instructions, it’s highly unlikely that these products will spoil.
Top Canned Vegetable Brands To Consider
If you haven’t known which brand to buy top-ranking canned tomatoes, let me introduce my 4 favorite brand names with quality foods.
Cento
Cento is a big brand name with several premium tomato-based products. Their items offer the most authentic Italian taste to every recipe. On the other hand, they also highlight the importance of sustainability to enhance customer satisfaction.
Contadina
Opened in 1918, Contadina is another long-standing name in producing canned tomatoes on the market. Packed with care, their products ensure to provide fresh Roma tomato flavor to upgrade your favorite dishes to a new level.
Hunt’s
When it comes to finding perfect tomato sauce/paste packed in cans, Hunt’s is an ideal name. Made from natural, vine-ripened vegetables, their products are also flavored with spices or herbs to enhance the overall flavor.
Muir Glen
You can find several choices for tomato-based products, like salsa or pasta sauce at Muir Glen. Their canned foods are made from organic tomatoes, which are grown on rich soil in California’s Sacramento Valley.
Canned Tomatoes Comparison Table 2023
When buying canned tomatoes, you’ll need to pay attention to certain aspects such as their types, nutrition facts, or servings in each container. Understanding this, I’ve made this comparison chart to help you quickly learn this information.
Which Are The Best Canned Tomatoes To Buy?
The best canned tomatoes to get in 2023 are the Cento San Marzano and the Ro-Tel. These products are exceptionally tasty. Furthermore, they both boast outstanding freshness to ensure that every dish you cook with them will be as restaurant-grade as possible.
Before going into details about all the finest canned tomatoes, you might want to know the key characteristics of each product. Therefore, I’ve included a short description of each product so that you can quickly gain a general overview of my list of recommendations.
- Best Overall – Cento San Marzano Organic 28-oz Canned Tomatoes
“Freshly packed, made from Marzano tomatoes, a product of Italy, included basil leaves, gluten-free, stored in BPA-free containers.” - Best for Budget – Muir Glen Organic 28-oz Canned Tomatoes
“Peeled and diced, organically grown, non-GMO verified, gluten-free, fresh and tasty, free of cholesterol and fat.” - Best for Spaghetti Sauce – Cento All-Purpose 28-oz Canned Tomatoes
“Ideal for many recipes, made from vine-ripened tomatoes, low in sodium level, cholesterol-free, outstandingly fresh.” - Best for Salsa – Cento Imported Italian Peeled 14-oz Canned Tomatoes
“Made from vine-ripened tomatoes, features basil leaves, cholesterol-free, ideal for Italian dishes, packed in BPA-free cans.” - Best for Pizza Sauce – Hunt’s Whole Peeled Plum 14.5-oz Canned Tomatoes
“Packed in tomato juice, fresh and flavorful, all-natural, does not contain preservatives, peeled with hot water,” - Best for Soup – Contadina Roma 29-oz Canned Tomatoes
“Made from Roma tomatoes, smooth texture, ideal for many dishes, made from pure and organic ingredients, free of preservative.” - Best for Tacos – Ro-Tel Mild Diced 10-oz Canned Tomatoes
“Diced tomatoes with green chilies, ideal for a wide range of dishes, not overly spicy, low in carbohydrate, versatile and tasty.” - Best for Marinara – Sclafani Crushed 28-ounce Canned Tomatoes
“Made from vine-ripened tomatoes, fresh and aromatic, excellent consistency, ideal for making Italian-style dishes.” - Best for Bolognese Sauce – Bianco DiNapoli Organic 28-oz Canned Tomatoes
“Organically grown, handpicked and steam-peeled, fresh and tasty, packed in tomato juice, excellent consistency.” - Best for Bruschetta – Mutti Italy Finely Chopped 14-oz Canned Tomatoes
“Packed in BPA-free cans, non-GMO tomatoes, does not have any additives or preservatives, made from sun-ripened tomatoes.” - Best With Green Chilies – Muir Glen Organic 14.5-oz Canned Tomatoes
“Made from organic tomatoes, ideal for various dishes, non-GMO verified, fire-roasted, medium spice, includes green chiles.” - Best With Jalapeno And Habanero – Del Monte Petite Diced 14.5-oz Canned Tomatoes
“Include jalapeno and habanero, made from tomatoes harvested from California, free of preservatives and artificial flavors.”
Reviews For The Best Canned Tomatoes in 2023
Now, let’s get into details about the best canned tomatoes. In this section, I will highlight all the noteworthy aspects of certain products to help you decide which one would be the best choice for you.
1. Cento San Marzano Organic 28-oz Canned Tomatoes
(Best Overall)
Made from vine-ripened tomatoes of the highest quality, the Cento canned tomatoes are famous for their rich and flavorful taste. Arriving in a thick and consistent puree, this premium product from Italy will be a great addition to your kitchen.
When trying out these canned tomatoes from Cento, you’ll notice a subtle yet distinct flavor from basil leaves. The fresh and aromatic taste of this canned food will also further enhance your experience with the product.
Furthermore, the Cento canned tomatoes are stored in BPA-free cans, which means that there’s no need for you to worry about harmful chemicals finding their ways into your food. Additionally, the tomatoes have already been certified by the USDA to be completely organic.
Key Features:
- Freshly packed
- Made from Marzano tomatoes
- Product of Italy
- Include basil leaves
- Gluten-free
- Stored in BPA-free containers
Pros
- These canned tomatoes are tasty enough that you can eat them plain
- Ideal for making thick and consistent sauces
- The puree in this can is of excellent consistency
- Does not contain an overly high amount of salt
Cons
- The cans themselves are slightly fragile
Product Specifications:
If you’re not convinced about these canned tomatoes’ quality, you should check out this video!
2. Muir Glen Organic 28-oz Canned Tomatoes
(Best for Budget)
While the Muir Glen organic canned tomatoes might be among the most affordable products, it does not necessarily mean that it’s of low quality. On the contrary, the Muir Glen diced tomatoes are so tasty that you’ll find yourself to keep coming back for more.
Made from diced and peeled tomatoes, this canned food from Muir Glen is then added with a pinch of sea salt for additional flavors. Organically grown, the tomatoes used for this product have also been verified to be a non-GMO project for your peace of mind.
Because these tomatoes have already been diced in the first place, you’ll find preparing meals with them quite quick and effortless.
With this product at your disposal, you can quickly whip up several dishes such as stews, sauces, or soups cooked in the crockpot that taste just as delicious as food made from fresh tomatoes.
Key Features:
- Peeled and diced
- Organically grown
- Non-GMO verified
- Gluten-free
Pros
- Excellent freshness
- Does not contain any cholesterol or fat, thus ensuring a healthier meal
- Impressive thickness and consistency
- Great value for money
Cons
- These cans may get dented easily under strong impact
Product Specifications:
In case you’re interested in seeing how the Muir Glen canned tomatoes are made, you can have a look at this video for more information.
3. Cento All-Purpose 28-oz Canned Tomatoes
(Best for Pizza Sauce)
Making restaurant-grade spaghetti sauce at home will be as easy as ABC with the Cento canned tomatoes. Featuring high-quality, vine-ripened crushed tomatoes, this product from Cento will also help you whip up several dishes such as pizza sauce, Sunday gravies, tomato ragu, and more.
Containing only a low level of sodium, the Cento all-purpose canned tomatoes prove to be an excellent choice for virtually everyone, including those with kidney problems and high blood pressure. Furthermore, this product also does not contain any cholesterol whatsoever.
Key Features:
- Ideal for many recipes
- Made from vine-ripened tomatoes
- Low in sodium level
- Cholesterol-free
Pros
- Exceedingly fresh and tasty
- The thick consistency of this product can reduce the cooking time needed
- These tomatoes do not have any bitter or metallic taste to them
- Stored in a BPA-free can
- Arrive at a great price
Cons
- This product is not suitable for those who follow a kosher diet
Product Specifications:
4. Cento Imported Italian Peeled 14-oz Canned Tomatoes
(Best for Salsa)
With the Cento canned tomatoes, you’ll be able to quickly curb your craving for salsa – a spectacular starter in any summer meal. The vine-ripened tomatoes used for making this product are picked fresh and then immediately canned to preserve their maximum freshness.
These canned tomatoes also feature a decent amount of basil leaves for a richer and more refined taste. Thanks to its authentic Italian flavors, this product from Cento proves to be an outstanding choice for whipping up delicious Italian dishes as well.
Key Features:
- Made from vine-ripened tomatoes
- Features basil leaves
- Cholesterol-free
- Ideal for Italian dishes
Pros
- All packed in BPA-free cans for your peace of mind
- Vibrant color and a delicious flavor
- You can make an excellent sauce and gravy with this product
- Quite low in sodium level
Cons
- The cans might be somewhat hard to open
Product Specifications:
5. Hunt’s Whole Peeled Plum 14.5-oz Canned Tomatoes
(Best for Spaghetti sauce)
Thanks to Hunt’s whole canned tomatoes, you can now surprise your friends and family with scrumptious homemade pizzas. Packed in their very own juices, these fresh whole plum tomatoes will bring excellent freshness and great flavors to your food.
To ensure that every bite of food made from this product is an absolute delight, the brand only picks the freshest and highest quality vine-ripened tomatoes. Furthermore, these tomatoes are all-natural and entirely free of preservatives or harmful chemicals.
You might be wondering how these tomatoes are peeled before the canning process. Well, these tomatoes are peeled with hot water. Therefore, you can also rest assured that this canned food is already cooked in the first place, meaning that you can eat it plain if you want to.
Key Features:
- Packed in tomato juice
- Fresh and flavorful
- All-natural
- Does not contain preservatives
- Peeled with hot water
Pros
- Aside from sauces, you can also make soups, stews, chili, and other dishes with this canned food
- Affordable price
- Virtually free of fat and cholesterol for a healthier meal
- This pre-made food works best for small recipes
Cons
- The tomatoes might be somewhat sweet for some people
Product Specifications:
6. Contadina Roma 29-oz Canned Tomatoes
(Best for Soup)
With the Contadina canned tomatoes at your disposal, making hot, savory soup can’t get any easier than this. Made from high-quality Roma tomatoes, this canned tomato puree will make sure that all dishes made with it will taste irresistible and amazing.
If you’re not a fan of chunky tomato sauces, you’ll definitely appreciate how smooth and consistent the texture of this product is. As a result, you will find that blending this canned tomato sauce is quite easy and effortless.
Furthermore, this product from Contadina also proves to be a great choice for quick pasta sauce, meatballs, and other Italian-inspired dinner dishes. Therefore, when buying the Contadina canned tomatoes, you’ll also get a wider range of cooking options to enrich your diet.
Key Features:
- Made from Roma tomatoes
- Smooth texture
- Ideal for soup, stews, sauce, and other Italian dishes
Pros
- Made from pure and organic ingredients for the highest quality possible
- Does not contain any preservatives
- Outstanding, fresh, and delicious
- Despite its high quality, this product comes at a surprisingly affordable price
Cons
- This canned food contains a quite high amount of sodium
Product Specifications:
7. Ro-Tel Mild Diced 10-oz Canned Tomatoes
(Best for Tacos)
If you’re a fan of tacos, you definitely shouldn’t miss these canned tomatoes from Ro-Tel. Made from diced vine-ripened tomatoes and zesty green chilies, this canned food is a perfect combination to yield the perfect tacos.
Of course, it goes without saying that your options are not limited to only tacos alone. With the Ro-tel diced canned tomatoes with green chilies, you can also whip up several other dishes such as tortilla soups, queso, salsa, or anything other dishes that require a subtle hint of spices.
Don’t worry if you can’t handle the heat very well; these canned tomatoes only feature a pleasant hint of spice. Therefore, this product will not be too spicy to handle, even if you’re normally not good with hot food.
If you prefer something spicier, you can try this variation of the product instead. Similarly, if you like your tomatoes chunky, you will surely love this one.
Key Features:
- Diced tomatoes with green chilies
- Ideal for tacos, queso, salsa, tortilla soups, and more
- Not overly spicy
Pros
- Low in carbohydrates, making it suitable for keto diets
- Impressive flavors
- These canned tomatoes prove to be an excellent bargain
- Because it’s suitable for a wide range of dishes, this product is highly versatile
Cons
- The cans are somewhat fragile.
Product Specifications:
8. Sclafani Crushed 28-ounce Canned Tomatoes
(Best for Marinara)
Making marinara sauce at home will be surprisingly simple with these amazing canned tomatoes from Sclafani. Why? Because the secret to making tasty marinara is a fresh and tasty can of tomatoes, and this product from Sclafani is more than qualified to make this Italian sauce.
Made from high-quality vine-ripened tomatoes, the Sclafani canned food boasts impressive freshness. In fact, any dishes cooked with this fantastic product will taste just as if they were made with freshly harvested tomatoes from the farm.
Furthermore, these canned tomatoes also have exceptional flavors and aromas. As a result, you’ll only need to add a few cloves of garlic, onions, and dried oregano into the mix to whip up a mouth-watering pot of homemade marinara sauce.
Key Features:
- Made from vine-ripened tomatoes
- Fresh, flavorful, and aromatic
- Excellent consistency
Pros
- Ideal for making Italian-style dishes
- The canned tomatoes have an aesthetically pleasing and rich color of red
- Contains a reasonable amount of sodium
- Can shorten your preparation time significantly
Cons
- This canned food might have small bits of tomato skins in it.
Product Specifications:
9. Bianco DiNapoli Organic 28-oz Canned Tomatoes
(Best for Bolognese Sauce)
If you’re craving some scrumptious bolognese, you can consider getting the Bianco DiNapoli organic canned tomatoes, which are a favorite among professionals and amateurs alike. With this product and some premium ground beef, you can easily make the best bolognese sauce.
Made from organically grown tomatoes, this product from Bianco DiNapoli will bring a fresh and delicious flavor to your dishes. Carefully picked by hand, washed, and steam-peeled, these canned tomatoes will taste as amazing as fresh ones.
Of course, you don’t have to limit your options to bolognese sauce alone. Thanks to its amazing taste and texture, this product from Bianco DiNapoli can also be an ideal ingredient for many other dishes such as pizzas, pasta, soups, casseroles, and more.
If you find cooking sauces with whole peeled tomatoes to be too time-consuming, you might want to opt for this variation of the product, which offers delicious crushed tomatoes.
Key Features:
- Organically grown
- Handpicked and steam-peeled
- Fresh and tasty
Pros
- Packed in their own juices for a better flavor
- Features organic basil leaves for a more authentic Italian taste
- The tomatoes are of decently large size
- Amazing thickness and consistency
Cons
- The product is somewhat on the pricey side
Product Specifications:
10. Mutti Italy Finely Chopped 14-oz Canned Tomatoes
(Best for Bruschetta)
With the Muti Italy canned tomatoes and a few slices of grilled garlic bread, you will be able to make heavenly bruschetta right in your own kitchen with ease. Made from sun-ripened tomatoes with a dash of Mediterranean sea salt, the product has a flavorful taste and a pleasant aroma.
To ensure the product is as healthy and nutritious as possible, Mutti has made sure to use non-GMO tomatoes only. Additionally, this product does not have any additives or preservatives whatsoever. Furthermore, the food is also packed in a BPA-free can to prevent harmful chemical leaking.
Key Features:
- Packed in BPA-free cans
- Non-GMO tomatoes
- Does not have any additives or preservatives
- Made from sun-ripened tomatoes
Pros
- Exceedingly fresh and tasty
- Low in carbohydrates and ideal for keto diets
- The tomatoes are diced to a fine level
- The product does not feature any fillers that might alter the taste of your food
Cons
- The product is rather expensive
Product Specifications:
11. Muir Glen Organic 14.5-oz Canned Tomatoes
(Best With Green Chilies)
Another fantastic product from the beloved brand Muir Glen, these canned tomatoes feature some of the best green chilies to satisfy those who love spicy food. With an additional pinch of sea salt, the product has a refined flavor profile that will make you find it quite irresistible.
Made from diced tomatoes, this product from Muir Glen has an amazing taste and an outstanding freshness. Why? This is because harvested tomatoes are canned in less than 8 hours after being brought from the field.
Thanks to their rich flavor profile, these canned tomatoes will make an excellent addition to your meals. You can easily add this product to a wide range of dishes, including soups, sauces, salsa, casserole, and more.
Key Features:
- Made from organic tomatoes
- Ideal for various dishes
- Non-GMO verified
- Fire-roasted
- Medium spice
Pros
- The fire roast process adds some extra flavor to the canned tomatoes
- The cans used for packing this food do not contain BPA or harmful chemicals whatsoever
- Suitable for a wide range of diets, including keto and paleo
- Features wholesome, fresh, and pure ingredients only
- Organic farming method
Cons
- The cans are vulnerable to dent damage
- The diced tomatoes can sometimes be too small
Product Specifications:
Interested in the making of this product? If so, you can watch this very informative video.
12. Del Monte Petite Diced 14.5-oz Canned Tomatoes
(Best With Jalapeno And Habanero)
If you think that green chilies are not your cup of tea, you can opt for the Del Monte canned tomatoes instead, which feature scrumptious jalapeno and habanero for your enjoyment. As a result, these canned tomatoes have a rich and hot taste that spice lovers will definitely love.
Thanks to its spicy flavors, this product proves to be an amazing choice for Mexican or Southwestern dishes. With no artificial flavors or preservatives, it is also ideal for health-aware individuals.
Furthermore, these tomatoes have been sealed and packaged as carefully as possible. Therefore, the product can properly preserve its freshness for a long time. So you can feel free to stock up these fantastic canned tomatoes for a quick meal from time to time.
Key Features:
- Includes jalapeno and habanero
- Hot
- Made from tomatoes harvested from California
- Free of preservatives and artificial flavors
Pros
- The spiciness of this product is quite pleasant
- The flavors and aromas of these canned tomatoes make them suitable for a wide range of dishes
- Suitable for several dietary styles, including keto and vegan
- The cans used for storing the tomatoes are quite sturdy and BPA-free
Cons
- These canned tomatoes contain a bit high level of sodium
Product Specifications:
Buying Guide
If you feel that the sheer number of options available is still somewhat overwhelming, I’m sure that you will find this buying guide helpful and informative. So be sure to check out my tips and advice on how to find the best canned tomatoes.
Types Of Canned Tomatoes
As you can see, there are many types of canned tomatoes, including whole peeled, diced, crushed, puree, and more. Each of these types is more suitable for certain dishes than others.
If you want something with the most versatility, you should choose whole peeled tomatoes, which you can easily dice or crush if the recipe calls for it. On the other hand, dice and crushed tomatoes can save you a lot of time, especially if you’re making sauce or soup.
Ingredients
Canned tomatoes can simply contain tomatoes alone, or other ingredients such as basil leaves, salt, sugar, corn syrup, cheese, chilies, and more. Depending on your taste and preferences, you might need canned tomatoes with or without additional ingredients.
Nutritional Values
For those who need to follow a strict diet, you might need to check out the nutritional facts of the canned tomatoes before buying them. For instance, if you have kidney problems or high blood pressure issues, you should avoid products high in sodium.
Furthermore, some canned tomatoes might contain added sugars to improve the product’s taste or improve its shelf life. Therefore, if you need to limit your daily sugar intake, be sure to avoid products high in sugar content.
Packaging
You should always choose products that feature BPA-free cans to make sure that they will not leak harmful chemicals into your tomatoes. Furthermore, because cans are highly susceptible to dent damage during transportation, you should opt for those with durable and sturdy packaging.
FAQs
If you’re afraid that you don’t know how to properly use canned tomatoes, you can check out this FAQ section to learn more information regarding these products.
My Top Pick
After careful consideration and evaluation, I’ve come to decide that my top pick for the best canned tomatoes is the Cento San Marzano Organic 28-oz Canned Tomatoes. This product is made from the finest of San Marzano tomatoes from Italy for the most authentic Italian taste in your dish.
Furthermore, the Muir Glen Organic 28-oz Canned Tomatoes is another good choice when it comes to finding the best budget product. They are made from organic tomatoes and free of fat, cholesterol, and gluten, making your dishes not only tastier but also healthier.
What’s your favorite dish to cook with canned tomatoes? Do you have any recipes for canned tomatoes? Is there anything you’d want to ask me regarding these products? If yes, please comment in the section below. If you like my post, please like and share it. Thank you and have a nice day!
