SaurabhTomato is not just a veggie that we use in salads or in our cooking, but many things can come out of it. Tomato juice is one of the most common ingredients that are used not just in cooking, but also in cocktails such as the popular Bloody Mary.
Tomato juice is made of smashed tomatoes with the seeds removed. The sweet, fruity, and earthy flavors are perfect in many recipes.
You can add salt or sugar to improve the taste and the acidity.
A big advantage of tomato juice is that you don’t always need to buy it from the store because you can always make one at home. However, if you are looking for alternatives to tomato juice, is there another way?
Substitutes for Tomato Juice
Read more on how to make the best tomato juice at home. Further, read more if you are making Bloody Mary and you have no tomato juice, which will be a good substitute.
1. Tomato sauce
A tomato sauce is the first alternative on our list.
The texture is not the same, but you can achieve it by using water of course. You can mix up a part of tomato sauce and part of water. Mix it all together to make the ideal tomato juice and use it in your recipe.
Keep in mind that the sauce may include additional flavors and seasoning so the taste may not be the exact same. Use either equal amounts or adjust based on the other ingredients.
2. Tomato paste
Tomato paste is one of the options that we can recommend to use for tomato juice.
The texture is different but you can achieve a similarity by adding water. Use four parts of water for 1 part of tomato paste and mix it all together.
You won’t notice much of a difference since the taste will be practically the same. You can use it in most of the recipes that call for tomato juice and adjust accordingly.
3. Diced canned tomatoes
An easily found tomato-based replacement for tomato juice is diced canned tomatoes. They are freshly chopped up and canned tomatoes that have tomato juice, citric acid, and calcium.
You can use the whole can, place it in a food processor and blend it until you get a very smooth texture. Drain the juice to remove the seeds and use the juice. Keep in mind the taste and add sugar accordingly if you want to adjust the taste.
4. Tomato soup
Another tomato-based replacement for tomato juice is the soup. Even though the texture and taste may be different, the main tomato taste will remain. To accomplish a similar texture as juice, you’ll need water to make it more liquid.
Use one part of soup with the addition of three parts of water. The taste of the soup is a bit sweetener than the juice, but you can reduce the other sweet ingredients and adjust accordingly to the recipe.
5. Ketchup
Something that we all have in our fridge, and a good replacement for tomato juice is ketchup. Ketchup is more concentrated and seasoned, so the taste and texture may differ, but you can achieve making it similar to tomato juice by adding water.
The sweetness will be practically the same, but the water will make the consistency similar. For 1 part of ketchup, you’ll need 8parts of water so you’ll get almost the same texture.
Keep in mind that the spices in the ketchup can make the taste a bit different. However, you can adjust accordingly to the recipe you are making.
6. Vegetable broth
Even though you may think that it’s not that suitable, the vegetable broth will be a good liquid replacement for tomato juice.
You can always use what you have at reach and adjust the concentration. Depending on what kind of vegetable broth you use, you can make the taste to be similar to the taste of tomato juice.
Since the tomatoes are sweet with a tangy element, to imitate that you can add lemon juice or vinegar to the vegetable broth. Adjust the quantity based on the other ingredients and do not overuse.
7. Roasted red peppers
The red color of the red peppers will fit perfectly as a substitute for tomato juice in your cooking. Roasted red peppers are the alternative that you are looking for since they’ll add extra flavor and smell to your dish.
All you need to do is blend the peppers with water until you reach the perfect consistency. The flavor may be a bit distinctive but it will be nice for many recipes.
8. Tamarind
Another suitable replacement for tomato juice is tamarind thanks to the tangy flavor and rich color that will be ideal for your recipes. There might be a slight difference between them, but tamarind will adjust very well in the recipes that require tomato juice.
You can always add water to make it more liquid and make the consistency closer to the tomato juice. Use equal amounts with water or adjust based on the other ingredients.
9. Fresh tomatoes
There is nothing better than using fresh veggies and especially fresh tomatoes for tomato juice. You can always use them to create a juice on your own and adjust the quantity that is required based on your recipe.
It is a healthy option, but keep in mind that you need to remove the seeds before use. You can add additional water if the texture is not liquid enough.
Balance by adding a bit of salt and sugar for the acidity of the flavor. Use one large tomato for a tablespoon of tomato sauce in your cooking.
10. Beet juice
Similar to tomato juice and a good substitute would be beet juice. This juice is another healthy option which will improve your health and you’ll get a nice result in the end.
You can easily replace beet juice in almost any recipe that requires tomato juice. The sweet and earthy flavor of the beet juice may not be the same, but they will fit in your recipe.
The color is not the same but the juice will be perfect for your recipes. You can always add a bit of lemon so you’ll get a similar taste.
How to Make Tomato Juice at Home?
Tomato juice can be easily found at the market and many people tend to buy and store it for later use.
But if you don’t have any it’s easy to find a replacement. All you need is a bag of tomatoes and a blender to create your own juice at home.
You can use the ripest tomatoes that you have and you need some sugar to balance the acidity. You can add extra seasoning, onion, salt, and black pepper for additional taste.
It is very easy and fast, and also you’ll find a good use for those ripped tomatoes instead of throwing them out.
Tomato Juice Substitute for Bloody Mary
Tomato juice has many purposes and the most common is to make Bloody Mary. However, is there a way to replace the tomato juice with something else that will provide similar results?
Yes! You can easily use something else if you don’t have tomato juice or want to use something totally different. For instance, whole canned tomatoes work very well in Bloody Mary. First, you need to smash them and let them slowly drain. The juice will be great to make a coctail.
Fresh tomatoes are also another way to make a proper substitute for Bloody Mary. You’ll have a nice fresh tomato juice, which will benefit the cocktail and make it more delicious.
Related Questions
What is the difference between tomato sauce and tomato juice?
Both tomato sauce and tomato juice are commonly used and have many benefits in our kitchen. However, the difference is how they are made.
This means that the stewed and peeled tomatoes are pureed to make the sauce while the liquid that is strained is used to create tomato juice.
Can you use tomato soup in place of tomato juice?
Yes, tomato soup is a good replacement for tomato juice. The flavor, texture, and color are quite similar.
Can I substitute tomato juice for tomato sauce?
Yes, tomato juice finds its replacement in tomato sauce.
You can use ½ cup of tomato sauce and ½ cup of water to get to the right texture and replace a cup of tomato juice. Add an additional pinch of salt and sugar to create a balanced flavor.
Can I substitute V8 for tomato juice?
V8 juice can replace tomato juice in many recipes.
What is important to note about V8 juice is that it has more vitamins A and C. It is also a healthy option. You can use this swap in many recipes that require tomato juice.
