Which Canned Tomatoes Should You Buy? Whole, Diced or Crushed

Buy whole peeled tomatoes when you want to choose the size of the pieces yourself, diced tomatoes for distinct chunks, and crushed tomatoes for a quick sauce base. At the shelf, picture the texture you want in the finished dish.

Match the cut to the dish

Break whole peeled tomatoes into rough pieces with the back of a spoon, or crush them finer in the pan. Use diced tomatoes in a bean stew or soup when you want visible chunks in each spoonful. Crushed tomatoes pour easily and have small pieces, so they give pasta sauce a head start.

Read past the product name

Check whether the tomatoes come in juice or purée, which can differ in thickness. Look for added salt or herbs such as basil and season accordingly. Some manufacturers add calcium chloride to help whole or diced tomatoes hold their shape. Check the label for it if you want the tomatoes to break down easily.

Common questions

Can diced tomatoes replace crushed?

Yes. Pulse the diced tomatoes with their liquid in a blender. If the result is too thin, simmer it uncovered to reduce it slightly.

Should I drain the can?

Use the liquid in soup or sauce. For a thicker mixture, hold some liquid back and add it once you can see the consistency.

To put a can to work, try this tomato sauce with onion and garlic and check how the sauce coats a spoon.

For product texture and calcium chloride, see Mutti’s crushed tomatoes page and Muir Glen’s FAQ.