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Home » Main Courses

Recipes with Tomato Paste (What to do with leftover tomato paste)

Published: Nov 30, 2020 · Modified: May 13, 2023 by Nicole B.

From spicy sauces to hearty curries and stews, these recipes with tomato paste help you use up that opened can in no time.

An opened can of tomato paste on a table.
Full of intense flavor, tomato paste adds umami to everything from sauces to stews to curries.

Does this sound familiar? You open a can of tomato paste. You use two tablespoons of it in the recipe you’re making that night. You spoon the remaining paste out of the can and into a container. (You even carefully scrape down the narrow walls of the can so as to not waste any of it.) You put the container in the fridge and…six weeks later you throw it away.

At least I have done this countless times but it doesn’t have to be that way! Tomato paste is an incredibly versatile ingredient. You can use it in a huge variety of recipes all the way from curries to paprika sauce.

Jump to:
  • Why is there always tomato paste left over?
  • How many tablespoons are in a can of tomato paste?
  • How do you store leftover canned tomato paste?
  • How long does tomato paste last in the fridge?
  • How to freeze tomato paste:
  • How to thaw frozen tomato paste:
  • Tasty recipes that use tomato paste:
  • Comments

Why is there always tomato paste left over?

Tomato paste packs such intense, concentrated flavor that you only ever need a few tablespoons at most for a recipe. But even the smallest can you can generally find in the store (6 ounces) contains 10 tablespoons of tomato paste. That means you’re almost guaranteed to have a bunch left over after opening a can. So how can you use it? Read on to find out what to do with leftover tomato paste.

Jump to:
  • Why is there always tomato paste left over?
  • How many tablespoons are in a can of tomato paste?
  • How do you store leftover canned tomato paste?
  • How long does tomato paste last in the fridge?
  • How to freeze tomato paste:
  • How to thaw frozen tomato paste:
  • Tasty recipes that use tomato paste:
  • Comments

How many tablespoons are in a can of tomato paste?

Can size:Contains how many tablespoons:
6 ounces10 tablespoons (½ cup plus 2 tablespoons)
12 ounces20 tablespoons (1 ¼ cup)

Source: Hunt’s Tomato Paste Nutrition Label, Nutrition Facts

How do you store leftover canned tomato paste?

Transfer leftover tomato paste into an airtight plastic or glass container and keep in the fridge for 5 to 7 days. For safety reasons and to preserve taste, don’t store tomato paste in the opened can in the fridge.

Tomato paste in a can and in a plastic container.

How long does tomato paste last in the fridge?

You can store tomato paste in the fridge for 5 to 7 days, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. After that you should either use it or freeze it.

How to freeze tomato paste:

If you know you’re not going to use your tomato paste within a few days of opening the can, you can always freeze it. If you do that, I recommend you portion it out so you can use it a tablespoon at a time.

Portion out tablespoon-sized balls of tomato paste and set them on a small baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Pop the sheet in the freezer until the balls are firm, then transfer them into a freezer bag. (TIP: Label the bag with the amount per portion (i.e. 1 tablespoon)). Tomato paste will last about 2 months in the freezer.

Tomato paste dollops on a foil-lined baking sheet.

How to thaw frozen tomato paste:

As long as you have small individual portions of frozen tomato paste (such as 1 tablespoon each) you can add those frozen directly into what you’re cooking. They will thaw very quickly and there is no need to thaw them beforehand.

Tasty recipes that use tomato paste:

Here are some delicious ideas for what to cook with tomato paste. Each of the recipes below uses between 1 and 4 tablespoons tomato paste.

1. Spicy Smoked Paprika Sauce with Cilantro

Full of spice and flavor, this sauce is great with chicken and rice. Bonus: it’s ready in 12 minutes from start to finish!

Spicy Smoked Paprika Sauce for Chicken
Make a gourmet smoked paprika sauce in minutes with only 8 common ingredients!
This recipe makes about 1 cup of sauce.
GO to RECIPE
Paprika sauce in a bowl with cilantro.

2. Thai Chicken Curry

Aromatic spices, fresh vegetables and a coconut pineapple sauce make this Thai curry a flavorful dinner.

Thai Pineapple Yellow Chicken Curry with Coconut Milk
This Thai pineapple yellow chicken curry with coconut milk is an easy one-pan dinner full of delicious spices.
GO to RECIPE
Yellow chicken curry in a bowl on a wooden coaster.

3. Chunky Chili

Tender chunks of beef and lots of delicious spices give this chili a lot of flavor and depth.

Chunky Chuck Roast Chili (Dutch Oven)
This hearty, comforting chunky chuck roast chili is full of flavor and easily made on the stovetop in a Dutch oven.
GO to RECIPE
Chunky beef chili in a Dutch oven.

4. Slow Cooker Indian Chicken Curry

This slow cooked dinner features melt-in-your-mouth tender chicken thighs in a spicy tomato curry sauce.

Slow Cooker Indian Chicken Curry with Chicken Thighs
This slow cooker Indian chicken curry with chicken thighs is full of flavor from both ground spices and spice seeds.
GO to RECIPE
Indian chicken curry in a bowl with naan and cilantro.

5. Oven-Baked Spicy Pulled Chicken

Spicy, tangy and dressed in a sweet and sour sauce, this pulled chicken is perfect in a hearty dinner sandwich.

Oven Pulled Chicken
A homemade spice rub makes these fall-apart tender, slow-baked oven pulled chicken thighs extra flavorful.
GO to RECIPE
Pulled chicken on a plate with pickles and buns.

6. Easy Chicken Tikka Masala

Buttery, creamy and full of delicious spices, this classic is flavorful and easy to make.

Chicken Tikka Masala (Dutch Oven and Grill)
A great recipe for a creamy, buttery, flavorful and easy chicken tikka masala.
GO to RECIPE
Chicken tikka masala being stirred in a Dutch oven.

7. Five-Minute Rosemary Cream Sauce

Creamy and full of flavor from rosemary, tomato and extra dry vermouth, this quick sauce takes dinner to the next level.

Rosemary Cream Sauce for Chicken
Turn your dinner into a gourmet meal with this quick, easy and delicious rosemary cream sauce for chicken.
GO to RECIPE
Rosemary cream sauce in a bowl with a spoon.

8. Jerk Shrimp Pasta

Drenched in a creamy and spicy tomato sauce, this jerk shrimp pasta dish makes a stellar dinner that’s surprisingly easy to make.

Creamy Jamaican Jerk Shrimp Pasta
This easy, creamy Jamaican jerk shrimp pasta dish is made with a spicy and creamy tomato sauce that's full of flavor.
GO to RECIPE
Jerk shrimp pasta on a plate with a spoon.

9. Spicy Chipotle Cream Sauce

Creamy, tangy, spicy, smoky and delicious, this easy sauce takes chicken breast to a new level.

Creamy Chipotle Sauce for Chicken
This spicy and delicious creamy chipotle sauce for chicken is made with canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. Makes about 1 cup of sauce.
GO to RECIPE
Chicken covered in creamy chipotle sauce with rice and green beans.

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