Sloppy Joes are a classic American dish that originated in the 1930s. This delicious, messy sandwich is made with ground beef, onions, and a sweet and tangy tomato-based sauce, and is typically served on a soft, sweet bun. But what do you do if you don’t have tomato paste on hand?
Enter tomato sauce: a common kitchen staple that can easily be substituted for tomato paste in sloppy joes. While the two ingredients have different textures and levels of concentrated tomato flavor, there are a few simple tricks you can use to ensure that your sloppy joes turn out just as delicious as always. So, the question remains, can you use tomato sauce instead of paste for sloppy joes? Let’s find out.
The Difference between Tomato Sauce and Paste
When it comes to cooking Sloppy Joes, the recipe typically calls for tomato paste. But what if you don’t have any tomato paste on hand? Can you substitute tomato sauce instead? It’s a common question, and while the two may seem interchangeable, there are some notable differences.
Tomato paste is concentrated tomato puree that has been cooked down to remove most of the water. It has a deep and rich flavor that is essential in many recipes, including Sloppy Joes. On the other hand, tomato sauce is a basic tomato puree that has been lightly seasoned and cooked down to create a thinner consistency. It’s often used as a base for other sauces and soups. While both products are made from tomatoes, tomato paste has a more robust flavor that can’t be replicated by tomato sauce.
Ingredients Ratio for Sloppy Joes with Tomato Sauce
When substituting tomato sauce for tomato paste in your sloppy joes, it’s important to adjust the amount of other ingredients to maintain the right flavor and consistency. Generally, you’ll need about triple the amount of tomato sauce than the amount of paste called for in the recipe. For example, if your recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of tomato paste, you’ll need to use 3 tablespoons of tomato sauce instead.
The amount of sugar and vinegar in the recipe should also be adjusted accordingly. Since tomato sauce is sweeter than tomato paste, you may want to reduce the amount of sugar by 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon per tablespoon of paste that you’re substituting. Similarly, since tomato sauce is less acidic than paste, you may want to reduce the amount of vinegar by 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon per tablespoon of paste that you’re substituting to avoid an overly sour flavor.
How to Thicken Tomato Sauce for Sloppy Joes
Tomato sauce can be a suitable substitute for tomato paste when making Sloppy Joes; however, it is essential to thicken the sauce to attain the right consistency required for the recipe. There are a few ways to make your tomato sauce thicker, including simmering it over low heat, adding a slurry, and using a cornstarch mixture.
One method of thickening tomato sauce is to simmer it over low heat. This process allows the excess liquid to evaporate slowly, thereby reducing the sauce’s volume and making it thicker. Stirring regularly can prevent the sauce from sticking to the pan. Another option is to thicken your sauce by creating a slurry by combining equal parts water and cornstarch. Adding this mixture to the sauce can help thicken it while also giving it a glossy finish. These two methods are easy to accomplish and produce satisfactory results when preparing Sloppy Joes with tomato sauce instead of paste.
Enhancing the Flavor of Sloppy Joes with Tomato Sauce
Using tomato sauce instead of paste for Sloppy Joes is a great way to enhance its flavor. Tomato sauce is thicker than ketchup and has a sweeter and more robust flavor, which blends well with the ground beef and other ingredients in the dish. You can use diced, pureed, or seasoned tomato sauce to give your Sloppy Joes a more complex taste.
To enhance the flavor of Sloppy Joes with tomato sauce further, you can add a touch of Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, or apple cider vinegar. These ingredients can help balance out the sweetness of the tomato sauce and add a tangy and savory flavor to the dish. Additionally, you can experiment with herbs and spices like cumin, chili powder, garlic, and onion powder to make your Sloppy Joes even more flavorful. By using tomato sauce and a few other ingredients, you can create a delicious and unique Sloppy Joe recipe that your family and friends will love.
Using Tomato Sauce for Vegetarian Sloppy Joes
Vegetarian sloppy joes are an excellent alternative to meat-based sloppy joes. Tomato sauce can be incredibly versatile in creating vegetarian sloppy joes. It works great as a base for the sauce and adds a tangy and sweet flavor to the dish.
Using tomato sauce instead of paste for vegetarian sloppy joes means you can be more flexible with your recipe. Tomato sauce is thinner than paste, so the consistency of the sauce is easier to achieve without watering it down. Additionally, tomato sauce can be used as a base for other ingredients such as lentils, mushrooms, or soy crumbles to add bulk and texture to the dish. Overall, using tomato sauce instead of paste in vegetarian sloppy joes is an easy and delicious way to add more flavor and flexibility to your recipe.
How to Store Sloppy Joes Made with Tomato Sauce
Once you have prepared the Sloppy Joes with tomato sauce, it is essential to store them properly. To do this, allow the mixture to cool down to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. You can then either refrigerate or freeze the Sloppy Joes, depending on when you plan to use them again.
If you plan to use them within three to four days, place the container in the refrigerator. Ensure the Sloppy Joes are covered appropriately and stored in the refrigerator’s coldest section. On the other hand, if you plan to keep them longer, place the container in the freezer. The Sloppy Joes can last in the freezer for up to three months. To reheat, take the container out of the freezer and transfer it to the refrigerator to defrost overnight. Reheat the Sloppy Joes in a saucepan over medium heat and serve as needed.
Alternative Uses for Tomato Sauce in Sloppy Joes.
Alternative Uses for Tomato Sauce in Sloppy Joes:
Tomato sauce is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many different ways to add flavor to your sloppy joes. Here are a few alternative uses for tomato sauce that you may want to try:
1. Combine tomato sauce with Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and mustard for a tangy barbecue sauce that can be used in place of ketchup.
2. Use tomato sauce as a base for a pizza-themed sloppy joe by adding pepperoni, onions, and green peppers.
3. Create a spicy sloppy joe by adding chili powder, cumin, and Tabasco sauce to tomato sauce.
4. Add diced tomatoes, corn, and black beans to tomato sauce for a Tex-Mex-inspired sloppy joe with a bit of a kick.
With a little creativity, there are many different ways to use tomato sauce to elevate your sloppy joes. Experiment with different flavors and ingredients to find the perfect combination for you and your family!
The Conclusion
After a thorough analysis, it can be concluded that tomato sauce is a viable alternative to tomato paste when making Sloppy Joes. While tomato paste has a more concentrated flavor and thicker consistency, tomato sauce can easily be thickened by simmering it for some time. It is also readily available in grocery stores and more affordable than tomato paste, making it a convenient option for many cooks.
However, it is important to note that the taste and texture of the final dish may differ slightly when using tomato sauce instead of paste. It is up to personal preference and experimentation to discover which ingredient works best for the desired outcome. Overall, both tomato paste and sauce have their own unique benefits, and choosing which one to use ultimately comes down to personal preference and availability.