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January 17, 2017 49 Comments

How to Make a Condensed Tomato Soup Substitute



 

Tomato soup substitute in a large glass measuring cup with a wire whisk in it.

Making a Condensed Tomato Soup Substitute is easy!

I needed a substitute for condensed tomato soup when I was making porcupine meatballs last week. I did a quick search on the internet and found this recipe. I used brown sugar instead of the white granulated sugar it called for and was shocked at how close to the real thing it tasted.

Whether you are gluten-free or just don’t like using canned soups, you will be so excited about this easy Tomato Soup Substitute. 

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Two of my favorite comfort foods call for canned tomato soup. I’m not completely against using condensed canned soups, but I try to use them sparingly since they are high in sodium and preservatives. I use the canned soup when I am in a huge hurry and don’t have time to make my own substitute.

HOW TO MAKE A TOMATO SOUP SUBSTITUTE

  • In a small bowl, whisk together:
    •   Tomato sauce
    •   Cornstarch
    •   Brown sugar
    •   Salt
  • Use in recipes that call for condensed tomato soup.

A large glass measuring cup with tomato sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, and saltI’m really excited to have this recipe and wanted to share it ASAP!

a pinterest collage photo of how to make condensed tomato soup recipe. it has two pictures in it with the text of the title at the top.

Chef’s Tools for Making a Condensed Tomato Soup Substitute:

  • 8 oz. Tomato Sauce
  • Mixing Bowls
  • Can Opener
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Whisk

Pinterest picture of tomato soup substitute in a bowl with a whisk. The text of the title separates the photo and the ingredients list at the bottom.

Other Homemade Substitutes

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5.0 from 12 reviews
How to Make a Condensed Tomato Soup Substitute
 
Print
Prep time
5 mins
Total time
5 mins
 
Works great in recipes like porcupine meatballs and shepherd's pie that traditionally use condensed tomato soup. This is also gluten-free.
Author: Adapted from Premeditated Leftovers
Serves: 1 can
Ingredients
  • 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1½ tbsp brown sugar
  • ½ tsp salt
Instructions
  1. Whisk all ingredients together in a small mixing bowl.
  2. Use in recipes that call for condensed tomato soup.
3.5.3251

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a pinterest collage photo of how to make condensed tomato soup recipe. it has two pictures in it with the text of the title in the middle separating the photos.

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Dinners, Gluten Free, How To Posts, Ingredients, Reader Favorites, Recipes, Soup/Stew/Chili, Tomato Sauce
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49 Comments

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49 Comments

  1. Nicole

    September 7, 2019 at 1:39 pm

    I love this recipe. I keep coming back to it. Since going gluten free (medically necessary), I’ve been all of the recipes that call condensed tomato soup. Not anymore!
    I’m canning my own tomato sauce this year, and will keep this recipe handy 🙂
    Thank you

    reply to this comment
    • Maria

      October 22, 2019 at 8:05 am

      I am so glad you like it Nicole!

      reply to this comment
      • Chantele Mack

        April 10, 2022 at 2:13 pm

        Does this taste like campbells?

        reply to this comment
        • Maria

          April 22, 2022 at 8:56 am

          Not exactly, but for a copycat recipe it is pretty close.

          reply to this comment
      • Dale Boyes

        October 31, 2023 at 1:48 am

        Thanks for a great idea- healthier Tom. Soup

        reply to this comment
        • Maria

          November 6, 2023 at 9:06 am

          You’re welcome, I’m glad you like it Dale.

          reply to this comment
    • Dawn R Gardner

      December 3, 2019 at 10:00 am

      What size canning jar and how long do you process and do you use water bath or pressure canner process

      reply to this comment
      • Dawn R Gardner

        December 3, 2019 at 10:06 am

        Also can you can this as a soup concentrate instead of a plain tomato sauce

        reply to this comment
        • Maria

          May 6, 2020 at 2:29 pm

          No, that won’t work with this recipe.

          reply to this comment
      • Maria

        April 2, 2020 at 1:27 pm

        Hi Dawn, This recipe isn’t formulated to be able to safely can. This is to be made and used in place of a can of tomato soup if you are in a bind or do not like all the preservatives in the ones you can buy at the store.

        reply to this comment
      • Glenn

        January 7, 2022 at 3:59 am

        Did you use rosella tomato sauce

        reply to this comment
        • Maria

          January 11, 2022 at 9:36 am

          I always just use whatever tomato sauce I have on hand.

          reply to this comment
    • Sharon

      September 30, 2023 at 3:01 pm

      Thank You for this substitute. I needed tomato soup in a recipe & I live 6 miles from a grocery store. This worked out great!

      reply to this comment
      • Maria

        October 9, 2023 at 10:05 am

        You’re welcome, so glad you found the recipe.

        reply to this comment
  2. Donna

    January 22, 2020 at 11:01 am

    I find tomato basil canned soup too expensive..I am going to add basil to this recipe thank you!

    reply to this comment
  3. Eric Gray

    March 24, 2020 at 7:46 pm

    With the current Coronavirus situation, condensed tomato soup is like gold. We wanted to make a favorite casserole and found this recipe. It was perfect! Thanks!

    reply to this comment
    • Maria

      April 2, 2020 at 1:55 am

      Yay! So glad you found it! You are so right about certain everyday items becoming like gold. Hope you and your family are safe and healthy!

      reply to this comment
  4. John

    April 10, 2020 at 1:06 pm

    Awesome ! I have been making tomato soup at home for years but have yet to nail down a good recipie. This is it. A delicious part of childhood I can’t let go. Thanks Maria.

    reply to this comment
    • Maria

      May 6, 2020 at 1:56 pm

      Awesome! Love hearing that John! So glad you found the recipe.

      reply to this comment
  5. Matthew Tunstall

    April 17, 2020 at 9:38 pm

    I was trying to find a substitute for condensed tomato soup due to corona virus and came across this recipe for my slow cooker – tomato and chive drummies! hope it might taste, well, tasty! it is cooking now had to wait 5 hrs on low thank you as I got all ingredients in the cupboard phew! you never know what we have in the pantry!

    reply to this comment
    • Maria

      May 4, 2020 at 1:48 pm

      Glad you found the recipe, hope it turned out well with your drummies.

      reply to this comment
    • Darlene

      October 26, 2021 at 11:37 am

      I would like a substitute for tomato sauce?

      reply to this comment
  6. Monica

    August 7, 2020 at 10:32 pm

    If I’m wanting to use this in a recipe that doesn’t require cooking (marinated carrot salad), do I need to cook the tomato sauce mixture first? I’m guessing yes, because of the corn starch. Or is there an alternate thickener I could use (Xanthan gum maybe? What amount?)

    reply to this comment
    • Maria

      August 9, 2020 at 12:47 pm

      Hi Monica, I would suggest cooking it and letting it cool. I have only used cornstarch so I can’t suggest any other thickener.

      reply to this comment
    • Chantele Mack

      April 10, 2022 at 2:34 pm

      Monica, you can add 1 to 2 tsp of xantham gum in place of corn starch. Xantham gum is safe to can. To be honest, I made homemade apple.pie filling this past summer and canned it with corn starch. It’s been completely fine.

      reply to this comment
  7. Penny

    August 12, 2020 at 11:26 am

    Thanks for the recipe Maria! I like that it uses pantry items. Can’t wait to try it out with a chili-mac recipe, as soon as the heat lets up!

    reply to this comment
    • Maria

      August 12, 2020 at 2:12 pm

      You’re so welcome! That sounds like the perfect way to use the Tomato sou recipe!

      reply to this comment
  8. S

    September 8, 2020 at 1:34 pm

    So do you add milk liked the canned versions when you just want to have soup and not use it in another recipe?

    reply to this comment
    • Maria

      September 9, 2020 at 2:59 pm

      Yes. 🙂

      reply to this comment
  9. Thor

    April 24, 2021 at 12:20 pm

    I dont think i can get canned tomatosauce where i live. I can get canned chopped tomatoes. If i run that through the blender, will that be the same as your tomatoes sauce?

    reply to this comment
    • Maria

      April 27, 2021 at 7:02 am

      Hi Thor, It won’t be quite the same, but its a good place to start. I think you will need to simmer them after you blend them to get more of the liquid out so it can thicken into more of a sauce.

      reply to this comment
      • Brian Dunbar

        September 22, 2021 at 1:41 am

        A can of Campbell’s tomato soup is bigger than an 8 oz can of tomato sauce. Just curious if I should double it?

        reply to this comment
        • Maria

          September 27, 2021 at 4:26 am

          Hi Brian, great question. I have never doubled it and it seems to be just right for the substitution.

          reply to this comment
        • Elle

          January 2, 2025 at 9:14 am

          Yes, you can double it. I have done it successfully.

          reply to this comment
  10. Jimmy

    May 19, 2021 at 11:53 pm

    Are you using a tomato sauce or a puree in this recipe?

    reply to this comment
    • Maria

      May 24, 2021 at 4:19 am

      Hi Jimmy,
      I use tomato sauce in this recipe.

      reply to this comment
  11. nancy Simonson

    November 3, 2021 at 1:05 pm

    If I am going to put it in a casserole and bake, do I need to heat this up first? Someone suggested it might be necessary.

    reply to this comment
    • Maria

      November 9, 2021 at 4:02 pm

      It should be fine either way. I usually just mix it and add it to casseroles without heating.

      reply to this comment
  12. Terence Vasquez

    February 6, 2022 at 7:28 pm

    Exactly the same! Impressive.

    reply to this comment
    • Maria

      February 15, 2022 at 7:04 am

      Thank you!

      reply to this comment
  13. Carol

    January 25, 2023 at 4:42 pm

    I’m always looking for gluten-free options and have found a few for condensed tomato soup. This is the easiest and best by far. I might get the family to eat this without even knowing it’s gluten-free. Thanks.

    reply to this comment
    • Maria

      January 27, 2023 at 12:07 pm

      Awesome! I love hearing that Carol!

      reply to this comment
  14. Rebecca J Miller

    April 22, 2023 at 4:45 pm

    Is the cornstarch going to clump up?

    reply to this comment
    • Maria

      May 2, 2023 at 1:04 am

      Hi Rebecca, No, it just helps it thicken.

      reply to this comment
  15. Deedee

    May 2, 2023 at 8:40 am

    Thanks so much. Do not like using canned condensed soups in recipes!!

    reply to this comment
    • Maria

      May 6, 2023 at 4:28 pm

      You’re welcome

      reply to this comment
  16. Samantha

    December 20, 2024 at 9:51 am

    I’ve never seen a Shepherd’s Pie recipe with tomato soup, but many with tomato paste for umami. Then again, if I did, I would blot it from my memory! LOL

    reply to this comment
  17. Elle

    December 31, 2024 at 7:38 pm

    For medical reasons I had to go gluten free over a year ago and have been missing Campbells condensed tomato soup in my favorite recipes. Thanks to this simple, delicious recipe I am enjoying all my favorite dishes that call for tomato soup. Thank you so much for this!!!

    reply to this comment
    • Ann@Real Life Dinner

      January 11, 2025 at 2:58 pm

      Thank you, Elle. So glad to hear you’re able to enjoy your favorite dishes with this recipe.

      reply to this comment

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Hi, I'm Maria. A mom of five and a total foodie. My superpower is taking ordinary recipes and making them DELICIOUS. Your family will LOVE these meals! Come cook with me, I promise it will be amazing! Get started here or search my archives below.


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