Choose canned tomatoes by the texture and concentration your recipe needs, then check the ingredients and packing medium on the exact can. Whole, diced, sliced and wedge styles appear in the U.S. canned-tomato standard; retail labels also use terms such as crushed, puree, paste and sauce. Tomato puree and paste have distinct federal standards, while sauce and other formulations should be compared by their own labels.
Choose a can by how much tomato texture, liquid and concentration the recipe needs. The product name is a useful filter, but package formats vary, so check the ingredients and packing medium before choosing.
Compare the common forms
| Form on the package | What to expect | A useful buying check |
|---|---|---|
| Whole | Whole or nearly whole tomatoes. | Choose when you want to break the tomatoes down yourself or keep larger pieces. |
| Diced, sliced or wedges | Tomatoes cut into the named pieces. | Match the cut to the texture and prep the recipe calls for. |
| Crushed | A retail form with tomatoes broken into smaller pieces; the formulation varies by product. | Check whether puree, salt, seasoning or other ingredients are included. |
| Puree or pulp | A concentrated tomato product with its own standard. | Check whether the recipe calls for a smooth tomato base or a packing medium. |
| Paste | A more concentrated tomato product, with at least 24 percent tomato soluble solids under the U.S. standard. | Buy it when the recipe names paste; check tube or can size and storage directions. |
| Sauce | A formulated product whose ingredients and seasoning can vary. | Read the ingredient list to see whether it is plain or seasoned and what else is added. |
Understand the U.S. label categories
The federal standard for canned tomatoes names whole, diced, sliced and wedges as styles. It also allows specified packing media, including tomato juice, puree, pulp or paste. The separate tomato-concentrate standard defines puree or pulp as 8 percent to less than 24 percent tomato soluble solids and paste as at least 24 percent.
Those federal categories do not describe every retail word in the aisle. A product labeled crushed or sauce may follow a maker’s formulation and naming, so check the label instead of assuming a fixed recipe or ingredient list across brands.
Check the rest of the can
Salt, spices, seasonings and certain vegetable ingredients may be included. Compare ingredient lists and Nutrition Facts if sodium or added ingredients matter for your dish. Also look at the packing liquid and can size. A recipe that uses tomatoes and their juice may need a different amount of liquid than one that drains the can.
Our fresh, frozen and canned produce comparison covers the broader form choice. For another pantry decision involving texture and preparation, see the rice types buying guide. Browse the pantry and specialty category for more ingredient comparisons.
Sources checked November 5, 2026
Common questions
Are whole and diced canned tomatoes interchangeable?
They are different cut styles. Whole tomatoes let you choose how much to break them down, while diced tomatoes start with smaller pieces. Check the recipe and packing liquid before substituting.
Are crushed tomatoes the same as tomato puree?
They are different retail descriptions. The federal canned-tomato style list names whole, diced, sliced and wedges; puree and paste are covered separately as tomato concentrates. Read the exact product name and ingredients.
What is the difference between tomato puree and paste?
Under the U.S. standard for tomato concentrates, puree or pulp has 8 percent to less than 24 percent tomato soluble solids, while paste has at least 24 percent.
Do canned tomatoes always contain salt or seasoning?
No. Salt, spices, seasonings and some vegetables are optional ingredients under the standard. Check the ingredient list and Nutrition Facts on the can you plan to buy.