Our Taste Test of Crushed Tomatoes

Tasting expert Jack Bishop challenges Bridget to a taste test of crushed tomatoes.

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[georei]

The winner is canned at Furmano's in Northumberland Pa. They process plum tomatoes for this label. The SMT branding was done on to make you think you are buying San Marzano Tomatoes. I worked there from 2010-2014.

[etd]

I swear by Tuttoroso. So good, whole, crushed diced, sauce, paste. All SO GOOD

[pepperco]

Hunt's was the brand used by my mom and family decades ago. When I make certain old family recipes, I find I also must use Hunt's to recreate the taste I remember. I miss Hunt's tomato juice in a can. I don't know why it was discontinued.

[David-scir]

In my own personal 'taste test' the Cento brand San Marzano whole tomatoes are far and beyond the best! Even if I need crushed
tomatoes I will use these and crushed the whole tomatoes for my recipes. The flavor is intense, somewhat sweet, rich, thick... every-
thing I want in a tomato sauce. A little pricier than most brands but well worth it!

[edwinearl]

They always pick the one that nobody can buy in their local markets and that costs $$$$.

[quiptookie]

Muir Glen does actually make crushed tomatoes with no basil. I wonder how those would have performed. I'm personally a fan of Redpack. And actually, the house brands from Kroger and Whole Foods aren't bad either, not to mention they're easy on the wallet.

[weirdshibainu]

Me 45 days ago:" Shelter in place will give me plenty of time to catch up on those projects. I'll fill my time."
Me today:" I'm watching a canned tomato comparison"

[AJGreen-ofgn]

I so love the test kitchen. Thanks for your work in getting the right recipes.

[halfthefiber]

For everyone complaining that only Hunts is the only recognizable brand in this video, the link in the description lists a few more brands that are more widely available than the SMT crushed tomatoes they recommended. (Red Pack, Cento, Contadina, and Pastene.)

[larkmacgregor]

I have SMT in my supermarket, but I actually prefer Cento San Marzano tomatoes. They taste as if they're barely cooked, and while they come packed with basil, the flavor is very subtle.

[cozyvamp]

I've been buying this brand at Safeway (on the West Coast) for several years. They have the whole rang --, whole, crushed etc., and they're all good. Nice to see your tasters and your professionals agree. ;)

[sadiegirl]

Love Brigette! So funny! Have loved watching her sample food for years.

[ANTHONYCINA-br]

My favorites are Mutti, Cento San Marzano and Pastene. Both my late Itslian mother and grandmother both used Older brands such as Sclafani, LaFede, Pastene and RedPack. Their Sunday sauces were outstanding with great flavor. Of course only the best extra virgin olive oil and meats were used. My mouth is watering just remembering their tomato dishes 😋🍅

[tigergreg]

I always thought Muir Glen was a good choice, and still do. I just don't understand why they chose to use the one with Basil when they CLEARLY don't want basil in the taste test, Muir Glen has a variety of products to choose from. Simply buying something with basil means you normally don't have or want it on hand, but want to use it once in a long while, so you use that.
This taste test made no sense to me at all.

[NJ-Cathie]

My grandmother’s sister used to cut vegetables in southern NJ in the 1910s. From her stories a lot of young girls and women worked for them. It’s funny you would think it would be an awful job but she really likes working there. She also had amazing knife skills and could chop up any vegetable very quickly.

[MinnMorke]

I’ve been buying Muir Glen for years and I really like that it’s organic . They offer diced tomatoes without the basil.

[thequantaleaper]

My favorite crushed/ground tomatos of all time are the cans of 7/11 made by Stanislaus out of California. Absolutely favorite tomato flavor. It's generally only available through food service wholesale outlets, but totally worth going out of your way to get in my opinion.

[mtsutro]

SMT is the brand I use also. Glad to know ATK agrees! You can really taste the difference — even between it and other high quality brands. I’m on the west coast and they have them at my corner market.

[humidly]

Please, follow the link below the video for the full reviews. You can read them as a non-subscriber today.
They tested eight products.
-SMT Crushed Tomatoes
-Hunt’s Crushed Tomatoes
-Muir Glen Crushed Tomatoes with Basil
-Bionaturae Organic Crushed Tomatoes
-Redpack Crushed Tomatoes in Puree(also sold as Red Gold Crushed Tomatoes)
-Pastene Kitchen Ready Chunky Style Ground Peeled Tomatoes
-Cento Organic Chunky Style Crushed Tomatoes
-Contadina Crushed Roma Tomatoes

[juliamaddox]

Hold up! Are those M & M cookies in the background??? I want one!!!