Ingredient Comparison
🐔
Chicken Broth
vs
🍅
Tomato Paste
Chicken Broth vs Tomato Paste
Both are common in the kitchen, but they behave differently. Here's how to choose between them for your next recipe.
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The short answer
Use Chicken Broth when you need it for general cooking, rice, risotto. Use Tomato Paste when you need it for rubs, sauces, soups.
🐔
Chicken BrothSauces
Light, savory liquid from simmering chicken with aromatics. The most commonly used broth.
5 substitutes available
🍅
Tomato PasteSauces
Concentrated tomatoes cooked down to a thick paste. Adds deep tomato flavor and body to sauces.
4 substitutes available
Key Differences
| Attribute | Chicken Broth | Tomato Paste |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Sauces | Sauces |
| Substitutes | 5 | 4 |
| Diet Options |
Diet Compatibility
Chicken Broth
Tomato Paste
Substitutes
🐔 Chicken Broth Substitutes
- Vegetable Broth1:1
- Chicken Bouillon1 cube per 1 cup water
- Mushroom Broth1:1
- Water + Seasonings1:1 water + salt, garlic, herbs
- Beef Broth1:1
🍅 Tomato Paste Substitutes
- Tomato Sauce (reduced)Reduce 3 tbsp sauce to get 1 tbsp paste
- Ketchup1 tbsp ketchup per 1 tbsp paste
- Canned Tomatoes (drained and blended)Blend and reduce 1/2 cup to get 2 tbsp
- Sun-Dried Tomato Paste1:1
Which Should I Use?
Use Chicken Broth when…
✅ Best for
general cookingricerisottosaucessoups
⚠️ Not ideal for
beef-forward dishes like French onion soupvegan recipes
Use Tomato Paste when…
✅ Best for
rubssaucessoupsstews
⚠️ Not ideal for
dry seasoning blendsrubs where no moisture is wanted