Ingredient substitution guide
Best substitutes for plum tomato
Best swap for plum tomato: Roma tomato. Same thing, different name. Use it 1:1.
How we checked this: these swaps come from the substitution list Well Stockd uses to match recipes, and their ratios follow ordinary kitchen practice rather than one published chart. For exact amounts on many common swaps, see the NDSU and Colorado State University extension tables listed below. Editorial policy
What can I use instead of Plum Tomato?
Plum Tomato and Roma Tomato are the same ingredient under different names, so swap one for the other 1:1. Another option is Canned Whole Peeled Tomatoes. The table below also lists Vine-Ripened Tomato, Canned San Marzano Tomatoes and Cherry Tomatoes, 5 swaps in all.
| Swap | Ratio and notes |
|---|---|
| Roma tomato | Same thing, different name. Use it 1:1. |
| Canned whole peeled tomatoes | one 16 oz can, drained if needed, stands in for 2 cups of chopped fresh tomatoes; use in cooked dishes |
| Vine-ripened tomato | swap by weight, not count: about 3 medium tomatoes for 8 plum tomatoes, both about 1 pound; seed them for sauce |
| Canned San Marzano tomatoes | 16 oz of canned stands in for 2 cups of chopped fresh tomatoes, as with any canned tomato; for cooked sauces |
| Cherry tomatoes | halved, 1:1 by weight in salads and quick sautés; sweeter and juicier |
Source and limits
These swaps come from the substitution list Well Stockd uses to match recipes to your kitchen, last updated . We remove swaps known to be unsafe, but not every swap has been tested in a kitchen, and a swap is cooking guidance, not an allergen or nutrition equivalent. Check labels and what the recipe needs before substituting.
The ratios and usage notes follow ordinary kitchen practice rather than a single published chart. These two university extension tables list exact amounts for many common swaps:
- Ingredient Substitutions (FN198), NDSU Extension (opens in a new tab)
- Ingredient Substitutions (9.329), Colorado State University Extension (opens in a new tab)
Browse every ingredient and read how these swaps are sourced.