The Best Canned Tomatoes Are Cheaper and Tastier Than the Gourmet Competition
San Marzano tomatoes are often referred to as the best canned tomatoes money can buy, but they can be a little pricey. However, according to Epicurious, the best-tasting canned tomatoes are not San Marzano and are slightly cheaper.
In a blind taste test of five different canned tomatoes, US-grown Red Pack Whole Peeled Plum Tomatoes beat San Marzanos in flavor (and price!):
This US-owned company (all tomatoes are grown on family farms in Indiana) provided what we’ve always wanted: a pure tomato flavor with a balance of acidity and sweetness. Senior Writer Sam Worley liked that this strain was “sweeter than some of the others, but it was kind of the sweet sweetness of jam.” They also turned out to be the cheapest canned tomatoes we tasted. Do you know that old adage about books and covers? It turns out this is doubly suited for tomatoes and labels.
This isn’t to say San Marzanos is bad – whole Muir Glen San Marzano- style peeled tomatoes came in second – but it’s nice to know that you can get great-tasting canned tomatoes at a super affordable price.