I Asked 2 Chefs To Name the Best Canned Tomatoes—Both Said the Same Brand

The variety of canned tomatoes available today is bound to overwhelm anyone. Here's what two chefs I spoke to recommend that you buy. It's a ubiquitous brand you can find at any grocery store.

Aug 2, 2024 - 16:00

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Tomatoes in a can — Simply Recipes / Getty Images

Canned tomatoes hold a special place in my kitchen—they're versatile, reliable, and can be used in so many different recipes. I'm never without a few cans stocked in the pantry.

Whether you find yourself reaching for this versatile pantry staple for a weeknight marinara sauce or to whip up shakshuka, knowing just which canned tomatoes to buy can be a feat. Even for those who grew up using a particular brand, the wide variety of canned tomatoes available today is bound to overwhelm—it overwhelms me!

So, to determine which tomatoes are the best, I consulted seasoned chefs for their expert opinions. Both chefs I spoke to shared the same favorite. Here's what you should grab the next time you browse grocery store shelves for a can of tomatoes.

The Canned Tomato-Loving Chefs

Keesha O’Galdez: Chef and founder of Gourmet Diva
Jason Goldstein: Cookbook author, content creator at @ChopHappy, and recipe developer

Cento San Marzano Tomatoes — Simply Recipes / Getty Images

The Best Canned Tomatoes, According to Chefs

According to the two chefs I spoke to, Cento, the ubiquitous canned tomato brand you can practically find at any grocery store, makes the best canned tomatoes.

Chef O’Galdez and Chef Goldstein champion Cento, which began producing San Marzano canned tomatoes in the early 1960s. The brand offers peeled, crushed, pureed, diced canned tomatoes, and much more.

For the best canned tomatoes, you should always check the can for the ingredient list and look for brands with minimal ingredients and no additives, preservatives, or sweeteners. That's why Chef O’Galdez is partial to Cento because of its simple, fresh ingredients—just tomato, salt, and basil leaf. She enjoys “the color, consistency, and flavor great" and adds that Cento’s tomatoes are “not too sweet and actually taste like a tomato."

Chef Goldstein agrees, citing that the tomatoes, which are grown in the Sarnese Nocerino area of Italy, are mild, versatile, and have a true tomato taste.

"The flavor of these tomatoes is sweet and exudes freshness. Being that they are grown in volcanic soil gives them an authentic tomato flavor and not a watery tomato consistency often found in other brands.”