What is the best brand of canned tomatoes?

The consensus top pick among culinary experts and food publications for canned tomatoes is [Cento Certified San Marzano Tomatoes Go to product viewer dialog for this item. ](https://shop.cento.com/collections/frontpage/products/cento-certified-san-marzano-tomatoes-28-oz) due to their authentic D.O.P. certification, sweet flavor, and low acidity.

Top Canned Tomato Brands

If you share what recipe you plan to cook (like a quick weeknight pasta, a slow-simmered ragu, or tomato soup), I can recommend the exact style of tomato—whole peeled, crushed, or diced—that will work best.

If you want one brand to buy consistently, I’d pick Cento—especially their San Marzano Whole Peeled Tomatoes.

• Cento San Marzano Peeled Tomatoes, 28 oz - $4.54 (Walmart)

My picks

• 🥇 Cento San Marzano — best all-around choice for pasta sauce, marinara, pizza, and Italian cooking. Chefs and taste tests consistently rate Cento highly for its sweetness, acidity, and availability.

• 🥈 Bianco DiNapoli Organic Whole Peeled — arguably the best-tasting if you don't specifically want Italian tomatoes. It's California-grown and has a particularly balanced sweet/tart flavor.

• 🥉 Mutti — excellent Italian everyday tomatoes; especially good if you want a premium Italian brand without necessarily buying San Marzano D.O.P.

• 💰 Red Gold — a very good inexpensive American option for chili, soups, and everyday cooking.

• Cento San Marzano Peeled Tomatoes - $4.54 (Walmart)

• Bianco DiNapoli Organic Whole Peeled Tomatoes - $4.99 (Target)

• Mutti Whole Peeled Tomatoes - $32.98 (Frank and Sal)

• Red Gold Whole Peeled Tomatoes - $2.08 (Walmart)

One important tip: buy whole peeled tomatoes rather than diced when possible. They tend to be less processed and give you more control over texture. Also check the ingredients—calcium chloride can keep tomatoes unnaturally firm and prevent them from breaking down nicely into sauce.

If you're making spaghetti sauce specifically, I'd go Cento San Marzano. 🍝

The "best" canned tomato brand often depends on whether you are making a quick weeknight pasta sauce, a long-simmering chili, or a fresh-tasting tomato soup . However, top culinary publications like The New York Times (Wirecutter) and America's Test Kitchen (ATK) consistently crown a few standout brands based on rigorous taste tests.

The top-rated brands break down by style and favorite use-case:

Frequently named the top overall pick by The New York Times Wirecutter . Grown and harvested in California, these organic tomatoes offer a brilliant, vibrant balance of sweet and tart with a remarkably fresh, rich flavor straight out of the can. They are exceptionally versatile for all kinds of sauces and cuisines.

A favorite of America's Test Kitchen and widely available in US grocery stores. If you want an authentic, rich Italian import with a deep, savory flavor that melts down beautifully into a classic marinara, the DOP-certified San Marzano cans from Cento are the gold standard.

Highly recommended by Cook's Illustrated/America's Test Kitchen for domestic organic options. Their standard whole peeled tomatoes are reliable and sweet, but their Fire-Roasted diced or crushed variants are a secret weapon for adding an extra smoky layer of depth to chilis, salsas, and Mexican-inspired dishes.

An Italian supermarket staple that has won over home cooks globally for its finely chopped tomatoes (Polpa ) and rich double-concentrated tomato pastes. They pack tomatoes at peak freshness to yield a remarkably bright, sweet flavor without a metallic aftertaste.

Often scoring high in specific categories like everyday diced tomatoes or budget-friendly accessibility, thanks in part to the inclusion of calcium chloride which helps the pieces hold their shape well in chunky soups and stews.

If you tell me what you plan to cook (like a quick pasta sauce, a rich stew, or pizza), I can recommend the exact style and brand that will work best!

If you want one brand that’s consistently excellent, I’d go with Bianco DiNapoli Organic Whole Peeled Tomatoes. They’re California-grown rather than Italian, but chefs consistently praise them for their natural sweetness, balanced acidity, and rich tomato flavour.

• Bianco DiNapoli Organic Whole Peeled Tomatoes - $8.25 (Lapizzashop.ca + others)

My picks

• 🥇 Best overall: Bianco DiNapoli — especially good for pasta sauce, pizza, soups and braises.

• 🥈 Best Italian/San Marzano: Cento San Marzano — sweet, tender and reliably good. Several chef and taste-test sources rate it highly.

• 🥉 Best everyday value: Mutti — excellent Italian tomatoes and very versatile; they cook down particularly nicely into sauce.

• 💰 Budget option: Redpack — surprisingly good in blind testing, with a nice sweet-acid balance.

• Bianco DiNapoli Organic Whole Peeled Tomatoes - $8.25 (Lapizzashop.ca + others)

• Mutti San Marzano Peeled Tomatoes 400g - $5.95 (berchicci.ca + others)

• Mutti Tomato Peeled - $5.99 (Real Canadian Superstore + others)

• Unico San Marzano Tomatoes - $2.69 (Real Canadian Superstore)

One important tip: buy whole peeled tomatoes rather than diced when making sauce, and look for a short ingredient list—ideally tomatoes, tomato juice/purée, and salt. Calcium chloride can keep tomatoes unnaturally firm and make them less suitable for sauce.

If you're shopping in Canada, I'd personally choose Mutti for the best combination of quality, availability and price, unless you find Bianco DiNapoli at a reasonable price.

If you mean best overall canned tomatoes for cooking, my pick is Bianco DiNapoli Organic Whole Peeled Tomatoes. Multiple chef and taste-test sources consistently put them at or near the top, praising their balanced sweetness/acidity, rich tomato flavor, and ability to make excellent sauce.

• Bianco DiNapoli Whole Peeled Tomatoes - $6.99 (Gygi)

My picks

• 🥇 Best overall: Bianco DiNapoli — bright, naturally sweet, balanced, and excellent for pasta sauce, pizza, soup, and braises.

• 🇮🇹 Best Italian/San Marzano: Cento San Marzano — richer and more traditionally Italian-tasting; especially good for pizza and simple tomato sauces.

• 💰 Best budget: Red Gold Whole Peeled — surprisingly good for the money; a blind Epicurious test actually ranked it first among several brands.

• 🍕 Best for pizza: I'd choose Bianco DiNapoli for a sweeter, balanced sauce, or Cento San Marzano for a classic Neapolitan-style profile.

• Bianco DiNapoli Whole Peeled Tomatoes - $6.99 (Gygi)

• Cento San Marzano Peeled Tomatoes - $4.54 (Walmart)

• Red Gold Whole Peeled Tomatoes - $2.08 (Walmart)

• DeLallo San Marzano Style Whole Peeled Tomatoes - $3.58 (Walmart)

One shopping tip: Buy whole peeled rather than diced when possible, and look for a short ingredient list. Also, don't assume every can labeled "San Marzano" is actually certified D.O.P.; the designation matters if you're specifically seeking tomatoes from the protected San Marzano growing area in Italy.

If you tell me what you're making—spaghetti sauce, pizza, chili, lasagna, etc.—I can give you the best specific can for it.

Ask five chefs or food publications for the "best" canned tomato brand, and you'll get a passionate debate. However, consensus favorites emerge depending on whether you want an authentic Italian import or a reliable, budget-friendly domestic option.

According to professional chefs, America's Test Kitchen , and Wirecutter , the top brands stand out for distinct reasons:

1. Cento (San Marzano Certified) — The Chef & Critic Favorite
   • Why it wins: Widely available in standard grocery stores, Cento’s certified D.O.P. San Marzano tomatoes are heavily favored by professional chefs. They offer a stellar balance of natural sweetness, rich flavor, and low acidity, meaning you rarely need to add sugar to your sauces. They break down into a velvety texture without tasting watery.
2. Bianco DiNapoli — The Organic California Favorite
   • Why it wins: Sourced from organic, vine-ripened California plum tomatoes, these are heavily praised by Wirecutter and culinary experts. They boast a bright, vibrant, garden-fresh flavor with a superb balance of sweetness and tang that shines in long-simmered sauces or simple pizza marinaras.
3. Mutti — The Italian Processing Master
   • Why it wins: Mutti is a staple in Italian households and professional kitchens alike. Known particularly for their finely chopped (Polpa ) or whole peeled lines, they offer a remarkably fresh, fragrant, and sweet flavor profile with clean acidity, straight from sustainably grown Italian fields.
4. Muir Glen — The Best Everyday / Fire-Roasted Choice
   • Why it wins: For standard supermarket availability and exceptional value, Muir Glen’s organic line—and specifically their fire-roasted diced or whole tomatoes—frequently tops taste tests. The fire-roasted varieties add an instant layer of smoky depth to chilis, salsas, and quick weeknight sauces.
5. Red Gold — The Best Budget Pick
   • Why it wins: Rated as a top "Best Buy" by America's Test Kitchen , standard domestic Red Gold whole peeled or diced tomatoes are plump, clean-tasting, and widely accessible at a fraction of the cost of specialty imports.

Quick Buying Tips:

• Check the label: Look for minimal ingredients—ideally just tomatoes, tomato juice/puree, and a pinch of salt.
• Watch for calcium chloride: Many American brands add calcium chloride (a firming agent) to keep diced or whole tomatoes from disintegrating in the can. If you want tomatoes that melt smoothly into a sauce quickly, look for brands that omit it.

Are you making a specific dish like a slow-simmered marinara , a quick weeknight pasta , or a chili , so I can recommend the exact type and cut of tomato you'll need?

If you want one brand to buy, I’d pick Cento—especially their whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes. They’re consistently highly rated for sweetness, acidity, texture, and availability.

Cento San Marzano Peeled Tomatoes, 28 oz

$4.54

My picks

1. Cento San Marzano — best overall. Great for marinara, pizza sauce, Sunday gravy, etc.
2. Bianco DiNapoli — best flavor if you don't care whether they're Italian. Several chefs specifically pick these; they're organic California tomatoes with excellent sweet/acid balance.
3. Mutti — best Italian everyday tomato. Excellent quality and particularly good for sauces.
4. Cento All Purpose Crushed — best crushed tomato; a 2025 taste test ranked it #1, praising its clean, bright flavor and one-ingredient formulation.

Bianco DiNapoli Whole Peeled Tomatoes

$6.95

Mutti Whole Peeled Tomatoes

$32.98

Cento Crushed Tomatoes

$2.99

One shopping tip: For sauce, buy whole peeled tomatoes rather than diced whenever possible. You can crush them yourself, and they generally give you more flexibility. Also, don't assume "San Marzano" automatically means better—look for D.O.P. certification if authenticity matters to you.

If you tell me what you're making (pizza, pasta sauce, chili, etc.), I can give you the exact can I'd buy.

When culinary experts, test kitchens (America’s Test Kitchen, Wirecutter, Serious Eats ), and celebrity chefs debate the best canned tomatoes, a few standout brands consistently rise to the top. The "best" choice ultimately depends on whether you want an authentic Italian import or a reliable, budget-friendly domestic option.

The Top-Tier Favorites

• Cento (Certified San Marzano) : Widely regarded as the gold standard for grocery store availability and authentic flavor. Cento's D.O.P.-certified San Marzano tomatoes feature a rich, sweet, and complex flavor profile with a velvety texture that melts beautifully into sauces. They consistently win or place at the top of major publication taste tests.
• Bianco DiNapoli : A favorite among artisanal cooks and critics (frequently topping Wirecutter reviews ). These organic, California-grown whole peeled tomatoes strike an incredible balance of natural sweetness and bright acidity. They taste remarkably fresh—good enough to eat straight from the can.
• Mutti : Loved by professional chefs like Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentiis, this Italian brand is praised for its bright, vine-fresh flavor and extreme consistency. Whether buying their whole peeled plum tomatoes or their finely chopped Polpa , Mutti delivers a clean, classic taste.
• Red Gold (Best Budget Buy) : If you don't want to splurge on expensive imports, America's Test Kitchen rates Red Gold whole-peeled tomatoes as a top-performing "Best Buy". Treated with a firming agent, they hold their shape well and provide a reliable, clean canvas for everyday cooking like chili or quick weeknight sauces.
• Muir Glen Organic : Another widely accessible supermarket staple, Muir Glen is especially famous for its Fire-Roasted varieties. If you are making a smoky chili, salsa, or a punchy BBQ-adjacent sauce, their fire-roasted diced or crushed tomatoes add an effortless extra layer of depth.

A Quick Shopping Tip

Check the ingredient label before you buy. The highest-quality tomatoes usually contain just three ingredients: tomatoes, tomato juice/puree, and salt . Domestic brands often add calcium chloride (a firming agent) to keep diced tomatoes from turning to mush, which is great for salsas or stews, but whole peeled tomatoes without firming agents break down into a smoother, more natural sauce much faster.

If you'd like to narrow this down, tell me:

• What dish are you planning to make (e.g., a long-simmered marinara, a quick weeknight pasta, or chili)?
• Do you prefer whole, crushed, or diced tomatoes?

I can give you the exact style and brand that will work best for your recipe.

While the "best" canned tomato depends on what you are cooking, professional chefs, food publications (like The New York Times Wirecutter and America's Test Kitchen ), and culinary tests consistently rank a few standout brands at the top.

The top-rated brands of canned tomatoes are categorized below by style and what they do best:

• Bianco DiNapoli (Best Overall / Organic California) : Constantly topping expert taste tests (including Wirecutter ), these organic, California-grown whole peeled tomatoes strike an incredible, vibrant balance of natural sweetness and bright acidity. They have a rich, velvety puree and hold their structure well, making them phenomenal for everyday sauces or even eating straight out of the can.
• Cento (Best Widely Available / Authentic San Marzano) : If you want a classic Italian plum tomato that you can find in almost any standard grocery store, Cento’s Certified D.O.P. San Marzano tomatoes are the gold standard. They break down into a silky, deeply flavorful sauce with minimal effort. (Note: Make sure the can has the official D.O.P. stamp and certification number if you want the authentic regional product.)
• Mutti (Best Italian Import for Everyday Use) : Italy's #1 brand, Mutti (specifically their Pelati whole peeled tomatoes or cherry tomatoes) is praised for its ultra-fresh, clean, sun-ripened taste with zero preservatives or artificial additives. They provide a remarkably bright, fresh-from-the-vine flavor profile.
• Muir Glen Organic (Best Accessible Domestic) : An organic favorite that is widely stocked in regular supermarkets. Their whole peeled and fire-roasted varieties deliver a reliable, rich tomato flavor with a great acid balance. Their fire-roasted line is particularly famous for adding an extra layer of smoky depth to chilis and salsas.
• Strianese (Best Kept Secret for Professional Sauce) : Frequently cited by traditional Italian cooks and restaurant chefs as the ultimate secret to an authentic Neapolitan-style pasta or pizza sauce, offering a rich, pure, and naturally sweet taste without metallic aftertastes.

Quick Shopping Tip:

Check the ingredient label. The best canned tomatoes generally contain just tomatoes, tomato juice/puree, and salt (and sometimes a leaf of basil). Try to avoid added calcium chloride (a firming agent often used in US brands) if you want your tomatoes to break down easily into a smooth, silky sauce, though calcium chloride is fine if you prefer a firmer chunkier texture in a stew or soup.

If you share what you plan to make (like a quick marinara, a long-simmered ragù, or chili) and whether you prefer whole, diced, or crushed tomatoes, I can recommend the exact style and brand that will work best for your recipe.

If I had to pick one brand overall, I’d go with Bianco DiNapoli. Recent chef surveys have put it at or near the top for its bright flavor, natural sweetness, balanced acidity, and consistency.

Bianco DiNapoli Whole Peeled Tomatoes

$6.95

My quick ranking:

1. Bianco DiNapoli — best overall; especially excellent for pasta sauce and pizza.
2. Cento San Marzano — excellent, widely available, and a great choice for Italian sauces.
3. D.O.P. San Marzano — best if you specifically want traditional Italian tomatoes; look for the official D.O.P. seal rather than simply "San Marzano style."
4. Red Gold — surprisingly good value; a past blind taste test actually rated it above several premium San Marzano options.

One shopping tip: For sauce, I prefer whole peeled tomatoes with a short ingredient list. Avoid cans containing calcium chloride if you want the tomatoes to break down easily while cooking.

If you tell me whether you're making marinara, pizza sauce, chili, tomato soup, or something else, I can give you the best specific can for that use.