7 Best Rotel Substitutes

Looking for some quick Rotel substitutes to use on the fly?

Fear not, you’re in the right place. I’ve got a few handy alternatives below so you don’t need to run to the store!

If you’re a fan of Tex-Mex recipes or Southwestern cuisine, you’ve probably heard of Rotel.

This brand of canned tomatoes with green chilies adds a savory, tangy heat to your dishes.

The old family recipe is a Texan secret.

But the ingredient list tells us it’s an amalgamation of tomatoes, green chilies, citric acid, and cilantro. 

And it’s spawned a ton of scrumptious Rotel recipes.

But what do you do when a recipe calls for Rotel, and your pantry is as barren as the Texan desert? 

Try using one of these Rotel substitutes, of course!

1. Canned Diced Tomatoes

It’s no secret that Rotel can add unforgettable richness to casseroles, soups, and chilies.

But what do you do when you’re all out of the canned stuff? 

If you’re making any of the aforementioned dishes, try swapping in a can of diced tomatoes to add the same rich flavor. 

Rotel is made from mostly tomatoes, so this easy swap is a no-brainer. 

Just bear in mind that diced tomatoes will have a thicker texture than a can of Rotel sauce.

So only use this substitute in dishes that can handle the extra chunks. Think chili, tomato soups, and casseroles.

You also have to supplement the heat somehow.

Consider dousing in some extra spices to create that signature Rotel taste.

2. Homemade Rotel

If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em!

Instead of scouring your cupboards for the right Rotel substitute, try whipping up your own batch with the ingredients you have on hand.

There are many different ways to create a copycat Rotel recipe, but the 2 main components will be tomatoes and chilies. 

The tomato portion can be anything from a can of pasta sauce to cooked-down fresh tomatoes. 

The same goes for the chilies. If you happen to have fresh ones on hand, cook them down along with the tomatoes. 

If you don’t have any chilies, you can also try using other pepper varieties like bell peppers or jalapenos. 

Then you need something to replicate the citric acid.

Most of us don’t have this powdery, tart substance kicking around, but luckily there are many replacements. 

Try adding a spritz of lime juice, lemon juice, or white distilled vinegar. 

As far as the spices go, you can use whatever is available in your spice cabinet. 

Got some dried oregano kicking around? Toss some in. Coriander? Why not!

Play around with the spice content until you’ve reached the peak Rotel flavor.

3. Green Chilies

If you’re making enchiladas or tacos and need a punch of heat to spice things up, try using green chilies in lieu of Rotel.

While you won’t get any of the rich tomato sweetness, you’ll still be able to impart a smoky, tangy taste to your dish. 

You can take the flavor up a notch by adding fresh lime juice and cilantro to the green chilies.

This creates something like a stripped-down salsa verde.

4. Tomato Puree

Tomato puree makes a great Rotel substitute for soups, pasta, or pizza.

It also works anytime you want to avoid the chunky texture of canned tomatoes from peeking through. 

This swap is also great for those who want to enjoy the sweet tomato flavor without the sharp spice of Rotel.

Use a 1:1 ratio when substituting tomato puree for Rotel.

Feel free to add any additional spices like oregano, cayenne, or cilantro to spruce up the flavor. 

5. Picante Sauce

Picante sauce is similar to salsa but with a bit more heat. 

Conveniently, it also uses most of the same ingredients as Rotel.

Plus, it has a couple of extra components like jalapeno, chili powder, and garlic.

If you’re making a Rotel dip sans the Rotel, consider adding picante sauce instead.

The savory salsa replicates the former and adds a rich, smoky flavor to the dip.

6. Salsa

Salsa is another great Rotel substitute, especially when making chilis, casseroles, fajitas, or any recipe that can support a chunkier texture. 

However, this swap will only work if you have a basic salsa.

Using a flavored version like mango or green salsa might impact the flavor of the final dish.

Use the same amount of salsa as you would with Rotel to add a sweet, spicy flavor to your recipes. 

7. Lemon Pickle

The last Rotel substitute is a seemingly unlikely one, but after trying it, you’ll understand why we included it on our list.

You might be wondering, what on earth is a lemon pickle? The name pretty well sums it up. 

It’s a lemon preserved in a brine of water, spices, and lemon juice.

Some store-bought versions infuse more spice into the brine, which more closely replicates the flavor of Rotel. 

This swap is perfect for mimicking Rotel’s spicy acidity in a dish.

Start with a 1:2 ratio of lemon pickle to Rotel, then see how the flavor holds up. 

Feel free to add more if needed, but too much lemon pickle will give your dish a citrusy taste. 

You can use the lemon pickle substitute in a wide variety of dishes, including soups, dips, and casseroles.

Anything that could use the extra punch of lemon spice will benefit from it.