Queso dip made with Velveeta Cheese and a can of Ro-Tel Tomatoes are always a hit at potluck gatherings. This little can of diced tomatoes, green chili peppers, and cilantro has made recipe prep easy for over 50 years.
Yes, all varieties of Ro-Tel are gluten-free based on the ingredient list. According to their website, the product does not contain any FDA common food allergens such as wheat. The best gluten-free alternatives to Ro-Tel are Muir Glen Canned Tomatoes, 365 by Whole Foods Market Tomatoes Petite Diced with Jalapeno, and Red Gold Petite Diced Tomatoes.
Ro-Tel is a simple combination of ingredients that is very versatile. It comes in several flavors for use in a variety of dishes. We’ll talk about the history of Ro-Tel, the ingredients and nutrition of the different flavor combinations, and alternatives on the market. Some of these are certified organic, and some are more commercial brands.
Contents
- History
- The Gluten Question
- Ingredients to Ponder
- Ro-Tel Nutritional Information by Product
- Alternatives to Ro-Tel
- Muir Glen Canned Tomatoes, Organic Diced Tomatoes, Fire Roasted with Medium Green Chilies
- Del Monte Petite Canned Hot Diced Tomatoes with Jalapeno and Habanero
- 365 by Whole Foods Market, Tomatoes Petite Diced with Jalapeno Cilantro, Organic
- Hatch Tomatoes Diced with Green Chilies
- Red Gold Petite Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies
- Furmano’s Petite Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies
- Related Questions
History
Carl Roettele and his wife started canning the tomatoes and green chilies combination in 1943 in Elsa, Texas. The name was shortened to RO*TEL to make it easier for consumers to pronounce and spell. By the mid-1950’s they started shipping it to other parts of the United States. In 1963, a politician’s wife in Washington, DC, spread the secret ingredient in her chili recipe – a can of RO*TEL.
After being acquired by International Home Foods in 1996, more flavors were added. In 2002, Conagra Foods acquired the company, and they’ve been going strong ever since.
The Gluten Question
Several brands of diced tomatoes and green chilis have the same ingredients. When one is labeled gluten-free, and one is not, there could be a difference in processing. The one labeled gluten-free may also be produced in a factory that makes other products that might have gluten. Particles can float through the air and add trace amounts of gluten to an otherwise gluten-free product. Depending on your sensitivity, you might want to choose products labeled gluten-free to ensure clean manufacturing.
Ingredients to Ponder
There are a couple of ingredients in the Ro-Tel original that we will pay special attention to. They do not determine whether the product is gluten-free.
Natural flavors can come from spices, fruits, vegetables, yeast, herbs, plants (bark, bud, root, leaf), meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, dairy, or fermentation of these items. If you are vegan and trying to avoid meat or dairy, you will want to find products that specify the natural flavors are plant-based or no natural flavors.
Citric Acid is Vitamin C. In processed foods, it’s used as an acidifier, as a flavoring, or as a preservative. It can also keep colors vibrant.
Calcium Chloride keeps the tomatoes and peppers from getting mushy. It is safe to consume.
Ro-Tel Nutritional Information by Product
Ro-Tel products are Circle K Kosher certified, Non-GMO Project Verified, and part of the Global Food Safety Initiative.
Ro-Tel comes in several flavors/varieties:
- Original
- Mild
- Hot
- Original – No Salt Added
- Serrano
- Fire Roasted
- Chili Fixin’s
- Mexican Style
- Chunky
- Chipotle
Ro-Tel Original Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies
Ingredients:
- Tomatoes
- Water
- Chopped Green Chili Peppers
- Salt
- Calcium Chloride
- Natural Flavor
- Citric Acid
- Cilantro
Nutrition (per ½ cup serving):
- 25 Calories
- 0g Fat
- 380mg Sodium
- 5g Total Carbohydrates (2g Dietary Fiber, 3g Total Sugars)
- 1g Protein
- 150mg Potassium
- .5mg Iron
Ro-Tel Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies has the same ingredients, except the Tomatoes are unpeeled. There are 2 grams of Total Sugars instead of 3 and slightly less protein, and 170g of Potassium.
Ro-Tel Original No Salt Added Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies has the same ingredients, but with less Sodium (15mg) and more Potassium (170mg) and calcium (40mg).
Ro-Tel Chunky Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies has the same ingredients. The only difference on the nutrition label is 1.6mg Iron and 170mg Potassium.
Ro-Tel Mild Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies has the same ingredients, 1.4mg Iron, 210mg Potassium.
Ro-Tel Hot Diced Tomatoes with Habaneros substitutes Jalapeno and Habanero Peppers for the Chopped Green Chili Peppers. The Sodium is 540mg, Sugars are 2g, no Iron, 110mg Potassium.
Ro-Tel Chili Fixin’s Seasoned Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies
Ingredients:
- Tomatoes
- Water
- Chopped Green Chili Peppers
- Dried Chili Pepper
- Salt
- Dried Garlic
- Oregano
- Cumin
- Dried Onion
- Citric Acid
- Red Pepper
- Calcium Chloride
- Natural Flavor
- Cilantro
Nutrition (per ½ cup serving):
- 35 Calories
- 0g Fat
- 440mg Sodium
- 8g Total Carbohydrates (3g Dietary Fiber, 3g Total Sugars)
- 1g Protein
- 40mg Calcium
- 4mg Iron
- 260mg Potassium
Ro-Tel Mexican Style Diced Tomatoes with Lime Juice & Cilantro
Ingredients:
- Tomatoes
- Water
- Chopped Green Chili Peppers
- Lime Juice Concentrate
- Cilantro
- Salt
- Dried Onion
- Calcium Chloride
- Natural Flavor
- Granulated Garlic
- Cumin
- Citric Acid
Nutrition (per ½ cup serving):
- 30 Calories
- 0g Fat
- 400mg Sodium
- 6g Total Carbohydrates (2g Dietary Fiber, 3g Total Sugars)
- Less than 1g Protein
- .4mg Iron
- 140mg Potassium
Ro-Tel Serrano Diced Tomatoes with Serrano Peppers
Ingredients:
- Diced Tomatoes
- Water
- Serrano Peppers
- Salt
- Acetic Acid
- Spice
- Green Bell Peppers
- Onion Powder
- Garlic Powder
- Sugar
- Citric Acid
- Natural Flavors
Nutrition (per ½ cup serving):
- 25 Calories
- 0g Fat
- 490mg Sodium
- 5g Total Carbohydrates (2g Dietary Fiber, 3g Total Sugars)
- 1g Protein
- .7mg Iron
- 150mg Potassium
Ro-Tel Chipotle Diced Tomatoes
Ingredients:
- Diced Tomatoes
- Water
- Green Chilies
- Chipotle Chile Pepper Puree
- Chipotle Chile Peppers
- Citric Acid
- Chili Pepper Powder
- Salt
- Onion Powder
- Sugar
- Garlic Powder
- Cumin
- Natural Flavoring including Smoke
- Calcium Chloride
- Oregano
- Citric Acid
Nutrition (per ½ cup serving):
- 35 Calories
- 0g Fat
- 290mg Sodium
- 7g Total Carbohydrates (2g Dietary Fiber, 3g Total Sugars, <1g Added Sugars)
- Less than 1g Protein
- 30mg Calcium
- .6mg Iron
- 160mg Potassium
Alternatives to Ro-Tel
To completely control the ingredients and avoid preservatives and additives, you can make your own. Copycat recipes vary widely, but most use diced tomatoes, some sort of diced green chilis (jalapenos, habaneros, etc.), salt and some spices. Some add vinegar, and some add sugar. One added onion. Most recipes cooked the mixture down for about 30 minutes. If you make a big batch and froze or canned it, you will have homemade Ro-Tel ready to go in your pantry.
For those that don’t want to create their own, there are plenty of alternatives to Ro-Tel on the market that are organic, kosher, gluten-free, and non-GMO verified.
Muir Glen Canned Tomatoes, Organic Diced Tomatoes, Fire Roasted with Medium Green Chilies
Gluten-free, Kosher, USDA Certified Organic, and Non-GMO Project Verified.
Ingredients:
- Organic Fire Roasted Tomatoes
- Organic Tomato Juice
- Organic Jalapeno Peppers
- Organic Vinegar
- Sea Salt
- Citric Acid
- Calcium Chloride
Nutrition (per ½ cup serving):
- 25 Calories
- 0g Fat
- 210mg Sodium
- 5g Carbohydrates (1g Dietary Fiber, 3g Sugars)
- 1g Protein
- 40mg Calcium
- .7mg Iron
- 260mg Potassium
Del Monte Petite Canned Hot Diced Tomatoes with Jalapeno and Habanero
A well-known brand. No artificial flavors, California-grown tomatoes, and all-natural sea salt. They have more Sodium than other brands.
Ingredients:
- Tomatoes
- Tomato Juice
- Water
- Jalapeno Peppers
- Jalapeno Peppers
- Salt
- Acetic Acid
- Water
- Calcium Chloride
- Salt
- Dehydrated Onions
- Distilled Vinegar
- Citric Acid
- Garlic Powder
- Dried Habanero Peppers
- Spices
- Natural Favors
- Calcium Chloride
- Onion Powder
Nutrition (per ½ cup serving):
- 30 Calories
- 0g Fat
- 450mg Sodium
- 6g Carbohydrates (1g Dietary Fiber, 3g Sugars)
- 47mg Calcium
- 1mg Iron
- 250mg Potassium
365 by Whole Foods Market, Tomatoes Petite Diced with Jalapeno Cilantro, Organic
Vegan, Fat-free, Certified Organic, Tomatoes from California were picked and packed the same day. Non-BPA can liner.
Ingredients:
- Organic Tomatoes
- Water
- Organic Chopped Green Jalapeno Chile Peppers
- Sea Salt
- Organic Vinegar
- Organic Cilantro
- Citric Acid
- Calcium Chloride
Nutrition (per ½ cup serving):
- 20 Calories
- 0g Fat
- 400mg Sodium
- 4g Carbohydrates (2g Sugars)
Hatch Tomatoes Diced with Green Chilies
Non-GMO Project, Certified Gluten-Free, OU Kosher Certified.
Ingredients:
- Tomatoes with Juice
- Water
- Chopped Green Chili Peppers
- Salt
- Calcium Chloride
- Citric Acid
- Natural Flavors
- Spices
Nutrition (per ½ cup serving):
- 20 Calories
- 0g Fat
- 300mg Sodium
- 4g Carbohydrates (1g Dietary Fiber, 2g Sugars)
- 1g Protein
Red Gold Petite Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies
Kosher, vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO Project Verified.
Ingredients:
- Tomatoes
- Tomato Juice
- Chopped Green Chili Peppers
- Salt
- Spices
- Cilantro
- Calcium Chloride
- Citric Acid
- Natural Flavor
Nutrition (per ½ cup serving):
- 25 Calories
- 0g Fat
- 280mg Sodium
- 5g Carbohydrates (1g Dietary Fiber, 3g Sugars)
- 1g Protein
- 220mg Potassium
Furmano’s Petite Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies
Gluten-free, and non-GMO Project Verified. This is a lower salt version as well.
Ingredients:
- Diced Tomatoes
- Tomato Juice
- Green Chili Peppers
- Sea Salt
- Calcium Chloride
- Salt
- Citric Acid
- Capsicum
Nutrition Facts (per ½ cup serving):
- 25 Calories
- 0g Fat
- 125mg Sodium
- 5g Carbohydrates (1g Dietary Fiber, 3g Sugars)
- 1g Protein
Related Questions
Are Ro-Tel Tomatoes Vegan?
Yes, all varieties of Ro-Tel contain all vegan ingredients. The issue comes with what you add to Ro-Tel in your recipes – make sure all other ingredients in your recipes are vegan as well.
Can I substitute Diced Tomatoes for Ro-Tel in Recipes?
Ro-Tel adds diced green chilies that have been fire-roasted and then meld its flavors in the jar with the tomatoes. If you don’t have Ro-Tel, make sure you have some diced green chilies to add along with your tomatoes to approximate the taste. Ro-Tel has a unique flavor that makes it hard to duplicate.
Can I Eat Ro-Tel by Itself?
Yes, but it’s better mixed in a recipe. If you are still focused on gluten-free or vegan, make sure that whatever you combine with the Ro-Tel follows those same guidelines.