How to Dehydrate Tomatoes {And Make Tomato Powder}
We have had a bumper tomato season. Learn how to dehydrate tomatoes and make tomato powder with your excess tomatoes too.
Print
Save
Pin
Facebook
Email
Add to Collection
Equipment
Ingredients
- Tomatoes
Instructions
Dehydrate Tomatoes In Dehydrator
- Wash and dry the tomatoes you are going to use.
- Next, slice the tomatoes into ¼ " slices.
- Arrange the slices on the dehydrator trays in a single layer.
- Place the trays in the dehydrator and set to 51 - 55˚C (125 - 135˚F) for 12 to 15 hours. Depending on where you live, the current conditions and the humidity, they may take a little longer to dry.
- They will be dry when they are brittle.
- Once the tomato slices are dry, remove them from the racks. They can be conditioned and stored in a glass jar at this point, or you can turn them into tomato powder.
Dehydrating Cherry Tomatoes
- Wash the tomatoes and cut them in half.
- Place on the dehydrator with the skin side down on the tray.
- Dry at 52˚C (125˚F) for around 10 to 18 hours.
- When dry, condition and store in an airtight container for up to one year.
Dehydrate Tomatoes in the Oven
- Wash and dry the tomatoes.
- Slice up the tomatoes using large tomatoes, or cut the cherry tomatoes in half.
- Place the tomatoes slices / cut cherry tomatoes skin-side down on baking paper lined trays.
- Dry in the oven that is set at its lowest temperature - or 77˚C (170˚F) - leaving the door slightly ajar. Place a heat-proof spoon in the door if possible.
- Dry for around 4 to 8 hours, until dry. Make sure to keep an eye of them for any burning or browning.
- Condition and store in an airtight container for up to 12 months.
Making Tomato Powder
- To make tomato powder, grind down your dried tomato slices until you have a nice, fine powder. A blender, food processor or coffee grinder work well for this. If using a food processor to powder the tomato, you may need to pour the powder through a fine-mesh strainer to sift the coarse bits out and reprocess.
- Store the powder in a mason jar and keep in a cool, dry place. For long term storage, you can seal the jar with a Foodsaver.
Using Tomato Powder
- Paste: To make a paste with the tomato powder, use a ratio of 1:1. Therefore 1 teaspoon of tomato powder to 1 teaspoon of warm water. A little salt can be added to taste. If you find that it is not thick enough for you, try using another part of powder (2:1).
- Sauce: To make a sauce, use a ratio of 1:2. Therefore 1 teaspoon of tomato powder to 2 teaspoons of warm water. Again, a little salt can be added, if desired. To make around 1 cup of sauce, mix ¼ cup of powder with ½ cup of water.
- Tomato Sauce: For a simple tomato sauce recipe add a little salt, onion powder, garlic powder, honey and white vinegar and simmer for around 20 minutes.
- Pizza Sauce: For a pizza sauce, make the sauce as above, and add your favourite herbs such as Italian herbs, basil, thyme, or oregano.
- Tomato Soup: To make tomato soup use 1 teaspoon of tomato powder, 1 teaspoon of warm water and 2 teaspoons of cream.
- Thicken a Soup: To thicken a soup, stir through a little powder until you get your desired thickness.
- Juice: To make tomato juice, use 1 teaspoon of powder to ½ cup of water.
- Thickener: Tomato powder can also be used as a thickener in chill's, and stews.
- Flavour: It will also add a delicious flavour to meatloaves, taco meat seasoning, pizza sauce and more.
Tried this recipe?Check out Share a pic on Instagram!
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided as a courtesy. The values may vary according to the ingredients and tools that are used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed information.