How to Make Dehydrator Tomato Powder

This is what happens when your in laws invite you over and ask you if you want some tomatoes from their garden.

 

I think Mom and Dad were secretly shoving produce in our pockets when we weren’t looking
I’m truly grateful Mom and Dad shared their bountiful garden harvest with us. Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond anyone’s control, a big chunk of the tomatoes were so ripe they couldn’t wait for me to buy more canning supplies in the next day or so, oh no.

Both Husband and I knew we would be haunted by our ancestors if we let even a fraction of this generous gift spoil before I could preserve it for later.

Fortunately, my dehydrator stepped up and made sun dried tomatoes out of the tomatoes in the most dire need of attention. (read how to make sun dried tomatoes  on Lazy Budget Chef here.)

Unfortunately I don’t have storage space for so many jars of dehydrated and canned tomatoes. So I decided to make dried tomato powder instead!

How to Make Tomato Powder the Easy Way!

Pin this tutorial for later!

 You will need:

 

Clean, fresh tomatoes - kinda a given

Knife, throw in a cutting board for kicks too

Dehydrator – I have a this dehydrator that is such a workhorse that doesn't take up much space. I highly recommend it!

Blender or food processor - you can find a variety of food processors at all price points here

Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post for your convenience.

How to make it:

 
1. Remove the tomato stems if you haven't done this already and use the knife to slice the tomatoes. I didn’t both removing the tomato seeds and skins since I will be turning everything into powder later but you can if you like.

The serration on a tomato knife is made to cut through soft tomatoes without tearing it unlike a regular serrated knife. 

 

2. Dry the tomatoes in the dehydrator at 145 degrees (F) for 6 -12 hours until the tomatoes are crisp, tough, or brittle. Your drying time will depending upon how thick you slice the tomatoes, the temperature, and the amount you want to make at a time. You can speed the drying time by rotating the trays every four hours if you like.

 

Most (OK, all) of the time I load up the dehydrator and walk away until it is time to check if my tomatoes are fully dry.

4. When the tomatoes are dry, grind the tomatoes into a powder using a blender or food processor.

I’m using a mason jar on my blender because I’m waiting for a replacement blendar jar to ship. Yes! You can buy blander jars and other replacement parts here. 

5. Store the tomatoes powder in an airtight container (I use a repurposed empty glass jar) to use for later!
 

Almost all of the tomatoes in the first photo are now dehydrated and stored as tomato powder in a pint mason jar. 

Rather buy, than DIY? Check out these powdered tomato options - and more! - below!

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