The Magic of Tomato Powder & How To Use It

Tomato powder is a convenient and versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes to add a burst of tomato flavor.

It is staple in my pantry due to its long shelf-life, making it perfect for that emergency food storage. It is also very easy to use.

Oh, and did I mention it has no additives or preservatives and most brands are just 100% tomatoes.

Yep, no added sugars or salt or weird ingredients you do not know. Just pure clean tomatoes.

In this article I will offer some tips for using it on a day to day basis. You can also download a conversion chart to keep on hand!

What Is Tomato Powder?

Tomato powder is made by dehydrating tomatoes and grinding them into a fine powder. It is extremely flexible in how you use it and can be used in a variety of dishes to add a burst of tomato flavor.

Just add some water to the powder to create sauces or pastes, or sprinkle it on foods for a flavor burst.

My favorite brand is Thrive Life’s. It has no GMOs or bioengineered ingredients and no colors or flavors.

The only ingredients in this powder are tomatoes – that is it!

You can also get it on Amazon or in your local specialty stores. Whole Foods near me had some when I last checked. But, be sure to check the ingredients as some do have additional ingredients added.

Why I Love My Powdered Tomatoes!

The main reason I started using it was because of my preparedness initiative. I tried many different ways to keep a pantry of long lasting foods and that is how I found Thrive.

I have tried many of their products, but this powder came out tops on my list due to its flexibility of use.

Whether I am cooking with it, or just want a topper – it is a perfect option and when properly sealed can last for around 8 years!

Even opened you can get about 6-12 months of storage with it, which makes it a perfect staple during emergencies.

Tomato Powder Conversion Chart

Below are some basic conversions for using tomato powder to make your favorite tomato based recipe.

1. Tomato Powder to Tomato Paste Conversion

6 tablespoons of tomato powder + 1/2 cup water = one 6 oz can of tomato paste

2. Tomato Powder to Tomato Sauce Conversion

2/3 cup tomato powder + 2 cups water = approximately one 15 oz can of tomato sauce

3. Tomato Powder to Tomato Juice Conversion

1 cup tomato powder + 8 cups water = one 64 oz bottle of tomato juice

4. Tomato Powder to Ketchup Conversion

6 tablespoons tomato powder + 1 cup water = approximately 10 ounces of ketchup

Powdered Tomato Usage Tips

1. Add salt

Tomato powder has no added salt which gives you a lot of control over the salt usage, unlike store bought that has a ton of salt. But if you are used to store bought products, it will taste a bit bland to you unless you add salt.

I typically add about 1/2 tsp salt for every 1/2 cup powder that I use. Adjust this amount to your own tastes.

2. Use hot water

The powder will thicken up a bit as you heat it, so if you mix it with cold water, it will be deceivingly thin.

I’ve found that if I mix it with hot water, it thickens up right away and I get a more accurate consistency and result.

3. Add less first

Add a bit less tomato powder than I mention in the conversion charts above at first. This is because your tastes may differ slightly from mine. I like a bit more tomato flavor in my recipes, you may decide you like less.

You can always add a bit more to thicken it up later!

But if you add too much powder and have to add water to thin it out, you will waste product and end up with more than you need!

Tomato Powder Recipes

Once you’ve got those four basic conversions and tips down, here are a few recipes that you can try with this powder wonder.

• Tomato Powder Spaghetti Sauce
• Copycat Campbell’s Tomato Soup
• Enchilada Sauce

Other Ways to Use Tomato Powder

As someone who loves to cook and cares about emergency food storage, I always keep tomato powder in my pantry.

While I do use it a lot in recipes, there are a few other options for using it as well.

Making Sauces and Dips

Tomato powder is a great ingredient for making sauces and dips.

You can use it to make homemade pizza sauce, marinara sauce, barbecue sauce, and even enchilada sauce. Just mix the it with some water, garlic, onions, and your favorite spices, and you have a delicious sauce in no time.

You can also use it to make a tasty veggie dip by mixing it with cream cheese and some herbs.

Adding Flavor to Soups and Stews

It is a great way to add some added flavor to your soups and stews.

It adds a rich umami flavor that is hard to beat. Just add a tablespoon or two to your soup or stew, and you will be amazed at the difference it makes.

You can also use it to make tomato soup by mixing it with some broth and cream.

Enhancing Pizza and Pasta Dishes

Tomato powder is a must-have ingredient for anyone who loves pizza and pasta. It adds a rich tomato flavor to your dishes without making them too watery.

You can use it as a topping for your homemade pizza or mix it with some olive oil to make a delicious pasta sauce.

Using as a Dry Rub or Seasoning

Add it to a mix of seasonings to use as a dry rubs. It adds a rich tomato flavor to your meat and fish dishes.

Just mix it with some salt, pepper, and your favorite spices, and you have a delicious dry rub. You can also use it to season roasted vegetables or scrambled eggs.

Incorporating into Healthier Recipes

It can also be a great ingredient for adding flavor to healthier recipes. It is a pure ingredient that doesn’t contain any preservatives or additives.

You can use it to make a delicious vinaigrette for your salads or mix it with some tomato juice to make a healthy bloody mary mix, or add it into a veggie based smoothie.

It’s also a great way to add flavor to Spanish rice without using any unhealthy ingredients.

Substitutions for Tomato Powder

While I rarely run out of tomato powder since food storage is important to me, there are some options for you if you do;

• Tomato paste: Mix equal parts of tomato paste and water to create a paste with a similar consistency to tomato powder. This is a great substitute for adding flavor to soups, stews, and sauces.
• Tomato sauce: Mix one tablespoon of tomato sauce with one teaspoon of salt to create a tomato powder substitute. This works well as a seasoning for meat, vegetables, and pasta dishes.
• Dried tomatoes: If you have access to dried tomatoes, you can grind them into a powder using a spice grinder or food processor. This will give you a similar flavor to tomato powder and can be used in the same way.

It’s important to note that these substitutions may not provide the exact same flavor as tomato powder, but they can be a good alternative when you’re in a pinch.

Experiment with different ratios and blends to find what works best for you and your recipes.

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