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I was so excited upon learning that there was a valuable way to put tomato peels to use and make a product that I genuinely can’t believe I’ve gone my whole life without knowing about. There are so many reasons why making tomato powder from dehydrated tomato skins is a wonderful idea. If only I had known this trick a year prior, before growing and processing hundreds of pounds of tomatoes and just tossing all those useful skins in the compost! Since making my first batch, there have been several times where having this tomato powder on hand has been so incredibly convenient and helped me achieve a desired flavor for a recipe.
What to use tomato powder for:
- Soups
- Sauces
- Salad dressings
- Rehydrate to make tomato paste, sauce, or juice
- As a seasoning for eggs or tofu scramble, avocado toast, pizza, pasta dishes, cooked veggies or meats, etc.
- Savory breads and other baked goods
- Homemade seasoning blends
- Add to rice to make it Spanish-style
Tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamins and nutrients, including:
- fiber
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin K1 (supports bone health)
- folate (Vitamin B9)
- potassium
- iron
- beta carotene (supports eye health)
- lycopene (supports heart health)
Below is a step-by-step guide to making this tomato powder, with a printable summary at the bottom of the page.
Pro tip: I always try to buy my produce from the local farmer’s market because the quality of flavor makes a huge difference! Plus I love to support my community and the environment, and you can’t beat the piece of mind of knowing exactly where your food comes from. I encourage you to check out your local farms (if you haven’t already) and see what they have to offer!
Step 1:
Collect all your tomato peels and lay them flat on your dehydrating trays, keeping them spaced apart.
Step 2:
Dehydrate at 135°F for 6 hours, or until they are completely dry and brittle.
Step 3:
Transfer dried tomato skins to a blender and blend into a fine powder. (The finer, the better.)
As you can see, making tomato powder from tomato skins is super simple and well worth the effort. Just store the powder in an airtight jar in a cool, dry place and it should last for years. Use good judgement and throw it out if you see any signs of mold or if it starts to smell rancid. If you try out this recipe and enjoy it, share it with a friend and comment down below. I always love to hear your feedback!
Alternative drying methods:
Oven: Bake skins on a sheet of parchment paper at 200°F for 1.5 to 3 hours. Check regularly to make sure they don’t burn.
Sun-Dried: Place tomato skins on a drying rack or tray and leave them in a sunny spot outside. They make take up to 3 days to dry completely. (I have not tried this method.)
Useful Equipment:
Food Dehydrator: An incredibly useful appliance to have in the kitchen and by far the best method for drying tomato peels. I highly recommend investing in one if you are able to do so! I use mine at least weekly and have been able to preserve so many foods and stock up on shelf stable items.
Vitamix High-Speed Blender: I would also recommend investing in a high-speed blender if you don’t already one and are able to do so. Other blenders just don’t compare when it comes to creating a fine powder, or blending foods into the smooth, creamy consistency that you desire for things like sauces, soups, etc. I have been using this one for many years and couldn’t live without it!
Mortar & Pestle: Another good method for grinding dried tomato peels into a powder. The benefits of a mortar & pestle are that it does an excellent job of making a very fine powder and doesn’t require any electricity or power, just a little muscle!
Spice Grinder: Another great tool to have on hand if you want to make more of your own spices at home!
Mason Jar Vacuum Sealer: I use this for any and all dry goods that I store in mason jars to keep them preserved as long as possible. It’s so easy to use and makes a huge difference in maintaining the quality of taste whatever you’re storing.
Tomato Powder
Equipment
- 1 food dehydrator
- 1 blender, spice grinder, or mortar/pestle or any other tool for making a powder
Materials
- tomato skins
Instructions
- Dehydrate skins at 135°F for 6 hours, or until they are dry and brittle.
- Blend or grind them into a fine powder. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
