Tomato powder is made from dehydrated tomatoes that have been dried and ground into a fine powder. This powder packs an intense tomato flavor and can be used to add rich, sweet tomato taste to a variety of dishes.
Tomato powder is very versatile. It can be used as a spice or seasoning, added to rubs and marinades, reconstituted into tomato paste or sauce, and even incorporated into baked goods.
Taste and Uses
The defining characteristic of tomato powder is its vibrant and pure tomato taste. It delivers all the sweet yet acidic tomato notes you’d expect but intensified. You get layers of both sweetness and tartness.
Some high-quality tomato powders have an almost fruity flavor thanks to being made from sun-ripened tomatoes. The powder can also give a subtle smokiness from the drying process.
Tomato powder can be used in your cooking in many ways:
As a Spice or Seasoning
When used in its whole powdered form without water added, tomato powder takes on a role as a spice or seasoning. You can:
- Sprinkle it on meats, poultry, and fish before roasting or grilling - It forms a delicious crust that adds sweet tomato flavor to chicken, pork, salmon, shrimp, and more.
- Toss it with vegetables before roasting or add it to veggie sides after cooking. It goes particularly well with potatoes, zucchini, carrots, broccoli, asparagus and other vegetables.
- Mix it into rubs and spice blends - A little tomato powder added to a BBQ or jerk seasoning rub takes the flavors up a notch. It also works well blended into Italian, Greek, and Mexican spice blends.
- Add it to rice, grains, egg dishes or salads to infuse extra flavor.
- Sprinkle it on popcorn and other snacks for a tasty surprise.
So as a spice, tomato powder is a quick and easy way to add sweet tomato punch into your savory recipes without extra time or prep.
To Make Tomato Paste and Sauce
One of the best aspects of tomato powder is how effortlessly it can be turned into tomato paste or sauce. Here’s how:
- To make tomato paste - Mix equal parts tomato powder and warm water. For example, mix 2 tablespoons powder and 2 tablespoons warm water to yield 4 tablespoons tomato paste. For thicker paste, use less water than powder.
- To make tomato sauce - Use around 2 parts tomato powder to 3 parts warm water. That will give you the consistency of canned tomato sauce. For example, 1 cup tomato powder to 1 1/2 cups water.
- Once you have your paste or sauce, cook it down or season it further to your taste by adding spices, garlic, onion, herbs, salt, sugar, etc.
So with tomato powder on hand, you’ll avoid having lots of leftover canned paste or sauce as it can be mixed just to the amount you need.
In Baked Goods
Tomato powder may seem unexpected when used in baked goods but it adds savory, tasty flavor. Try adding:
- 1-2 teaspoons to your next loaf of bread along with dried herbs or spices. Tomato basil bread is a classic. Tomato powder works well in any enriched bread dough.
- 1 tablespoon to homemade pizza dough or bread dough. It can offer a delicious accent to any types of bread from rolls to flatbread.
- 1-2 teaspoons mixed into cookies or other sweet baked treats like shortbread or biscotti. A hit of tomato plays well off sweeter tastes.
Bake up something tasty and new by experimenting with tomato powder in your baked goods.
In Rubs and Marinades
As a richly flavored spice, tomato powder is ideal for blending into:
- Dry rubs and BBQ spice blends for chicken, pork ribs, brisket, and anything you throw on the smoker or grill.
- Marinades for meats, fish or tofu. In wet or dry marinades, tomato powder infuses its savory flavor.
- Taco, fajita or chimichurri seasoning blends. Its strong flavor will beautifully carry over after grilling or pan cooking.
Tomato powder complements spices and herbs very well. Blend it into spice and herb mixes to create intensely flavorful rubs and marinades for all kinds of recipes.
Recipes Using Tomato Powder
Here are some tasty recipes using tomato powder:
- Tomato Basil Bread - Tomato powder gives this bread lovely flavor.
- Vegetarian Sweet Potato and Quinoa Chili - Tomato powder kicks up the savory flavor and texture.
- Vodka Sauce- Tomato powder makes an easy from-scratch sauce for pasta.
- Tomato Soup - Reconstitute tomato powder into a quick, tasty soup.
These recipes all showcase how tomato powder can lend its signature tomato taste across different dishes from breads to sauces to soups and more!
Buying and Storing Tomato Powder
Tomato powder can be found in well-stocked supermarkets, specialty food stores, online retailers, and sites focusing on bulk and camping supplies. Prices range widely from around $5 to $15 for a 2-4 ounce container.
When buying, look for vibrant red powders made from sun-ripened tomatoes for the best, most intense flavor.
Be sure to store tomato powder in an airtight container in a cool, dark place to maximize freshness and prevent clumping from moisture. Properly stored, it will keep for 1-2 years.
Key Takeaway: Look for bright red tomato powders and store in an airtight container in a dark, cool area like the pantry to retain flavor and prevent clumping.
Benefits of Cooking With Tomato Powder
Cooking and baking with tomato powder offers many benefits including:
- Intense tomato flavor - Delivers very concentrated, pure tomato taste to enhance dishes
- Convenience - No prep needed; quick and easy to use vs chopping tomatoes
- Versatility - Works as a spice, seasoning, flavoring, and tomato paste/sauce substitute
- Nutrition - Provides antioxidants like lycopene and vitamin A
- Long shelf life - Keeps for over a year properly stored
With its small container size and long shelf stability, tomato powder is also handy for camping trips, RV travels, boating, and emergency food kits.
FAQs
How does tomato powder taste different than tomato paste?
Tomato powder tastes more concentrated with pure, sharp tomato flavor vs tomato paste which has deeper, richer notes. Tomato paste also has a thicker consistency when rehydrated.
Can tomato powder be substituted for tomato sauce?
Yes, tomato powder can easily stand in for tomato sauce. Just mix the powder with warm water at a 1:2 ratio. Then season to taste with spices, garlic, etc.
What is a good tomato powder brand?
Some quality tomato powder brands are Spice House, Augason Farms and Hoosier Hill Farm. Look for brighter
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What are some recipe ideas using tomato powder?
Some tasty ways to cook with tomato powder include:
- Mix into meatloaf or meatballs
- Make homemade ketchup
- Use in lugar of tomato paste for stews, chilis, etc.
- Create rubs for chicken, pork, or beef
- Make tacos and fajita seasoning
- Add to pasta sauce or pizza sauce
- Mix into hummus or veggie dip
- Toss with roasted vegetables
- Add to egg dishes like scrambled or fried eggs
- Mix into ricotta cheese filling for ravioli or lasagna
- Use in place of tomato soup in recipes
- Make Cajun or Creole spice blends
- Mix with mayo for sandwich spread or dip
Can you make tomato powder at home?
Yes, it’s easy to make DIY tomato powder at home. Simply wash and slice ripe tomatoes, place on trays, and dehydrate in an oven on very low heat or using a food dehydrator. Once completely dried, blitz the tomatoes in a blender or food processor into a fine powder. Store in an airtight container.
What is a tomato powder substitute?
Good tomato powder substitutes include tomato soup powder, powdered tomato bouillon, sun-dried tomato powder, or dried tomato flakes. For a paste substitute, use canned tomato paste or tomato sauce seasoned with garlic powder, oregano, basil, etc.
Conclusion
Tomato powder is an incredibly handy and versatile pantry ingredient to have on hand. It can spike recipes with delicious concentrated tomato flavor without any chopping or prep work.
Use tomato powder as a spice or seasoning, incorporate it into rubs, marinades and spice blends, or reconstitute it into instant tomato paste or sauce. You can also blend it into baked goods for a tasty addition.