Daily Survival

Saturday, July 5, 2025

Dehydrating Tomatoes and Tomato Powder

Today, it’s all about making tomato powder and using it. It takes up very little space on the pantry shelves, and yet we can make so many things with it. Here again, it’s all about cooking from scratch.

What Is Tomato Powder?

It’s essentially fresh, sweet tomatoes dehydrated with their peelings, then pulsed or ground into a fine powder. You can make it so much cheaper than buying it from the store. The powder is incredibly versatile for use in a wide range of tomato-based food items.

How To Make Tomato Powder

Dehydrate Your Tomatoes

Step One: Wash, Core, and Slice

Wash and core (stem) the tomatoes. Using a sharp knife, slice the tomatoes about 1/4 inch thick and place the slices on the dehydrator trays or racks in a single layer. I DO NOT PEEL them.

Step Two: Set The Temperature

I set the temperature at (155°F) = (68°C) degrees per my Excalibur Dehydrator instructions. Please check your dehydrator for the correct temperatures for your specific make and model.

It took about 5 hours to dehydrate today. The time will depend on the humidity of the room where you are dehydrating them, as well as the temperature setting used in your dehydrator.

How To Condition Your Fruit or Vegetables

If you live where it is HUMID: “To condition the fruit, take the dried fruit that has cooled and pack it loosely in plastic or glass jars. Seal the containers and let them stand for 7 to 10 days. The drier pieces will absorb the excess moisture in some pieces.

Shake the containers daily to separate the pieces and check the moisture condensation.” https://nchfp.uga.edu/how/dry/pack_store.html . As mentioned in the following paragraph and the section below regarding conditioning, I often place them on a baking or cookie sheet on my counter for 5-7 days.

I used to live in the DRY DESERT: I set my fruit and vegetables on my countertop for 5-7 days. Ten days are even better to make sure everything is evenly dry before using your FoodSaver unit.

Step Three: Tomato Powder-Use a Blender

You can use a Magic Bullet or a blender to make the powder. It’s very easy to use either one. It’s good to use the pulse button and grind a little at a time. I’ve heard that some people use their coffee grinders or food processors to achieve the desired powder consistency.

You can store the excess dehydrated tomatoes in jars and blend the amount of tomato powder you will use during the next month or so. It takes up very little space on my pantry shelves.

How To Dehydrate Tomatoes

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 5

Total Time 5 30

Servings 12 people

Author Linda Loosli

Ingredients

1-6 tomatoes (No chemicals or preservatives. Just fresh tomatoes.)

Instructions

Wash and core (stem) the tomatoes. Slice the tomatoes about ¼ inch thick and place them on the dehydrator racks. I DO NOT PEEL them.
I set the temperature at (155°F) = (68°C) degrees per my Excalibur Dehydrator instructions. Please check your dehydrator for the correct temperatures.
The time will always depend on the humidity where you are drying yours. I dry them until they are a little flexible but not brittle. Today they took about 5 hours.
You can use the dried tomato slices for making paste, puree or just to season what you are cooking. These are great to use in soups, spaghetti sauces, or to eat as a snack!

How To Condition Your Fruit or Vegetables

If you live where it is HUMID: "To condition the fruit, take the dried fruit that has cooled and pack it loosely in plastic or glass jars. Seal the containers and let them stand for 7 to 10 days. The excess moisture in some pieces will be absorbed by the drier pieces. Shake the jars daily to separate the pieces and check the moisture condensation." https://nchfp.uga.edu/how/dry/pack_store.html
I used to live in the DRY DESERT: I set my fruit and vegetables on my countertop for 5-7 days. Ten days are even better to make sure everything is dry before using your FoodSaver unit.

How To Make Tomato Powder

After you dehydrate your tomatoes and they are fully "conditioned" (totally ready to store), you can make tomato powder.
You can use a Magic Bullet or a blender to make the powder. It's very easy to use either one. It's good to use the pulse button and grind a little at a time. I've heard some people will use their coffee grinders or food processor to get the powder consistency they want.

How Do I Store Tomato Powder?

You can use airtight containers as shown above, or pint-sized mason jars with Ball White Lids. Either way, it’s so easy to make and store for later.

Please don’t use your FoodSaver accessories tube to remove the air from the powder. It will damage your FoodSaver by sucking the powder up the tube into the machine.

What is Conditioning?

After the food is dehydrated, place your finished product on trays for 5-7 days. Ten days is even better. Here’s the deal: we need every area of the tomatoes to be dry, or you may see mold in your jars after sealing. If you see mold, discard the entire jar; it is not safe to eat.

How do I Store the Dehydrated Tomatoes?

I use my FoodSaver and seal the jars. I don’t use oxygen absorbers because I plan to eat these within a year. Then I start the process again next year, since I love both the dehydrated tomatoes and the tomato powder as I prepare meals.

Can I Dehydrate the Tomatoes in My Oven?

Yes, you can. Many preppers like to use ovens for dehydrating fruits and veggies. You need to set the oven to its lowest temperature, put a wad of foil to keep the oven door ajar, and place the sliced tomatoes on cookie sheets covered with parchment paper. Be sure to check the tomatoes often, since your oven will dry them much faster than a regular dehydrator.

Can I Use Cherry Tomatoes?

Yes, you can dehydrate cherry tomatoes by cutting them in half and drying them with the cut side up. The advantage of using cherry tomatoes is that they are typically much sweeter to taste; therefore, the tomato powder is also much sweeter.

Which Tomatoes Are Best To Use?

Any tomato will work, but try to use only non-GMO varieties whenever possible. The more we purchase good seeds that are Heirloom Seeds, the better off we’ll be. We can save seeds and replant them as needed. This is where I buy all of my garden seeds: SeedsNow.

If you plan to use your tomatoes for juice, consider growing Early Girl or Brandywine. They tend to be larger and very juicy when ripe. We have also used Beefsteak tomatoes and had good luck due to their large size. Romas are okay, but tend to be smaller in size and have less juice content.

What Are The Easiest Tomatoes To Grow?

If you’re a beginner gardener, consider selecting cherry tomatoes. They are very easy to grow and produce a large harvest. Here are some tips on growing tomatoes. We’ve had good production with all the tomato varieties, big and small. We enjoy BLT sandwiches, so tomatoes are included in each year’s planting cycle.

What Is The Shelf Life?

As a Master Canner-Preserver, I can confidently say that the dehydrated tomatoes and the powder will remain good for one year if stored properly. Please keep the tomato powder in airtight containers. We all hope the food in storage lasts a long time, so plan on storing it in a cool, dry, and dark location whenever possible.

Are Tomatoes Healthy?

Tomatoes are a great source of the antioxidant lycopene. It has been linked to many health benefits, such as a reduced risk of heart disease and cancer. They are high in Vitamin C, Potassium, Folate, and of course, Vitamin K.

How Can I Use Tomato Powder?

Tomato soup or stew
Spaghetti sauce
Chili
Sloppy Joes
Bisque
Juice
Paste
Tomato Sauce
Ketchup
Pizza sauce and other pasta dishes
Sprinkle on top of salads

How to Make Your Tomato Sauce

15-ounce can: 2/3 cup tomato powder and 1-3/4 cups water

Fresh Juice

64-ounce bottle: 8 cups water and 1 cup powder

You Can Make Tomato Paste

6-ounce can: 6 tablespoons powder and 1/2 cup water

Here are the other Dehydrating Posts I have done:

Final Word

Please let me know if you’ve made tomato powder and how you used it. I love hearing from you. Tomatoes are so easy to dehydrate and then use to make our powder.

It’s all about cooking from scratch and growing our food. Thanks again for being prepared for the unexpected. May God bless this world, Linda

The post Dehydrating Tomatoes and Tomato Powder appeared first on Food Storage Moms.

from Food Storage Moms

7 Chicken Breeds That Lay Blue Eggs

Eggs are the very best part of owning a flock of chickens. They’re the freshest, best-tasting eggs you will ever have, bar none, and bringing in a basket full of those perfect little jewels every morning is one of life’s great pleasures. And compared to the eggs you get in the grocery store, your flock ... Read more

7 Chicken Breeds That Lay Blue Eggs can be read in full at New Life On A Homestead- Be sure to check it out!

from New Life On A Homestead

Friday, July 4, 2025

Easy Chicken Noodle Soup Mix in a Jar

This chicken noodle soup mix in a jar is part of my series on making meals to eat later. They make great gifts for new mothers, holiday gifts, and you can take a pot of soup to someone who is sick at the last minute. When my grandkids call me saying they have a cold, they always ask me what they need to help them get through it. My first response is always chicken noodle soup. The second choice is green tea, with honey and lemon. And don’t forget Vick’s VapoRub. I also love my one essential oil called “Breathe.” I can’t get low on that crucial oil, or I go into panic mode.

Chicken Noodle Soup Mix in a Jar is the Perfect Gift

You can gift one of these jars to a neighbor who is under the weather, or make a pot of soup for your own family at the last minute by just adding water to the jar’s ingredients and then cooking it. Who doesn’t love a hot pot of soup, right? I like to drop these soups off as surprise gifts, or I enjoy gifting them to someone when they are sick.

Ingredients for Making The Soup Mix

Dried Parsley: Parsley has a delicious slightly bitter taste that contrasts well with other flavors. Used to enhance the other flavors of the soup.
Garlic Powder: A spice that is created from dehydrated garlic. Also used to enhance the other flavors of the soup.
Sweet Dried Basil: Sweet dried basil has a very distinct flavor, but is a milder herb than regular dried basil. It has less of a licorice flavor.
Chicken Bouillon: Made with a variety of seasonings, including salt, chicken stock, dehydrated vegetables, and fat.
Bay Leaf: A very aromatic leaf that when infused with a liquid gives off a subtle minty flavor.
Dehydrated Carrots: Dehydrated carrots are nearly as healthy as fresh carrots. When properly dried, the carrots maintain the majority of their minerals and vitamins.
Dehydrated Celery: Dehydrated celery is crisp, light, and delicious. When properly dried, the celery will keep most of the flavor, minerals, and vitamins as a fresh celery stalk.
Dried/Minced Onions: When dried, onions take on a richer flavor than regular onions. Perfect for soups! Adds a kick of sweet onion flavor!
Wide Egg Noodles: The eggs in this pasta noodle help to create a noodle that is thick and hearty when cooked.

Filling The Jars

Grab a wide-mouth quart (32-ounce) mason jar and layer the dried vegetables in order. Start with the onions, carrots, celery, and then the noodles. Place the sweet basil, garlic powder, one bay leaf, and the bouillon in a small bag. Seal the bag, it will go on top of the dry soup mix ingredients. Place a lid on the jar and seal the airtight jar with a FoodSaver.

You’ll need a Funnel to fill the jars with the dry ingredients, trust me. As mentioned, the seasoning bag will go on top of the pasta. These are so fun to make, my friends! These would make great gifts to take to someone who is sick or having surgery, the list is endless. The recipient will be so excited to make this delicious soup! Seasoning Bags I used. I bought the 3.5” x 5.5” size bags. You may want some Twine or ribbon for the gift tags.

Chicken Noodle Soup Mix in a Jar

I think my favorite part about this whole soup-in-a-jar mix is that it’s ready to go. When you’re hungry, you can simply get one of these out. You can spend a day prepping a bunch of jars for future use and then get one out when you need to. Also, it’s a blessing to someone else when you give this Chicken Noodle Soup Mix in a Jar to them.

What the Soup Looks Like

When it comes to chicken soup, I think it’s one of the yummiest recipes you can make. The recipe itself can be so different, but this is my favorite. If a family member asks you to make them Chicken Soup, you get out this recipe and make it for them. They will be so thankful they know someone who can make a delicious soup.

Step One: Place Dry Ingredients in a Soup Pot

When ready to cook, place the dry ingredients in a large stockpot.

Step Two: Add Water and Seasonings

Add the 7 cups of water and the entire contents of soup mix seasonings on top of the dry ingredients.

Step Three: Add the Bouillon Cubes

I threw the bouillon cubes in, but they quickly floated to the bottom. After the soup comes to a boil, simmer for 20-30 minutes, or until the vegetables and pasta are cooked to perfection. Stir to make sure the soup is well mixed, particularly the bouillon cubes.

Finished Product

Remove bay leaves. Add the 2 cups of cooked chicken to the heated soup mixture, and stir until heated through. Salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy.

Easy Chicken Noodle Soup Mix in a Jar

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Easy Chicken Noodle Soup Mix in a Jar Recipe

Chicken Noodle Soup Mix in a Jar

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Servings 4 people

Author Linda Loosli

Ingredients

1 teaspoon Dried Parsley
1 teaspoon Sweet Dried Basil
1/4 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1 Bay Leaf
2 Chicken Bouilllon Cubes or 1/3 cup granules
1/4 cup Dried/Minced Onions
1/4 cup Dehydrated Carrots
1/4 cup Dehydrated Celery
2-1/2 cups Wide Egg Noodles
2 cups Cooked Chicken or canned chicken (add after the soup is made)
7 cups Water
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Grab a quart (32-ounce jar) mason jar and layer the dried vegetables in order. Start with the onions, carrots, celery, and then the noodles.
2. Place the sweet basil, garlic powder, one bay leaf, and the bouillon in a small bag.
3. Seal the bag, it will go on top of the dry soup mix ingredients.
4. Place a lid on and seal the jar with a FoodSaver.

When Ready To Cook

1. When ready to cook, place the dry ingredients in a soup pot, add the water, and the seasonings, and bring them to a boil.
2. After the soup comes to a boil, simmer for 20-30 minutes or until the vegetables and pasta are cooked to perfection.
3. Remove bay leaves.
4. Add the 2 cups of cooked chicken to the heated soup mixture, and stir until heated through.
5. Salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy.

What can I serve with this soup?

What size of jars can I use?

You can use quart mason jars (32-ounce size), or any jars equal in size. I have a ton of canning jars, so these were my first choice.

Should I use a FoodSaver to seal the jars?

I used my FoodSaver to remove the air out of the jars so I can store them in my pantry.

Do I need Oxygen Absorbers in the jars?

You can use oxygen absorbers but I don’t. I only want these jars to be used for fairly short-term storage.

Can I store my soup in bags instead of jars?

Yes, you can, but the edges of the pasta may tear through the bags. I’m sure some people may use Mylar bags, but I don’t like to use them, it’s a personal preference. I have jars, so I opt to use them.

What is the shelf-life of these soup mixes?

You may remember, Mark and I took classes to get our Master Canning and Preserving Certificates. We have been canning for over 50 years as a family, but I wanted to learn the updated safety tips. According to our class, if you process food at home, it will last one year safely. From experience, I know we used my homemade grape juice when it was two years old, but I’m just sharing the facts. Everyone has their own impression of shelf-life, I get it. Please do what you feel good about.

Are there Gluten-Free Noodles?

Yes, a reader mentioned she uses Sam Mills Gluten Free Corn Pasta Lasagna Corte. Yay, for another option for our GF friends! Gluten-Free Pasta

Could I use rice, quinoa, or lentils in this recipe instead of noodles?

I really love what the wide egg noodles provide in this recipe! If you’re interested in rice, quinoa, or lentils you would need to be mindful of how to cook them compared to how the wide egg noodles are cooked.

Could I replace the dehydrated vegetables with dried vegetable flakes or powders?

I highly recommend using the dehydrated vegetables in this chicken noodle soup mix-in-a-jar recipe! We are going for larger pieces of vegetables in this recipe like you would find in regular chicken noodle soup. If you were to use carrot flakes, celery flakes, or onion powder you would have the flavor, but a thinner soup. It all depends on the results that you’re aiming for!

Could I add additional dehydrated vegetables?

I really love the dehydrated vegetables that are in this recipe as is! By adding additional dehydrated vegetables the flavor would be different than a traditional chicken noodle soup. If you’re interested in adding additional dehydrated vegetables to this chicken noodle-in-a-jar recipe, I would recommend adding any of the following dehydrated vegetables: red or green bell peppers, potatoes, peas, tomatoes, or any other of your choice.

If you like this Chicken Noodle Soup Mix in a Jar recipe, check out my Soup Mix in a Jar Series!

Friendship Soup Mix In A Jar

Final Word

I hope you enjoy this chicken noodle soup mix in a jar recipe and my other Soup Mix in a Jar series. I feel an urgency to teach others to cook from scratch and make it as easy to make as possible. Families are busy, and I get it. Let’s teach them to cook with the ingredients from the pantry in their homes. If we stock up, we’re prepared for the unexpected. Plus, what a great example to the kids and grandkids that breakfast, lunch, and dinner don’t have to come from a fast-food drive-through. If you have a favorite easy-to-fix soup I’d love to hear about it. Stay safe and stock up. May God Bless this world, Linda

The post Easy Chicken Noodle Soup Mix in a Jar appeared first on Food Storage Moms.

from Food Storage Moms

When Neighbors Turn Into Enemies

You never really know someone until the lights go out. Not the kind of lights-out where you fumble for the fuse box or text the utility company. I’m talking about the kind that comes with silence—no hum of the fridge, no streetlights outside, no glow from living rooms flickering with late-night sitcoms. The kind of ... Read more...

from Prepper's Will

#1 Silent Killer Hiding in Your Garage

Imagine this: You’re in your garage, working on a DIY project, fixing an old tool, or maybe just cleaning up that pile of clutter you’ve been ignoring for months. You accidentally scratch your hand on a rusty nail, or you jab yourself with a forgotten old screwdriver. “It’s just a little cut,” you think. “I’ll […]

The post #1 Silent Killer Hiding in Your Garage appeared first on Ask a Prepper.

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