Tomato Sauce from Dehydrated Tomatoes
February 19, 2011, Submitted by: Ken Tweet
A very effective way to preserve and store fresh garden grown tomatoes is to dehydrate them. This post is about one thing you can do with your dehydrated tomatoes, later on. That is, to make tomato sauce!
There really is no right or wrong way to make tomato sauce, because it really depends upon your own tastes, preferences, and your willingness to experiment with what you have around the house!
While there is a lot of information out there about how to preserve various foods, like dehydrating your own tomatoes, I thought it would be fun to do a post on one way to prepare and actually use your preserved foods afterward – in this case, to make tomato sauce – perfect for pasta.
Here are a few conversion assumptions that I use for dehydrated tomatoes…
- 1 typical size fresh garden tomato will result in about 6 slices, each about one-quarter inch thick – excluding the end pieces.
- 1 typical ‘can’ of diced-stewed tomatoes from the grocery store (my cans say 14.5 ounces) is equal to about 30 slices of tomato.
For example, when a recipe calls for 4 cans of diced tomatoes, I will substitute about 120 slices of dehydrated tomatoes.
Keep in mind that re-hydrating dehydrated tomatoes will not be as ‘pretty’ as the original, but, believe me, most of that original flavor will be there, just a bit mushy instead. For sauce, it doesn’t matter!
Modern Survival Blog recipe for tomato sauce, using dehydrated tomatoes
The sky’s the limit, go ahead and experiment!
- Dehydrated Tomato Slices (about 120), cut into smaller pieces, re-hydrate, strain – save 3 cups strained water for recipe add
- Water (3 cups)
- Tomato Paste (optional, thickness to taste, 3 cans… 6 oz. cans)
- Garlic (8 cloves – chopped)
- Onion (1 – chopped)
- Sugar (1/4 cup)
- Worcestershire Sauce (1/4 cup)
- Parsley (1/8 cup – dried, or 1/4 cup fresh chopped)
- Basil (2 tsp.)
- Oregano (1 tsp.)
- Sage (1 tsp.)
- Marjoram (1/2 tsp.)
- Salt (1/2 tsp.)
- Pepper (1/2 tsp.)
- Olive Oil (1 Tbsp.)
This tomato sauce recipe is good as it is, or you can add meat to it and enjoy just as well.
Tomato Sauce Recipe Instructions
After cutting the dehydrated tomato slices into smaller pieces, dump them all into a pot of water (cool or room temperature) to re-hydrate. Stir them up so they are all covered with water.
The tomatoes will be re-hydrated enough in 30 minutes. Then, strain the tomatoes. This gives the recipe a base-line of tomatoes to start with…
Then, add all ingredients into a pot, and slowly bring to a rolling boil at medium heat.
Then, lower heat to simmer for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, use a masher to mash the ingredients.
Then, taste test, and realize the magnificent flavor!
Add meat if you wish, then simmer until all flavors are blended, and any meat is cooked. This is typically about one hour on low heat.
If you had added tomato paste, you should use a covered pot. If not, then boil down to your liking.
Remember, you can’t go wrong. Use your own experimental judgment!
Hopefully this will encourage you to consider dehydrating your excess tomatoes during the summer growing season, which will greatly reward you during the winter months!
Video How To Make Tomato Sauce from Dehydrated Tomatoes

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The sauce looks good! I have not tried making sauce from dehydrated tomatoes so I am saving your recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the recipe! Sure looks great. Any idea how much 120 tomatoes weigh before rehydration? Can’t wait to try this.
Do you skin and seed tomatoes before dehydrating them?
I simply slice and dehydrate them. I believe that others may also skin them first (parboil), but I we only do that if we’re going to can them or freeze them.
First, thank you for the information and video. This is something I have been pondering. You reference garden sized tomatoes. Approximately what size are you talking about? I have dehydrated beefsteak tomatoes, and do not think 30 slices would equal a 14.5 oz can of tomatoes. Two beefsteak tomatoes would easily equal 14.5 oz, about 15 slices. Thanks.
I’m not surprised as to the discrepancy. Tomatoes grow different sizes based on many variables. It seemed to me at the time that the original tomato versus the result of dehydration and then re-hydration led to a net loss of some weight (liquid). It’s hard to say ‘how much’ without a more scientific approach. My approach in the estimation was simply observation in the kitchen