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    Home » Recipes » Drinks » Easy Homemade Tomato Juice Recipe

    Easy Homemade Tomato Juice Recipe

    by: Anya·posted: Nov 9, 2016·updated: Apr 18, 2024·31 CommentsThis post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    tomato juice in two glasses with ice cubes with text overlay.

    Learn how to make tomato juice from tomato paste or tomato sauce quickly. It's an incredibly easy recipe that comes together in less than 5 minutes with 2 simple ingredients. Add a splash of healthy fats like MCT oil or olive oil for better nutrient absorption. This nourishing tomato juice recipe will satisfy your salt cravings and become your go-to refreshingly healthy drink.

    tomato juice in a two glasses with a mason jar with tomato juice in the background.

    There are so many different methods to making homemade tomato juice but this is probably the most quickest, easiest, and convenient! Sure, if you have a bounty of fresh tomatoes, you can peel them, blend them, and boil them down to make tomato juice but when I'm craving a nourishing, salty, and cold drink with a hint of spice - I go to this substitute for tomato juice.

    Looking for more healthy drinks? 
    Check out honey citrus mint tea, herbal coffee, and honey lemonade.  
    Jump to:
    • Recipe Overview
    • Ingredients for Tomato Juice
    • Canned or Jarred Tomato Paste
    • How to Make Tomato Juice from Tomato Paste
    • Helpful Tips for Homemade Tomato Juice
    • Storage and Freezing Instructions
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Printable Recipe

    Recipe Overview

    • Prep Time: 5 minutes to prep
    • Cooking Method: No-cook
    • Dietary Info: GAPS, Low-Carb-ish, Paleo, Ancestral diet
    • Tools Needed: quart-size jar with lid for storage
    • Skill Level: Super easy

    What is an ancestral diet? Read my post on what nourishing foods are based on the traditional dietary principles of the Weston A. Price Foundation.

    Reasons to Love this Recipe for Tomato Juice

    • Super easy recipe: There is no need to juice fresh tomatoes, and you're using pantry staples that you likely already have on hand.
    • Optimize nutrient absorption: The splash of a healthy oil makes the carotenoids in the tomato juice more bio-available and easily absorbable.
    • Avoid food waste: This is a great recipe when you're wondering what to do with leftover tomato paste after you use a few tablespoons for an Instant Pot lamb curry or Shepherd's pie.
    • Make ahead friendly: Make a big batch and store it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
    • Nourishing drink: Salty drinks like this tomato juice recipe is nourishing for the adrenals and is rich in minerals. Cooked tomatoes, found in tomato sauce and paste are also generally easier on the gut than in raw form.

    Ingredients for Tomato Juice

    Learn how to make tomato juice from tomato paste with 2 simple ingredients. See the recipe card for exact quantities.

    ingredients layed out on a white countertop with labels.
    • Tomato paste: Any brand of tomato paste will work, but I prefer jarred tomato paste. This Bionaturae tomato paste is my favorite brand - it's in small jars and has no added salt or sugar. But you can also find jarred tomato paste in local European and Middle Eastern stores. Just be sure to check the ingredients to make sure they don't have added salt or sugar.
    • Unrefined salt: Any unrefined sea salt with a high mineral content will work.
    • Cayenne pepper: For an optional touch of heat.
    • Healthy oil: A splash of extra virgin olive oil or MCT oil will help with nutrient absorption. This is optional.

    Canned or Jarred Tomato Paste

    One of the most important things that I am slowly transitioning to is purchasing tomato products in jars rather than cans. It's not easy because the frugal part of me tries to convince me that I'm grossly overpaying but the crunchy side of me insists that we're swimming in BPA particles.

    In short, do what you feel is best for your family with this in mind. The reality is that buying paste in cans is not ideal because of the potential for BPA to leach into those foods, especially if those foods are acidic, as tomatoes are.

    Even though many companies have started to remove BPA from their products, they are often replaced with equally harmful substance.

    If budget allows, go for tomato products and other acidic foods in glass jars. And no matter what you use, read the ingredients to avoid preservatives and added salt.

    💭Tips to Make it Nutrient-Dense
    Do this: Add a healthy fat like extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, or a splash of MCT oil to tomato juice to further improve absorption of nutrients and keep the blood sugar stable. 
    
    Why it works:
    According to NIH, studies show that consuming fat and carotenoids together improve absorption of lycopene and other compounds. Healthy fats such as pastured butter, tallow, and extra virgin olive oil offer excellent nourishment. So when tomatoes are eaten with those healthier fats, the body's absorption of the carotenoid can more than double. I always do my best to consume foods high in carotenoids with some fat. Adding avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil to your tomato juice will ensure the best absorption of these phytochemicals.

    How to Make Tomato Juice from Tomato Paste

    The complete printable recipe is below in the recipe card for your convenience. Follow these simple step-by-step instructions for the best results.

    tomato paste in a quart size mason jar with a wooden spoon.

    Step 1. Dissolve

    Dissolve tomato paste in ¼ cup of warm water. Add salt, cayenne pepper, and oil and stir or whisk vigorously to break up the fats in the oil and dissolve the salt.

    water added to tomato juice substitute.

    Step 2. Dilute

    Add remaining water and adjust salt if necessary. Enjoy over ice or store in the refrigerator for up to a week. Stir well before drinking as tomato paste will settle.

    Helpful Tips for Homemade Tomato Juice

    1. Use warm water to dissolve tomato paste - You'll need just a quarter cup of warm water but it'll make incorporating the paste into the liquid much quicker and smoother.
    2. Break up the oil - If using an oil, whisk vigorously to emulsify the oil and break it up. If you desire, you can even use an immersion blender to really get it worked up well. Alternatively, you can also screw the lid on the jar and shake vigorously. Add remaining water and proceed with the recipe.
    3. Strain for a smoother texture - If you prefer a smoother texture, strain the tomato juice through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove any pulp. I don't find it pulpy at all but that's an easy to way to make it smoother with a thinner texture.

    Troubleshooting

    • Too weak? Dissolve a tablespoon or two of additional tomato paste with a little bit of warm water in a separate cup and add to the tomato juice until you get the desired consistency.
    • Too salty? If the tomato juice is too salty or too rich in tomato flavor, add more water to dilute to taste preferences.
    • Fat particles won't break up? Throw it in a blender or use an immersion blender to emulsify the oil into the juice. But it's also important to have realistic expectations. If you're drinking it for the health benefits, try to overlook the little fat that pools to the top. Otherwise, omit it and just enjoy a refreshingly salty drink.
    💭Meal Prep Suggestion: This tomato juice recipe is excellent when you need a just a tablespoon or two of tomato paste and need to use up the rest. It's easy to scale up or down, depending on how much tomato paste you have on hand.  
    tomato juice in 2 glasses with one hand picking up one glass.

    Storage and Freezing Instructions

    How long does tomato juice last in the refrigerator?

    To store: Store tomato juice in an airtight container like a mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. 

    Storage containers: These wide-mouth mason jars for leftovers or Weck juice jars with lids are excellent for storing tomato juice.

    To freeze: To freeze, pour the juice into freezer-safe containers, leaving some headspace at the top to allow room for expansion. You can also use souper cubes to freeze individual portions. Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw and serve. 

    tomato juice with ice cubes in a mason jar with a celery rib.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is tomato juice healthy?

    Tomato juice has an impressive amount of vitamins A, C, E, and K, as well as folate, potassium, manganese, and magnesium. Tomatoes also contain a robust amount of lycopene, a naturally occurring pigment that may help curb chronic diseases, according to NIH study. This pigment belongs to a family of antioxidants called carotenoids and their properties are associated with protecting cells and regulating cell growth.

    How to make tomato juice from tomato sauce?

    You would use a similar method as with tomato paste. Just use considerably more tomato sauce than paste and season to taste and add oil. Shake or stir vigorously.

    Are cooked tomatoes healthier than raw?

    Research has found that the absorption of lycopene can be significantly increased by heating the molecule. According to this NIH study on lycopene, the raw form tends to crystallize which lowers the absorption potential. On the other hand, when lycopene is heated, the bent forms are able to easily find their way during digestion increasing the antioxidant absorption potential. This is important to know because tomato paste is essentially cooked down tomatoes and is rich in lycopene action.

    Looking for more easy healthy basics? Here are some ideas:
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      Roasted Jalapeño Peppers
    Did you make this Tomato Juice Recipe? Please leave a ⭐ recipe rating in the recipe card below and leave a review in the comments. Thank you!💚

    Note: This recipe was originally published in 2016 and has since been republished with new photos and a slight modification. I increased the tomato paste quantity to create a richer taste. The original recipe called for 2 tablespoons of tomato paste.

    Printable Recipe

    tomato juice in a small glass with ice cubes and parsley sprig.

    How To Make Tomato Juice

    Anya @ Prepare & Nourish
    Learn how to make tomato juice from tomato paste or sauce. This easy tomato juice recipe has only 2 ingredients plus an optional healthy fat.
    4.48 from 76 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2
    Calories 45 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • ¼ cup tomato paste
    • 1 quart filtered water
    • 1 teaspoons sea salt
    • pinch of cayenne pepper
    • 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, MCT oil
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Dissolve tomato paste in ¼ cup of warm water. Add salt, cayenne pepper, and oil and stir or whisk vigorously to break up the fats in the oil and dissolve the salt.
    • Add remaining water and adjust salt if necessary.
    • Enjoy over ice or store in the refrigerator for up to a week. Stir well before drinking as tomato paste will settle.

    Video

    Notes

    This recipe makes about 1 quart of tomato juice or 2 servings with a serving size of 2 cups.
    Storage: Store tomato juice in an airtight container like a mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. To freeze, pour the juice into freezer-safe containers, leaving some headspace at the top to allow room for expansion. You can also use souper cubes to freeze individual portions. Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw and serve. 
    Helpful tips: 
    • Use warm water to dissolve tomato paste - You'll need just a quarter cup of warm water but it'll make incorporating the paste into the liquid much quicker and smoother.
    • Break up the oil - If using an oil, whisk vigorously to emulsify the oil and break it up. If you desire, you can even use an immersion blender to really get it worked up well. Alternatively, you can also screw the lid on the jar and shake vigorously. Add remaining water and proceed with the recipe.
    • Strain for a smoother texture - If you prefer a smoother texture, strain the tomato juice through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove any pulp. I don't find it pulpy at all but that's an easy to way to make it smoother with a thinner texture.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 45kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1445mg | Potassium: 332mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 499IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg
    Nutrition Information
    The information shown is an estimate provided for your convenience by an online calculator. It should not be considered as a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice. See our complete Nutritional Information Disclaimer.
    Keyword homemade tomato juice, how to make homemade tomato juice, how to make tomato juice from tomato sauce, recipe for tomato juice, tomato juice recipe
    ©Prepare and Nourish • Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is encouraged and appreciated but please do NOT screenshot or copy/paste complete recipes to websites or social media.
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Leave a comment below and share a photo on Instagram. Mention @prepareandnourish and be sure to tag #prepareandnourish!

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    About Anya

    Sharing wholesome recipes using seasonal ingredients and simplified methods since 2014. My hope is you'll feel right at home in this online kitchen, where you'll find real food recipes for real families.

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    Comments

      4.48 from 76 votes (76 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Emily @ Recipes to Nourish says

      April 06, 2017 at 5:56 pm

      This is such a great idea! I never would have known how to make this. My mom loved tomato juice, you know the kind I'm talking about, and I used to enjoy drinking it with her too (as a kid). I love your healthier version and that salt and avocado oil in there too!

      Reply
      • Anya says

        April 07, 2017 at 5:08 pm

        Thanks Emily. The commercial tomato juice is junk. And homemade is so easy to make anyways.

        Reply
    2. Lynn Tremblay says

      June 29, 2018 at 9:22 pm

      How many cups is 1 quart -2T filtered water? Thank you.

      Reply
      • Anya says

        July 05, 2018 at 10:03 am

        Hi Lynn,
        It would be 0.875 cups. 😉 Just remove enough water to make it easy to stir in a jar. It doesn't have to be precise.

        Reply
    3. Keith says

      August 01, 2019 at 1:46 pm

      That's a huge sodium load! Especially bad for those with kidney disease. How about not adding the extra salt?

      Reply
      • Anya says

        August 12, 2019 at 11:08 am

        Hi Keith,
        Feel free to use as much or as little salt as desired. You're also welcome to completely omit it but it will taste more bland.

        Reply
    4. mart says

      August 14, 2019 at 1:57 am

      Hi, thanks for the great recipe. Im from South Africa and we use litres and millilitres. Am I correct in understanding that the ratio is 2 Tablespoon paste to a 1 quart as in 946 ml (4 cups) or 1 quart as in 1 cup which = 236 ml to 2 T paste ? sorry i made the recipe: 2 T to 900 ml and its definitely too weak.

      Reply
      • Anya says

        August 15, 2019 at 1:38 pm

        Hi Mart,
        If it's too weak for your liking, feel free to add more tomato paste and adjust salt if necessary. Hope that helps.

        Reply
        • Clarissa Ann Schmoldt says

          October 25, 2020 at 8:10 am

          How much oil do you use? It does not give an amount? Thanks much.

          Reply
          • Anya says

            October 27, 2020 at 9:42 am

            Clarissa,
            It's optional but 1-2 teaspoons per glass is plenty. Enjoy!

            Reply
    5. Brenda says

      November 21, 2019 at 10:54 pm

      Is that really the correct sodium content? That seems awfully high... I guess if I add much less salt, that would do the trick.

      Reply
      • Anya says

        December 01, 2019 at 9:31 pm

        Hi Brenda,
        Yes you could reduce the added salt. Sea salt has other important minerals so I don't worry about the high sodium content in tomato juice, especially since this is more of an occasional drink and not a regular thing.

        Reply
    6. Jim says

      March 01, 2021 at 11:32 pm

      Thanks for this recipe, I might have given 5 stars but you never provided any apportionment for the avocado oil. Is a pint too much, if you see my point? I would assume not a lot so I would hate to ruin the drink right off if even a Tablespoon might be too much. So, even some starting point would be helpful. You gave amounts for everything else...

      Reply
      • Anya says

        March 04, 2021 at 11:49 am

        Hi Jim,
        Good point - I fixed the recipe card to reflect that. One teaspoon should be sufficient - or just a quick drizzle. Enjoy. 🙂

        Reply
    7. Howard says

      January 19, 2024 at 6:47 am

      Excellent, well done, I add splash of lea and perrins.

      Reply
      • Anya says

        January 22, 2024 at 11:34 am

        Yummm!!

        Reply
    8. Brad Alsobrook says

      January 25, 2024 at 12:49 pm

      If I used 12 oz of tomato paste, how much water would I add to make tomato juice? Sorry for the question. My brain doesn't work very well with numbers. 😁 😊

      Reply
      • Anya says

        January 25, 2024 at 6:23 pm

        A lot. LOL - For one ounce of tomato paste (or 2 tablespoons), you would use one quart of water. So, for 12 ounces of tomato paste, you would need 12 quarts or 3 gallons. That's a LOT of tomato juice. You can also decrease the water a bit to make the tomato juice a little thicker, if desired. Enjoy!!

        Reply
    9. Maggie says

      December 27, 2024 at 12:32 pm

      Hi! Can you please give the amount on tomato sauce to water ratio? I’m an @amounts” type. Not good with “more than paste… Would greatly appreciate it!
      I also concur… store tomato juice is junk!!
      Thanks! Maggie

      Reply
      • Anya says

        December 29, 2024 at 8:40 pm

        Hi Maggie!
        I would use 3 tablespoons of tomato sauce for every 1 tablespoon of tomato paste and see how you like the consistency. So for 1 quart of water, I would use 3/4 cup of tomato sauce. Hope that helps! Let us know how it turned out.

        Reply
    10. Jackie says

      January 02, 2025 at 7:49 am

      I have some jars of tomato puree and would like to make juice from this. I assume you would go about it using the same process but with less water for dilution. I have a wonderful old family recipe for tomato juice cocktail and missed making a batch during tomato season.

      Reply
      • Anya says

        January 03, 2025 at 9:52 am

        Hi Jackie! Yes, you would use similar process but with less dilution. Check out my comment to Maggie (about 3 tablespoons of tomato sauce to replace every 1 tablespoon of tomato paste. Although I imagine tomato puree is a little thicker so you may want to do less and do frequent taste tests. Tomato juice cocktail sounds tasty!

        Reply
    11. Jon says

      March 11, 2025 at 4:57 am

      Why the backwards measurements? Only children play with cups.

      Reply
      • Anya says

        March 11, 2025 at 7:32 am

        Hi Jon,
        Thanks for your comment. I’m in the US as is 75% of my audience, where the imperial measurement system is standard. Plus, 11% of my audience is from Canada, where imperial is still commonly used in cooking. Unsurprisingly, the UK, where you are from, makes up only 3% of my audience, so I'll be sticking with imperial measurements for now. But hey, if cups are for kids, then I guess I’ve been running a very successful preschool for dinner guests! Appreciate your understanding!

        Reply

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