How to Make Homemade Tomato Juice

How to Make Homemade Tomato Juice with a Vitamix: A Simple and Flavorful Recipe

Learn how to make fresh, homemade tomato juice using a Vitamix! This simple, flavorful recipe is perfect for enhancing chili or enjoying as a refreshing drink. Discover the benefits of using farm-fresh tomatoes in your cooking.

Oh my word, y'all! 

Have you ever found yourself with a pile of ripe tomatoes and thought, "What in the world am I going to do with all of these?" 

Well, let me tell you about a little kitchen adventure that led me to discover the magic of homemade tomato juice. If you haven’t tried making it yourself, get ready—because this is one tasty treat you won’t want to miss. If not, you’re in for a treat. 

There’s something downright satisfying about turning fresh, farm-grown tomatoes into a juice so good, you’ll be sipping it straight from the glass and forgetting all about the store-bought stuff. 

My husband works with a gentleman who is always bringing in the most amazing produce from his farm—everything from pheasant eggs (yes, really!) to enough hot peppers to set my kitchen on fire. When he handed over a grocery bag full of tomatoes, I thought, "Now what can I whip up this time?

It didn’t take long before I decided to give homemade tomato juice a whirl. After all, I could always freeze any leftovers, but let’s be honest, this stuff didn’t last long enough to make it to the freezer!

Unlike store-bought options that often contain preservatives and added sugars, homemade tomato juice is pure, simple, and bursting with the garden-fresh taste that only comes from using the best ingredients. 

Once you try it, you might find it hard to go back to the bottled stuff!"

The secret to knock-your-socks-off tomato juice? It’s all about the tomatoes. I had 7 ripe beauties on hand, and they were just begging to be turned into something special. With just a pinch of salt and pepper, I let the natural sweetness and tanginess of the tomatoes do all the talking.

My husband made a request, for what? You guessed it, another pot of chili, and so I decided to put those ripe tomatoes to good use with homemade tomato juice.

I wasn't prepared for the difference in flavor! 

I am not sure how to explain it other than biting directly into a tomato, straight from the garden. So flavorful, I nearly fainted! I even thought to myself, I could eat this by the spoonful's, who needs chili?

Let me share with you how I made this delicious concoction.

Ingredients:

1. 7 ripe tomatoes, varied in size 
2. Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Start by thoroughly washing your tomatoes under cold water. It’s important to remove any dirt or residues from the skins, especially if they’re straight from the farm. Once clean, take a small, sharp knife and carefully remove the cores. The core is the tough part where the stem attaches to the fruit, and removing it ensures a smoother juice.
• Place all the cored tomatoes into your Vitamix or blender. If your tomatoes are particularly large, you might want to cut them in half to fit more easily. Add a pinch of salt and pepper—just enough to enhance the natural flavors without overpowering them. Now, turn on your Vitamix and gradually increase the speed until the tomatoes are thoroughly pulverized. You’ll notice the seeds and skins breaking down completely, creating a thick, smooth juice.
• Keep blending until you no longer see any visible seeds in the mix. This step is crucial for a smooth consistency, especially if you plan on using the juice in other recipes like soups or sauces. If you prefer a thinner juice, you can strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve to remove the pulp, but I personally love the full-bodied texture you get by keeping everything in

And just like that, you’ve got yourself some homemade tomato juice that’ll make you wonder why you didn’t start doing this sooner.

Santa put a Vitamix under our tree many years ago, and at the time I thought what can I do with this besides make smoothies?

This gal doesn't drink them. Whenever I have tried in the past, I pack on the pounds, and quick. Being insulin resistant can do that so I try to avoid carbs (does chocolate count?) as much as possible these days and eat as much protein as I can.

So, the Vitamix sat in our cupboard for many years collecting dust, sad, but true.

What I have learned over the years is that the Vitamix is truly a kitchen workhorse, capable of so much more than just making smoothies. I’ve discovered its incredible versatility. 

For instance, I’ve used it to grind oats into flour, which I’ve then turned into delicious oat bread and even a spicy hot pepper bread. It’s also perfect for making soups, nut butters, and, of course, this amazing tomato juice.

What I loved most about using this homemade tomato juice in chili is the control it gives me over the texture. I’m a fan of thick, hearty chili that clings to the spoon, and that’s exactly what I got with this batch. The beefy tomatoes I used made for a thick juice, which in turn created a rich, satisfying chili. 

I know not everyone shares my love for thick chili. If you prefer a thinner consistency, you could use juicier tomatoes or even add a bit of broth or water to your homemade juice. 

What’s your go-to chili texture? Do you like it thick and hearty, or do you prefer something a bit lighter?

In the end, there’s nothing quite like using fresh, homegrown ingredients to create something special in your kitchen. This homemade tomato juice didn’t just make our chili better—it reminded me why I love cooking from scratch in the first place. It’s the simple things that bring the most joy, don’t you think?

So, what are you waiting for? Grab some tomatoes, dust off that Vitamix or blender, and give this recipe a try. And if you do, drop me a comment below—I’d love to hear all about your kitchen adventures!

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Ciao,

Cara