Sun-dried tomatoesare ripened tomatoes that have been dehydrated through spending time drying in natural sunlight. If you need a sun-dried tomato replacement, there are several terrific options for every occasion.
Sun drying tomatoes involves exposing each tomato to the sun for a few days to a week and a half. To increase the vividness of the final color and look of the tomatoes, each tomato is frequently pre-treated with salt or sulfur dioxide before being sun-dried.
In this post, you’ll learn about sun-dried tomato substitutes for every dish or occasion.
Top Pick: Cherry tomatoes are an excellent alternative for sun-dried tomatoes since they have comparable textures while also providing a sweet-tart taste that works well in salads, antipasto platters, and other similar meals.
Contents
- What Are Sun-Dried Tomatoes?
- Substitutes for Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- Conclusion
- FAQs
- Can you use regular tomatoes in place of sun-dried tomatoes?
- What’s the difference between sun-dried tomatoes and roasted tomatoes?
- What tomatoes are best for sundried tomatoes?
- Do dehydrated tomatoes taste the same as sun-dried tomatoes?
- What is special about sun-dried tomatoes?
- Do sun-dried tomatoes need to be refrigerated?
- Why are sun-dried tomatoes so expensive?
- Do you soak sundried tomatoes before cooking?
- Are store bought sun-dried tomatoes actually sun-dried?
- Are sun-dried tomatoes just dehydrated?
What Are Sun-Dried Tomatoes?
Sun-dried tomatoes are dried tomatoes that are often used in pasta recipes, salads, and antipasto platters.
Plum tomato varietals such as San Marzano and Campari are often used for sun-dried tomatoes. Grape and cherry tomatoes are also utilized on occasion.
They have an intense taste that is best characterized as sweet and tart. Commercially, sun-dried tomatoes are preserved in olive oil or sunflower oil, occasionally with extra herbs and spices.
Sun-dried tomatoes have a particular texture, with the skins becoming both chewy and soft, which may help improve a variety of dishes.It is critical to keep this in mind while searching for a suitable alternative.
You may eat these tomatoes in a variety of ways while knowing that they are actually nutritious, not just pleasant. Sun-dried tomatoes are naturally abundant in vitamins C and A, as well as magnesium and iron.
Substitutes for Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Check out some of our favorite sun-dried tomato substitutes based on flavor, convenience, texture, and consistency.
| Substitute: | Best for: |
| Cherry tomatoes | Salads, antipasto platters, pasta |
| Fresh tomatoes | Salads, pasta, homemade sun-dried |
| Canned tomatoes | Sauces, soups |
| Roasted bell peppers | Salads, antipasto platters, pasta |
| Homemade sun-dried tomatoes | When you have the time |
1. Cherry Tomatoes
When serving as an appetizer with meats, cheeses, and other similar items, cherry tomatoes are an ideal substitute for sun-dried tomatoes. Essentially, they’re perfect for an antipasto plate!
However, cherry tomatoes may also be used in salads. They contain a lot of sweet tastes that may nearly be sour since they are so sweet. The skins have a similar texture, which is a touch chewy.
Sun-dried tomatoes are sometimes prepared using cherry tomatoes. So keep that in mind while thinking about general tastes that complement your cuisine.
2. Fresh Tomatoes
In nearly any recipe, fresh tomatoes may be substituted for sun-dried tomatoes. In this scenario, though, it may be preferable to use them in salads. There are several tomato kinds available, but grape tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, and standard salad tomatoes are the finest to utilize in this scenario.
Fresh tomatoes may also be diced into smaller pieces, seasoned with salt and olive oil, and served with delectable pasta dishes.
3. Canned Tomatoes
recipes. You may, for example, use them in soups or sauces where sun-dried tomatoes would normally be used.Sun-dried tomatoes may also be substituted with canned tomatoes. However, they are only effective in particular scenarios.
Although canned tomatoes may not give the same flavor or consistency in sauces as sun-dried tomatoes, they do work well since most canned tomatoes utilize plum tomatoes, which are the most often used for sun-dried tomatoes.
They are a suitable option in certain cases since they taste wonderful, but remember to add any other seasonings you choose, such as salt, garlic, or olive oil.
4. Roasted Bell Peppers
You may dry bell peppers in the oven or on the grill at a low temperature to generate a lovely chewiness to the skin that is comparable to sun-dried tomatoes.
These are an excellent substitute for sun-dried tomatoes in antipasto and other similar meals.
Of course, you can always season them with a little salt and olive oil to add a little more taste.
5. Homemade Sun-Dried Tomatoes
If you’re not in a hurry, you can always make your own sun-dried tomatoes.
There are two approaches to this technique; the first is to be honest, as seen in the video below.
The alternative method is faster, less realistic, but more effective. You can get a similar effect by dehydrating cherry tomatoes in the oven for use in any meal.
- Place cherry tomatoes on a baking pan in a preheated 120-135 degree oven.
- Cook gently until the skin becomes leathery, which indicates that they are starting to dry out. Then, inspect them on a regular basis, rotating them as needed.
- Repeat for 20-25 minutes to avoid overcooking.
- In the final 5 minutes, sprinkle a little salt over the tomatoes.
- Remove from the oven and set aside to cool before sprinkling a little olive oil on top if preferred.
- Use them in your recipes as you would sun-dried tomatoes.
The oven approach isn’t always the greatest option, but it works well for many items, including salads. Other tomato kinds may be used, but cherry works best.
Conclusion
The list above contains some good sun-dried tomato substitution ideas. Whatever the reason for your desire for an alternative, there is something for you that will work in any meal or recipe.
FAQs
Can you use regular tomatoes in place of sun-dried tomatoes?
Yes, you may use ordinary tomatoes instead of sun-dried tomatoes in some dishes, such as salads. You won’t find a zesty flavor like the sun-dried variant. Fresh tomatoes, on the other hand, have a tomato flavor. As a result, they are a suitable replacement for sun-dried tomatoes.
What’s the difference between sun-dried tomatoes and roasted tomatoes?
Sun-dried tomatoes are salted and baked at a low oven temperature for 10 hours or longer, until most of the tomato juices have evaporated. They are more flavorful and chewy than roasted tomatoes. You may have stumbled upon the phrase ‘tomato confit’ when looking for roasted tomatoes.
What tomatoes are best for sundried tomatoes?
The finest dried tomatoes are plum, oval, or pear-shaped Italian, Roma, or paste tomatoes.
Do dehydrated tomatoes taste the same as sun-dried tomatoes?
8′′ headroom, carefully cover with a lid, and keep in a cool location. Sun-dried is the way to go if you’re not as flighty as I am. The sun-dried tomatoes were more flavorful and full-bodied than the dehydrated tomatoes.Fill a glass jar halfway with oil.
What is special about sun-dried tomatoes?
Sun dried tomatoes are high in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. They feature a high percentage of lycopene, a potent antioxidant. There has been a lot of buzz about lycopene’s possible antioxidant properties. According to preliminary study, it may help protect your skin from the sun.
Do sun-dried tomatoes need to be refrigerated?
Unopened containers of commercially dried tomatoes can keep for six to nine months without refrigeration, but you should refrigerate or freeze them after opening. Try to utilize them within a couple of weeks after opening them.
Why are sun-dried tomatoes so expensive?
Sun-dried tomatoes are costly due to the effort necessary to make them and the expense of the oil they are packaged in, particularly if bottled in extra virgin olive oil or in fancy jars. In quantity, they cost approximately $13 per pound and $10 for a 7-ounce container. Wash the tomatoes.
Do you soak sundried tomatoes before cooking?
Sun-dried tomatoes must be rehydrated with liquid unless purchased packaged in oil. As a general guideline, soak sun-dried tomatoes in warm water for two hours at room temperature.
Are store bought sun-dried tomatoes actually sun-dried?
Sun-dried tomatoes are ripe tomatoes that have lost the bulk of their water content after drying in the sun for the majority of the time. To enhance color and appearance, these tomatoes are frequently pre-treated with sulfur dioxide or salt before being put in the sun.
Are sun-dried tomatoes just dehydrated?
What is the difference between dehydrated and sundried tomatoes? Because of how they are manufactured, dehydrated tomatoes arrived significantly later than sundried tomatoes. Dehydrated tomatoes are cleaned and then placed in a warm environment, and the process is significantly quicker than that of sundried tomatoes.