8 Best Sun Dried Tomato Substitutes
Need a substitute for sun-dried tomatoes? No worries—I’ve compiled a list of the eight best alternatives to help you in any situation!
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We’ve all been there: You’re cooking and realize you’re out of a key ingredient or it’s too pricey. In this post, I’ve compiled 8 sun-dried tomato substitutes to help you. Keep reading to find the best alternative for you.
Top Substitutes for Sun-Dried Tomatoes
1. Air Fryer Roasted Tomatoes
Air-fried roasted tomatoes are a quick and easy way to reduce the water content and enhance the flavor of fresh tomatoes. In about ten minutes, you’ll have tomatoes with a robust, intensified taste that can substitute sun-dried tomatoes in many recipes.
I recommend using air fryer tomatoes in tomato sauces to achieve the rich flavor typically provided by sun-dried tomatoes.
2. Tomato Paste
While not an exact match, as an alternative, tomato paste has an intense flavor profile and umami. The texture is smooth, as opposed to chewy. Tomato paste works best as a sun-dried tomato substitute in sauces but not on sandwiches.
3. Tomato Puree
Tomato puree is excellent for pasta, soups, and stews. This dried tomato substitute is perfect for recipes that require a dense tomatoey liquid. It can have a strong tomato flavor similar to sun-dried tomatoes. Air fry the tomatoes before purring for a more intense flavor.
4. Fresh Tomatoes
Fresh tomatoes are an excellent substitute for sun-dried tomatoes in salads and sandwiches since they offer the perfect balance of flavors and make the recipe delicious. I think a fresh ingredient is the best replacement!
5. Tamarind Paste
For Asian stir-fries, the best-dried tomato substitute is tamarind paste. It offers a similar sour and sweet flavor. However, you must take care of the quantity added to the recipe; tamarind paste has a robust sour taste. It is recommended to start with a small amount of the paste and test before adding more. I like to start with a 1/4 teaspoon.
6. Homemade Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Suppose you love sun-dried tomatoes and want to make them yourself. Purchase sweet, fresh cherry or grape tomatoes. Slice the tomatoes in half and take out the interior water and seeds. Place them on a baking tray and oven-bake at 140 degrees for 2-4 hours.
Handy Tip: Prepare Ahead!
This slow method takes time, and because each tomato and range can vary, I recommend staying close to check on the tomatoes often. It is incredible how quickly the tomatoes can go from perfect to burned.
7. Roasted Bell Peppers
Roasted bell peppers work great as a replacement for sun-dried tomatoes. Their slightly charred and mildly sweet flavor gives your meal a delicious taste and a great finishing touch. They can be easily found jarred at the grocery store, or you can do it yourself using a gas stovetop or dehydrator.
In addition to salads, roasted peppers can be used in pasta dishes, as pizza toppings, with antipasto, or in bruschetta.
8. Pecans
Pecans are a seemingly untraditional exchange for sun-dried tomatoes, BUT it is a solid option. They offer a similar flavor and add a nutty texture to your dish. You can use a 1:1 substitution for pecans in the recipe by replacing one cup instead of diced sun-dried tomatoes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, traditionally, sun-dried tomatoes were dried in the sun. They are also dried in the sun, dehydrated, or slowly in an oven.
It depends on the recipe. Yes, you can use sun-dried tomatoes in sandwiches, salads, and pasta fillings. Sun-dried tomatoes have an intense flavor compared to fresh tomatoes.
