How to Make Sun Dried Tomatoes

Once you learn how to make sun dried tomatoes at home, you will never buy them again! Turns out, this amazing pantry staple is super easy to make.

I don’t know about you, but I adore sun dried tomatoes! In our household, we always have some on hand, because they are such a great way to add some savory flavor and chewy texture to a dish.

Plus, sun dried tomatoes go with everything! You could have them in salads and pasta dishes, sandwiches and wraps, soups and even things like veggies burgers.

Suffice to say, if you love adding sun dried tomatoes to your meals, it’s worth learning how to make sun dried tomatoes at home!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• This recipe is perfect for those who grow their own tomatoes. There comes a time when all the tomatoes come at once, which means it’s time to harvest and process a whole bunch! Learning how to make sun dried tomatoes is a great way to preserve homegrown tomatoes. Plus, it’s much easier than canning them or making sauce.
• Another great reason to save this recipe is to enable you to reduce your household waste. If you end up with leftover tomatoes that are turning soft and squishy, it’s time to get scrappy and make a batch of sun dried tomatoes!
• This step-by-step recipe is really accessible and easy to make. You don’t need any special equipment or a lot of cooking experience.
• You have so many options with these sun dried tomatoes! They can be revived with water or oil, and used in a wide variety of dishes.
• With the increase in prices over the last couple of years, it is more important than ever to learn a few tricks here and there in order to save money. This sun dried tomatoes recipe is super easy, and (dependent on location) cheaper than store-bought option.
• Making things like this at home gives you full control over the ingredients. You can choose the quality of the tomatoes before they are dried, as well as the dehydration and storage conditions.

What Actually Are Sun Dried Tomatoes?

Sun-dried tomatoes have a long history and can be traced back to ancient times. The exact origin is not precisely known, but it is believed that the process of sun-drying tomatoes was initially developed as a means of preserving excess tomato harvests in regions with hot and dry climates, such as the Mediterranean.

The technique of sun-drying involves slicing the tomatoes and allowing them to dry naturally under the sun’s heat, which also results in a concentrated flavor of the tomatoes, making them a delicious ingredient that could be used in various dishes.

In modern manufacturing, sun-dried tomatoes are typically produced using a combination of sun drying and mechanical drying methods to ensure efficiency and consistency in the process.

Today, sun-dried tomatoes are enjoyed as a versatile ingredient that adds depth and complexity to many culinary creations, showcasing the ingenuity of preserving food in a simple and natural way.

How to Make This Recipe

First, get your equipment ready. If you have a dehydrator, you’ll need to prep a tray in accordance with manufacturing instructions. For instance, some dehydrators require their trays to be lined.

Alternatively, preheat the oven to 250F and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper. Like I said, you don’t actually need special equipment!

Slice the tomatoes in half, and lay them out on the baking sheet or dehydrator tray flat side up. Sprinkle lightly with salt, then bake until dry (approximately 3 hours) or dehydrate for about 48 hours. 

That’s it! SO EASY! Store your homemade sun dried tomatoes in an airtight container in the fridge.

Hack It!

• You can revive these tomatoes in water or oil. The fully dried tomatoes can also be stored in oil at room temperature, so long as you don’t add any other produce such as garlic or herbs.
• If you so happen to have a very sunny window, you may be able to make actually sun dried tomatoes! The reason I don’t suggest it as a primary method is because it requires quite a bit of heat. If it isn’t warm enough, the tomatoes will end up rotting instead of drying.
• Although I would not recommend adding any fresh herbs or spices, you can definitely customize this recipe with dried ones! Try adding dried basil, oregano, or thyme. Alternatively, you could also flavor these tomatoes with lemon salt, cracked black pepper, chili flakes, or garlic powder.
• If you blend your sun dried tomatoes with oil in a food processor, you will end up with a beautiful paste you can freeze in an ice cube trays to make sun dried tomato “flavor bombs”.

Tips on How to Make Sun Dried Tomatoes

If you’re making sun-dried tomatoes at home, here are some tips to ensure the best results:

• Tomato selection. Choose ripe, firm, and flavorful tomatoes for the best outcome. Mini tomatoes or plum tomatoes are commonly used for sun-drying due to their meaty texture and lower moisture content.
• Cutting. Slice the tomatoes evenly in half to ensure consistent drying.
• Seed removal (optional). If you prefer, you can remove the seeds and pulp from the tomato slices before drying. This can help reduce drying time and prevent excess moisture.
• Salt and seasoning. Lightly season the tomato slices with salt or your preferred seasonings. This will enhance the flavor as the tomatoes dry. Common seasonings include herbs like thyme, oregano, or basil, as well as garlic or chili flakes.
• Drying time and temperature. The drying time can vary depending on the method used and the thickness of the slices. In a dehydrator, it can take around 12-48 hours depending on the setting. In the oven set to 250 F it takes about 3 hours.
• Check for dryness. The tomatoes are done when they are leathery and pliable, but not moist or sticky. They should have reduced in size and have an intense flavor.
• Storage. Once fully dried, let the tomatoes cool completely, then store them in airtight containers or jars. You can store them as they are or rehydrate them in oil for a softer texture.

PlantYou Recipes With Sun Dried Tomatoes

• Sun Dried Tomato Pasta Sauce
• Vegan Greek Jar Salad
• Vegan Tortellini Soup
• Caramelized Onion Pasta
• Vegan Taquitos

This recipe is actually included among the 600+ meals in the PlantYou Planner database! This 100% vegan planner allows you to FULLY CUSTOMIZE your weekly menu. As well as creating your own meal plans, you can use pre-approved curated meal plans, and toggle the number of servings to suit the size of your household. Even better, the app generates a grocery list reflecting your selection. How amazing is that?

Do you have many cookbooks? If the idea of getting a vegan cookbook felt intimidating or overwhelming, I strongly suggest you give it another go with the PlantYou Cookbook. The book contains 140+ plant-based recipes, all aimed at beginner cooks and experienced kitchen-dwellers. Each recipe is accompanied by an infographic detailing the ingredients. Perfect for visual learners!