Have you ever wondered what it takes to make sun dried tomatoes? They’re much easier to make than you might think!
With just a little sun and some extra time, you’ll have authentic sun dried tomatoes to make delicious recipes!
Not sure where to begin? Continue reading to learn all about how to make sun dried tomatoes and what recipes you can use them in!
What Are Sun-Dried Tomatoes?
A sun-dried tomato is a tomato that has lost most of its water content, leaving a high-nutrient, sweet tomato! The robust tomato flavor is perfect for your favorite tomato-based dishes.
It can take anywhere from a few days to two weeks for your tomatoes to be fully sun-dried, depending on the climate where you live. Plan to sun-dry your tomatoes during a sunny week that is low in humidity!
Why Make Your Own Sun-Dried Tomatoes?
Why would you want to make your own sun-dried tomatoes at home instead of purchasing store-bought sun-dried tomatoes? One of the main reasons is cost! Purchasing fresh tomatoes and making your own sun-dried tomatoes costs less than jarred sun-dried tomatoes.
Another reason to make your own sun-dried tomatoes is taste! When you have the option to use fresh tomatoes to make your sun-dried tomatoes, the overall taste will be fresher and richer than jarred tomatoes that were processed in a factory weeks or months prior to their purchase.
Sun-dried tomatoes also last longer than fresh tomatoes. This makes sun-dried tomatoes a great alternative to always keeping your kitchen stocked with fresh tomatoes. Consider using up garden tomatoes you’ve grown before they go bad by turning them into sun-dried tomatoes!
What Do I Need to Make Sun-Dried Tomatoes?
The most important part is finding a tomato that’s right for you. You can use red, yellow, or other colors of tomatoes. And any variety will work, as well. This includes jumbo-sized tomatoes and cherry tomatoes. Roma tomatoes are a favored variety for sun-dried tomatoes because of their higher flesh content with fewer seeds.
When it comes down to it, choose whatever tomatoes you have available to you. If you’ve grown them in your garden, be sure to take advantage of them!
You’ll also need a baking sheet with a screen or wire mesh that can sit on top, creating space beneath it. And you’ll need one more screen or cheesecloth to place on top of the tomatoes as they dry.
You can also purchase a food drying rack and mesh covers to create a drying setup.
The only other items you might need are tea towels and spices if you choose to use them!
Step-by-Step: How to Make Sun Dried Tomatoes
The good news is, there isn’t a lot of preparation for sun drying your tomatoes. You can choose to dry them as-is or to add some seasonings for extra flavor.
1. Prepare your tomatoes.
Thoroughly wash and dry your tomatoes. Using a sharp knife, remove the ends of each tomato.
2. Slice the tomatoes.
You can slice your tomatoes however you desire. However, take into consideration that the tomatoes will shrink in size considerably as they dry out.
The thinner the slices, the thinner the dried tomato will be. Many people like cutting a single Roma tomato into 2 or 3 pieces, for larger dried tomatoes. However, thinner slices will dry faster than thicker slices, making them more readily available if you only have a few days to allow them to dry.
Consider slicing your tomatoes about the same size so they’ll all dry in the same amount of time.
3. Lay the tomatoes on the baking sheet.
The baking sheet will need to have a screen or wire mesh on top prior to adding the tomatoes.
It’s important that the tomatoes have airflow beneath them, as well as on top. They will only fully dry out if air can circulate below them.
4. Optional: Seasonings
Sprinkle your desired seasonings for added flavor to your sun-dried tomatoes! This might include salt, oregano, thyme, basil, parsley, etc.
5. Cover the tomatoes.
Use another screen or a large piece of cheesecloth to cover the tomatoes.
This will keep the bugs and outside elements from landing on the tomatoes as they dry.
Tip: If the covering is open on the sides, roll up some dish towels to create a barrier around the outside to keep bugs off the tomatoes.
6. Set the tray in direct sunlight from morning until sundown.
In the evening, bring the tray inside and cover it with a towel until the next morning.
The trick is to keep the tomatoes as dry as possible. This means bringing the tray inside so morning dew doesn’t form on the tomatoes, elongating the amount of time needed for them to fully dry out.
Be sure not to leave the tray outside if it begins to rain. The dryer and less humid it is outside, the faster the tomatoes will dry out!
7. Store your dried tomatoes.
The tomatoes are fully dried when they are no longer sticky or tacky, and they resemble a raisin. They should be bendable but not moist. If they feel tough or leathery, they are too dry.
How to Store Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Store your newly sun-dried tomatoes in zip-lock baggies that have been vacuumed and sealed in the refrigerator or the freezer for up to 7 months.
You can also store them in a jar filled with extra virgin olive oil and tightly sealed with a lid. Store the jars in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
If at any time it appears that they are growing mold, immediately dispose of the tomatoes. Even though they are dry, they can still mold and rot. Keep a careful eye on their freshness for the best-tasting results!
How to Use Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Sun-dried tomatoes can be used in both their natural dried state and reconstituted state in many ways. Try them on pizza, salads, charcuterie boards, pesto, or sauces for a powerful punch of flavor. Sun-dried tomatoes are also a great addition to soups, burgers, or scrambled eggs!
Don’t forget that sun-dried tomatoes are simply tomatoes. They can also be eaten as a quick snack to munch on during the busy day!
Recipes That Use Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Cooking with sun-dried tomatoes can be easy and fun! In addition, it can save you in a pinch when you don’t have any fresh tomatoes on hand for your favorite tomato-based recipe.
Try this Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta recipe to please a crowd! With options to add meat or veggies to this recipe, you’ll have a meal you can serve again and again.
Looking for the perfect appetizer for your next get-together? This Baked Feta Cheese with Sun-Dried Tomatoes recipe is just what you’re looking for! Serve this flavorful cheese dish with crusty crostini or crackers for a yummy start to your meal.
This Couscous Salad with Sun-Dried Tomato and Feta meal is great as a side dish or served as a main fare! It’s ready in just 12 minutes and doesn’t need to be cooked, making this a great go-to meal to serve during the warmer months.
FQA About Making Sun-Dried Tomatoes
How do I reconstitute sun-dried tomatoes?
If you’ve stored them in olive oil-filled jars, they are already partially reconstituted. To reconstitute from the dry state, submerge the tomatoes in warm water for 30 minutes. Remove them from the water, pat them dry with a paper towel, and use them according to your recipe directions.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of sun-dried tomatoes?
An advantage of sun-dried tomatoes is that they hold the same nutrition as fresh tomatoes! Sun-dried tomatoes are high in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron, magnesium, potassium, and fiber.
One disadvantage of sun-dried tomatoes is that they are high in sugar and carb content. Although they are no higher than other dried fruits, this is something to consider for someone on a low-carb or low-sugar diet.
Enjoy Making Your Sun-Dried Tomatoes!
That’s everything you need to know to make your own sun-dried tomatoes. Check the weather and grab your tomatoes for a fun summer project that will make some yummy tomato dishes!
Interested in learning more about tomatoes? Visit our Tomato Plant page to learn how to grow your own, for more recipes, and more!
How to Make Sun Dried Tomatoes
Homemade sun dried tomatoes are more flavorful and budget-friendly than store-bought. Being able to use your favorite varieties means you'll have signature sun dried tomatoes you'll want to use in everything. Once you see how easy and delicious these are, you'll have a new reason to look forward to tomato season each year!
Ingredients
- 3 pounds ripe tomatoes
- Salt or other desired seasonings such as oregano, thyme, basil, parsley, etc
Instructions
- Thoroughly wash and dry your tomatoes. Using a sharp knife, remove the ends of each tomato.
- Slice your tomatoes however you desire.
- Take into consideration that the tomatoes will shrink in size considerably as they dry out. Consider slicing your tomatoes about the same size so they’ll all dry in the same amount of time.
- Lay the tomatoes out on a baking sheet that has a screen or wire mesh on top.
- Sprinkle your desired seasonings for added flavor to your sun-dried tomatoes! This might include salt, oregano, thyme, basil, parsley, etc.
- Use another screen or a large piece of cheesecloth to cover the tomatoes.
- Tip: If the covering is open on the sides, roll up some dish towels to create a barrier around the outside to keep bugs off the tomatoes.
- In the evening, bring the tray inside and cover it with a towel until the next morning.
- The trick is to keep the tomatoes as dry as possible. This means bringing the tray inside so morning dew doesn’t form on the tomatoes, elongating the amount of time needed for them to fully dry out.
- Be sure not to leave the tray outside if it begins to rain. The dryer and less humid it is outside, the faster the tomatoes will dry out!
- The tomatoes are fully dried when they are no longer sticky or tacky, and they resemble a raisin. They should be bendable but not moist. If they feel tough or leathery, they are too dry.
- Drying can last anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks, so be sure to check your tomatoes each day.
Notes
Store your newly sun-dried tomatoes in zip-lock baggies that have been vacuumed and sealed in the refrigerator or the freezer for up to 7 months.
You can also store them in a jar filled with extra virgin olive oil and tightly sealed with a lid. Store the jars in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
- About the Author
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Laura L. Zimmerman is an author of both indie and traditionally published books. She lives in a tiny rural town in south-central Pennsylvania with her husband, daughters, four adorable kitties, and one energetic puppy!
After earning a BMUS with a Certification in Music Therapy, she decided to homeschool her children. Here she discovered a passion for learning and teaching, which led her to make writing a priority. She currently enjoys reading and writing YA sci-fi and fantasy, as well as middle-grade mysteries.
Having come from a family where cooking wasn’t a priority, she quickly discovered her love of cooking and baking soon after she married. Twenty-three years later it’s still a passion for her as she enjoys creating new recipes for her family and friends. She found her green thumb in the garden soon after her family bought their first house and appreciates the yummy food grown in her own backyard!
Laura can be reached at lauralzimmauthor@gmail.com