Sun-dried tomatoes are a delicious and versatile ingredient that can be used in salads, pastas, pizzas and more.
Unfortunately, they’re not always available when you need them. Don’t worry – there are plenty of great substitutes out there!
If you love the intense flavor and chewy texture that sun-dried tomatoes bring to all kinds of dishes, but you find you’re out of them, then the following work just as well:
- Roasted red peppers
- Tomato paste
- Fresh plum tomatoes
- Tomato sauce
- Tamarind paste
Sun Dried Tomatoes Substitutes: Cooking Ratio & Nutritional Value
| Substitutes | Calories | Protein | Carbohydrates | Fiber | Sugar | Fat |
| Sun-Dried Tomatoes | 46 | 2.2 g | 8.3 g | 3.3 g | 5.9 g | 0.5 g |
| Roasted Red Peppers | 24 | 0.8 g | 5.4 g | 1.4 g | 2.7 g | 0.2 g |
| Tomato Paste | 39 | 1.2g | 7.4g | 1.1g | 4.3g | 0.3 |
| Fresh Plum Tomatoes | 18 | 0.9 g | 3.9g | 1.2 g | 2.69 | 0.2g |
| Tomato Sauce | 25 | 0.5g | 5g | 0.5g | 2g | 0.1g |
| Tamarind Paste | 67 | 1g | 16g | 2g | 7g | 0g |
1. Roasted Red Peppers
Roasted red peppers are a great alternative to sun-dried tomatoes. They have a deep, smoky flavor that contrasts with a similar sweetness to the sun dried tomato. The roasting process also helps develop further complexity in the pepper’s taste.
The best way to get the most out of your roasted red peppers is to buy them fresh, either from the supermarket or farmers market.
If you don’t want to roast them yourself, there are many brands available in jars and that will do just fine. Be sure to rinse off any added oil before using.
Roasted red peppers can be used in salads, pastas, sandwiches, and more. In salads, roasted red peppers can be used to make a flavorful vinaigrette or to add a depth of flavor to a classic Caesar salad.
In pastas, roasted red peppers can be used to add a smoky flavor to a pasta dish, such as a roasted red pepper and spinach lasagna.
In sandwiches, roasted red peppers can be used to add a bit of sweetness and kick to a sandwich and they can also be used to make a savory dip or a creamy soup.
Substitution ratio: 1:1
2. Tomato Paste
Tomato paste is another great substitute for sun dried tomatoes. This thick and concentrated form of tomato purée has a deep, robust flavor that adds depth to any dish. Plus, it’s much easier to store than fresh tomatoes since it doesn’t require refrigeration.
Tomato paste is made by cooking down ripe tomatoes until they’re reduced into a thick paste-like consistency. The intense heat breaks down the cell walls of the tomatoes, so their flavors become concentrated and intensified.
Once cooked down, the mixture is strained through a sieve to remove all the skins and seeds before being canned or jarred up for sale.
When using tomato paste instead of sun dried tomatoes, you may need to adjust your recipes accordingly for optimal flavor results.
Since tomato paste is such a potent ingredient with an extremely strong taste, start off small when adding it to your dishes – use just enough to give your food an underlying layer of flavor without overwhelming its other components.
Substitution ratio: 1:4/5
3. Fresh Plum Tomatoes
Fresh plum tomatoes have a sweet and tangy flavor, with just enough acidity to give dishes an extra kick of flavor.
Fresh plum tomatoes can be used in many recipes that call for sun-dried tomatoes, including salads, pastas, soups, stews, pizzas and more.
When using fresh plum tomatoes as a substitute for sun-dried tomatoes, it is important to remember that they require much less cooking time than the dried variety.
The best way to plum tomatoes is by roasting or grilling them before adding them into recipes. This helps bring out their sweetness and intensifies their flavor.
When roasting or grilling fresh plum tomatoes, you should always keep an eye on them so that they don’t burn or overcook; this will make them too mushy.
Another great benefit of using fresh plum tomatoes instead of sun-dried varieties is their versatility. You can incorporate them into both savory and sweet dishes alike, depending on your tastes and preferences.
As such, these juicy fruits provide endless possibilities when creating new dishes from scratch or recreating old favorites with a twist!
Substitution ratio: 2:1
4. Tomato Sauce
Tomato sauce is a delicious and versatile condiment and offers an excellent alternative for those who prefer not to use the chewy texture or intense flavor of sun dried tomatoes.
Tomato sauce is available canned, jarred, or homemade. Here are some great tomato sauce options:
- Canned crushed tomatoes – These have a fresh taste and come in different styles like Italian-style, fire roasted, and seasoned with herbs.
- Jarred marinara sauce– This contains diced tomatoes and seasonings already blended together, making it perfect for sauces and casseroles.
- Homemade tomato sauce – Making your own special blend gives you control over the ingredients used, as well as the final product’s taste and consistency.
No matter which type of tomato sauce you choose to substitute for sun dried tomatoes, each will bring its own unique flavor profile to whatever dish you’re preparing.
5. Tamarind Paste
Tamarind has a unique sweet and sour taste that works well in many dishes. It’s also packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. This makes it a great choice when looking to replace the traditional sun-dried tomatoes.
The first step to using tamarind paste as a replacement is to reduce its natural tartness. To do this, you can mix the paste with some sugar or honey before adding it to your dish.
You can also add other ingredients such as garlic or spices like cumin or chili powder if desired.
Tamarind paste can be used in soups, stews, curries and braised dishes like tagines and ragùs. It pairs especially well with beef, lamb, and fish, so feel free to get creative with how you incorporate it into your meals!
Substitution ratio: 1:3
Popular Recipes That Call For Sun dried Tomatoes
- Sun dried Tomato Bruschetta: Delicious toasted baguette slices topped with a creamy sun dried tomato spread and fresh basil.
- Sun dried Tomato Pesto Pasta: Pasta tossed in a homemade pesto sauce made with sun dried tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, and pine nuts.
- Sun dried Tomato and Mozzarella Pizza: A thin crust pizza topped with a homemade sun dried tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and thinly sliced sun dried tomatoes.
- Sun dried Tomato Hummus: Creamy hummus made with sun dried tomatoes, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic.
- Sun dried Tomato Spinach Frittata: A savory egg dish made with eggs, spinach, and sun dried tomatoes, finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
- Sun dried Tomato, leek, and Asparagus Quiché: A delicious Quiché made with asparagus, leek sun dried tomatoes, and a creamy custard filling.
- Sun dried Tomato, olives, and Feta Salad: A light salad made with mixed greens, sun dried tomatoes, feta cheese, and a homemade vinaigrette.
- Sun dried Tomato and Goat Cheese Crostini: Delicious crostini topped with a creamy goat cheese spread and sun dried tomatoes.
- Sun dried Tomato Soup: A creamy tomato soup made with sun dried tomatoes, vegetable broth, garlic, and fresh herbs.
- Sun dried Tomato and Artichoke Pasta: Penne pasta tossed with a creamy sun dried tomato sauce, artichoke hearts, and fresh basil.
Conclusion
All of these alternatives offer a variety of flavors that can be used to recreate many dishes that call for sun-dried tomatoes.
Whether you’re looking for a hint of sweetness or something more sour, any of these options will provide an excellent substitute.
Frequently Asked Questions
To reconstitute dried tomatoes, place the desired amount of tomatoes in a bowl and cover them with hot water.
Let the tomatoes steep for about 10 minutes or until they become plump. Then, drain the water and the tomatoes are ready to use.
Sun dried tomatoes offer a more concentrated flavor than fresh tomatoes, as well as a chewy texture. They can add a burst of flavor to salads, pastas, sandwiches, and more.
You can usually substitute fresh tomatoes, but the flavor won’t be quite the same.
Sun dried tomatoes offer a slightly different flavor and texture than fresh tomatoes, so you should consider the dish you are making before deciding to substitute.
