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    5 Perfect Substitutes for Sun Dried Tomatoes (Easy and Delicious Alternatives)

    We like sun-dried tomatoes because they are more flavorful and tangier than fresh tomatoes. 

    Since these tomatoes are dried in the sun or a dehydrator, they also have a chewy texture, adding a new variation of tarty sun-dried tomato taste to your meals. 

    But sun-dried tomatoes aren’t always available in the market as people prefer drying them in their homes. You might not have as much time on your hands. 

    What’s your fallback option in this situation? You look for a substitute for sun-dried tomatoes. 

    This blog has some awesome options for you to use as a replacement for sun-dried tomatoes. 

    Let’s dive in. 

    Are Sun-Dried Tomatoes Dried Only in the Sun?

    The sun-dried tomato word literally means only sometimes! There are other basic methods of drying tomatoes at home that are effortless and effective.

    You can dry the tomatoes all by yourself using different methods. 

    3 Ways to Dry Tomato:

    • Food dehydrate
    • Oven roast
    • Car dashboard

    Now that you know about the food drying methods let’s quickly look at how each technique works. 

    Food Dehydrate

    It’s a quick method for dehydrating. You should follow appropriate instructions to get the best results. Sprinkling sea salt on fresh tomatoes is a good idea, though!

    Oven Roast

    You can also make sun-dried tomatoes in the oven by warming the stove to 140°. Then place your tomatoes on the cake rack. Close the range for about 2 to 4 hours. 

    Car Dashboard

    Spread the tomato slices on a shallow tray. Cover the tray with cheesecloth to protect it. Now park the car in the sunniest place and put the tray on your dashboard. In 2 to 3 days, you will get your sun-dried tomatoes ready. 

    Sun-dried or Fresh Tomatoes —Which is the Healthier Option?

    Both sun-dried and fresh tomatoes are rich in vitamin C and other nutrients. The only difference is the high water content in fresh tomatoes. This is the reason that they decay very quickly. 

    On the other hand, sun-dried tomatoes retain their flavor and last a long time. Additionally, they also have numerous vitamins and antioxidants. So, choosing sun-dried tomatoes is a healthy option. 

    Sun Dried Tomato Alternatives that Tastes Amazing!

    You can use sun-dried tomatoes in sandwiches, dips, vegetable broths, pasta fillings, taco dressing, and salads. But before we get into the details, we want you to remember that sun-dried tomatoes are not a replacement for tomato sauce. 

    1. Tomato Puree 

    Tomato purees are a bit thicker, and they may not sound like a perfect sun-dried tomato substitute, but they fit perfectly in recipes that need sun-dried tomatoes. 

    The tomato puree taste is similar to the sun-dried tomatoes, which is why you can use tomato puree as a substitute for sun-dried tomatoes whether you’re making pasta or a dressing.

    2. Roasted Tomatoes

    If you can’t get your hands on ready-made sun-dried tomatoes or don’t have the means to dry these tomatoes in the sun, you can try the oven-roast method. 

    Wash the tomatoes and use a brush to apply oil, salt, and pepper. Once that’s done, roast the tomatoes at 160C/140C fan/gas 3. It’s the perfect temperature to prepare crispy roasted tomatoes in 20 minutes. 

    You can use roasted tomatoes in any meal as a substitute for sun-dried tomatoes. 

    3. Tinned Tomatoes

    Canned tomatoes are yet another substitute for sun-dried tomatoes because they offer a good alternative taste to sun-dried tomatoes. Tinned or canned tomatoes are dense, peeled, and different-sized tomatoes that you can use as a replacement for sun-dried tomatoes.

    Different brands offer canned tomatoes. You can consider Cento San Marzano Peeled Tomatoes, La Valle Italian Peeled Tomatoes, Bianco DiNapoli, and others to add to your recipes.

    Tinned or canned tomatoes are also a good option if you are concerned about convenience, as they are easily available in supermarkets.

    4. Fresh Tomatoes

    Fresh tomatoes are the same as sun-dried tomatoes, but there’s an obvious difference in taste, as discussed above. You can use fresh tomatoes as sun-dried tomato replacements in sandwiches, tacos, and salads. 

    There’s a slight difference in taste that you can instantly feel when you replace sun-dried tomatoes with fresh tomatoes. The good part is that fresh tomatoes are easily available and an easy replacement.

    Your taste buds will have a similar pleasure to sun-dried tomatoes but have a sweeter flavour and softer creaminess. You can use the freshly diced tomatoes to put in salads or tacos.

    5. Pecans

    Pecans are nuts, so you might think that they are far from being a substitute for sun-dried tomatoes. But Surprisingly, many people use pecans as a sun-dried tomato alternative.

    The pecan nuts offer a nutty texture and creamy taste, slightly different from sun-dried tomatoes, but you can still use them as a substitute. Strangely enough, the pecans taste somewhat similar to the sun-dried tomatoes when mixed with other ingredients.

    Use a cup of pecan nuts instead of chopped sun-dried tomatoes. 

    Conclusion

    Sun-dried tomatoes are an important ingredient in many dishes, but if they’re unavailable, you can use the substitutes we shared with you. 

    So, if you don’t have sun-dried tomatoes on hand, don’t worry. There are plenty of suitable alternatives to choose from. 

    As we conclude, let us remind you that the greatest substitute for sun-dried tomatoes in recipes is semi-dried tomatoes. You can also use tomato paste or tinned tomatoes in soups and stews.

    reemhanif
    article by

    reemhanif

    Reem Hanif, the writer behind The Foodnom blog, inspires readers with healthy and delicious recipes. Join her for nutritious culinary inspiration.

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