When it comes to dried foods, I love cooking with sun dried tomatoes the most. If you’ve ever tried them before, you probably feel the same way!
In fact, I bet that’s why you’re here…to find out how many different ways you can use sun dried tomatoes!
Tomatoes have a mild flavor that intensifies when they’re dried, giving them a unique, savory flavor.
I like to chop them up and add them to pastas, salads, soups, and more.
But there’s really only one rule to follow when cooking with them:
Don’t be afraid to experiment!
10 Best Sun Dried Tomato Recipes
Cooking with sun dried tomatoes is a little different in that you don’t need an exact recipe to follow. You can add them to just about anything! But if you're looking for a place to start and get inspired, these are some of my favorite ways to use them.
When it comes to dishes that are easy to make, this one is a great one to start with. I usually make mine with basil and pine nuts but decided to try this recipe that uses sun dried tomatoes instead.
It was a nice surprise to find that this pesto was just as good as my previous favorites.
It has a great flavor combination that will make you want to pair it with everything! I like to use it on fresh pasta but I've also used it as a dip or added it to soups for a little flavor boost.
This pasta salad uses sun dried tomatoes that are stored in oil. What I loved about this recipe was that it was a waste-not, want-not salad that used up whatever I had left in my fridge!
This juicy salad can be made according to the recipe but I also have changed the ingredients when I'm out of what's called for. And guess what? STILL delicious!
This recipe is also one of the tastiest pasta salads I've ever tried. Some of the other recipes you find end up being bland or simply not have enough dressing and dry out quickly.
You won't have those problems with this salad. It stays fresh and can be made in small batches or large ones to feed a crowd as needed.
If you like chicken, you'll probably love this recipe. You'll find that many chicken dishes with sun dried tomatoes have an oil based and those are a great choice. What made this one stand out was that it had a cream sauce with the tomatoes marinating inside.
Although this recipe is decadent and feels rich, you won't have much difficulty making it. I always make sure I have heavy cream on hand but this recipe don't use any fussy or difficult to find ingredients.
This is a meal that I like to make when I have company around. They think they're getting a gourmet meal every time it's served!
When I think of jam, tomatoes aren't the first thing that comes to mind. However, it wasn't until I gave this recipe a try that I became a convert. After all, tomatoes are a fruit, right?
This recipe is simple to make but it's a crowd pleaser and can be made ahead of time. If I'm serving appetizers, I make sure to prepare the jam the day before. Giving it a day to let the flavors mature makes it taste great, although this isn't necessary. The recipe calls for the jam to be put on top of crostini but you can also use crackers and still get a great result.
The sharp flavors of feta cheese pair well with more mild dishes and the tartness of dried tomatoes. I love this recipe as it's big on flavor and easy to make. What surprised me was that the angel hair pasta made for a much better dish. I also tried regular pasta but found that I didn't like it as much.
Feta cheese crumbles easily and pairs well with the flavors in the tomatoes. This recipe is also a lighter meal so you won't feel heavy after you make it. Keep in mind that this doesn't save very well although I don't usually have problems with leftovers!
If you're looking for a tomato gravy that doesn't require fresh tomatoes, then this is the right recipe for you. Make sure you use tomatoes that aren't packed in oil for the best results.
You'll start by rehydrating the tomatoes and then chopping them for the gravy. This recipe is easy to make and you probably have most of the ingredients handy.
You'll find any number of spaghetti dishes that use sun dried tomatoes but they're not all created equal. What makes this recipe stand out to me is that it's one of the healthier pasta dishes out there.
I was looking for a recipe that had some vegetable and could be eaten by my kids as well as myself. The great news is that my kids don't mind that it has spinach and love the result!
This dish has all of the flavors that I love. If you've ever been to Italy and tasted some of their signature dishes, then this one may bring you back.
You'll find that this dish comes together beautifully so you don't have to worry about getting all the proportions just right. What I loved about the dish was that I could enjoy it in a variety of ways. It can be had on its own or served over pasta.
These stuffed chicken breasts will have people thinking that you're a gourmet chef! You certainly don't have to be a whiz in the kitchen to make them though. It only takes five minutes to put the recipe together with no marinating time required.
What made this a great choice was that I could follow the recipe or put my own spin on it. Try making it the directed way at first but don't be afraid to change up the ingredients if you want.
When you need tomato sauce but can't seem to find any in your pantry, then you still have the option to make it with dried tomatoes. I made this recipe when I didn't have time to go out and get the sauce myself.
I was pleasantly surprised with the results so I often make this sauce even when I have pasta sauce on hand. Make sure to try and use fresh ingredients for the best results though- you'll notice that it changes the flavor profile.
How to Use Sun Dried Tomatoes in Salads
If you’re looking for a way to make your salads more interesting, then sun dried tomatoes are the change that you need.
There are no limits when it comes to using them in your salads. I personally enjoy adding chopped sun dried tomatoes with feta cheese to my spinach salads.
Tomatoes pair well with balsamic vinegar dressings and often go well with pine nuts as well.
You can also turn sun dried tomatoes into a salad dressing by blending it with oil and other herbs.
If you do use them in salads, you’ll want to chop them or look for tomatoes that have been stored in oil.
The larger tomatoes can end up being tough in salads which makes them more challenging to chew. Chopping them into smaller pieces and using a dressing will keep them soft.
What to Do with Leftover Sun Dried Tomato Oil
This oil contains the tomato flavors, so don’t throw it out! It can be used to enhance so many dishes.
Try adding it to your homemade salad dressings or even use it in cooking. It’s a great choice for stir-frying fresh vegetables without having to add any other seasonings.
You can also continue to use the oil to store foods like feta cheese or olives. When they marinate in the leftover oil, they get a richer flavor profile.
I hope you enjoy these recipes as much as I do! Let me know what you think 🙂
READ NEXT: Learn how to make your own sun dried tomatoes!
I’m a foodie that’s slightly obsessed with drying fruits, veggies, beans, and more – especially from my own garden! It started as a hobby but became a “must” when my family fell on hard times, and my dried food stash sustained us. Now I’m always experimenting with different techniques and recipes and sharing them here!
how do cook with dried vegetables. I don’t see any info on beans and other things mentioned in the Epoch Times article
Hi Tracy! I’m working on getting more content up for cooking with dried vegetables. Life is busy, so it’s slow going. For a quick tip, I soak my dried vegetables in a mason jar filled with water or chicken broth (to add flavor) the morning that I plan on cooking with them. They are nice and hydrated by the time I cook supper that night. If you’re cooking soup, stew, or anything else that’s liquid-heavy, you can toss them right in without rehydrating first as they will naturally rehydrate during the cooking process. Hope that helps!