What Is the Best Substitute for Sun-Dried Tomatoes?

You can spend all day arguing whether or not it's to-may-to or to-mah-to, but the bottom line is everyone loves the sour, sweet, and savory flavor of tomatoes!

We use it for almost anything, but sun-dried tomatoes are what's really taking the spotlight recently. I've seen countless recipes calling for this ingredient.

They're not that hard to find, but the truth is, not every household has them in stock, either. So, what are you supposed to do if the recipe calls for this ingredient and you have none?

You'll need a substitute for sun-dried tomatoes, and thankfully, I know of just the best ones.

Jump to:

• Learning More About Sun-Dried Tomatoes
• Best Tomato-Based Substitutes for Sun-Dried Tomatoes
• Best Non-Tomato Substitutes for Sun-Dried Tomatoes
• Tips When Replacing Sun-Dried Tomatoes
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes Substitute FAQs
• Choosing the Best Substitute for Sun-Dried Tomatoes
• Recipe

Learning More About Sun-Dried Tomatoes

What are sun-dried tomatoes, and where do we use them? We need to answer these questions before determining how to replace them in a recipe.

What Are Sun-Dried Tomatoes?

As the name suggests, sun-dried tomatoes are tomatoes that have dried in the sun. It's an industry-wide practice to remove most of a fruit's water content (Yes, tomatoes are fruits, not vegetables!).

"But why do we need to reduce its water content?" Well, tomatoes (and other fruits) tend to last longer than fresh ones since mold, bacteria, and yeast cannot thrive in an environment with little to no water.

Where Do We Use Sun-Dried Tomatoes?

Sun-dried tomatoes are a versatile ingredient. We use them for sauces, soups, appetizers, pasta dishes, and dips.

The taste is very similar (if not richer) to fresh tomatoes since we only remove the water content, which means you could use sun-dried tomatoes in any recipe where you could use fresh ones.

They also add a chewy texture to the dish, making it more appetizing and less boring.

Best Tomato-Based Substitutes for Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Don't fret if sun-dried tomatoes are not always on your shopping list. There are several substitutes you can use to save your recipe.

1. Homemade Sun-Dried Tomatoes

It's very common for people to assume that they cannot replicate at home the products they see on store shelves.

What we don't realize is these mass-produced, factory-made goods were inspired by homemade inventions in the first place.

Take sun-dried tomatoes, for example. This started as a popular Mediterranean culinary practice when Italians bathed and dried tomatoes on ceramic rooftops.

The good news? You can do the same thing with fresh tomatoes! However, it can be a little time-consuming. Nonetheless, it will have an identical flavor to store-bought sun-dried tomatoes, if not better.

Use this substitute in a 1:1 ratio.

Best for: Homemade sun-dried tomatoes provide a fresher, more intense flavor and texture when used as a substitute for sun-dried tomatoes, sprucing up dishes like pasta alla puttanesca, salads, or as a topping for bruschetta with a homemade touch.

2. Oven-Roasted Tomatoes

If time is something you don't have but fresh tomatoes you have plenty of, speed up the process of drying them by roasting them in the oven. This process will give you semi-dried tomatoes.

Preheat your oven to 275 degrees Fahrenheit before placing halved tomatoes (cherry tomatoes are even better). Make sure that you face them upward on the baking tray.

Keep them baking in the oven for 30 minutes or until completely dry. The only downside is you have more stuff to clean.

Use oven-roasted tomatoes to replace sun-dried tomatoes in a 1:1 ratio.

Best for: Oven-roasted tomatoes offer a similar concentrated flavor as a substitute to sun-dried tomatoes, ideal for recipes like pasta dishes, sandwiches, or as a topping for salads.

You can also make dehydrated tomatoes with an air fryer.

3. Canned Tomatoes

Even though they provide a more subtle flavor than sun-dried tomatoes, canned tomatoes will work great with many recipes.

You still get the sweetness and sour flavor you want from sun-dried tomatoes, but you have to increase the proportions to make up for the intense flavor of the latter.

However, canned tomatoes have a very different consistency than sun-dried tomatoes. Ergo, they will only be a suitable substitute for liquid recipes since much of their flavor resides in the sauce.

Use canned tomatoes as a substitute for sun-dried tomatoes in a 3:1 ratio.

Best for: Canned tomatoes provide a juicy, flavorful alternative to sun-dried tomatoes in recipes like sauces, soups, or pasta dishes, adding a fresh tomato taste with added moisture.

4. Tomato Puree

Tomato puree is an excellent sun-dried tomato substitute because of its flavor. It's almost identical to canned tomatoes, except it has a thicker consistency.

It's called a tomato "puree" because it doesn't have chunks, seeds, or skins. You may only use it in liquid recipes since it's also technically a tomato sauce.

Use tomato puree as a substitute in a 1:3 ratio. (1 tablespoon per 3 sun-dried tomatoes)

Best for: Tomato puree offers a concentrated tomato flavor similar to sun-dried tomatoes as a substitute in recipes like soups, pizzas, or stews, enhancing dishes with a rich tomato base.

Out of tomato puree? See these alternatives: What Can You Use as a Substitute for Tomato Puree? 6 Ideas to Try

Try it on this San Marzano Pizza Sauce (Sugar-Free) recipe.

5. Tomato Paste

Among all the other tomato sauces on this list, tomato paste has the thickest consistency. It undergoes the same process as tomato puree, meaning you don't get skins, seeds, or chunks.

However, tomato paste is cooked longer than puree, making it thicker and giving it a more intense tomato flavor. Think of it as a tomato concentrate.

It's readily available in stores nationwide, so it's an excellent substitute in a pinch.

Because of its concentrated flavor, use less tomato paste when replacing sun-dried tomatoes. Around 1 tablespoon is equivalent to 5 sun-dried tomatoes.

Best for: Tomato paste's concentrated flavor and thick texture make it a good substitute for sun-dried tomatoes in recipes like pasta sauces, soups, or marinades, intensifying the tomato flavor.

Related: Tomato Sauce Substitute - 12 Top Alternatives

6. Tomato Powder

Tomato powder is also an excellent substitute for sun-dried tomatoes as it enhances the tomato flavor of your recipe. However, this is only for flavor.

Tomato powder will not improve the consistency of your recipe. Moreover, it's not always available in local grocery stores, so you might have to look for online shops instead.

Nonetheless, I love it because I can use it like a seasoning.

Use 1 tablespoon of tomato powder to replace 3 to 4 sun-dried tomatoes in your recipe.

Best for: Tomato powder's intense flavor and versatility make it a good substitute for sun-dried tomatoes in recipes like spice blends, pasta sauces, or soups, offering a concentrated tomato essence.

Best Non-Tomato Substitutes for Sun-Dried Tomatoes

If you're allergic to tomatoes or don't like them for whatever reason, you can save your recipe by using non-tomato-based substitutes. Here are your best alternatives.

1. Tamarind Paste

You may also substitute sun-dried tomatoes with tamarind paste as it provides a similar sour and tangy flavor to your recipe.

However, it lacks the sweeter flavor you often find in tomatoes, so you may have to add a pinch or two of sugar for a closer flavor profile.

Also, a tamarind paste has a distinct and intense sour flavor, far from what you'd expect from sun-dried tomatoes. Ergo, you can probably only use it in certain recipes.

Use half a teaspoon of tamarind paste (plus sugar!) to replace 3 sun-dried tomatoes in the recipe.

Best for: Tamarind paste's tangy flavor and thick consistency make it a unique substitute for sun-dried tomatoes in recipes like marinades and Asian/Indian cuisine, or savory dishes, adding depth and acidity.

Check out this delicious sauce: San Marzano Pizza Sauce (sugar free)

2. Roasted Bell Pepper

It may seem odd, but roasted bell peppers can provide a similar flavor to sun-dried tomatoes in sweetness.

However, prepare for undertones of a smoky flavor, too. Don't worry. This distinct taste is perfect for Italian recipes, especially yellow, red, and orange bell peppers.

Green bell peppers might also work, but they're more on the smoky side of the flavor spectrum, so you won't get a lot of sweetness from them.

Roasted bell peppers are widely available in local grocery stores and supermarkets, so they're great substitutes in a pinch.

Use roasted bell peppers as a sun-dried tomato substitute in a 1:1 ratio.

Best for: Green bell peppers offer a fresh, slightly sweet flavor and crunchy texture as a substitute for sun-dried tomatoes in salads, antipasto, pizza toppings, pasta dishes, and bruschetta.

Try adding it to this 4 Ingredient Garlic Pizza recipe.

Related: Best Piquillo Pepper Substitutes for Every Dish

Tips When Replacing Sun-Dried Tomatoes

One way or another, any of the substitutes above will bring your recipe closer to one that includes sun-dried tomatoes.

However, that doesn't mean you can use any substitute for every recipe. Here are some factors to consider to find the best alternative.

Is texture important?

You must ask yourself whether or not texture plays an important role in the recipe. Sun-dried tomatoes are chewy, so it's best to stick with substitutes with a similar texture if the recipe calls for it.

Homemade, oven-roasted, and canned tomatoes are your best alternatives in these situations. On the other hand, if you only need tomato flavor, any tomato-based substitute should work just fine.

Also read: 14 Ketchup Substitute Ideas for Delicious, Hearty Meals

Be mindful of the proportions

Because of how they're made, some substitutes will have a more concentrated flavor than sun-dried tomatoes.

Ergo, you must determine how strong a substitute is before adding it to the recipe. If unsure, add little portions first and adjust according to taste.

Consider the flavor profile

This last tip applies only to tamarind paste and roasted bell peppers since the rest of the substitutes are all tomato-based.

The tamarind paste substitute will not work for every recipe (Hint: tamarind pizza sauce). Determine whether these substitutes' sourness and smoky flavor work for the recipe.

Also, try making: Roasted Jalapeños in Air Fryer

Choosing the Best Substitute for Sun-Dried Tomatoes

If you have the time (and the fresh tomatoes), just make homemade sun-dried tomatoes. They typically last for one week but can last up to three weeks if you store them in olive oil.

This way, you'd have sun-dried tomato substitutes readily available for all your next recipes. However, if you don't use sun-dried tomatoes in your recipes often, any of the substitutes above will work fine.

For more substitutes and culinary tips and tricks, visit Also The Crumbs, Please. I'll ensure there are no missing ingredients from your recipe.

Recipe