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There’s nothing quite like the rich, sweet flavor of homemade sun dried tomatoes. Drying tomatoes concentrates their natural sugars, creating an intensely flavorful ingredient that's perfect for pasta dishes, pizzas, salads, sandwiches, soups, and homemade breads.

While traditional sun drying can take several days, you can also make delicious sun dried tomatoes in your oven or dehydrator with excellent results.

If your garden is overflowing with fresh tomatoes or you found a great deal at the farmers market, this is one of the best ways to preserve them for months to come.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Easy way to preserve fresh tomatoes
• Intensifies the tomato flavor
• Less expensive than store-bought
• Perfect for meal prep
• Can be stored in oil with herbs for even more flavor
• Great for using garden tomatoes before they spoil

Best Tomatoes for Drying

While almost any tomato can be dried, some varieties work much better because they contain less moisture.

The best choices include:

• Roma tomatoes
• San Marzano tomatoes
• Amish Paste tomatoes
• Plum tomatoes
• Juliet tomatoes
• Cherry tomatoes
• Grape tomatoes

Roma tomatoes are the most popular because they're meaty with fewer seeds and less juice, but you can use cherry tomatoes like I did.

Ingredients

• 3–5 pounds Roma tomatoes
• 1–2 teaspoons sea salt
• Optional:
  • Italian seasoning
  • Garlic powder
  • Black pepper
  • Fresh thyme
  • Fresh oregano

How to Prepare the Tomatoes

1. Wash the tomatoes thoroughly.
2. Pat dry.
3. Slice cherry tomatoes in half.
4. Remove large stems.
5. Leave the seeds in—they add flavor.
6. Sprinkle lightly with salt.

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 200°F (95°C).
2. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
3. Arrange tomatoes cut-side up.
4. Sprinkle with salt and seasonings if desired.
5. Bake for 3 hours, depending on size.
6. Rotate pans halfway through.
7. Remove tomatoes as they finish drying.

How Do You Know They're Done?

Perfect sun dried tomatoes should be:

• Dry but flexible
• Not sticky
• Slightly chewy
• Deep burgundy or dark red
• No moisture when squeezed

Avoid over-drying until they're brittle.

How to Store Sun Dried Tomatoes

Pantry Storage

Store completely dried tomatoes in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.

Shelf life:

• 6–12 months

Refrigerator

Store dried tomatoes packed in olive oil with:

• Garlic
• Basil
• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Oregano

Refrigerate and use within 2 weeks.

Freezer

Freeze dried tomatoes in freezer bags for up to 1 year.

Rehydrating Sun Dried Tomatoes

When a recipe calls for softened tomatoes:

1. Bring water to a boil.
2. Pour over tomatoes.
3. Let soak for 20–30 minutes.
4. Drain well.

You can also soak them in warm chicken broth, vegetable broth, or red wine for extra flavor.

Ways to Use Homemade Sun Dried Tomatoes

These tomatoes add incredible flavor to countless recipes.

Try them in:

• Pasta salads
• Creamy pasta sauces
• Homemade pizza
• Bruschetta
• Sandwiches
• Paninis
• Chicken dishes
• Quiche
• Scrambled eggs
• Omelets
• Grain bowls
• Rice pilaf
• Stuffed chicken breasts
• Homemade focaccia
• Sourdough bread
• Pesto
• Charcuterie boards
• Spinach salads
• Couscous
• Orzo
• Roasted vegetable dishes

Tips for Success

• Choose firm, ripe tomatoes.
• Dry tomatoes of similar size together.
• Don't overcrowd your trays.
• Rotate pans in the oven for even drying.
• Store only completely dried tomatoes to prevent mold.
• Label jars with the drying date.
• If storing in oil, always refrigerate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use cherry tomatoes?

Absolutely! Cherry tomatoes become wonderfully sweet when dried. Simply cut them in half and reduce the drying time.

Do I have to remove the seeds?

No. The seeds can stay in and add flavor.

Why did my tomatoes mold?

They likely weren't fully dried before storage or were exposed to moisture.

Can I season them before drying?

Yes! Popular seasonings include Italian seasoning, garlic powder, basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and cracked black pepper.

Can I freeze them?

Yes. Frozen sun dried tomatoes keep beautifully for up to one year.

Final Thoughts

Making homemade sun dried tomatoes is one of the best ways to preserve the flavors of summer. Whether you dry them traditionally in the sun, use your oven, or rely on a dehydrator, you'll end up with intensely flavorful tomatoes that elevate everything from pasta and salads to sandwiches and homemade bread.

Once you try making your own, you'll appreciate just how much fresher and more vibrant they taste compared to store-bought versions.

Love cooking with tomatoes? Check out these other recipes

• Tomato Basil Risotto
• Cheddar Tomato Tart
• Homemade Spaghetti Sauce with Fresh Tomatoes