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While fresh tomatoes are plump, firm and juicy, sun dried tomatoes are shriveled, chewy, and darker than the fresh version. They also pack an incredibly intense tomato flavor that makes a wonderful addition to many dishes, whether used as is or rehydrated.

Any type of tomato can be used to make (sun) dried tomatoes, but typically plum (Roma) tomatoes are used due to their high flesh-to-juice ratio.The drying process may be lengthy but you can learn how to sun dry tomatoes in your backyard or oven. It is a great way to preserve tomatoes if you have an overabundance of them.

Part 1
Part 1 of 4:

Preparing Tomatoes for Drying

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  1. How.com.vn English: Step 1 Rinse the tomatoes under cool water and dry them with a paper towel.
  2. How.com.vn English: Watermark How.com.vn to Make Sun Dried Tomatoes
    If you are using cherry tomatoes, cut them in half. For other larger tomatoes, cut them into quarters.
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  3. How.com.vn English: Watermark How.com.vn to Make Sun Dried Tomatoes
    This is not necessary but removing the seeds will speed up the drying process.
  4. How.com.vn English: Watermark How.com.vn to Make Sun Dried Tomatoes
    Fresh herbs are a popular choice. Basil is often used to flavor sun dried tomatoes. Toss the tomatoes so they are well coated with the herbs.
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Part 2
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Drying Option 1: Sun Drying

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Sun drying usually takes place during the summer months when days are sunny, hot, and long.

  1. How.com.vn English: Step 1 Find an area that has full sunlight for the majority of the day.
    Choose a really hot day. For optimal results, the temperature should be over 90 °F (32 °C) with humidity less than 60 percent.
  2. How.com.vn English: Step 2 Set up a screen for laying out the tomatoes.
    You can use a screen made for drying purposes or an old window or door screen that has been scrubbed clean. Set the screen up on a table, and raise the screen by placing small boards or bricks at the corners. This will allow air to circulate around the drying tomatoes.
  3. How.com.vn English: Watermark How.com.vn to Make Sun Dried Tomatoes
    Arrange them so there is space between the tomatoes; you do not want them touching. Proper drying requires adequate air flow for each individual piece of tomato.
  4. How.com.vn English: Watermark How.com.vn to Make Sun Dried Tomatoes
    Place boards or bricks around the screen, then place the cheesecloth over this. The cheesecloth should cover the tomatoes but not touch them. Hold the cheesecloth in place by placing more bricks on top of the bottom bricks.The cheesecloth will help keep bugs off and birds out, as well as falling debris from trees.
  5. How.com.vn English: Step 5 Check on the tomatoes every so often.
    They can take anywhere from 1 day of full sun to 2 weeks to properly dry. Make sure to take them in at night. After the sun goes down, humidity levels tend to rise and you do not want your tomatoes to absorb any moisture (which would basically undo any drying that has already occurred).
    • The tomatoes are completely sun dried when they have a leathery texture and are not sticky. They should feel dry but not cold to the touch. Do not over dry them so they become brittle. The finished product will be much darker than the original.
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Part 3
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Drying Option 2: Oven Drying

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  1. How.com.vn English: Step 1 Preheat the oven to 150 °F (66 °C).
    Drying tomatoes in the oven requires the lowest setting on your oven. If it is above 150 degrees, leave the oven door open slightly to reduce the heat.
  2. How.com.vn English: Watermark How.com.vn to Make Sun Dried Tomatoes
    They will have to be turned and tossed periodically through the drying process since there is no air circulation with a baking sheet.
  3. How.com.vn English: Step 3 Heat the tomatoes in the oven until they have a leathery texture but are not sticky.
    This may take 6 to 12 hours.
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Part 4
Part 4 of 4:

Storing Dried Tomatoes

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  1. How.com.vn English: Step 1 Store the dried tomatoes in a plastic bag or glass jar.
    Pack them loosely and rid the container of as much air as possible. Keep the dried tomatoes in a cool, dark, dry place.
    • If you have put your dried tomatoes in an air-tight container, you can also store them in the refrigerator or freezer.

Community Q&A

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  • Question
    When properly dried, how long of a shelf life can I expect? And is Tupperware okay for storing it?
    How.com.vn English: Community Answer
    Community Answer
    When properly dried, the food should last from 6-8 months, but don't put it in Tupperware, as it is easy for bacteria to form inside. Instead, try a Ziploc bag.
  • Question
    In the pictures you show the cut side down, but the directions say to put skin side down. Which is right?
    How.com.vn English: Clheart
    Clheart
    Community Answer
    Skin side down is correct. I don't know why the person who took the photos wouldn't follow the directions.
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      Tips

      • You can sun dry tomatoes in a car during a hot, sunny day since the inside reaches temperatures appropriate for drying fruit.
      • If you accidentally over dry the tomatoes, they can be made into a tomato powder or tomato flakes for flavoring dishes.
      • Make sun dried tomatoes using a food dehydrator.
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      Warnings

      • Leaving the oven door open may introduce deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gas into your home. Use proper ventilation and ensure that you have working CO detectors properly installed in your home.
      • Do not remove more than just the seeds or you may lose flavor.
      • Tomatoes should be dried in hot, dry weather, since humidity will prolong and even inhibit the drying process.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Tomatoes
      • Cutting Board
      • Knife
      • Screen
      • Baking Sheet
      • Cheesecloth
      • Seasonings
      • Boards or Bricks
      • Paper Towel


      About This Article

      How.com.vn English: Jennifer Levasseur
      Reviewed by:
      Personal Chef
      This article was reviewed by Jennifer Levasseur. Chef Jennifer Levasseur is a Personal Chef and the Owner of The Happy Cuisiniere based in Breckenridge, Colorado. She has over 12 years of culinary experience and specializes in Mountain and Contemporary Rustic cuisine. Moreover, she can craft dishes and modify menus to accommodate dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, and dairy-free diets. In addition to a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management from the University of Houston, Chef Jennifer holds Associate’s degrees in Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts from Houston Community College. This article has been viewed 218,151 times.
      20 votes - 89%
      Co-authors: 18
      Updated: August 7, 2023
      Views: 218,151
      Article SummaryX

      To make sun dried tomatoes, start by cutting your tomatoes on a board, and coating them with a herb seasoning, like basil. Then, spread out the tomatoes on a baking tray, and put them in the oven at 150 degrees Fahrenheit for 6 to 12 hours. Make sure to turn them periodically so they dry evenly. Once the tomatoes are leathery and no longer sticky, take them out of the oven and store them in a sealable container. For tips on how to store sun dried tomatoes in your fridge or freezer, keep reading!

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      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 218,151 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • How.com.vn English: Matt Matthews

        Matt Matthews

        Sep 7, 2016

        "I just discovered there are more ideas on drying tomatoes, especially the adding of herbs, that I never knew about...." more
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