Sun-dried tomatoes can turn a boring dinner into something you actually look forward to eating. A handful tossed into pasta, a grain bowl, or even a sandwich adds this concentrated, sweet, tangy punch that fresh tomatoes just can’t deliver.
Not all brands taste the same, though.
The differences come down to how they’re dried, what they’re packed in (oil vs dry), and whether the seasoning actually adds flavor or just salt. If you want to cook with them more often, grab some ideas from our best easy vegan cookbooks for inspiration.
Quick picks: oil-packed tomatoes are best for sandwiches, pasta, and quick sauces. Dry-packed tomatoes are better when you want concentrated tomato flavor without extra oil, especially in grain bowls or chopped salads.
If a jar tastes flat, the issue is usually the oil, not the tomato. Good sun-dried tomatoes should taste sweet, tart, and savory without needing much salt.
Top Picks for the Best Sundried Tomatoes
I’ve tested a bunch of sun-dried tomato brands over the past few months, and these are the ones I keep buying back. They’re loaded with antioxidants, taste incredible, and work in just about everything I cook. For more tips, see quinoa picks.
Campo D’Oro Sundried Delights
These Sicilian cherry tomatoes come packed in oil with basil, garlic, and sea salt. They’re soft, flavorful, and ready to use straight out of the glass jar.
Pros
- Basil and garlic seasoning adds real depth right out of the jar
- Oil doubles as a ready-made dressing or drizzle
- Non-GMO and gluten-free
Cons
- Garlic flavor is strong, which won’t work for everyone
- Sunflower oil in the blend can overpower the tomato taste
- Glass jar means you need to be careful with storage and handling
I tossed these into a simple garlic pasta last week and honestly didn’t need to add much else. The cherry tomatoes are already soft from sitting in that seasoned oil, so they practically melt into the dish. The basil comes through clearly without being fake or overpowering.
Where they really shine is on bruschetta. I chopped a few up, mixed them with diced avocado, and piled it onto sourdough toast. My friends asked what restaurant I ordered from. The basil and garlic do most of the heavy lifting for you.
For salads, I just spoon a few on top and use the jar oil as dressing. It saves time and tastes better than most store-bought vinaigrettes. The only thing I’d flag is that the sunflower oil is noticeable. If you’re picky about olive oil specifically, that might bother you.
Tuscanini Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Sourced from Calabria, Italy, these julienne-cut tomatoes in olive oil feel like a premium pick. They’re ready to toss into just about anything.
Pros
- Julienne cut means zero prep, just open and use
- Genuine Calabrian tomatoes with rich, concentrated flavor
- Olive oil keeps them tender and adds its own flavor
Cons
- Salt level runs high, so adjust your other seasonings
- Jars have been known to arrive with oil leaking through the lid
- On the expensive side for the amount you get
The julienne cut is what sold me on these. I dumped a few spoonfuls into a quinoa salad and didn’t have to chop a single thing. The tomatoes have that deep, savory taste you get from real Italian sun-drying, not the flat flavor of cheaper brands.
They sit in a nice olive oil that softens them to the perfect texture. I’ve been keeping a jar in the pantry for quick meals. Homemade pizza, grain bowls, even just scooped onto crackers with some hummus. They work everywhere.
Fair warning on the salt. The first time I used them in a pasta sauce, I salted the sauce like normal and it came out way too salty. Now I taste before adding any extra seasoning. Also, a friend’s order showed up with oil all over the box, so check the seal when yours arrives. The quality of the actual tomatoes makes up for the packaging issues, but it’s still annoying.
Cento Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Cento is one of those Italian brands you see everywhere, and for good reason. Their sun-dried tomatoes come in a 10oz glass jar, packed in oil with spices, and they taste like something you’d find at a deli in Rome.
Pros
- Grown and processed entirely in Italy
- Gluten-free, non-GMO, and low sodium
- Oil and spice blend makes them ready to use straight from the jar
Cons
- Glass jar is heavy and fragile for shipping
- Tomatoes can vary in size from jar to jar
- Spice level is mild, so you may want to add your own seasoning
I grabbed a jar of these on a whim and they ended up in rotation fast. The tomatoes are soft, well-oiled, and have that real sun-dried sweetness without tasting like they sat in a warehouse for a year. I tossed a few into a simple penne with garlic and olive oil and it turned a boring weeknight dinner into something I actually looked forward to eating.
They work well on antipasto boards too. I laid out some crackers, olives, roasted peppers, and a handful of these tomatoes, and the whole plate looked and tasted like I put in way more effort than I did. The oil in the jar pulls double duty as a drizzle for bread or a base for quick salad dressing.
The low sodium is a real plus if you’re watching your salt intake. Most oil-packed brands run salty, but Cento keeps it reasonable. The only downside is the spice blend is pretty subtle. If you like bold seasoning, you’ll want to add your own herbs or red pepper flakes. For a trusted Italian brand at a fair price, these are hard to beat for everyday cooking.
Bella Sun Luci Sun Dried Tomatoes Julienne Cut
Bella Sun Luci’s julienne-cut tomatoes are a good swap when you want sun-dried tomatoes that are ready for pasta, salads, and sandwiches without chopping. The strips are thin enough to mix into warm dishes quickly, but they still have that chewy tomato bite.
The flavor is sweet, tangy, and more concentrated than canned tomatoes. Since these are not packed in oil, they are easier to use in recipes where you want to control the fat level yourself. Soak them briefly for softer pasta dishes, or chop them straight from the bag for salads and grain bowls.
Pros
- Julienne cut saves prep time
- Vegan, kosher, and gluten-free
- Works well in pasta, pizza, sandwiches, and salads
Cons
- Drier texture needs soaking for some recipes
- Not as rich as oil-packed tomatoes
- Bag format is less tidy than a jar once opened
Bella’s Sun-Dried Delights
Bella’s Sun-Dried Delights are chewy, olive oil-packed tomatoes that work as a snack straight from the jar or as a topping for just about anything.
Pros
- Chewy texture that holds up in cooked dishes and cold salads
- Olive oil packing keeps them tender and flavorful
- Kosher certified
Cons
- Jar lid can be really hard to twist open
- On the pricier side compared to similar brands
- Some batches lean a bit dry
I mixed these into a creamy avocado pasta and the tangy flavor came through immediately. They have this nice chew to them that holds up even when tossed with hot noodles. Fresh basil on top and it felt like a restaurant meal.
Honestly, I eat these straight from the jar as a snack. They’re that good. Pile them on bruschetta, throw them into a wrap, or just munch on a few while you’re cooking something else. They’re kosher, too, which is a plus if that matters to your household.
My one real complaint is the jar lid. I’ve had to use a towel for grip more than once. It seals tight (which is good for freshness), but getting into it the first time can be a struggle. Once you’re past that, these are a solid everyday pantry staple for adding quick flavor to sandwiches, couscous, or grain bowls.
Bella Sun Luci Sundried Tomatoes
Bella Sun Luci is a California brand that packs julienne-cut tomatoes with Italian herbs in olive oil. High in lycopene and full of flavor.
Pros
- Julienne cut saves you all the chopping
- Italian herb and olive oil blend tastes great on its own
- High lycopene content for an antioxidant boost
Cons
- Pricier than most other brands on this list
- Jar seal isn’t always tight, and oil can leak during shipping
- Needs to be refrigerated and sealed well after opening
The Italian herbs in the oil make a noticeable difference. I spooned some onto avocado toast one morning and it was instantly one of my favorite breakfasts. The julienne cut means you don’t have to do any prep. Just open, spoon, eat.
In salads, these are fantastic. The herb-infused oil coats everything it touches, so you get flavor in every bite without needing a separate dressing. I’ve also stirred them into vegan pasta and they disappear right into the sauce, adding this subtle herby, tomato-rich layer.
The shipping situation is the weak point. I’ve heard from a few people (and experienced it once myself) that the jar lid doesn’t always survive transit. Oil everywhere. Once it’s safely in your fridge, though, these tomatoes are excellent. The lycopene content is a nice health bonus, and the California sourcing is a selling point if you like supporting domestic brands.
Bella’s Sun-Kissed Tomatoes
Sun-dried tomato halves packed in extra virgin olive oil. Kosher, non-GMO, and gluten-free. Simple ingredients, solid flavor.
Pros
- Extra virgin olive oil packing (not a cheaper oil blend)
- Kosher and non-GMO certified
- Leftover oil in the jar works great for cooking and dressings
Cons
- Olive oil solidifies when refrigerated (needs time to warm up)
- Price is higher than average for sun-dried tomatoes
- Packaging can leak oil during delivery
What I like about these is the extra virgin olive oil. A lot of brands use sunflower or canola blends, but Bella’s uses the real stuff. You can taste the difference, especially when you use the leftover jar oil for sauteing veggies or drizzling over bread.
The tomato halves have a rich, concentrated flavor and they’re certified kosher and non-GMO. I’ve been tossing them on focaccia, into grain bowls, and onto salads all month. They hold their shape well and don’t turn to mush.
One thing to know: if you refrigerate them, the olive oil will solidify. It looks weird but it’s totally normal. Just let the jar sit on the counter for 10 or 15 minutes before you use it. The oil softens back up and the tomatoes are good to go. Between the quality of the oil and the clean ingredient list, these are a reliable choice for anyone keeping a plant-based kitchen stocked.
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Buying Guide
Check whether the tomatoes are julienned, halved, or whole. Julienned tomatoes are easier to toss straight into pasta, while whole or halved tomatoes give you more control if you want bigger pieces for sandwiches or antipasto plates.
For oil-packed jars, look for olive oil or a neutral oil that does not taste stale. For dry-packed bags, plan to soak the tomatoes in hot water or warm oil before adding them to recipes where texture matters.
Quality Indicators
When I’m shopping for sun-dried tomatoes, the first thing I look at is color. You want a deep, vibrant red. If they look brownish or faded, that usually means they were dried too long or weren’t ripe enough to begin with. Texture matters too. They should be chewy but still pliable, not rock-hard or mushy.
- Texture: Chewy, but not leathery
- Color: Deep red, not brownish
Organic and Non-GMO
I go with organic and non-GMO whenever I can. Organic means no synthetic pesticides or fertilizers were used, and non-GMO means the tomato seeds haven’t been genetically modified. Both labels are easy to find in this category.
| Preference | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Organic | Avoids synthetic chemicals |
| Non-GMO | Promotes natural seed strains |
Package Integrity
This one matters more than you’d think. Several brands on this list have had complaints about oil leaking during shipping. Look for airtight seals, and if the product comes in a glass jar, check that the safety button on the lid is still popped down when it arrives.
- Seal: Must be airtight
- Protection: Opaque or dark packaging to block light
Additives
Some brands add sulfites to preserve the red color. I skip those. Sulfites can cause reactions in sensitive people, and you don’t need them for a good product. The best sun-dried tomatoes use nothing beyond tomatoes, oil, salt, and maybe some herbs.
- Additives: None, especially sulphites
- Seasoning: Natural sea salt, if used
Lastly, taste. Good sun-dried tomatoes have a concentrated, naturally sweet and tangy flavor. They should not taste overly salty or leave a chemical aftertaste. Keep these tips in mind and you’ll find the right jar for your vegan recipes.
