Homemade Sun-Dried Tomato Vinaigrette: Your Go-To 5-Minute Recipe for Flavorful Salads & More
Elevate your meals with this incredibly easy recipe for sun-dried tomato vinaigrette. In just 5 minutes, you can craft a unique homemade salad dressing that boasts a vibrant, savory-sweet flavor profile. Perfect for drizzling over crisp green salads, enriching pasta salads, adding a gourmet touch to grain bowls, or even as a versatile marinade. This dressing is guaranteed to infuse a burst of deliciousness into any dish.
This simple yet profoundly flavorful sun-dried tomato vinaigrette has been a cherished family favorite in our home for many years, and for good reason! What’s not to adore about the harmonious blend of tangy balsamic vinegar, intensely savory dried tomatoes, pungent garlic, and rich olive oil? It’s a dressing that transcends the ordinary, offering a depth of flavor that store-bought varieties simply can’t match.
Beyond its incredible taste, this homemade vinaigrette is remarkably versatile. It’s truly spectacular on any classic green salad, turning a simple mix of greens into a gourmet experience. Furthermore, it shines brightly on more substantial main dish salads, whether you’re topping it with grilled chicken, sautéed shrimp, or even crumbled feta cheese. The combination with feta, in particular, creates a flavor sensation that is truly unforgettable.
But its uses extend far beyond salads. This vibrant dressing adds an unparalleled layer of flavor to pasta salads, transforming them into dishes that are anything but bland. It’s also an exceptional choice for grain bowls, where its rich notes complement a variety of grains, roasted vegetables, and proteins. Incorporating this dressing is an effortless way to elevate your everyday meals into something special.
This sun-dried tomato vinaigrette is another stellar addition to our collection of easy “pantry basics” recipes. These staples are designed to help you create a simple, handmade life, offering delicious solutions right from your pantry. Much like our popular maple balsamic vinaigrette, refreshing strawberry vinaigrette, and our guide to basic vinaigrette 4 ways, this recipe empowers you to make wholesome, flavorful dressings at home.
The Magic of Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Beyond the incredible taste this vinaigrette delivers, one of my favorite aspects is that it provides yet another wonderful way to utilize the abundance of tomatoes I meticulously dry each summer from our garden’s harvest. The entire endeavor of growing and preserving our own produce culminates in moments like these – enjoying the fruits of our labor in delicious, homemade creations. Using homegrown or locally sourced tomatoes, when dried, concentrates their natural sweetness and umami, resulting in an intense flavor that fresh tomatoes can’t quite replicate.
If you’re interested in making your own sun-dried tomatoes, you’ll be delighted to know that it’s surprisingly easy to make and store sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil. This method not only preserves the tomatoes beautifully but also infuses the oil with their rich flavor, which, as you’ll see in this recipe, becomes a fantastic ingredient in itself. I offer a complete tutorial here on how to dry and store tomatoes in oil, including extensive research I’ve conducted over the years to ensure the safety of this time-honored preservation technique. Making them yourself ensures you control the quality and ingredients, avoiding unnecessary additives often found in commercially prepared versions.
Sun Dried Tomato Vinaigrette Recipe
Essential Ingredients for a Perfect Sun-Dried Tomato Vinaigrette
Crafting this vibrant vinaigrette requires just a few simple ingredients, but the quality of each truly makes a difference in the final flavor. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:
- Chopped Dried Tomatoes in Olive Oil: These are the star of the show, providing that intense, concentrated tomato flavor. Using tomatoes packed in olive oil is ideal, as the infused oil adds another layer of richness. (See our FAQ section below if your sun-dried tomatoes aren’t stored in oil, as we have tips for rehydrating them.)
- Balsamic Vinegar: Opt for a good quality balsamic vinegar. Its sweet and tangy notes are crucial for balancing the richness of the tomatoes and olive oil. Ensure it doesn’t have added sugar if you’re aiming for a keto-friendly dressing.
- Olive Oil (from the tomatoes): This is a key component. The oil in which your sun-dried tomatoes are packed is already infused with their delicious essence, making it perfect for this vinaigrette. If you made your own sun-dried tomatoes and stored them in oil, this is a fantastic way to use that flavorful oil.
- Fresh Garlic: Minced garlic adds a wonderful aromatic punch and a touch of sharpness that brightens the entire dressing. Fresh is always best here.
- Salt and Pepper: These seasonings are essential to bring all the flavors together and enhance the overall taste. Adjust to your personal preference.
Effortless Preparation: Directions for Your 5-Minute Vinaigrette
Preparing this sun-dried tomato vinaigrette is so quick and easy, it will become your new go-to homemade dressing. Here’s your 5-minute (or even less!) task, designed for maximum flavor with minimal effort:
Simply combine all the measured ingredients – the balsamic vinegar, finely chopped dried tomatoes, the flavorful olive oil from the tomatoes, minced garlic, and your desired amounts of salt and pepper – into a small glass bowl or a measuring cup. Once all ingredients are in, begin whisking briskly.
Continue to whisk until the oil and vinegar have fully emulsified. You’ll notice the mixture transforming from separated layers into a cohesive, slightly thicker, and beautifully blended dressing. This emulsification is key to a creamy texture and ensures that every drop of your vinaigrette carries the full spectrum of its delightful flavors. Once emulsified, transfer your freshly made vinaigrette to a pourable container, such as a jar with a tight-fitting lid, for easy storage and serving.
Pro Tip (applicable for all vinaigrettes!): For the most effective and stable emulsification, try using both hands to move the whisk back and forth quickly within the mixture. This vigorous, rapid motion helps to fully integrate the oil and vinegar, creating a stable emulsion that will remain blended for longer. This technique is more effective than simply shaking the ingredients together in a jar, ensuring a consistent texture and flavor throughout your dressing. You can see a demonstration of this technique in action with this basic vinaigrette recipe, which highlights its effectiveness.
Versatile Ways to Enjoy Your Sun-Dried Tomato Vinaigrette
This delightful dressing is far too good to be limited to just green salads. Its robust and nuanced flavor profile makes it incredibly versatile. Here are some fantastic ways to incorporate your homemade sun-dried tomato vinaigrette into your meals:
- Green Salads: Of course, this is its primary role. Drizzle it over mixed greens with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and perhaps some crumbled goat cheese or feta for an exquisite side or light meal.
- Pasta Salads: Toss it with cooked pasta (like rotini or penne), fresh basil, mozzarella balls, olives, and extra sun-dried tomatoes for a vibrant and satisfying pasta salad. It’s perfect for potlucks or meal prep.
- Grain Bowls: Elevate your favorite grain bowls (quinoa, farro, couscous, or rice) by adding this vinaigrette. Combine with roasted vegetables, chickpeas, grilled chicken, or tofu for a healthy and flavorful complete meal.
- Marinade for Meats & Vegetables: The acidity of the balsamic vinegar and the richness of the oil make this an excellent marinade. Use it for chicken, fish, pork, or even hearty vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms before grilling, roasting, or pan-frying.
- Sandwiches & Wraps: Spread a thin layer inside your sandwiches or wraps instead of mayonnaise for a lighter, more flavorful condiment. It pairs wonderfully with turkey, chicken, or vegetarian fillings.
- Roasted Vegetables: Drizzle over roasted asparagus, broccoli, carrots, or potatoes after cooking for an extra layer of savory depth.
- Bruschetta Topping: Mix with some fresh chopped basil and spoon over toasted baguette slices for a quick and impressive appetizer.
- Dipping Sauce: Serve it as a sophisticated dipping sauce for crusty bread before a meal.
Don’t be afraid to experiment! This sun-dried tomato vinaigrette is a true culinary chameleon, ready to enhance almost any savory dish with its irresistible taste.
Sun Dried Tomato Vinaigrette FAQs
The oil that your sun-dried tomatoes are packed in is a liquid goldmine of flavor! You can absolutely use this delicious, infused oil in numerous ways, much like in this vinaigrette recipe. It’s fantastic in any homemade salad dressing to impart a subtle yet distinct tomato essence. Beyond dressings, consider using it as a direct substitute for regular olive oil in recipes that would benefit from a lovely tomato flavor boost. For example, use it to sauté chicken or vegetables, in your ground beef mixture for pasta sauces, or as a base for soups and stews. It’s also wonderful drizzled over cooked pasta, pizza, or even a simple piece of toast. Basically, keep it alongside your other cooking oils and reach for it whenever you desire that extra touch of sun-dried tomato goodness.
Yes, storing sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil is a very popular and safe method of preservation, especially when done correctly. It’s both safe and straightforward to dry your own tomatoes and then store them submerged in olive oil in your pantry. This method not only preserves their flavor and texture but also infuses the oil with their rich essence, as discussed above. For comprehensive instructions and important safety considerations, be sure to get all the details in our tutorial on how to dry tomatoes and store them in olive oil here.
Yes, this sun-dried tomato vinaigrette can easily be made Keto-friendly. The main consideration is the balsamic vinegar. Traditional balsamic vinegar can contain some natural sugars or added sugars. To ensure your vinaigrette aligns with a ketogenic diet, simply select a balsamic vinegar that explicitly states it has no added sugar. All other ingredients in this recipe – sun-dried tomatoes (in oil), olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper – are naturally low in carbohydrates and suitable for a Keto lifestyle.
If your dried tomatoes are not stored in olive oil (i.e., they are dry-packed), you’ll need to rehydrate them before use. The simplest and quickest way to do this is by soaking them in boiling water. Place the dried tomatoes in a heat-proof bowl and pour enough boiling water over them to fully submerge them. Let them soak for about 30 minutes to an an hour, or until they become pliable and soft to the touch. Once rehydrated, drain them thoroughly, pat them dry, and they are ready for chopping and use in this vinaigrette or any other recipe.
While I haven’t personally tested it for this recipe, some sources suggest that you can reconstitute dried tomatoes directly in olive oil instead of water. However, this method reportedly takes much longer, often up to 24 hours. If you choose this approach, ensure you have ample time for the tomatoes to soften adequately, as it may not yield the same quick results as the boiling water method.
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Sun Dried Tomato Vinaigrette
Equipment
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small whisk
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small bowl
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pint jar for storage
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped dried tomatoes (packed in olive oil)
- 1/4 cup olive oil (from the tomatoes)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
Instructions
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Combine the vinegar, chopped tomatoes, oil, garlic, salt and pepper in a small glass bowl or measuring cup.
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Stir briskly with a whisk to thoroughly combine the oil and vinegar, ensuring a smooth emulsification.
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Transfer the finished vinaigrette to a jar or pourable container for easy serving and storage in the refrigerator.
Notes
Nutrition
More Easy Homemade Salad Dressings
If you love the simplicity and superior flavor of homemade dressings, be sure to explore these other fantastic recipes. Each one is designed for ease and versatility, ensuring you always have a delicious option on hand to elevate your meals without relying on store-bought alternatives:
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This recipe has been thoughtfully updated to provide even more detail and clarity – it was originally published in June of 2010.