Question 1

How many grams in 1 cup of sun-dried tomatoes?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the form. Oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained: 110g per cup. Oil-packed with oil retained (undrained): 225g per cup — the oil nearly doubles the weight. Dry-packed (julienned): 54g per cup — the lightest form due to the very low moisture content and small, narrow pieces that create air gaps. Rehydrated dry-packed sun-dried tomatoes: approximately 160g per cup after soaking in hot water for 15 minutes. The variation between forms (54g to 225g per cup) makes specifying the exact form in a recipe essential for consistent results.

Question 2

How many cups are in a standard jar of sun-dried tomatoes?

Accepted Answer

A standard 8.5 oz (241g) jar of oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes yields approximately 2.2 cups of drained tomatoes (110g per cup × 2.2 = 242g drained). The oil in the jar accounts for approximately 30–40% of the jar's total weight — so a 241g jar contains roughly 140–155g tomatoes and 85–100g oil. Larger 12 oz jars yield approximately 3.1 cups drained. When a recipe specifies 'one 8.5 oz jar, drained' — that's approximately 2 cups of sun-dried tomatoes at 110g per cup. The reserve oil from the jar is often fragrant with basil and garlic — save it for sautéing, pasta sauces, or vinaigrettes.

Question 3

How do I rehydrate dry-packed sun-dried tomatoes?

Accepted Answer

Submerge dry-packed sun-dried tomatoes in boiling or near-boiling water (90–100°C) and let stand for 15–20 minutes. They will soften, plump, and approximately triple in volume while roughly doubling in weight (54g/cup dry → 160g/cup rehydrated). Alternatively, soak in warm water at 60–70°C for 30–40 minutes for the same result. For more flavor, rehydrate in vegetable stock, white wine, or warm olive oil instead of water. After rehydrating, drain and pat dry if the recipe calls for oil-sautéing — wet tomatoes will steam rather than sauté. Rehydrated tomatoes keep refrigerated in olive oil for up to 2 weeks.

Question 4

What are the best uses for sun-dried tomatoes in cooking?

Accepted Answer

Sun-dried tomatoes provide concentrated umami from the 8–10× flavor concentration that occurs when 90% of a fresh tomato's water is removed. Oil-packed in pasta: use ¼ cup (28g) drained per 100g dry pasta — chop finely and add when tossing with oil and garlic. Sun-dried tomato pesto: blend 1 cup (110g) oil-packed drained + 2 cloves garlic + 3 tablespoons pine nuts + 3 tablespoons Parmesan + 3 tablespoons olive oil. Sun-dried tomato tapenade: combine with Kalamata olives and capers for a spread. Pizza: ¼ cup (28g) per 12-inch pizza as a topping. Bread: fold 3–4 tablespoons (33–44g) chopped into focaccia dough per loaf. Salad: 2–3 tablespoons (22–33g) per serving in grain salads or with arugula and goat cheese.

Question 5

What is the difference between sun-dried and oven-dried tomatoes?

Accepted Answer

Sun-dried tomatoes are traditionally dried in direct sunlight for 4–10 days in warm, dry climates (Sicily, Calabria, California). Commercial sun-dried tomatoes are typically dried in dehydrators at 50–70°C for 16–24 hours. Oven-dried (semi-dried) tomatoes are dried at 120–150°C for 4–6 hours to approximately 50–60% moisture reduction — they retain more moisture, juiciness, and fresh tomato flavor. Sun-dried tomatoes (90%+ moisture removed) are darker, chewier, and more intensely flavored. Weight comparison per cup: oven-dried/semi-dried = approximately 140–180g per cup vs sun-dried dry-packed = 54g per cup. They are not interchangeable in recipes — sun-dried provides more concentrated flavor per gram and stores at room temperature indefinitely; oven-dried must be refrigerated and used within 2 weeks.

Question 6

How do sun-dried tomatoes compare to tomato paste in density?

Accepted Answer

Tomato paste weighs approximately 262g per cup — significantly denser than any form of sun-dried tomato. This makes sense: tomato paste is a smooth, deaerated concentrate while sun-dried tomatoes are fibrous, textured pieces with air gaps. Per tablespoon: tomato paste = 16.4g; sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed drained) = 6.9g. Flavor concentration: tomato paste made from cooked, reduced tomatoes has a cooked, caramelized flavor profile; sun-dried tomatoes have a more complex sweet-acidic-fruity concentration because drying at lower temperatures preserves more volatile aromatic compounds. In recipes calling for tomato paste, sun-dried tomatoes (blended into a paste) are a valid substitute at 2–3× the volume for similar tomato intensity, plus they add oil and texture.

Cups	Grams	Tablespoons	Teaspoons
¼	27.5 g	3.99 tbsp	12 tsp
⅓	36.7 g	5.32 tbsp	16 tsp
½	55 g	7.97 tbsp	23.9 tsp
⅔	73.3 g	10.6 tbsp	31.9 tsp
¾	82.5 g	12 tbsp	35.9 tsp
1	110 g	15.9 tbsp	47.8 tsp
1½	165 g	23.9 tbsp	71.7 tsp
2	220 g	31.9 tbsp	95.7 tsp
3	330 g	47.8 tbsp	143.5 tsp
4	440 g	63.8 tbsp	191.3 tsp

Measure	Oil-packed drained (g)	Oil-packed undrained (g)	Dry-packed (g)	Rehydrated (g)
1 tablespoon	6.9g	14.1g	3.4g	10g
¼ cup	27.5g	56.25g	13.5g	40g
½ cup	55g	112.5g	27g	80g
1 cup	110g	225g	54g	160g
8.5 oz jar (drained)	~242g (~2.2 cups)	—	—	—

Sun-Dried Tomatoes — Cups to Grams

Quick Conversion Table — Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Why Sun-Dried Tomato Weight Varies So Much by Form

Flavor Concentration and Culinary Applications

Dry-Packed vs Oil-Packed: Which to Buy and When

Sun-Dried Tomatoes vs Tomato Paste: Density and Flavor Comparison