Easy Homemade Sun Dried Tomato Vinaigrette Dressing
If you’re looking for an easy sun dried tomato vinaigrette recipe that tastes fresh, bold, and restaurant-quality, this homemade salad dressing is about to become a staple in your kitchen. Made with oil-packed sun dried tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, and red wine vinegar, this flavorful homemade vinaigrette comes together in just minutes and instantly upgrades everything from leafy green salads to pasta salad recipes
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This healthy sun dried tomato vinaigrette is perfect for beginner cooks because it’s simple to make, easy to customize, and far more delicious than store-bought Italian dressing. The rich tomato flavor combined with tangy vinegar and herbs creates a Mediterranean sun dried tomato vinaigrette that tastes incredible drizzled over salads, grain bowls, roasted vegetables, and sandwiches.
I started making homemade sun dried tomato salad dressing years ago after realizing how easy it was to create fresh vinaigrettes at home with pantry staples. One afternoon I blended leftover sun dried tomatoes into a quick dressing for a pasta salad, and the flavor completely surprised me. It was savory, tangy, and packed with so much flavor that everyone asked for the recipe. Since then, this has become one of my favorite meal prep salad dressing recipes because it keeps well in the fridge and makes simple lunches taste amazing.
What Makes This Homemade Sun Dried Tomato Vinaigrette So Good?
This tangy sun dried tomato vinaigrette is:
- Ready in 5 minutes
- Made with wholesome pantry ingredients
- Packed with Mediterranean flavor
- Great for meal prep salads
- Naturally gluten free
- Easy to make vegan
- Perfect for pasta salad and grain bowls
If you’ve been searching for a flavorful homemade salad dressing recipe that’s both simple and versatile, this one checks all the boxes.
RELATED: There’s something about a creamy poppy seed dressing that just hits the spot. It’s tangy, sweet, creamy, and has those tiny little poppy seeds that somehow make it feel fancy—even though it takes about five minutes to make. If you’ve ever tried the creamy poppy seed dressing from Kraft, this homemade version gives you all that nostalgic flavor but with a fresh twist.
What Ingredients are in Sun Dried Tomato Vinaigrette?
- Oil-Packed Sun Dried Tomatoes – These add intense tomato flavor and a slightly sweet richness that gives this dressing its signature taste. Oil-packed tomatoes work best for a creamy sun dried tomato vinaigrette.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil – A good-quality olive oil gives the dressing a silky texture and classic Mediterranean flavor.
- Red Wine Vinegar – Adds brightness and acidity to balance the richness of the tomatoes and oil.
- Garlic – Fresh garlic gives this garlic sun dried tomato vinaigrette a savory kick.
- Dijon Mustard – Helps emulsify the dressing while adding subtle tangy flavor.
- Honey or Maple Syrup – A small amount balances the acidity and enhances the sweetness of the tomatoes.
- Italian Seasoning – Adds herby flavor that makes this dressing taste like a homemade Italian vinaigrette.
- Salt and Black Pepper – Essential for balancing and enhancing all the flavors.
How to Make Sun Dried Tomato Vinaigrette
This quick homemade vinaigrette with sun dried tomatoes is incredibly simple to prepare:
- Add the sun dried tomatoes, olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, Dijon mustard, honey, and Italian seasoning, salt and pepper to a blender or food processor.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for later.
For a thinner consistency, add a bit of olive oil until the dressing reaches your preferred consistency.
Make this Homemade Sun Dried Tomato Dressing, then check out my Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing recipe and more of my vinaigrette and salad dressings made from scratch.
Salads and Ways to Use This Sun Dried Tomato Dressing
One of the best things about this homemade sun dried tomato vinaigrette is how versatile it is. It pairs beautifully with both simple salads and hearty meal prep recipes.
Try using it:
- As a vinaigrette for spinach salad
- Tossed with roasted vegetables
- As a Mediterranean pasta salad dressing
- Drizzled over quinoa bowls
- As a marinade for chicken or shrimp
- Spread onto wraps and sandwiches
- Tossed with chickpea salads
- Over arugula with parmesan cheese
It’s especially delicious in this Pasta Chopped Salad with Chickpeas . The bold flavors of the dressing pair perfectly with pasta, chickpeas, crunchy vegetables, and feta cheese for an easy meal prep lunch.
TIPS AND FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Read on for tips and substitution ideas on how to make this recipe, such as how to customize this salad, and how to store this salad.
Can I make this easy salad dressing with sun dried tomatoes without a blender?
Yes! Finely chop the sun dried tomatoes and whisk everything together by hand. The texture will simply be a little chunkier.
Can I make this a vegan sun dried tomato vinaigrette recipe?
Absolutely. Replace the honey with maple syrup for a fully vegan dressing.
How long does homemade sun dried tomato vinaigrette last?
Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, this dressing stays fresh for about 5 days.
What type of sun dried tomatoes work best?
Oil-packed sun dried tomatoes blend best and create the richest flavor for this creamy vinaigrette.
How to Store Leftovers of This Sun Dried Tomato Vinaigrette
Store leftover dressing in a mason jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Because this dressing contains olive oil, it may thicken slightly when chilled. Simply let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes and shake well before serving.
This meal prep salad dressing recipe actually tastes even better the next day once the flavors have had time to blend together.
This easy sun dried tomato vinaigrette recipe is proof that homemade salad dressing doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s rich, tangy, savory, and packed with Mediterranean-inspired flavor that makes salads taste exciting again. Whether you use it as a dressing for pasta salad, drizzle it over greens, or spoon it onto grain bowls, this flavorful homemade vinaigrette is one recipe you’ll want to keep on repeat.
Don’t forget to save this homemade sun dried tomato salad dressing recipe for later because once you try it, you’ll want to keep a jar in your fridge all week long.
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Sun Dried Tomato Vinaigrette Recipe
Equipment You’ll Need
Ingredients
- ¼ cup oil-packed sundried tomatoes
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 small clove garlic
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon honey or sugar
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a blender or food processor. Blend until mostly smooth with small flecks of sundried tomato remaining.
- Add additional olive oil if needed to reach your desired consistency.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for later.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure
Recipes and photos are for your personal enjoyment only — please share the love by linking, not copying!Other Salad Dressing recipes to try
- This easy taco salad dressing is one of those recipes you’ll come back to again and again. It’s quick, flexible, and adds so much flavor to even the simplest salad. Save it for later so it’s ready the next time taco night rolls around.
- This homemade Italian dressing is tangy, garlicky, and full of herbs, making it the perfect companion for crisp greens, pasta salads, or even as a marinade for chicken and veggies.
- You’ll love how quickly this Maple Dijon Salad Dressing comes together. With just five basic ingredients, you can whip up a delicious homemade dressing that’s not only healthy but also way better than anything you’ll find at the store.
