- Sun-dried tomatoes contain lycopene, an antioxidant that may reduce inflammation.
- You can shake this vinaigrette together—no blender required.
- Use it as a salad dressing, drizzle on roasted vegetables, or even use as a marinade.
In this Sun-Dried Tomato Vinaigrette, potassium-rich sun-dried tomatoes and their naturally rich, savory oil create full-bodied flavor. Just shake it up in a jar and drizzle it over leafy greens, grain bowls or roasted vegetables for an instant upgrade. Even better, it can be made ahead to enjoy throughout the week. Plus, the naturally sweet tomatoes eliminate the need for any added sugars. Read below for test kitchen tips on how to customize, store and use this no-added-sugar vinaigrette in all kinds of dishes.
Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen
These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too!
- The oil in the jar is infused with tomato essence and herbs, so using it as part of your dressing base gives instant depth and richness. If you want to swap it out, use extra-virgin olive oil in its place.
- White balsamic vinegar gives a mellow tang, but if you prefer more bite, swap in red-wine vinegar or add an extra splash of lemon juice.
- If you refrigerate the dressing, let it stand at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving to loosen the oil, then shake again.
Nutrition Notes
- Sun-dried tomatoes have a concentrated sweetness thanks to the drying process, which also boosts the tomatoes’ lycopene content. Just like with fresh tomatoes, you’re getting vitamins A, C and potassium too. The olive oil used to preserve jarred sun-dried tomatoes contributes anti-inflammatory unsaturated fats and skin-healthy vitamin E.
- White balsamic vinegar adds a mild sweetness to this vinaigrette while eliminating the need for added sugars that are often found in store-bought versions. White balsamic vinegar is made from white grapes, so you’re getting antioxidant benefits thanks to polyphenols. Vinegars add more than just an acidic zip—they can also support heart health, promote healthy blood sugar and improve gut health.
- Lemon juice provides immune-supporting vitamin C and cell-healthy antioxidants. Citric acid found in lemon juice not only acts as a preservative, but can also reduce risk of kidney stones. You can even support heart health with lemon juice thanks to a plant compound found in citrus called hesperidin that has been linked to lower incidences of heart disease.
