Abstract This work evaluated the effect of sun-dried tomato waste (SDTP) on growth, carcasses, digestibility of nutrients, digestive enzymes, blood chemistry and intestinal microbiota of 250 one-week- old growing Japanese quail. The birds were randomly distributed into 5 equal groups. Group 1 was fed on the basal diet (BD) (control), Groups 2, 3, 4 and 5 were fed on the BD containing 3, 6, 9 and 12% SDTP respectively. SDTP significantly improved the body weights and gains at 3 weeks of age compared with control, and the 6% SDTP level seems to be the optimal level used throughout the first 3–5 weeks of age. With 6, 9 or 12% SDTP, the percentages of liver and giblets and the meat percentages of moisture and crude protein were improved significantly relative to control or 3%. In quail diets, the percentage of ether extract was reduced with increasing the SDTP. The studied levels of SDTP did not significantly change the digestibility of DM, OM, CP or NFE. The highest levels of amylase and lipase enzymes were recorded in the 6% SDTP, opposite to control. SDTP at 9 and 12% significantly decreased the total cholesterol than all other treatments. The highest and the lowest HDL levels were shown in 12 and 9% SDTP respectively. The 12% SDTP showed the highest SOD, TAC, IgM, IgG and Complement 3 values among all groups. The different levels of SDTP significantly reduced the MDA content than control. The highest caecal E. coli and Salmonella spp counts were found in control and 6% inclusion level followed by 9% and finally 3 and 12% SDTP. In conclusion, dietary inclusion of SDTP can enhance the growth and health status of growing quails via improving the nutrient digestibility, digestive enzymes, and blood chemistry and reducing the intestinal pathogens.