Our Favorite Tomato Recipes (2024)

We look forward to tomato season all year long, and it's finally here! Here are 30 delicious ideas for preparing juicy, ripe tomatoes: Roast them to heighten their sweetness, bake them into a savory herbed tart, churn them into salsa, or serve them with fresh, creamy mozzarella and high-quality olive oil for an elegant caprese salad.

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Grilled Herb-Marinated Entrecôte of Lamb with Roasted Tomato Sauce

Succulent lamb entrecôte, a well-marbled boneless cut from the sirloin, is blanketed in a marinade of garlic, fresh marjoram, thyme, rosemary, and sage, which caramelize to form a flavorful crust as the lamb grills.

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Caprese Salad

A dish as simple as caprese salad demands the best ingredients: Use firm, in-season tomatoes, the freshest burrata, and dress with pristine olive oil and top-quality balsamic vinegar. See the recipe for Caprese Salad »

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Spanish-Style Toast with Tomato (Pan con Tomate)

This satisfying Spanish snack requires only toast, a ripe tomato, some good-quality olive oil and a sprinkle of salt.

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Roasted Sunchokes with Thyme, Grape Tomatoes, and Lemon

Sweet, nutty roasted sunchokes pair perfectly with the bright flavor of grape tomatoes.

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Fried Dough with Arugula and Grape Tomatoes (Angioletti Fritti con Rucola e Pomodori)

A bright and simple salad adds fresh contrast to fried strips of pizza dough.

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Pizza Margherita (Tomato, Basil, and Mozzarella Pizza)

This most iconic of pizzas is topped with tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, and basil leaves, the colors of the Italian flag. Get the recipe for Pizza Margherita (Tomato, Basil, and Mozzarella Pizza) »

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Israeli Chopped Salad

Janna Gur, author of The Book of New Israeli Food (Schocken, 2008), uses sumac and cinnamon to heighten the flavors of this Israeli staple. See the recipe for Israeli Chopped Salad »

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Caprese Salad with Fried Capers and Basil

Briny and slightly crispy fried capers punch up the flavor of this classic Italian tomato and mozzarella salad. Get the recipe for Caprese Salad with Fried Capers and Basil »

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Salami, Oven-Roasted Tomato, Mozzarella, and Basil Omelette

Roasting cherry tomatoes in an oven brings out their natural sweetness; salty salami is a perfect counterpoint. Get the recipe for Salami, Oven-Roasted Tomato, Mozzarella, and Basil Omelette »

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Garlic Scape and Cherry Tomato Pasta

Roasting garlic scapes with tomatoes and red onion sweetens them and enriches their flavor; toss them with pasta, lemon juice, and arugula for a simple summer meal. Get the recipe for Garlic Scape and Cherry Tomato Pasta »

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Sopa de Fideo (Mexican Noodle Soup)

The thin vermicelli-like noodles called fideos add starch and body to this elemental tomato soup from Patricia Quintana, chef-owner of Izote restaurant in Mexico City. See the recipe for Sopa de Fideo (Mexican Noodle Soup) »

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Spiced Chicken and Tomato Kebabs (Jujeh Kabab)

A marinade of orange, cumin, and saffron flavors these juicy chicken and tomato kebabs. Get the recipe for Spiced Chicken and Tomato Kebabs (Jujeh Kabab) »

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A vinaigrette made with roasted garlic and bacon adds salty, savory flavor to a classic caprese salad.

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Macaroni with Goat Cheese, Spinach, and Tomatoes

Fresh goat cheese makes a creamy, velvety sauce for pasta baked with spinach and topped with sliced tomatoes that is bright with festive colors, and deeply comforting. And as it takes only slightly longer than an hour to cook, this can be a main player in a delicious and casual last-minute Christmas dinner.

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Skampi na Buzaru (Langoustines in Tomato, Garlic, and Wine Sauce)

On Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, shellfish are often prepared na buzaru, simmered in a brandy-and-wine-enriched tomato sauce. Langoustines are used here, but the preparation works just as well with shrimp, clams, or mussels. See the recipe for Langoustines in Tomato, Garlic, and Wine Sauce »

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Green Tomato Chow

On Canada’s Prince Edward Island, firm, underripe green tomatoes are transformed into a tangy-sweet condiment that is often served alongside salt cod cakes. See the recipe for Green Tomato Chow »

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Quick Fish Filets in Tomato Sauce

A snap to make for an easy weeknight meal, this recipe is also elegant enough to serve on special occasions, especially when made with fresh, high-quality tomatoes. See the recipe for Quick Fish Filets in Tomato Sauce »

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Scalloped Tomatoes

Ripe and juicy tomato slices topped with herbs, butter, and toasty breadcrumbs make a wonderful summer side. See the recipe for Scalloped Tomatoes »

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Tomato-Cheddar Tart

Tomato-Cheddar Tart

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Salsa Roja (Tomato and Chile Salsa)

Charred tomatoes give this vibrant red salsa a hint of sweetness and smoke. See the recipe for Salsa Roja (Tomato and Chile Salsa) »

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Stir-Fried Tomato and Eggs (Xihongshi Chao Jidan)

Salty-sweet tomatoes and fluffy eggs balance each other perfectly when paired together for a simple stir-fry.

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Spanish Chilled Tomato Soup (Salmorejo)

Gazpacho’s richer cousin, this cool, creamy tomato soup topped with egg and jamon iberico will have you mopping up every drop with bread.

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Tadashi's Grilled Tomatoes

Ripe tomatoes develop umami-rich flavor when grilled with a soy sauce marinade. Mitsuba, a Japanese relative of parsley, lends a mild cilantro-like freshness. Get the recipe for Tadashi’s Grilled Tomatoes »

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Tomato Sauce with Onion and Butter

Simply putting tomatoes, a peeled halved onion, butter, and salt in a pot and cooking them with barely an occasional stir until they are reduced produces a deliciously concentrated sauce.

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Cherry Tomato-Vanilla Bean Preserves

Floral vanilla bean brings out the musky qualities of cherry tomatoes in this jammy compote. Best made with ripe tomatoes at the height of summer, it’s perfect paired with a triple cream goat cheese or with firm white-fleshed fish dishes. See the recipe for Cherry Tomato-Vanilla Bean Preserves »

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Herbed Tomato Tart

Made with ripe cherry tomatoes, fragrant herbs, and a buttery crust, this gorgeous, rustic tart is a showstopper.

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Stewed Tomatoes with Ham Steaks

Sweet, stewed tomatoes are the perfect foil for fried ham steaks. See the recipe for Stewed Tomatoes with Ham Steaks »

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Maple Syrup-Roasted Tomatoes

Maple syrup intensifies the sweetness of tomatoes in this Quebecois recipe for Tomate Confite au Sirop d’Érable. Serve them with toothpicks as an appetizer, or tossed onto salads, pizza, or pastas. See the recipe for Maple Syrup-Roasted Tomatoes »

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Homemade Tomato Paste

Got a bumper crop of tomatoes? Tomato paste lends depth and flavor to many dishes, and it’s easy to make your own at home. See the recipe for Homemade Tomato Paste »

Our Favorite Tomato Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What can I do with too many tomatoes? ›

Here are 6 creative ways to use up extra Tomatoes so you can enjoy this fresh veggie to the fullest!
  1. Salsa. Making a few fresh jars of salsa is a great way to use up any extra Tomatoes in your kitchen. ...
  2. Ketchup. Have you ever made your own ketchup? ...
  3. Virgin Caesars. ...
  4. Tomato Soup. ...
  5. Bruschetta. ...
  6. Gazpacho.
Jul 27, 2020

How long do tomatoes last in the fridge? ›

Refrigerate any unconsumed fully ripe tomatoes, but allow them to come to room temperature before serving them. (To speed up this process, slice them while still cold—slices will warm up much more quickly than an intact fruit.) One study we've read suggests that refrigerating for no longer than three days is optimal.

Can I freeze tomatoes? ›

Tomatoes may be frozen raw or cooked, whole, sliced, chopped, or puréed. Tomatoes do not need to be blanched before freezing. Frozen tomatoes are best used in cooked foods such as soups, sauces and stews as they become mushy when they're thawed.

Can you freeze fresh tomatoes for later use? ›

The freezer is also a much-overlooked tool for preserving, especially when it comes to tomatoes. If you plan on using tomatoes in the depths of winter in sauces and stews, then freezing is a perfectly wonderful option. You can skip the puréeing and canning and just place them straight into freezer bags.

What happens if you freeze fresh tomatoes? ›

Tomatoes will last in the freezer for about six months. After that, they start to lose their flavor and might become freezer burnt. When you're ready to use your frozen tomatoes, just let them thaw at room temperature. Once they've defrosted, the skins peel right off!

Do tomatoes last longer in the fridge or on the counter? ›

Ripe Tomatoes

And unless you're eating them immediately, ripe, locally grown tomatoes will also last longer in the fridge; eat within a few days. Store ripe tomatoes in your fridge stress-free and enjoy them within a couple days of purchasing.

What to do with tomatoes until you have enough to can? ›

Freezing tomatoes is the easiest way to keep ripe tomatoes until you're ready to use them. You don't have to peel them first—in fact, the act of freezing them itself makes the tomatoes insanely easy to peel! —and you can freeze as many or as few at a time as you like.

How do I preserve fresh tomatoes? ›

Tomatoes can be frozen raw or blanched first. Freeze tomatoes by washing them, scoring them, and blanching them in boiling water. Place the tomatoes on a cookie sheet in the freezer until completely frozen—typically a few hours. Then store the flash-frozen tomatoes in freezer bags or air-tight freezer containers.

Why do tomatoes say do not refrigerate? ›

"You're essentially zapping flavor and texture from a tomato when you refrigerate it," says Gregory Lofts, the former deputy food editor at Martha Stewart Living. Lofts also points out that tomatoes very quickly take on odors from other foods in the refrigerator, which can further degrade their quality and taste.

Where is the best place to store tomatoes? ›

Under-ripe tomatoes are best left on the bench to develop further, while over-ripe tomatoes can be saved by popping them in the fridge. Tomato varieties with a higher pulp to flesh ratio, such as cherry tomatoes, also tend to fare better in the fridge than fleshier counterparts like roma tomatoes.

Should you refrigerate ketchup? ›

This is because, just like pickles, the flavor and texture declines after you open the bottle or jar and the ketchup is exposed to air. To slow down this process way down, stash it in the fridge. This keeps your ketchup tasting salty, savory, sweet, tangy, and perfectly tomato-y.

Is it better to freeze tomatoes whole or chopped? ›

Whole tomatoes tend to crack and collapse when they thaw. To successfully freeze fresh raw tomatoes, you can: Slice tomatoes into at least 1/2-inch slices.

Is it better to freeze or can fresh tomatoes? ›

Freezing tomatoes let you enjoy summer ripened tomatoes in the winter. Sure they lose some flavor as any fresh frozen produce will, but they are still great to cook with. Freezing tomatoes is one of the easiest and quickest ways to preserve them.

How do you freeze tomatoes in a ziplock bag? ›

How to Freeze Tomatoes
  1. Blanch tomatoes. Drop tomatoes into boiling water for 60-90 seconds and, using a slotted spoon, transfer immediately into a bowl of ice water to cool. ...
  2. Prepare tomatoes. Remove stems and core tomatoes. ...
  3. Transfer into storage bags. ...
  4. Seal bags. ...
  5. Into the freezer.

What is the best way to preserve fresh tomatoes? ›

Freezing is a great method of preservation for a variety of tomatoes, including whole tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, stewed tomatoes, tomato juice, tomato paste, and tomato chutneys. When you're ready to use them, pull them out of the freezer and thaw them at room temperature or in a bath of cold water.

How do you preserve fresh raw tomatoes? ›

To successfully freeze fresh raw tomatoes, you can:
  1. Slice tomatoes into at least 1/2-inch slices. Put slices on a cookie sheet and freeze for 2 hours. ...
  2. OR slice tomatoes into at least 1/2-inch slices. Package in a rigid airtight container and fast freeze.
  3. OR wash tomatoes.

How do you preserve fresh grown tomatoes? ›

A: The best way to store fresh tomatoes so that they last is to pick them at the breaker stage (shown on the left) … store at 50°F (10°C) … and out of direct sunlight. Move them to a place at room temperature a few days before you want to use them.

What is the best way to preserve whole tomatoes? ›

Freezing: Freezing is a simple way to preserve whole tomatoes. Simply wash the tomatoes, blanch them in boiling water for a minute or two, then transfer them to a bowl of ice water to cool. Once the tomatoes are cool, remove the skins, place them in freezer-safe containers, and freeze.

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