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.

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.

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 »

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.

Roasted Sunchokes with Thyme, Grape Tomatoes, and Lemon

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

ADVERTIsem*nTAD

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.

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) »

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 »

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 »

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 »

ADVERTIsem*nTAD

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 »

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) »

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) »

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

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.

ADVERTIsem*nTAD

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

Tomato-Cheddar Tart

ADVERTIsem*nTAD

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) »

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.

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.

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 »

ADVERTIsem*nTAD

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.

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 »

Herbed Tomato Tart

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

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 »

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 »

ADVERTIsem*nTAD

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 »

FAQs

How long do tomatoes last in the fridge? ›

Storing and Handling Guidelines

Tomatoes stored at refrigeration temperatures below 41 °F will have approximate shelf life of 5 days. Tomatoes stored at temperatures under 75 °F will have approximate shelf life of 1 to 2 days. Storing tomatoes above 75° F is not recommended.

Get More Info ›

Is it okay to eat tomatoes every day? ›

Daily intake of tomatoes can provide a great lift to wellbeing, along with improving the flavor of food. Tomatoes are wealthy in natural nutrients and minerals, such as Vitamin A, K, B1, B3, B5, B6, B7, and vitamin C. It additionally has folate, iron, potassium, magnesium, chromium, choline, zinc, and phosphorus.

What is the best way to eat fresh tomatoes? ›

We saved the best (and easiest) for last – eating raw Tomatoes is by far the most nutritious way to enjoy this fresh fruit. Eat them as an on-the-go snack, toss them into a light salad, or slice them up and put them on a sandwich – it's hard to beat that fresh-from-the-garden, raw Tomato taste.

Read The Full Story ›

Can you freeze fresh tomatoes for later use? ›

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.

Learn More Now ›

What happens if you freeze fresh tomatoes? ›

Water in the fruit expands when it's frozen, making the plant fibers break. The result is much more mushy than a freshly picked tomato. 1 While this isn't great for a salad, it's perfect for winter sauces, soups, and stews.

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

You just showed that tomatoes rot faster at room temperature than in the refrigerator. Big whoop... But that's exactly the point: If you're buying your tomatoes ripe (which we should all be doing!) and need to store them for an extra day or two, you're often better off storing them in the fridge than on the countertop.

Why do tomatoes say do not refrigerate? ›

The Short Answer: Don't Refrigerate Tomatoes

The standard rule is to keep tomatoes out of the refrigerator. It all comes down to science: Tomatoes contain an enzyme that reacts to cold temperatures, causing the cell membranes to break down and leaving you with a piece of fruit that's mushy and mealy.

Get More Info ›

When not to eat tomatoes? ›

Who should avoid tomatoes? Some people say that tomatoes are an inflammatory food, in which case people with inflammation caused by conditions such as arthritis should avoid them.

See Details ›

Why does my stomach hurt after eating tomatoes? ›

Tomatoes are a low FODMAP food when eaten in small quantities. However, large servings of tomato products—like tomato sauce—can cause an inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS)-like reaction. Some people who seem to react to tomatoes find they are actually sensitive to nightshades.

Explore More ›

Are tomatoes anti-inflammatory? ›

The tomato is a nutritional powerhouse. Tomatoes are high in vitamin C, potassium, and lycopene, an antioxidant with impressive anti-inflammatory properties ( 7 1 , 72 , 73 , 74 ).

What makes tomato taste better? ›

Yes, there are other ways to make your tomatoes taste even better and increase the acidity. There is lemon, vinegar, or my personal favorite, balsamic. Just imagine a tomato bruschetta with a balsamic vinaigrette drizzled on top.

Find Out More ›

Should fresh tomatoes be refrigerated? ›

Yes, but only as a last resort. The reason why refrigeration should only be used for tomatoes reaching their shelf life is because it change the flavor and texture. A chilled tomato should always be given the chance to come back to room temperature, which is where its natural flavor and texture shines.

Learn More Now ›

What happens if you don't wash tomatoes before eating? ›

As the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service explains, washing produce helps remove any dirt or bacteria that is present. Bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli and Listeria can lead to illness, with symptoms including fever, headaches and more.