Marinated Tomatoes

Mildly tangy and a little bit bit candy, this garlic and herb marinade goes superbly with the pure acidity of tomatoes. I’ve all the time favored tomatoes, however these marinated tomatoes have taken that relationship to an entire new stage.

I’ve been combining tomatoes and balsamic dressings for some time (taking a look at you, you stunning cucumber tomato salad). However this recipe for marinated tomatoes has me feeling very Mary Poppins. Only a spoonful of sugar makes such a distinction!

I’m offered on this taste mixture. The primary time I made these tomatoes, I couldn’t keep out of all of them afternoon as they have been marinating on the counter, so I moved them to the fridge. And I nonetheless couldn’t keep out of them!

I stored telling myself I wanted to stir them to ensure they have been marinating good. By some means that wound up in a style or two every time. Think about your self warned, these actually are that good!

Even my brother, who hates vinegar favored these tomatoes. So, I’m assured that they will convert even diehard skeptics. Simply do not forget that with nice energy comes nice duty. And snack effectively, my pals!

Substances and Substitutions

Tomatoes – I often use cherry or grape tomatoes. However, this recipe will work properly with no matter tomatoes you occur to have readily available.

Vinegar – Balsamic vinegar is ideal with the acidity of the tomatoes, including a tangy, tart taste.

Olive Oil – You’ll need to use additional virgin olive oil for the dressing, as it is a dressing the place the oil will get to share the highlight.

Sugar – I add a little bit sugar, to carry out the sweetness of the tomatoes.

Garlic – Recent garlic is the transfer. There isn’t a substitute this time round.

Recent Herbs – You’re going to like the earthy, virtually peppery notes that freshly chopped basil and parsley carry to the combo.

Seasonings – Thyme rounds out the flavors with a form of minty trace. And, I all the time use kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper.

Notes on Tools

Mixing bowl or hermetic container with lid
Chopping board
Chef’s knife. Meals prep is a lot simpler when you’ve a top quality knife. It was over 10 years in the past after I first tried this knife, whereas visiting knowledgeable take a look at kitchen. I nonetheless love the knife and the worth level merely can’t be beat for high quality.
Measuring spoons
Garlic Press That is arms down the very best press I’ve ever used. The press is available in two completely different sizes, and the bigger one truly cuts it into tiny items. And, the BEST half? It’s simply two items of stainless-steel that click on collectively and are available aside for the simplest cleansing you’ll be able to think about.

The best way to Make Marinated Tomatoes

Washing the Tomatoes: To start out, you’ll need to clear the tomatoes. Pat them dry with a fabric or paper towel afterward.

Making ready the Produce: I halve or minimize the tomatoes into bite-size items. I additionally minimize the basil and parsley and mince the garlic at this stage.

Assembling the Tomatoes: Place the tomatoes in a big bowl or container with a lid. Add the garlic, parsley, and basil. Sprinkle with the sugar, salt, pepper, and thyme. Pour the oil and vinegar over them.

Tossing: Toss all the things collectively till the tomatoes are completely coated.

Marinating: You’ll need to cowl the bowl and let the tomatoes marinate for a number of hours, both at room temperature or within the fridge. This provides all of the flavors time to meld and marry. However, you need to completely snack on a number of (it’s a style take a look at! completely authentic) simply to ensure all the things is sweet.

Serving: As soon as the tomatoes have marinated, serve chilled or at room temperature.

Knowledgeable Tip

One of many largest taste contributors right here is the basil. With a view to get essentially the most out of your basil leaves, you’ll need to chiffonade the basil. Don’t panic once you hear that phrase! All which means is you’ll need to stack the leaves on prime of each other, roll them collectively, then use a knife to slice the leaves into very skinny slivers. Then, simply gently separate all of the slivers earlier than including them to the bowl.

Selecting the Finest Tomatoes – You should use completely different kinds of tomatoes, however do not forget that this recipe is ALL about them. So, select the freshest, ripest fruits you will discover. They need to be aromatic and heavy for his or her measurement with taut pores and skin.

Mincing the Garlic – Utilizing recent garlic delivers a outcome that’s unattainable to match with another type of garlic. Not a fan of mincing garlic? I extremely suggest a top quality garlic press. (I’ve used and beneficial this one for years.)

Reserving Marinade – The juices from the tomatoes will pool within the container whereas they sit within the fridge. Scoop the tomatoes out with a slotted spoon and use that marinade. It makes a terrific salad dressing!

Serving Strategies

These tomatoes are a summer time facet that goes with virtually something off the range. I really like them subsequent to halibut with a pine nut crust after I need lighter fare. And, they’re simply pretty much as good piled up subsequent to my favourite Italian chicken thighs.

I additionally prefer to spoon the tomatoes and their juices over a bowl of this easy rice pilaf and let the rice take in all that unimaginable tomato taste. The bowl by no means lasts lengthy.

Make Forward & Storage

Make Forward: These tomatoes may be prepped prematurely. Isn’t that sort of a requirement with one thing you marinate?

The best way to Retailer: I preserve the tomatoes in an hermetic jar or container within the fridge for as much as three days.

Extra Tomato Recipes

Incessantly Requested Questions

Do I must take away the seeds from the tomatoes?

By no means! The seeds will merely turn into a part of the dressing for the tomatoes.

Ought to I drain the marinade from the tomatoes earlier than serving?

It relies upon the way you’re utilizing them. Should you’re serving them as a facet by themselves, I take advantage of a slotted spoon to depart the marinade behind. However, for those who’re utilizing them in a salad, or as a part of one other dish, let the marinade turn into the flavorful dressing.

Can I take advantage of canned tomatoes?

No. No, no. Don’t use canned tomatoes. The feel is all incorrect, they usually have already got absorbed about as a lot as is tomato-ly attainable.

Place the tomatoes in a big mixing bowl. Add the garlic, parsley, and basil. Sprinkle with sugar, salt, pepper, and thyme. Add the oil and vinegar.
Toss effectively after which enable the tomatoes to marinate at room temperature or within the fridge for a number of hours. The tomatoes will create their very own wonderful marinade as they relaxation.

I’ve used every kind of tomatoes for this recipe. It can work properly with no matter tomatoes you occur to have readily available.

Vitamin info is mechanically calculated, so ought to solely be used as an approximation.

{initially printed 7/20/11 – recipe notes and photographs up to date 6/15/26}

I made these marinated tomatoes for the primary time 15 years in the past, the day after Ree shared them. My recipe is customized from and with due to Missy by way of The Pioneer Woman.

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