17 Garden-Fresh Tomato Recipes That Showcase This Garden Staple (2025)

We have almost two dozen answers for all those wondering what to do with fresh tomatoes. The fresh tomato recipe ideas ahead, from tomato soup and sandwiches to tomato salads and drinks, combine classics with innovative ways to use the plump garden staple.

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Heirloom Tomato and Green Bean Salad

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17 Garden-Fresh Tomato Recipes That Showcase This Garden Staple (1)

Why toss together several picnic salads when you can combine everyone's favorites in one rainbow-hued feast? This heirloom tomato recipe is like a Caprese salad, pasta salad, and bean salad all in one. Fresh mint and parsley perk up the already-vibrant blend of heirloom tomatoes, blanched green beans, tender couscous, and crunchy jicama. Try it as a side or top with grilled shrimp, chicken, or salmon to make this the meal.

02of 17

Tomato Pizza Rolls

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Say, "see ya!" to that standard slice. (Just for today!) This fresh tomato recipe idea combines everything you love about fresh-baked bread and pizza in one handheld package. Cherry tomatoes burst with sweet-tangy brightness once roasted atop the puffy bread rolls.

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Fresh Tomato Soup

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You're just 30 minutes away from pairing this tomato recipe with your go-to grilled cheese sandwich. Garden-fresh tomatoes star in this creamy tomato soup. A drizzle of honey and fresh basil add layers of light sweetness to the timeless comfort food.

04of 17

Summer Tomato Salad

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17 Garden-Fresh Tomato Recipes That Showcase This Garden Staple (4)

Come peak season, heirloom tomato recipes like this will inspire you to let the tomatoes step into the spotlight. Zero cooking is required. Just make the quick-pickled red onions, slice the tomatoes, and toss it all together with a homemade white balsamic dressing and serve it in a patio-friendly bowl (like you'll find in this Better Homes & Gardens 12-Piece Eco-Friendly Bamboo Melamine Dinnerware Set, $26, Walmart). Summer side dishes don't get much fresher than this.

Bucatini with Shrimp and Spicy Cherry Tomato Pan Sauce

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17 Garden-Fresh Tomato Recipes That Showcase This Garden Staple (5)

Seafood fans will definitely want to give this cherry tomato recipe a twirl. Sauté sweet cherry tomatoes in garlic to create a summery sauce that's ideal for tossing with shrimp and pasta. Crushed red pepper adds a pleasant hint of spice.

24 Quick Summer Dinners

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Tiny Tomato Pie

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As shepherd's pies and pot pies prove, pies aren't always sweet. When you're wondering what to do with fresh tomatoes, you can't go wrong with this savory pie that calls for piling tiny tomatoes onto a feta and Parmesan crust. As they bake, the tomatoes melt into the tender, flaky crust.

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Two Tomato Bruschetta

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Invite this roma tomato recipe to the party! Your next cocktail party or picnic, that is, and each batch can be ready in just 15 minutes. Small roma tomatoes are the perfect size for crunchy toasts, and their tangy flavor complements salty feta and sun-dried tomatoes for an irresistible appetizer. Plate them on a tray (like this Better Homes & Garden Galvanized Rectangle Bed Tray, $17, Walmart) so you can easily transport them to your outdoor dining table.

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Spicy Tomato Gin and Tonic

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Sip on a gin and tonic with a kick! If you like savory drinks like vegetable juice or Bloody Mary cocktails, then this is the cherry tomato recipe to try next happy hour. The spicy drink, spiked with hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce, will entertain with its unique flavor and colorful look.

Tomato-Edamame Grilled Cheese

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This fresh tomato recipe is not the standard grilled cheese you remember from childhood. Ripe tomatoes and a garlicky soybean spread take the comfort food sandwich to new flavor heights. The leftover spread is a delicious dip or dressing for fresh veggies.

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Grilled Ribeye Steaks with Smoked Tomatoes

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This charred-just-enough heirloom tomato recipe is layered with such rich, smoky flavors, they really stand up to the savory grilled steaks. Try this with vine-ripened tomatoes when they are inexpensive and plentiful. At season's end, try smoking your green tomatoes, too.

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Zoodle Bowls with Tomato Sauce and Sausage

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When fresh tomatoes are in season, ditch the jarred marinara. This fresh tomato recipe puts a huge harvest (4 pounds!) to tasty work in a freezer-friendly, sweet pepper-infused sauce. While you can use it over regular pasta, we prefer this Paleo version made with zoodles for its double dose of summer produce picks. Savory chicken sausage slices round out the restaurant-quality "pasta" dinner.

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Avocado Pesto-Stuffed Tomatoes

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Three appetizer hits join forces in this cherry tomato recipe: pesto, avocado, and tomatoes. But this one-bite treat requires no toast, cook time, or cilantro (welcome news for the cilantro-averse!). For this easy 18-calorie snack, basil pesto blends with avocado and cream cheese for the smooth, luscious filling for the cherry tomatoes.

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Shrimp and Tomato Piccata

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Our goal when we created this fresh tomato recipe idea? Whip up a simple blend of pure flavors in a light seafood piccata that can be savored over cooked pasta or zucchini noodles. Luscious tomatoes, earthy string beans, and savory tender shrimp shine under the subtle lemon and caper sauce.

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Pork and Potatoes with Tomato Relish

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Thinly sliced tomatoes, onion, and vinaigrette combine in a light and juicy topper for this classic meat-and-potatoes dinner that can be on your table 20 minutes from now. The simple relish brightens the flavor of pork, but it could work with almost any meat (any cut of steak tastes great, too!).

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Chicken, Tomato, and Cucumber Salad

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Gluten-free, low in carbs, yet full of flavor, this fresh tomato recipe is one of the most popular on our site. The 25-minute Mediterranean-style salad will change the way you think about quick chicken dinners. (In other words, this is far from the plain ol' chicken breasts!) Fresh tomatoes and cucumbers sing under simple seasonings like thyme and black pepper, and a bit of salty, creamy feta help this healthy entrée feel like a treat.

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Mama's Spicy Meatballs with Fresh Tomato Sauce

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Bring home the flavors of Italy! You'll feel like you've been transported to a nonna's (aka Italian grandma) dinner table in Rome once you taste this traditional tomato sauce recipe: sautéed garlic, fresh roma tomatoes, and a splash of red wine. The roma tomato recipe pairs beautifully with our spicy meatball recipe. Buon appetito!

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Pan-Fried Chicken with Tomato Jam

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Fried chicken gets a less-messy, lower-calorie makeover in this roma tomato recipe. The flavorful stove-top chicken topped with a plum-tomato jam makes an ideal weeknight supper for those who crave fast food and those who are trying to eat a healthful diet. Wilted spinach and creamy polenta round out the meal.

17 Garden-Fresh Tomato Recipes That Showcase This Garden Staple (2025)

FAQs

What to do with 5 pounds of fresh tomatoes? ›

Here are 8 ways to store away those tomatoes.
  1. Can them whole.
  2. Slow-roast them.
  3. Dehydrate them.
  4. Freeze them.
  5. Make Marinara Sauce.
  6. Make Salsa.
  7. Tomato Purée.
  8. Make Tomato Juice.

What can I do with excess tomatoes from my garden? ›

6 Creative Ways to Use Up Extra Tomatoes
  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

In what ways are tomatoes often prepared and served? ›

Tomatoes can be eaten raw, cooked, pureed, roasted, and grilled. They can be used in salads, sauces, soups, stews, and curries. Tomatoes are also used to make ketchup, salsa, and other condiments.

Can I freeze fresh tomatoes whole? ›

Freezing Whole Tomatoes With Peels

After washing, cut away the stem scar and surrounding area and discard it. Place the whole tomatoes on clean cookie sheets and freeze. Once frozen, transfer the tomatoes from the cookie sheets into freezer bags or other containers. Seal tightly and freeze.

How do you preserve fresh tomatoes without freezing them? ›

To store tomatoes in oil, sterilize a mason jar by boiling it for 10 minutes. Let the jar dry. Dip the tomatoes in red wine vinegar, then add the tomatoes to the jar. Pour oil (such as olive oil) over the tomatoes until they are completely submerged.

Can you crush fresh tomatoes and freeze them? ›

Crush the tomatoes by hand or in a food processor or blender, depending on the consistency you're going for. Add the crushed tomatoes to an airtight, freezer-safe container, and transfer it to the freezer.

How long to boil tomatoes to peel? ›

Boil the tomatoes for 30 to 60 seconds. Watch carefully as smaller tomatoes will need less time; you don't want the tomatoes to start cooking. You'll know the tomatoes are ready to be removed when the flesh starts to wrinkle, and the skin starts to peel away from the flesh.

Do I have to peel tomatoes for sauce? ›

In a salad or sandwich, you don't need peeled tomatoes. But, if you're making a fresh tomato sauce or stewed tomatoes, the tomatoes should be peeled, cored, and seeded. The result will be a smoother sauce without any seeds, core, or peel in it. Don't worry, it's an easy and quick process.

What happens if you grow tomatoes too close together? ›

Especially if you're growing in a small space like a container or raised bed, you may be tempted to plant several tomatoes closely together. But this can be a recipe for garden disaster. Planting tomatoes too closely can cause all kinds of issues, from stunted growth to disease.

Can I over water tomatoes? ›

Excessive watering can result in diseased plants and rotten tomatoes. But not watering often enough may weaken plants and give you small, mealy fruit. The trick is to pay attention to your soil and the cues your plants give you so you can grow armloads of delicious, juicy tomatoes.

How do you restore soil after tomatoes? ›

Good vegetables to rotate in after tomatoes include beans and peas because they naturally fortify soils with nitrogen, and greens, because they are not too demanding.

How do you use a lot of fresh tomatoes? ›

18 easy recipes to use up lots of tomatoes
  1. Sun-dried tomatoes (in a dehydrator or oven) Soft and chewy sun-dried tomatoes. ...
  2. Classic tomato salsa. Toss ingredients into a blender and you're done. ...
  3. Pico de gallo. ...
  4. Greek-style tomato cucumber salad. ...
  5. Tomato rosemary kabobs. ...
  6. Rosemary pickled tomatoes. ...
  7. Gazpacho. ...
  8. Savory tomato soup.
Jul 27, 2023

What is the healthiest way to eat tomatoes? ›

To enhance absorption from fresh tomatoes, purée or crush them, which also breaks down cell walls (think salsa, gazpacho, or fresh sauce). Another tip: Break out the olive oil, avocado, or cheese. Carotenoids like lycopene are fat-soluble, so they're better absorbed when you eat them with some fat.

What is the best way to eat garden 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.

What is the best way to keep tomatoes fresh longer? ›

You definitely shouldn't put those unripe tomatoes in the refrigerator. They need to stay at room temperature, ideally in a single layer out of direct sunlight. And most importantly for keeping them fresher longer, store them stem side down while they finish ripening.

How do you preserve too many tomatoes? ›

The easiest way to preserve tomatoes is to freeze them. You don't need to blanch them, you don't need to peel them. Just rinse, dry, core, and put them on a small tray or plate in the freezer.

How do you preserve over ripe tomatoes? ›

Freezing is the easiest long-term storage for whole ripe tomatoes. You can do large or tiny batches as your tomatoes ripen. Frozen tomatoes can be used for pasta, sauces and soups. Because freezing changes the texture, don't expect to use them in a salad or sandwich.

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