Marinated Tomatoes

Mildly tangy and just a little 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 a complete new degree.

I’ve been combining tomatoes and balsamic dressings for some time ( you, you lovely 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 saved telling myself I wanted to stir them to verify they have been marinating good. By some means that wound up in a style or two every time. Take into account 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 mates!

Components and Substitutions

Tomatoes – I normally 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 this can be a dressing the place the oil will get to share the highlight.

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

Garlic – Recent garlic is the transfer. There isn’t any 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 type of minty trace. And, I all the time use kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper.

Notes on Gear

Mixing bowl or hermetic container with lid
Slicing board
Chef’s knife. Meals prep is a lot simpler when you will have a top quality knife. It was over 10 years in the past after I first tried this knife, whereas visiting knowledgeable check kitchen. I nonetheless love the knife and the value level merely can’t be beat for high quality.
Measuring spoons
Garlic Press That is palms down the most effective press I’ve ever used. The press is available in two totally 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 best cleansing you may think about.

The way to Make Marinated Tomatoes

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

Making ready the Produce: I halve or reduce the tomatoes into bite-size items. I additionally reduce 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 every little thing collectively till the tomatoes are completely coated.

Marinating: You’ll need to cowl the bowl and let the tomatoes marinate for just a few hours, both at room temperature or within the fridge. This offers all of the flavors time to meld and marry. However, you need to completely snack on just a few (it’s a style check! completely authentic) simply to verify every little thing is sweet.

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

Professional Tip

One of many largest taste contributors right here is the basil. To be able to get probably the most out of your basil leaves, you’ll need to chiffonade the basil. Don’t panic while you hear that phrase! All meaning 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 Greatest Tomatoes – You should utilize totally different forms 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 consequence that’s inconceivable 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 really helpful 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 aspect that goes with virtually something off the range. I like them subsequent to halibut with a pine nut crust after I need lighter fare. And, they’re simply nearly 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 absorb all that unimaginable tomato taste. The bowl by no means lasts lengthy.

Make Forward & Storage

Make Forward: These tomatoes might be prepped upfront. Isn’t that type of a requirement with one thing you marinate?

The way to Retailer: I maintain 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 have to take away the seeds from the tomatoes?

In no way! The seeds will merely grow to be 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 aspect by themselves, I exploit a slotted spoon to depart the marinade behind. However, in case you’re utilizing them in a salad, or as a part of one other dish, let the marinade grow to be the flavorful dressing.

Can I exploit canned tomatoes?

No. No, no. Don’t use canned tomatoes. The feel is all unsuitable, and so they have already got absorbed about as a lot as is tomato-ly doable.

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 permit the tomatoes to marinate at room temperature or within the fridge for just a few hours. The tomatoes will create their very own wonderful marinade as they relaxation.

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

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

{initially printed 7/20/11 – recipe notes and images 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 through The Pioneer Woman.

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