Marinated Tomatoes

Mildly tangy and just a little bit candy, this garlic and herb marinade goes fantastically with the pure acidity of tomatoes. I’ve all the time preferred 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 (taking a look at 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 bought on this taste mixture. The primary time I made these tomatoes, I couldn’t keep out of all of them afternoon as they had 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 had been marinating excellent. In some way that wound up in a style or two every time. Contemplate your self warned, these actually are that good!

Even my brother, who hates vinegar preferred these tomatoes. So, I’m assured that they’ll convert even diehard skeptics. Simply keep in mind that with nice energy comes nice accountability. And snack nicely, my associates!

Substances and Substitutions

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

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

Olive Oil – You’ll wish to use further virgin olive oil for the dressing, as it is 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 – Contemporary garlic is the transfer. There is no such thing as a substitute this time round.

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

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 Tools

Mixing bowl or hermetic container with lid
Chopping board
Chef’s knife. Meals prep is a lot simpler when you’ve gotten a high quality knife. It was over 10 years in the past once I first tried this knife, whereas visiting an expert check kitchen. I nonetheless love the knife and the worth level merely can’t be beat for high quality.
Measuring spoons
Garlic Press That is palms down one of the best press I’ve ever used. The press is available in two totally different sizes, and the bigger one really cuts it into tiny items. And, the BEST half? It’s simply two items of chrome steel that click on collectively and are available aside for the best cleansing you may think about.

Methods to Make Marinated Tomatoes

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

Making ready the Produce: I halve or lower the tomatoes into bite-size items. I additionally lower 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 wish to cowl the bowl and let the tomatoes marinate for a couple of hours, both at room temperature or within the fridge. This offers all of the flavors time to meld and marry. However, it is best to completely snack on a couple of (it’s a style check! completely reliable) simply to ensure every little thing is nice.

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

Skilled 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 wish to chiffonade the basil. Don’t panic while you hear that phrase! All meaning is you’ll wish 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 keep in mind that this recipe is ALL about them. So, select the freshest, ripest fruits you could find. They need to be aromatic and heavy for his or her dimension with taut pores and skin.

Mincing the Garlic – Utilizing recent garlic delivers a end result that’s inconceivable to match with some other type of garlic. Not a fan of mincing garlic? I extremely suggest a high 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 Ideas

These tomatoes are a summer time aspect that goes with virtually something off the range. I really like them subsequent to halibut with a pine nut crust once 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 prematurely. Isn’t that sort of a requirement with one thing you marinate?

Methods 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 develop 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 aspect by themselves, I exploit a slotted spoon to go away the marinade behind. However, if you happen to’re utilizing them in a salad, or as a part of one other dish, let the marinade develop into the flavorful dressing.

Can I exploit canned tomatoes?

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

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 nicely after which enable the tomatoes to marinate at room temperature or within the fridge for a couple 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 available.

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

{initially revealed 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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