Unlock the full flavor of summer with these 30+ irresistible Fresh Tomato Recipes! Whether you’re looking to whip up a refreshing salad, a savory side dish, or something in between, this collection has everything you need. Plus, you’ll find expert tips on storing and preserving your tomatoes so you can enjoy their juicy goodness all year.
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Do you need some new recipes? Are you looking for tips on how to use and store tomatoes? Then, today is your lucky day! I’ve put together this roundup of the BEST fresh tomato recipes I use all year.
When fresh ripe tomatoes are readily available in the summer, I use all possible excuses to make a recipe with them. So, let’s get to it!
Donya’s Tips For Buying The Best Tomatoes
- Don’t buy tomatoes in plastic or any packaging.
- Never buy tomatoes in a cold or refrigerated case. They will be mealy and have little to no flavor.
- Check to make sure the skin is firm without any bruising.
- Take a sniff! Smell the tomato at the stem. It should smell fresh and slightly sweet.
How To Store Tomatoes
Fresh tomatoes should be stored at room temperature. They contain an enzyme that reacts to cold temperatures, causing them to break down and turn mealy and mushy.
I store fresh tomatoes on the counter in the kitchen or out on the porch until I’m ready to use them.
Appetizers
Get any party started with these amazing tomato appetizers. These recipes can be made in minutes, and not only are they super yummy, but they can also be used as toppings and side dishes.
Antipasto Skewers
Entertaining is super simple with these Antipasto Skewers! This is a make-ahead appetizer that's packed full of flavor and great for any occasion. They are fun to serve as a salad and are so good alongside grilled fish or chicken and an excellent accompaniment to soups or sandwiches. This is finger food at its best.
Fresh Tomato Relish
Fresh Tomato Relish is full of bright, sweet, and tangy flavors making it irresistible! Serve it as an appetizer with crunchy bread and cheese or as a dip with chips. It's super versatile and makes the best topping for grilled burgers, sausages, chicken, and fish.
Fresh Easy Pico De Gallo Recipe
Pico de Gallo is a delicious combination of fresh tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, cilantro, and lime juice and made in just 10 minutes! It's perfect for dipping, as a topping, or whenever you want to add a flavorful kick to your favorite foods.
Salads
Vibrant, juicy tomatoes are always front and center in summer salads. Whether serving these salads alongside grilled meats or seafood or turning them into the main dish, these easy-to-make recipes are a surefire hit.
Tomato Cucumber Salad (Fresh And Easy)
Tomato Cucumber Salad is a refreshing dish that packs a punch of fresh flavor. It's simple to make with a bright dressing full of herbs. This is one delightful salad that's like a burst of summer on your plate!
Pesto Pasta Salad With Tomatoes And Mozzarella
Tender pasta, juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil all tossed in a "short-cut" pesto sauce make a salad that is seriously delicious! This easy pasta salad recipe is perfect for parties, cookouts, potlucks, and a must-make when you're feeding a crowd.
Best Salad For A Crowd
When it comes to feeding a crowd, salad is an excellent choice for its versatility and ease of preparation. Whether you're hosting a party, potluck, or gathering, serving up a delicious salad has something for everyone.
Couscous Salad With Tomatoes And Feta
This Couscous Salad recipe combines juicy tomatoes, tangy feta cheese, and fresh herbs to create a delicious and refreshing salad. It's a healthy side dish perfect for serving alongside grilled meats or fish, and great as a light main dish for lunch. As a bonus, it couldn't be easier to make in just 15 minutes!
Super Simple Caprese Salad
Unlock the full flavor of summer with these 30+ irresistible Fresh Tomato Recipes! Whether you’re looking to whip up a refreshing salad, a savory side dish, or something in between, this collection has everything you need to make the most of the season’s tomato bounty. Plus, you’ll find expert tips on how to store and preserve your tomatoes, so you can enjoy their juicy goodness long after the harvest.”
Fresh Tomato Salad
Fresh Tomato Salad made with red onions, basil and a simple dressing couldn't be easier to make. It's beautiful, smells heavenly, tastes amazing, and is sure to become a favorite side dish in no time!
Spicy Cucumber Tomato Salad
Spicy Cucumber Tomato Salad is refreshing and simple to make in just 15 minutes! It's loaded with fresh cucumber, tomatoes, and onions along with creamy Feta cheese then tossed in a bright, spicy herb dressing.
Easy Everyday Green Salad
My recipe for Everyday Green Salad is fresh, simple, and quick! It's made in about 5 minutes with my homemade vinaigrette and goes with just almost everything. What a delicious way to get more greens into your life.
Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad
Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad is a refreshing dish that packs a punch of fresh, bright flavor. Serve this salad any time of the year for a burst of summer in every bite!
Simple Green Bean Salad
Fresh green beans tossed in a bright, lemony dressing with tomatoes, onions, and feta cheese make an irresistible Green Bean Salad! This clean and simple recipe is ideal served as a side dish for a weeknight meal and is always welcome on a holiday buffet.
Easy Avocado Tomato Salad Recipe
Avocado Tomato Salad is full of fresh, bright flavor and made in just minutes!
Pasta Salads
Pasta salad might just win the “summer’s best side dish” contest. Whether you serve any of these pasta salads at a picnic, family dinner, cookout, or church social, they are guaranteed to get rave reviews.
Creamy Tomato Cucumber Pasta Salad
Fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, and herbs tossed in a light creamy dressing with pasta make a salad that's absolutely irresistible! Creamy Tomato Cucumber Pasta Salad is not only easy to make but it's colorful, cool, and does double duty as a side dish or salad.
Broccoli Orzo Pasta Salad
Broccoli Pasta Salad is bright, fresh and, loaded with veggies! This simple to make side dish is also great to enjoy as a light lunch. It's the perfect recipe to serve at your next cookout, picnic, or potluck and will be the first dish to go when you're feeding a crowd.
Strawberry Caprese Pasta Salad
Ripe, juicy strawberries, tender pasta twirls, and creamy mozzarella, all tossed in a bright dressing, make a fresh, easy-to-make salad that's like a pop of summer in every bite.
Easy Penne Pasta Salad
Juicy tomatoes, fresh spinach, sweet Vidalia onions, and olives are tossed with whole wheat pasta in a light lemon dressing to make the perfect pasta salad! This extra-easy recipe is excellent for customizing with your favorite ingredients and will become your go-to when you need a fast, delicious side dish.
Greek Pasta Salad (Quick And Easy)
This Greek-inspired pasta salad is full of Mediterranean flavors and comes together in no time thanks to a store-bought shortcut! It's a fresh, colorful salad that's perfect for serving when you're feeding a crowd yet simple enough to make for a weeknight meal.
Spaghetti Salad
Easy-to-make Spaghetti Salad is the perfect side dish for a party, potluck, or when you’re feeding a crowd. Tender pasta, pepperoni, and fresh veggies, tossed in a delicious homemade dressing is fantastic to serve any time of the year!
Mediterranean Pasta Salad
Juicy tomatoes and cucumbers along with salty olives, red onion, tender pasta, and spinach are tossed together with creamy feta cheese in a homemade dressing for a crave-able salad that's so easy to make!
Pesto Pasta Salad With Tomatoes And Mozzarella
Tender pasta, juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil all tossed in a "short-cut" pesto sauce make a salad that is seriously delicious! This easy pasta salad recipe is perfect for parties, cookouts, potlucks, and a must-make when you're feeding a crowd.
Couscous Salad With Tomatoes And Feta
This Couscous Salad recipe combines juicy tomatoes, tangy feta cheese, and fresh herbs to create a delicious and refreshing salad. It's a healthy side dish perfect for serving alongside grilled meats or fish, and great as a light main dish for lunch. As a bonus, it couldn't be easier to make in just 15 minutes!
Mexican Quinoa Salad
Light, refreshing Mexican Quinoa Salad is a delicious and quick-to-make dish with a zesty homemade dressing! Its vibrant flavors and easy prep make it perfect for a weekday lunch, side dish for dinner, and great to bring to a cookout or potluck.
BLT Tortellini Pasta Salad
Inspired by a classic BLT sandwich, this pasta salad is outrageously good with the addition of cheese tortellini and a light creamy dressing! This easy to make recipe is just the thing for any cookout, potluck, or family gathering.
Give Me More Tomato Recipes!
I’m adding a few more of my favorite tomato recipes, just for good measure.
Instant Pot Ultimate Pulled Pork Nachos
Mouthwatering pulled pork piled onto crispy tortilla chips and then loaded with toppings makes ULTIMATE Nachos that you will become obsessed with! Pulled Pork cooked in the Instant Pot is tender and juicy. Then, when it’s layered over tortilla chips, topped with cheese, beans, corn, tomatoes, and avocado, and drizzled with BBQ sauce, you’ve got a dish destined for the record books!
Tomato Pie with Cheese & Pesto
Southern Tomato Pie is a classic summer recipe! Layers of ripe tomatoes, cheese, pesto, herbs and onions all baked in a flaky crust for a savory pie that’s downright scrumptious. Once summer tomatoes start coming in, I
Easy One Pot Lasagna Soup
One-Pot Lasagna Soup is full of all the flavors that you love from classic lasagna, but so much easier to make! This simple recipe made with ground beef in a rich tomato broth topped with creamy ricotta and rich Parmesan is a one-pot meal that's comfort food at its best.
Award-Winning Southern Soul Chili Recipe
The Best Chili recipe starts off with beef and beans in a rich sauce is loaded with amazing flavor! That's perfect for tailgating, game day, or when you're feeding a crowd. Simmered for hours, it is comfort food at its BEST.
Easy Marinated Tomatoes
Tomatoes marinated in a bright, easy to make dressing make a excellent, uncomplicated salad or side dish for any time of the year. Even winter tomatoes get a makeover thanks to a few simple ingredients tossed together
Bloody Mary Chili Recipe
If you're a Bloody Mary fan, then you're going to LOVE this chili! With all the bold flavors of that popular drink, it's a hearty bowl of goodness that's loaded with beef, beans, and warm spicy flavors.
How To Roast And Freeze Tomatoes
Roasting tomatoes enhances their natural sweetness and deepens their fresh flavors, making them a perfect addition to soups, sauces, and stews. In this post, you’ll find easy, step-by-step instructions on how to roast tomatoes and tips on freezing them for future meals.
What’s The Best Way To Eat A Tomato?
There’s nothing quite like the taste of a sun-warmed tomato, freshly picked off the vine—it’s one of life’s simple pleasures! I savor them with just a sprinkle of sea salt and freshly cracked pepper. And let’s be honest, summer in the South wouldn’t be complete without a classic tomato sandwich. It’s got to be on white bread, generously spread with Duke’s mayo, and topped with plenty of salt and pepper. Simple, yet absolutely delicious.
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