50+ Tomato Recipes (from breakfast to dinner)

Tomato season is beginning, and this year you’ll be ready… with 50+ canned and fresh tomato recipes up your sleeve to preserve the summer bounty!

Rich in lycopene (an antioxidant) and Vitamin C, tomatoes are in the nightshade family of plants (which also includes potatoes, sweet and hot peppers, eggplant, tomatillos, tamarios, pepinos, pimentos, paprika, and cayenne).

Although it’s hard to think of tomatoes without thinking of Italian cuisine, they are actually native to South America. Tomatoes weren’t introduced to Italy until the early 16th century.

Now, the world enjoys hundreds of varieties of tomatoes — not all red. You’ll find reds, yes, but also yellows, oranges, purples, greens, striped and speckled. Heirloom tomatoes are gorgeous — and gloriously shaped, too!

How to Choose and Use Tomatoes

Deep colors are the name of the game. Firm, not mushy. Juicy — though paste tomatoes are more “meaty” with less juice and that makes them excellent for preserving.

When tomatoes are in season, eat fresh! Salads, sliced, with cottage cheese, sprinkled with salt and pepper… There’s nothing better.

One thing I learned when I put in my first garden was that tomatoes are best kept at room temperature for fresh eating. Storing them in the refrigerator causes you to lose tons of flavor!

Add to soups, or make fragrant, fresh tomato sauce: saute onions and garlic, add chopped tomatoes and chopped fresh herbs, simmer, then season to taste with sea salt and pepper.

Recently, I have chosen to dehydrate excess tomatoes. Simply slice 1/4 inch thick and dry under 115 degrees Fahrenheit until dry. Then vacuum seal and/or store in cool and dry location. They can be soaked in water and blended to make sauce or paste (depending on how much water you use). Or, you can powder them when dry to store in even smaller spaces.

Tomato Recipes

Here are 50+ tomato recipes to help you enjoy your summer bounty!

Tomato Recipes for Breakfast

• Spinach-Feta Mini Frittatas (dairy-free option!) — Packed with veggies, fun, and fancy enough for brunch!
• Chinese Tomato Egg Stir Fry

Tomato Recipes for Lunch

• Toasted Pesto-Tomato Sandwich
• Tomato Sandwiches — There’s no recipe for this one! My sourdough pocket bread comes from the Sourdough eCourse. Load the halves up with hummus or kefir/yogurt cheese, cucumbers, and tomatoes. Or what about my mom’s award-winning falafel, tahini or tzatziki sauce , tomatoes and cucumbers? Any way you fill them, they’re delicious!
• Smoked Salmon and Rice Salad
• BLT Salad w/ Chicken

Image courtesy of Healthy Christian Home

Tomato Appetizers & Side Dishes (Soups & Salads)

• Mediterranean Cucumber-Tomato-Mint Salad — Make the recipe as written, or for a twist, toss the salad in yogurt or milk kefir instead of olive oil and lemon juice. Season with dill or basil, sea salt and pepper.
• Quinoa Garden Salad — Using the dump method (dump all ingredients in bowl and toss), this salad lets you use everything your garden (or farmers market) produces!
• Sprouted Lentil Slaw
• Caprese Salad with Grape Tomatoes & Fresh Mozzarella
• Tomato, Cucumber, & Onion Salad w/ Homemade Dressing — Better than Cracker Barrel!
• Best Fresh Green Beans w/ Tomatoes & Basil
• Zesty Italian Cucumber Salad Recipe with Tomatoes and Parmesan
• Roasted Cherry Tomato Soup
• Best Gazpacho Ever
• Creamy Tomato Soup
• Gluten Free Tomato Soup Recipe
• Instant Pot Tomato Basil Soup (THM)
• 2-Minute Instant Pot Italian Cabbage & Tomato Soup {GAPS, Paleo}
• Arabic White Beans and Rice (Fasooli)

Image courtesy of Healthy Christian Home

Tomato Recipes for Dinner

• Easy Real Food Chicken Enchiladas (Healthy Mexican Casserole)
• Arabic Meatloaf with Potatoes (Kiftet Batatta)
• Instant Pot Chicken Curry
• Crock-Pot Spaghetti Bolognese Sauce
• Cheesy Chili Lentils (30 Minute Meal)
• Savory Cheesy Tomato Casserole
• Tomato-Basil Balsamic Chicken Thighs
• Summer Bolognese Gluten Free Spaghetti
• Skillet Cod with Fresh Tomatoes & Basil (Keto, Paleo, Whole30)
• Mushroom and Tomato Stir Fry
• Creamy Chicken Chili (easy 30-minute dinner!)
• Pumpkin Chili (Stove Top, Instant Pot, Crock Pot)

Image courtesy of Eat Beautiful

Tomato Condiments (Salsa, Sauce, Etc.)

• Fresh Tomato Sauce with Healing Broth
• Lacto-Fermented Ketchup — Uses tomato paste.
• Lacto-Fermented Roma Fresca — Use on top of steaks, fish, or chicken for a mouth-watering garnish. Or eat with chips as a mild salsa!
• Cherry Tomato Confits
• Easy Mild 5-Minute Salsa— This salsa is just like a restaurant and completely Paleo, GAPS, and Keto-safe!
• Pico de Gallo with Avocado Salsa — So delicious on your favorite Mexican foods, pico de gallo con avo brings all your favorite meats and salads to life. Keto, Paleo, Whole30, GAPS and Low Carb compliant!
• Lacto-Fermented Roasted Red Salsa with Avocado
• Fresh Real Food Summer Blender Cucumber Salsa
• Garden Fresh Tomato Sauce
• Tomato Basil Garlic Butter Sauce (Paleo, Gluten-free)
• Tangy & Sweet Tomato Salad Dressing (THM:S) — From tomato paste.
• Fermented Tex-Mex Salsa
• Texas Style Salsa

Tomato Recipes for Canning

In addition to the recipes below, here are 16 other ways to can tomatoes!

• How to Safely Can Tomatoes (+ the myth about heirlooms & acidity)
• Spaghetti Sauce for Canning Made with Fresh (or Frozen) Tomatoes
• Green Tomato Pickles
• Home Canned Tomato Soup
• Pickled Cherry Tomatoes for Canning — Plus more cherry tomato ideas!
• How to Make the Best Salsa {Recipe for Canning}

What are your favorite tomato recipes? How do you preserve the summer harvest?

Main images courtesy of TCS Cucumber Salad, TCS Mini Frittatas, Healthy Christian Home, and TCS Tomato Basil Soup.