7 Cherry Tomato Recipes: What to Make With Cherry Tomatoes

Cherry tomatoes are small, round tomatoes that resemble cherries, hence their name. They come in several colors, including red, yellow, orange, and sometimes deep purple. Cherry tomatoes are similar in size to grape tomatoes; however, a key difference is their respective shapes. While cherry tomatoes are nearly perfectly round, grape tomatoes are more oblong—similar to the silhouette of a grape.

Cherry tomatoes add a subtle flavor and soft texture to various dishes. Here are three tips for using cherry tomatoes in your dishes:

1. 1. Leave the cherry tomatoes whole. Since cherry tomatoes are usually small, leave them whole in most recipes. This works well when you’re preparing flatbreads, chunky cherry tomato sauce, or skewers with cherry tomatoes and small chunks of mozzarella cheese.
2. 2. Pick complementing flavors. With their sweet flavor, cherry tomatoes pair well with strong flavors, such as feta cheese, goat cheese, vinegar, and oregano and other dried herbs. Balance their sweetness with more neutrally flavored ingredients in pasta dishes and salads.
3. 3. Prepare for the burst. Cooking cherry tomatoes creates steam inside the tomatoes, and they will eventually pop if you leave them alone. This can create a mess and even lead to the tomatoes burning on the stovetop. Alternatively, use the back of a wooden spoon to gently press on the tomatoes a few minutes into their cooking time to release the steam and juices. This will help them to cook more evenly.

Use tomatoes from your local grocer, farmers’ market, or garden in these seven cherry tomato recipes:

1. 1. Bruschetta: Cut cherry tomatoes in half and mix them together with onions, minced garlic cloves, fresh basil leaves, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, kosher salt, and black pepper to make a fresh cherry tomato bruschetta. Pile the mixture on top of crostini or crusty bread and serve the dish as an appetizer. Try this tomato bruschetta recipe.
2. 2. Canned cherry tomatoes: Use canned cherry tomatoes to make tomato sauce, tomato soup, tomato jam, or tomato tart. Add fresh herbs, red pepper flakes, garlic, dried oregano, and other flavorings. Store the tomatoes in a cool, dark place, then enjoy them for months to come. Follow this guide to canning cherry tomatoes.
3. 3. Caprese salad: A classic Italian caprese salad consists of slices of larger tomatoes, such as heirloom tomatoes, but variations include caprese salad skewers and caprese pasta salad, both of which use cherry tomatoes. Garnish your salad with fresh basil leaves, Parmesan cheese, and a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil. Learn how to make a classic caprese salad recipe.
4. 4. Cherry tomato confit: In classic French cooking, “confit” refers to cooking duck or another cut of meat slowly in its own fat. More modern definitions encompass cooking any ingredients in a large amount of fat. For example, tomato confit involves cooking cherry tomatoes in olive oil, thyme, and garlic until the tomatoes become soft and jammy. Try this easy tomato confit recipe.
5. 5. Cherry tomato and cucumber salad: A semi-composed tomato salad featuring slices of cucumber and tomato, a tomato-cucumber salad is a summery dish. In Indian cuisine, diced tomatoes and cucumbers often appear together in a family of relishes known as “kachumber.” Serve this recipe as a refreshing side dish. Learn how to make Madhur Jaffrey’s cherry tomato and cucumber salad recipe.
6. 6. Panzanella: A Tuscan salad using stale bread or croutons, panzanella uses simple ingredients: juicy tomatoes, shallots, and fresh mozzarella cheese. Consider incorporating crispy green beans or zucchini, arugula or other greens, or white beans or other legumes. Toss it all in a vinaigrette and let the bread soak up the dressing. Try this panzanella recipe, which comes together in about a half hour.
7. 7. Tomato tarte tatin: A tarte tatin is an upside-down cake or tart. Traditionally, the dish uses apples, but you can use cherry tomatoes for a different take on the French recipe. The roasted cherry tomatoes are sweet, savory, and juicy. Top the dish with pesto, ricotta cheese, or grated Parmesan cheese, and serve it as a weeknight main dish or appetizer. Try this fresh tomato tarte tatin recipe.

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