Easy Tomato Confit Recipe: 3 Ways to Use Tomato Confit

Tomato confit is a dish of slow-roasted tomatoes in olive oil with aromatics like garlic and fresh herbs, softened over a few hours in a low oven. Tomato confit both extends the life of fresh tomatoes and deepens their innate sweetness, resulting in a complex flavor profile that suits a number of uses.

“Confit” is a French term that refers to an ingredient preserved in fat—either its own, as with duck confit, or in olive oil, like garlic confit.

As a condiment, tomato confit complements a range of appetizers and side dishes. Here’s how to use it:

1. 1. As a topping: Serve tomato confit over pasta as a minimalist tomato sauce (garnished with plenty of grated Parmesan cheese), or spoon it over grilled fish or roasted chicken.
2. 2. With cheese: Serve tomato confit with a cheese board as a spread for soft cheeses like ricotta or goat cheese. Or, use it as a stand-in for fresh tomatoes in a composed salad like a Caprese, with torn mozzarella or burrata, or drizzled with fresh pesto and a pinch of flaky sea salt.
3. 3. With toasted bread: Serve tomato confit with thick slices of grilled bread, or crispy, thin crostini, either on its own, drizzled in aged balsamic, or as part of a tomato bruschetta with fresh basil.

Here are some tips for making and storing tomato confit:

1. 1. Choosing the tomatoes: To make cherry tomato confit, use smaller varieties of tomato, on or off the vine. To make tomato confit with plum tomatoes or large heirloom tomatoes, cut them into halves or thick wedges, and place them cut-side down in the baking dish. Learn more about different tomato varieties.
2. 2. Adding sugar for extra complexity: To enhance the natural sugars or acidity in the tomatoes, add a teaspoon of brown sugar or balsamic vinegar to the oil mixture. The low-and-slow cooking process gives the sugar time to develop a deep, caramel flavor, while the tanginess of the balsamic will mellow into an earthy fruitiness.
3. 3. Storing tomato confit: Store tomato confit in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it will last for up to one month.