17 Ways To Use Tomatoes

Here are some ways to use tomatoes. If you grow your own, you might be overwhelmed by them all ripening at the same time, sitting on your counter waiting to be used. In early summer they look so tempting, but they’re still so green. Then boom, they go from one extreme to the other. This picture shows what my countertop looks like after my recent pick.

If you don’t grow your own, there are so many delicious ones at farmers markets and produce stands. There’s nothing like a fresh summer tomato, from backyard or market.

What are some quick-and-easy things you can do with them? Here are some ways to use tomatoes.

1. Make a cucumber and tomato salad with fresh basil or mint and vinagrette dressing.
2. Make a caprese salad with tomato, basil, and mozarella cheese. Add salt and pepper and a drizzle of olive oil.
3. Other salad ideas: add to a tossed salad, pasta salad, or marinated green bean salad
4. Add sliced tomatoes to your burgers and sandwiches.
5. Make a quick marina sauce in the Instant Pot.
6. Make a slow tomato sauce on your stovetop.
7. Make a gazpacho soup.
8. Make a ratatouille.
9. Add to homemade guacamole.
10. Add to homemade pizza.
11. Roast them.
12. Cook Greek style with green beans.
13. Make a tomato salsa.
14. Make a tomato chutney.
15. Make a bruschetta.
16. Cut up and freeze them for winter dishes like chili or Moroccan stew.
17. And the most obvious way — just eat one plain. Many people enjoy this the most!

Recipe for Roasted Tomatoes

They’re so sweet when roasted! Use whole cherry tomatoes or cut up larger ones.  Mix with salt, pepper, olive oil, thyme, and fresh minced garlic or dried garlic powder. Bake on a sheet with a lip, 425 degrees, about 35 minutes. Very sweet!

Health Benefits of Tomatoes

While tomatoes are tasty and juicy, they also have some good health benefits.

• Good source of vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K
• Rich in the antioxidant lycopene, which helps reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer
• They are rich in lutein and beta-carotene. According to research, these nutrients aid good vision and help protect the eyes from cataracts and macular degeneration.

Health Tip

If tomatoes are too acidic for you, try the orange or yellow colored ones instead of the red ones. You might also find that cooked tomatoes agree with you more than raw ones.

How To Get Started

Now that you have all these ways to use tomatoes, you can pick one idea and go for it. See what appeals to you, what ingredients you have in the house, how much time you have to invest in your creation.