This marinated tomatoes recipe may be a truly perfect dish. It is simple, fresh, and only requires a handful of simple ingredients and a little time.
I recently went a bit crazy with my tomato shopping at the local grocery store. I wound up with four different kinds of tomatoes at once.
Standing in my kitchen staring at all of these tomatoes on my countertop, I knew that it was the perfect time to do a bit of experimenting.
It turned out to be a great option to use up some summer tomatoes. My next goal is to make this dish with some heirloom tomatoes. Next time, we are at the local farmers market I will pick some up just for this purpose.
How long can marinated tomatoes be stored in the refrigerator?
Marinated tomatoes can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Keep your marinated tomatoes in airtight containers to prevent contamination and stay fresh.
They are tomatoes that are cut and marinated in red wine vinegar, olive oil and spices. They are best if you marinate them for at least two hours prior to serving them.
Can marinated tomatoes be served hot, or do they have to be served cold?
Marinated tomatoes can be served hot or cold, depending on your preference. However, they’re typically served chilled as a topping for salads and sandwiches or as a garnish for pasta dishes, but they can also be heated as a topping for grilled meats.
Make hot pasta or pizza sauce with marinated tomatoes. You can also cook marinated tomatoes with other food, such as a casserole or a frittata. Lastly, you can also use the marinade as a sauce.
Can I use marinated tomatoes as a topping for pizza or as a filling for sandwiches?
You can use marinated tomatoes as pizza topping or as a filling for sandwiches. They can add a burst of flavor and a nice texture to the dish.
For pizza, you can add marinated tomatoes as a topping along with cheese, meats, and vegetables. You can also use marinated tomatoes as a filling mixed with your favorite cheeses or greens for sandwiches.
I suggest that you drain off some of the marinade first. Otherwise, you will end up with a soggy pizza or sandwich.
What kind of tomatoes do you use?
You can use any kind of tomatoes that you want for marinated tomatoes. We just used plain juicy beefsteak tomatoes.
You could use heirloom tomatoes, grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes, or vine ripe tomatoes. Just marinate whatever kind of tomatoes that you happen to have in your kitchen.
The tomatoes should be of good quality, ripe, and firm for best results. If your tomatoes are not firm, they will fall apart and be soupy when you are cutting them.
Finally, consider mixing up the type of tomatoes. You could get some green tomatoes and red tomatoes and then add in yellow ones. That would make for a beautiful dish on the table.
How to serve marinated tomatoes
These marinated tomatoes would make a great side dish. They also make a lovely snack on a hot summer day.
If you created this recipe using cherry tomatoes, it would be fabulous served atop toasted baguettes. I would suggest drizzling the baguette with olive oil, cracked pepper, and tomatoes atop that.
Be fearless with how you serve up this dish. If you can dream it up, it will be delicious. Imagine this atop avocado toast.
Can I use different types of vinegar in the marinade for marinated tomatoes?
You can use various types of vinegar in the marinade for marinated tomatoes. Note that every kind of vinegar has a unique taste. So, your marinated tomatoes will taste differently, depending on the type of vinegar you use.
Some well-known options include balsamic vinegar, apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, and white wine vinegar. You can experiment with different options and choose the one you prefer or mix them to get a unique taste.
Ingredients
Ripe tomatoes – You can use any kind of tomatoes that you would prefer. We used plain red tomatoes for our latest version.
Red onion – The onion adds a nice flavor to this recipe but if you don’t like large chunks of onion, just remove them prior to serving. If you don’t have red onions on hand, you could use white onion.
Olive oil – This is a great time to pull out that fancy olive oil that you have hidden in the pantry. However, I don’t recommend any flavored olive oil in this recipe.
Red wine vinegar – This vinegar really shines in this recipe. It adds such a lovely flavor.
Garlic cloves– If you don’t have any garlic cloves you can use minced garlic from a jar in this recipe.
Salt and pepper – I prefer cracked pepper in this recipe, but that is up to you.
Dried basil and dried rosemary – If you have fresh basil around, go ahead and use it instead. Can I use fresh herbs, or do I have to use dried herbs in the marinade for marinated tomatoes? You can use fresh or dried herbs in the marinade for marinated tomatoes. Both will add flavor to the tomatoes, but the taste will differ depending on the herb type and whether it’s fresh or dried.
Fresh herbs will have a more delicate and nuanced flavor, while dried herbs will have a stronger, more concentrated flavor. If you’re using fresh herbs, you will need to use more of them than if you were using dried herbs, as dried herbs have more potency. You can chop them finely and add them to the marinade, or add the whole sprigs of herbs and remove them before serving.
How to make marinated tomatoes
Step one: Wash and dry the tomatoes.
Step two: Slice the tomatoes into thick round slices. Aim for slices that are about 1/2″ thick.
Step three: Smash the garlic cloves.
Step four: Cut half of the red onion into large chunks that are about 2″ inches in size.
Step five: Add the olive oil, red wine vinegar, herbs, garlic, and onions to a large shallow dish. Stir to combine.
Step six: Add the tomato slices to the mixture and flip them around to coat them.
Step seven: Cover the dish with plastic wrap.
Step eight: Refrigerate the tomatoes and allow them to marinate for at least two hours. How long do marinated tomatoes take to marinate? If you’re using a vinegar-based marinade, marinate the tomatoes for at least 30 minutes but no longer than 24 hours. The acidity of the vinegar will start to break down the tomatoes if left for too long and make them mushy. If you’re using an oil-based marinade, the tomatoes can be marinated for a longer time, up to 48 hours; the oil will act as a barrier, slowing down the breakdown of the tomatoes. The longer you marinate the tomatoes, the more flavorful they will be.
The bottom line
Marinated tomatoes make a delicious side dish. You could serve them with grilled steaks or can just do as we did and have them as an afternoon snack.
There are so many different ways to eat these tasty marinated tomatoes. This would also be an easy appetizer at your next get-together.
Between the juicy tomatoes and fresh herbs, you will find yourself making this recipe any time of year.
Marinated tomatoes
Tomatoes marinated in olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, and red onions.
Ingredients
- 4 ripe tomatoes
- 1/2 small red onion
- 1/4 c olive oil
- 3 T red wine vinegar
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1/4 t salt
- 1/4 t pepper
- 1 T dried rosemary
- 1 T dried basil
Instructions
- Wash and dry the tomatoes.
- Cut the tomatoes into 1/2" thick round slices.
- Smash the garlic cloves.
- Cut the red onion into 1/2" chunks.
- Add all of the ingredients except the tomatoes to a shallow dish. Stir to combine.
- Add the tomatoes to the dish and coat them with the mixture.
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap.
- Slide the dish into the refrigerator and allow the tomatoes to marinate for at least two hours.
- Serve cold.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 77Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 77mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 1g