Marinated Tomatoes
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Juicy, fresh, and bursting with bright summer flavor, these marinated tomatoes are a simple recipe you’ll find yourself making again and again. Sweet ripe tomatoes soak up a light garlic, lemon, and parsley marinade, creating the perfect side dish for everything from grilled chicken and burgers to pasta and crusty bread.
Marinated Tomatoes Recipe
Marinated Tomatoes
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The best part? It takes just a few minutes to throw together. The refrigerator does the rest of the work while the tomatoes absorb all the fresh, savory flavors.
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Whether you’re looking for an easy cookout side dish, a way to use up garden tomatoes, or just want something light and refreshing, this recipe is hard to beat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you have fresh tomatoes on hand, this recipe is one of the easiest ways to let them shine. The simple marinade enhances their natural sweetness without overpowering them, and the longer they rest, the more flavorful they become. It’s naturally gluten-free, incredibly versatile, and pairs beautifully with almost any summer meal. Plus, it only takes about five minutes to prepare.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Fresh tomatoes
- Flat leaf parsley
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Fresh garlic
- Salt, Fresh ground black pepper
Step By Step Directions
- Remove the stems from the tomatoes and cut them into bite-sized pieces.
- Place the tomatoes into a medium mixing bowl.
- Add the olive oil, parsley, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and black pepper.
- Gently toss everything together until the tomatoes are evenly coated.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving. Overnight is even better for maximum flavor.
Tips and Tricks
Choose ripe tomatoes that still feel firm. Overripe tomatoes tend to become mushy once they marinate.
Use a high quality extra virgin olive oil with bold flavor for the best outcome.
Flat leaf parsley has a much brighter flavor than curly parsley and works best in this recipe.
For even more flavor, let the tomatoes marinate overnight. Just keep in mind they’re best enjoyed within 24 hours before the texture begins to soften.
Cherry tomatoes make a wonderful variation and add a little extra sweetness. You can also stir in a tiny drizzle of honey if your tomatoes aren’t especially sweet.
If you’re serving guests, slice large tomatoes and arrange them on a serving platter before spooning the marinade over the top for a beautiful farmhouse-style presentation.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. The tomatoes will continue releasing liquid as they sit and eventually become soft and grainy.
Freezing is not recommended since thawed tomatoes become watery and lose their texture.
More Delicious Tomato Recipes
- Tomato Pie
- Caprese Sandwich
- Tomato and Mayo Sandwich
- Bruschetta Tomatoes
- Roasted Tomatoes
- Pico de Gallo
- See all our best tomato recipes!
How to Make Marinated Tomatoes
Marinated Tomatoes Recipe
Equipment
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Medium mixing bowl
- Measuring spoons
- Mixing spoon
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh tomatoes (pictured are roma tomatoes, but any variation can be used)
- 2 tablespoons minced flat leaf parsley
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- fresh ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Remove the stems from the tomatoes and cut them into bite-sized pieces.
- Place the tomatoes into a medium mixing bowl.
- Add the olive oil, parsley, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving.
Notes
- Use flat leaf parsley rather than curly parsley for the best flavor.
- Red wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar can be substituted for the lemon juice.
- Italian seasoning makes a delicious substitute for the parsley.
- Cherry tomatoes add extra sweetness, or stir in a small drizzle of honey or balsamic reduction if desired.
- For a pretty farmhouse style presentation, slice large tomatoes and arrange them on a platter before spooning the marinade over the top.
- Store in the refrigerator for no longer than 24 hours. Freezing is not recommended.
Nutrition
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Tools We Love
- Santoku knife – My favorite knife for cutting vegetables! This knife is the perfect size and shape, handles great, and is super reasonably priced.
- Garlic press – Need fresh minced or sliced garlic, but don’t want to peel or chop your garlic? This garlic press is the bessssssst. We’ve had ours for as long as I can remember (maybe a wedding present?), and I use it several times a week!
- End grain cutting board – This is my absolute favorite cutting board and the one that I get the most compliments on. And p.s. I have a lot of cutting boards. It really is absolutely stunning, and knows how to take a beating. We use it every single day!
Other Awesome Salad Recipes
- Pearl Couscous Salad
- Ramen Noodle Salad Recipe
- Green Goddess Salad
- Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
- See all our best salad recipes!
Variations
Try using red wine vinegar instead of lemon juice for a slightly tangier flavor, or swap in balsamic vinegar for a richer, sweeter finish.
Italian seasoning can easily replace the fresh parsley for an herb-forward variation.
Fresh basil, oregano, thyme, or chives also make excellent additions depending on what you have growing in the garden.
For a little heat, sprinkle in some crushed red pepper flakes.
Add thinly sliced red onion, cucumber, or fresh mozzarella pearls to turn this into an easy summer salad.
What to serve with marinated tomatoes
These tomatoes pair wonderfully with almost any grilled recipe. Serve them alongside grilled flank steaks, burgers, grilled chicken, grilled pork chops, or fish.
They’re also delicious spooned over toasted crusty French bread, mixed into cooked pasta, piled onto sandwiches, or served with fresh mozzarella for an easy caprese-inspired side dish.
Frequently asked questions
How long should tomatoes marinate?
Three hours gives great flavor, but overnight is even better if you have the time.
What are the best tomatoes to use?
Roma tomatoes work beautifully because they’re firm and less watery, but cherry, grape, vine-ripened, heirloom, and beefsteak tomatoes all work well.
Can I make marinated tomatoes ahead of time?
Yes! In fact, they’re best when made several hours ahead. Just plan to enjoy them within 24 hours for the best texture.
Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh parsley?
Absolutely. Italian seasoning is an easy substitute, or use a smaller amount of dried parsley if that’s what you have available.
Can I use bottled lemon juice?
Fresh lemon juice gives the brightest flavor, but bottled lemon juice works in a pinch.
Final thoughts
Sometimes the simplest recipes are the ones that disappear the fastest. These marinated tomatoes are fresh, colorful, and packed with flavor, making them the perfect addition to everything from weeknight dinners to backyard barbecues. If you have fresh summer tomatoes, this is one recipe you’ll want to keep on repeat.
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