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Every summer, I plant tomatoes and the sequence typically goes something like this:
Early June: Plant two to three tomato plants.
June – July: Worry tomatoes aren’t getting enough water and/or that they’ll get ruined in a storm (I currently have them in freestanding planters).
Late July: Get excited about the very first tomato!
Late August: Get sick of tomatoes and feel completely over them.
After consistently hefty water bills from a dry summer, and the blossom rot two out of three of the plants suffered while I was away on vacation, I’m probably better off just spending a few dollars on tomatoes at the store. Gardening just doesn’t seem to be my thing. If planting tomatoes is your thing, or if you just have a ton of them at the moment, here are twenty ideas for using one of summer’s favorite red fruits.
- Toss with feta cheese, watermelon and diced cucumber for a side.
- Use one in place of a hamburger bun as a low-carb alternative.
- Enjoy them with a pinch of kosher salt. Simple and delicious.
- Top with parmesan cheese and roast.
- Add to a frozen pizza.
- Slow roast in the oven or food dehydrator.
- Add to a pasta dish.
- Pair them with your favorite herbs.
- Enjoy with rotisserie chicken, greens and your favorite salad dressing.
- Whip up pico de gallo.
- Add to grilled kabobs.
- Snack on them with cottage cheese.
- Toss with grilled shrimp, corn and cotija cheese.
- Top your burger along with red onions and avocado.
- Add to a breakfast sandwich.
- Stuff inside a grilled cheese or panini.
- Save for your favorite fall chili.
- Make a classic BLT sandwich using bread or a lettuce wrap.
- Serve with lemon-roasted chicken with wilted greens.
- Save for canning with a friend.
Don’t forget to tell me about your favorite way to use tomatoes in the comments!
By Bea Wilmoth August 25, 2021
I am a canner so I make salsa and tomato juice for use in winter.
By JoAnn Buchanan September 2, 2021
I’d like the recipe for salsa if you can
Thank you
By Tamson Darland August 25, 2021
Maggie, Thank you so much. This is wonderful article. I love getting information toward meal & snack planning healthier. Would love more articles like this one.
By Tamson Darland August 25, 2021
I love sun dried tomatoes. And they are always so expensive purchasing them off grocery shelf.
By Dave August 25, 2021
You left out the best one. Make Ketchup with a Crockpot and an immersion blender. Uses lots of tomatoes, freezes well, and tastes better than storebought.
By Linda August 25, 2021
I just made a batch of Tomato Jam for the 1st time. It is really delicious. I canned them so I can enjoy them at a later date.
By Kerry Coleman August 25, 2021
I just read an article on how to make and can tomato paste. I think I will give that a try.
By Janet Long August 25, 2021
I like tomato sandwiches with Duke mayo and black pepper. Um Um
By Janet Long August 25, 2021
Thanks for the many ways you can use with tomatoes.
By Konnie August 26, 2021
Ezekiel bread toast, half of an avocado smashed and seasoned with salt, pepper, smoked paprika and sometime Turmeric topped with a slice of tomato. Yummy.
By Janine Cox August 31, 2021
I adore tomatoes and you can mix them with peeled cucumbers and then use salt, pepper and a splash of vinegar! The best tomatoes are the ones that are just picked from the garden and the are still warm and you eat them like an apple with a touch of salt and they are so juicy!
By Janine Cox August 31, 2021
If you have a bumper crop of these red beauties, just give some away to your local food back and to your neighbors and your friends! Keep them for yourself and enjoy!
By Ron Wenberg September 1, 2021
WOW!!! Thanks Maggie, Love all the ideas and I’ve done several. My tomatoes didn’t do so great this year either but the ones I did get were sooo yummy! Wish I could grow them year round as they taste so much better than store bought ones.
By Judy A Culbertson September 3, 2021
My favorite way to enjoy a tomato is to have one cut up and served with cottage cheese and my homemade guacamole for lunch. Easy Guacamole; 4 ripe avocados, the juice of one lemon or lime, 1/2 tsp. each garlic powder and salt, 1/8 tsp. cumin. Scoop avocados out of skins, Sprinkle with seasonings, Squeeze the juice over all. When tomatoes are no longer in season, I find that Compari or vine-ripened ones are the next best choice. I enjoy this delicious lunch year-round.