Summertime means an abundance of fresh produce around here. But there's a quandary…What to do with extra tomatoes? I've got a bushel of ideas for you!
If you have planted a garden, you know tomatoes are often prolific. Heck, I didn't plant a garden until this year, but I know how crazy tomatoes can be because my neighbor and friends generously leave them on my front porch from their gardens.
Thank you neighbors and friends!
One tomato turns into another and another and before you know it, you have an over abundance of tomatoes. Sounds like a great problem to have, right?
But we know, they'll only keep for so long before they start to go bad.
Canning them is a tasty option! But let's say you don't want to can them.
I've frozen tomatoes them in the past....but then I forget to use them because I usually reach for a can out of habit!
And you can only eat so much spaghetti or BLT's. Well, I could eat BLT's every day because - bacon.
Speaking of BLT's, the people in Charleston, SC know how to make them right...check out the amount of bacon they put on my sandwich when we were there for vacation!
But enough about my love for cooked bacon. That's an entirely different post...
But if you've got tomatoes, let's talk about what to do with extra tomatoes!
What to Make With Extra Tomatoes
Sliced Tomatoes
Slice them up – Use slices for hamburgers and sandwiches like a Chicken Avocado BLT Wrap.
My dad and I used to eat buttered white bread with salt and peppered tomatoes. So simple and soooo good!
Extra tomatoes are perfect for these Tortellini Caprese Salad Cups!
Stuffed Tomatoes
Slice the top of the tomato off, scoop out the seeds and fill with your favorite egg, tuna or chicken salad.
Use tomatoes in salads
You can add tomatoes to your typical chef salad or garden salad. Here are some more salads that go beyond just lettuce and use tomatoes, too!
My easy Summer Corn Salad Recipe is a summer salad you’ll make all season long. It’s a side dish full of sweet corn, ripe tomatoes, salty feta cheese & more!
Italian Farro Salad with Feta is made with wholesome and nutritious farro. It’s perfect as a a healthy lunch option or as a side dish!
Want To Save This Recipe For Later?
I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later!
This Mediterranean Chopped Salad recipe is full of healthy ingredients & protein to satisfy your hunger. Make a batch for your meal prep and take for lunch!
A fresh marinated green bean salad with tomatoes, feta, and homemade dressing! This healthy side dish is a rainbow of colors and is perfect for family dinners, get together parties and summer cookouts.
"This Mediterranean tomato cucumber salad is a great summer side dish to add to your meal prep rotation! With its simple ingredients and delicious flavors, it’s perfect for summertime dining.
Add tomatoes to skewers
Shish kabob your tomatoes! The next time you make kabobs, skewer the meat along with tomatoes, red onion and mushrooms. Brush them with olive oil and grill them up!
Honey Basil Veggie Kabobs These marinated veggie kabobs are the perfect side dish for simple dinners or parties. Served on skewers, these vegetable sticks are an easy and healthy for a bbq on the grill!
Use tomatoes in salsa
Why not make salsa or pico de gallo? There are so many variations, you could play with the different recipes all summer long using your extra tomatoes!
If you're into canning your produce, make a batch of two of canned salsa for the colder months. You can also add some tomato into mango salsa with mango, onion, and jalapenos.
Make your own condiments
Make homemade ketchup – Ripe tomatoes, garlic, cider vinegar, brown sugar, cinnamon and cloves make awesome ketchup your family will love.
Homemade sun dried tomatoes are another way to save your tomatoes for later and they're tasty!
Go green
How about making a batch of fried green tomatoes in your air fryer?? Slice the tomatoes, bread them and then air fry them up for a tasty treat that's healthier than the traditional frying.
Dehydrate tomatoes
Break out the dehydrator – tomatoes are easy to dehydrate!
Cut off any bruises, slice them up, put them on the dehydrator rack and turn it on. Before long you’ll have dried tomatoes which can be used in various recipes throughout the year.
Unique Ways to Use Extra Tomatoes
I hope you've found some ways to use your extra tomatoes!
If all else fails and you still have too many after trying these ways, you can leave them on my front porch...I've been known to can them for later and share with my tomato givers!!
