Summertime has a funny way of turning a few tomatoes into… a lot of tomatoes.
One day you’re excited about the first ripe tomato on the counter, and the next thing you know there’s a heap of them on your kitchen counter and you’re wondering what on earth you’re supposed to do with all of them.
Whether your tomatoes came from your garden, a farmers market, or a generous neighbor, these ideas will help you use them before they go bad.
Around here in the Midwest, it’s also the time of year when neighbors start leaving bags of tomatoes on each other’s porches. If you grow tomatoes, you know how quickly they multiply!
It’s a great problem to have…until you realize tomatoes only stay fresh for so long.
If you’re wondering what to do with extra tomatoes, here are some easy ways to use them up before they go bad. I have simple fresh ideas, easy recipes, and ways to preserve them for later.
Quick Ideas for Extra Tomatoes
Below are simple ways to use fresh tomatoes, recipes that use a lot of tomatoes, and a few ways to preserve them for later.
If your kitchen counter is overflowing, here are some fast and easy ways to use fresh tomatoes.
- Slice them for burgers and sandwiches
- Make fresh salsa or pico de gallo
- Add them to garden salads
- Make a classic BLT sandwich
- Roast them for pasta
- Make caprese salad with mozzarella and basil
- Add them to pasta dishes
- Make tomato soup
- Use them in bruschetta
- Freeze them for later recipes
Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best, especially when the tomatoes are fresh from the garden!
Fresh Ways to Use Extra Tomatoes
Fresh tomatoes are one of the best parts of summer, and they shine in simple dishes.
Tomato Sandwiches
My dad and I used to eat sliced tomatoes on buttered white bread with salt and pepper. It’s simple, but honestly hard to beat when tomatoes are perfectly ripe.
Of course, tomatoes also belong on classics like BLT sandwiches.
You can also try them in recipes like this Chicken Avocado BLT Wrap, which is a great lunch option.
Add Tomatoes to Salads
Fresh tomatoes add color and flavor to so many salads.
Here are a few great ways to use them:
- Summer Corn Salad - Sweet corn, juicy tomatoes, and salty feta make the perfect summer side dish.
- Italian Farro Salad with Feta - A hearty grain salad that works great for lunches or meal prep.
- Mediterranean Chopped Salad - Packed with vegetables and protein for a satisfying meal.
- Cucumber Tomato Salad - A simple and refreshing summer classic.
Salads are one of the easiest ways to use up several tomatoes at once.
Stuffed Tomatoes
Stuffed tomatoes are another easy option. Simply slice the top off a tomato, scoop out the seeds, and fill it with something like:
They make a simple lunch or light summer dinner and don't heat up the kitchen.
Cooked Recipes That Use Lots of Tomatoes
If you have a large batch of tomatoes, cooking them is a great way to use several at once.
Roasted Tomatoes
Roasting tomatoes brings out their natural sweetness.
Simply:
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- Slice tomatoes in half
- Drizzle with olive oil
- Sprinkle with salt and pepper
- Roast at 400°F for about 25–30 minutes
Roasted tomatoes are amazing on pasta, toast, pizza, or grain bowls.
Tomato Soup
Tomato soup is another great way to use several tomatoes at once. Blend roasted tomatoes with garlic, onion, and broth for a comforting homemade soup.
Preserve Extra Tomatoes for Later
If you truly have more tomatoes than you can eat, preserving them is a great option.
Freeze Tomatoes
Tomatoes freeze surprisingly well. All you have to do is
- Wash the tomatoes
- Remove the stems
- Freeze them whole or chopped in freezer bags
Frozen tomatoes work best later in soups, sauces, chili, and other cooked dishes.
Dehydrate Tomatoes
Tomatoes are easy to dehydrate and can be used later in many recipes.
Slice them thin, place them on dehydrator trays, and dry until leathery. Store in airtight containers for later use.
Make Sun-Dried Tomatoes
You can also make your own sun-dried style tomatoes at home using an oven or dehydrator. These are delicious in pasta dishes, salads, and sandwiches.
Grill Tomatoes on Skewers
Cherry tomatoes are great on kabobs. Add them to skewers with vegetables like:
- mushrooms
- red onion
- zucchini
Brush with olive oil and grill until slightly blistered.
Veggie kabobs are an easy summer side dish for grilled meals.
What to Do With Too Many Garden Tomatoes
If your garden is producing more tomatoes than you can keep up with, the best strategy is to combine fresh meals and preservation.
Use some tomatoes right away in salads and sandwiches, and then freeze, roast, or dehydrate the rest so they don’t go to waste.
Tomato season only lasts so long, so it’s worth finding a few ways to enjoy them now and save some for later.
FAQs About Extra Tomatoes
If your garden produced more tomatoes than you can eat fresh, you can use them in salads, salsas, pasta sauces, soups, or preserve them by freezing, dehydrating, or canning.
Yes. Tomatoes freeze very well. Wash them, remove stems, and freeze whole or chopped. Frozen tomatoes are best used later in soups, sauces, and cooked dishes.
Recipes that use large quantities of tomatoes include salsa, marinara sauce, tomato soup, bruschetta, and roasted tomato pasta.
My final comment
Having extra tomatoes might feel overwhelming at first, but it’s really one of the best problems of summer.
Between fresh salads, simple sandwiches, homemade salsa, and preserving them for later, there are plenty of easy ways to enjoy every last tomato.
And if you still end up with too many…
Well, you can always leave a bag on my porch. I’ve been known to can a few! 🍅
