Marinated Tomatoes Recipe
This Marinated Tomatoes recipe features ripe tomatoes infused with a flavorful mixture of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, and fresh herbs. Perfect as a refreshing side dish or a vibrant topping for grilled meats, bruschetta, and salads. The quick marination enhances the natural sweetness and zest of the tomatoes, making it an easy yet elegant addition to any meal.
- Author: Caleb
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Tomatoes
Marinade
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried basil)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried parsley)
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Select Tomatoes: Choose large, ripe tomatoes that are firm yet slightly soft. Rinse them thoroughly under cold water and pat dry with a clean towel to prepare for slicing.
- Slice Tomatoes: Cut the tomatoes into wedges, rounds, or cubes, making sure to keep the pieces uniform in size for consistent marination.
- Prepare Tomatoes: Place the sliced tomatoes in a large mixing bowl to hold them while you make the marinade.
- Combine Liquid Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix together the extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar as the base for your marinade.
- Add Seasonings: Season the mixture with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to bring out the flavors.
- Incorporate Garlic and Herbs: Stir in the minced garlic, then add chopped fresh basil and parsley, or use dried herbs if preferred.
- Add Heat (Optional): If you like a bit of spice, add the red pepper flakes to the marinade for a gentle kick.
- Whisk Marinade: Whisk all marinade ingredients together until well combined to ensure even distribution of flavors.
- Marinate Tomatoes: Pour the marinade over the sliced tomatoes and gently toss to coat all pieces evenly with the flavorful mixture.
- Cover and Rest: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the tomatoes and marinade to a resealable plastic bag, carefully removing excess air to seal.
- Marinate Time: Let the tomatoes marinate at room temperature for a minimum of 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for a deeper infusion of flavors.
- Toss Again: After marinating, gently toss the tomatoes once more to redistribute the marinade evenly.
- Serve: Transfer the marinated tomatoes to a beautiful serving dish, optionally drizzling leftover marinade on top for extra flavor.
- Usage Suggestions: Enjoy as a fresh side dish, a flavorful topping for grilled meats, bruschetta, or include them in salads for a vibrant taste.
- Store Leftovers: Any leftover marinated tomatoes should be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Let them sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving again to bring out their flavors.
Notes
- Use ripe but firm tomatoes for the best texture and flavor.
- Adjust marination time depending on how strong you want the flavors; longer marination intensifies taste.
- Red pepper flakes are optional and can be omitted or adjusted according to your spice preference.
- For a fresher herb flavor, use fresh basil and parsley; dried herbs work well but are less vibrant.
- This dish can be served immediately after marinating but tastes best after at least 30 minutes.
- Always store leftovers refrigerated to keep the tomatoes fresh and flavorful.
Keywords: marinated tomatoes, tomato salad, Mediterranean side dish, easy tomato recipe, balsamic vinegar marinade, fresh herbs, no cook recipe