50 Delicious Fresh Tomato Recipes for Summer

Everything about this stunner of a salad screams summer. Visit your local farmers’ market, favorite roadside produce stand, or get your hands on a CSA to bring this seasonal salad to life with the freshest flavors possible. With a variety of vibrant flavors and textures—all tied together with an addictive Herbed Avocado-Tahini Dressing—this dish puts a standard salad to shame. You’ll be sure to turn heads with this beauty at your next family cook out or weekend block party; of course, it’s totally worth making all for yourself, too… because it’s just that good, and you deserve it. 

This super-sophisticated, wow-worthy dessert is a great twist on two separate dishes. It takes some time, but it’s worth it, especially for a special occasion. Poaching tomatoes in simple syrup brings out their fruitier side. Paired with buttery and salty ice cream, you’ve got a smart and different winner. Here, it’s crucial to be gentle with the tomatoes: You’re turning them from a vegetable into a fruit culinary. If you’ve got an overgrown basil plant, use those leaves for the basil syrup; thyme sprigs would also work well here, if you’re looking for something a little different. 

This simple, tasty salad from Abra Berens' Ruffage is summer in a bowl.

This vegetable chowder is bursting with vibrant farmers’ market fresh flavors. Although the soup its inspired by peak season summer produce, it’s could be made year-round with frozen vegetables. The luscious texture is achieved by incorporating a roux as the thickening base, as chowders made with cream alone can often feel overly heavy and bland in flavor. We’ve also included three easy ideas for topping this summer chowder; each is a delicious addition that has this simple-to-make recipe feeling company-worthy. And thanks to the Instant Pot, it’s speedy enough to whip up at a moment’s notice. 

Not only does this vibrant salad taste like summer on a plate, but it’s also a fantastic make-ahead recipe that doesn’t require heating up the kitchen. While this is certainly not a meal that will weigh you down, store-bought rotisserie chicken makes the tomato salad hearty enough to serve as a satisfying entree. Soaking the couscous is a genius trick that yields a perfect fluffy texture—no cooking necessary. Plus, the overnight soaking means your couscous will be chilled and ready to go when you’re ready to assemble the salad. Plan ahead to take advantage of this savvy meal prep move. 

What better way to capture the flavor of summer (to be enjoyed months from now as the weather starts to cool down) than with your own fresh tomato sauce, made with plump, peak season maters? Jarred, grocery store brands simply cannot compare to the vibrant tomato flavor this sauce delivers. The recipe here is for canning a very basic salted sauce—which can be used as the base for pasta/pizza sauce or tomato soup—as you’ll want to wait until you’re ready to pop the seal and cook with your sauce to add in aromatics and seasonings like garlic, onion, and herbs. It’s important that you closely follow the recommended directions for canning tomato products in order to avoid the risk of botulism. You can find citric acid on the baking aisle or where canning products are located in the grocery store; however, you can also substitute bottled lemon juice in place of the citric acid (1 tablespoon of juice per pint-sized jar). 

This modern take on the traditional tomato pie starts with a gluten-free crust that is buttery, delightfully crumbly, and, even better—tastes like bacon. Anyone who’s been saving their bacon grease after weekend recent breakfasts is in luck, because now is the time to let it shine. Rendered bacon fat is easiest to work with if it has solidified after chilling in the refrigerator. Use a tablespoon measure to scoop the solidified bacon fat into a small bowl to freeze; once frozen, simply pop it out of the bowl and give it a rough chop. All of that said, feel free to use a different solid fat here, such as coconut oil, if you prefer. Enough about the crust, though. The real star of this pie is the tomato—and that’s the way it should be. Featuring homemade mayo, the filling is just richly creamy enough and just herbaceous enough to make your peak season tomatoes feel extra special. And the fact that the whole thing is Paleo-friendly is just the cherry on top! While clearly, you will want to dig into your tomato pie as soon as humanly possible (we can relate), don’t skip out on salting your tomatoes. This step is crucial to a great final product as the salt helps drain the tomatoes of excess liquid without messing up their texture. We recommend baking this tomato pie in a (9-inch) glass pie dish or light metal pie pan to prevent over-browning the crust. 

This panzanella-meets-caprese stack makes for an impressive appetizer salad for two or can be enjoyed as a lovely summer lunch for one. Layering the stack with the dressing in between each delicious layer allows every component of the stack to get well coated, as the elements of a tossed salad would. Add extra cucumber and red onion (and cheese) as desired to create your perfect tower of tomato goodness. You’ll probably want to eat this composed salad with a fork and knife… and a heavy handful of napkins.

This simple and vibrant vegetable tart is great go-to recipe for entertaining. Encasing all of the classic flavors of ratatouille in a buttery, flakey crust (not to mention, adding a sprinkling of creamy goat cheese), is a beautiful and delicious way to enjoy a bounty of summer produce. Pre-roasting the vegetables allows them to develop nice color and keeps them from leaking liquid onto the crust while you bake the assembled tart. Serve as an appetizer or with a green salad for a light and lovely meal. 

The fresh summer favorite, Caprese Salad, gets a delicious and elegant makeover in this savory galette. Featuring thick slices of heirloom tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cheese, boosted with a fresh basil pesto and rich balsamic reduction, this stunning tart is loaded with bold, fresh flavors and makes for the perfect addition any summer gathering.

This recipe gives you all the favorite flavors of a baked pasta dish without heating up the oven. Round out this easy weeknight meal with a simple and satisfying dessert. When a recipe calls for a small amount of an ingredient, such as the cup of arugula in this recipe, save money and buy what you need from the salad bar at your grocery store instead of purchasing an entire package.

One of the season’s simplest and most iconic pleasures, the beloved BLT, can also double as an effortless appetizer. The quality of your tomatoes will make or break this simple sandwich. We like the color contrast of red and yellow heirloom tomatoes, but choose whichever large tomato is ripest. These little sandwiches are perfect for outdoor picnics or brunch with the ladies.

Pull out the fryer and make crunchy fried green tomatoes. Tasso is a highly spiced, cured, and smoked pork used to flavor dishes in Cajun cooking. You will often find it used in gumbos. If you can’t find tasso, look for Andouille sausage, another heavily spiced pork sausage used in Cajun dishes.

A Caprese salad—tomatoes, basil, and fresh mozzarella cheese—is one of the easiest and most delicious ways to show off peak-season Southern-grown tomatoes. Give this salad a fun new look by using a mix of multicolored cherry tomatoes and small fresh mozzarella balls (also called “bocconcini”) tossed in a simple vinaigrette. The dressing calls for white balsamic vinegar—regular balsamic vinegar will taste fine, but will turn the cheese brown—but you can use white wine vinegar instead. While we love the look of this side dish on a pretty platter, you can also skewer the ingredients to make Caprese kebabs. Either way, Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad is best served at room temperature (not straight from the refrigerator) when the tomatoes are juicy and the cheese is soft.

We topped this summer pizza with fresh corn, bell peppers, plum tomatoes, and hot Italian sausgae. The sausage and tomatoes cook together to create a rich sauce, which is used as a base for summer corn, peppers, and even more tomatoes. Use fresh pizza dough and par-cook the crust before adding the toppings for the crispiest results.

There's no need to pull out the food processor to make the small amount of breadcrumbs for this recipe. Just tear bread by hand into very small pieces; the rustic texture is perfect.

This pasta looks special, but it’s doable for a weeknight dinner if you roast and refrigerate the tomatoes in advance. You can store them in an airtight container up to two days.

Use ground beef or bison here. Available in most grocery stores, bison is eco-friendly and has fewer calories and less sat fat than beef. Try these meatballs with spaghetti, or pile them on a whole-wheat hoagie for a wholesome take on the classic meatball sub.

Popping up in more grocery stores these days, shishito peppers are a mild, thin-skinned pepper that have a secret—about one in eight has a surprising kick of heat. For a milder dish, substitute mini bell peppers.

Congratulations—You just found your new go-to pasta salad! This veggie-packed beauty is nice and filling, thanks to meaty eggplant. If you can’t find burrata, simply tear 6 ounces of fresh mozzarella into bite-size pieces. Heading to a potluck? Feel free to make this recipe ahead of time; just be sure to let it come to room temperature and toss with an extra drizzle of vinegar and oil before serving. Add a few tablespoons of chopped fresh basil leaves for an extra layer of flavor.

Our salad update is a spectacular platter of tomatoes treated in all the ways that make the most of their flavor: pickled, roasted, and left raw. It does involve a few steps, but you can fry the farro and pickle the green tomatoes a few days in advance to get ahead.

This elegantly simple salad is summer in a bowl. Sunshine-yellow and ruby-red wedges of juicy tomato anchor this dish with a hefty dose of lycopene, a heart-helping, cancer-fighting antioxidant. Cucumber and bell pepper bring their crunch to the party, while lemon and chile keep things lively with heat and zing. Remember—summer tomatoes are extra juicy, so plan to serve this salad soon after making it for the most concentrated flavor.

Toasty bread, juicy tomatoes, melty cheese, and smoky bacon—what’s not to love? These decadent grilled sandwiches are the perfect place to put your ripe summer tomatoes, and pair beautifully with a light, refreshing summer soup. While you could certainly prepare them in a skillet on the stove, going to the grill takes these superb summer sandwiches to the next level. 

Smaller tomatoes, like cherry or grape, have brighter, fruitier flavors than larger ones. Look for colorful selections such as the orange Sun Gold and the purple Black Cherry. Cherry tomatoes need only a few minutes in a hot pan before they soften and release their naturally sweet juices. For the best flavor, use fresh shrimp, not frozen, and don’t overcook them, or the shrimp will become tough. Tarragon’s anise notes complement the cherry tomatoes and cream, but you can substitute basil or oregano.

You can swap out your favorite garden tomatoes for the heirlooms in this tomato-centric salad, but don’t replace the green tomato. Some tomato selections (like Green Zebra) ripen to a lovely shade of green, but this dressing calls for a not-yet-ripened red tomato. Its tart flavor is key to the vinaigrette, which tastes great with any grilled meat or vegetable.

This smoky relish is delicious on just about anything you grill; from fish to chicken, or even thick slices of country bread.

This twist on chicken piccata has the traditional sauce made from butter, lemon juice, capers, and white wine, but gets a burst of summery flavor from blistered tomatoes. Avoid over-stirring the cherry tomatoes in the hot pan; you want them to brown and caramelize. Use your favorite dry white wine in the recipe, and serve the rest with dinner.

We love beefsteak tomatoes because they are meaty, firm, and perfect for stuffing. Brush the inside of each hollowed-out tomato with bacon drippings to make them extra smoky and savory. As the tomatoes roast and soften, their tangy juices enhance the bacon, spinach, and couscous stuffing.  You can easily swap out the couscous for rice, orzo, or quinoa.

Flavored with fresh herbs, lemon, and a hint of hot sauce, and coated with crunchy panko breadcrumbs, these crab cakes truly live up to their name. The tangy and crisp slaw is a fantastic accompaniment to this dish, or any type of fried seafood.

Yes! You can make chicken and rice in 20 minutes. When a craving for comfort food hits and you need it in a hurry, this fast take on chicken and rice hits the spot. Stirring chopped baby spinach into warm brown rice is a smart way to get more vegetables and jazz up an otherwise plain starchy side. Our pro tips for speedy cooking: Cut chicken into bite-size pieces so it cooks in just a few minutes, use precooked rice and heat it in the microwave, then use the hot rice to wilt the spinach for you while you finish the chicken. Fresh thyme, chopped basil, or parsley are all good stand-ins for the rosemary. Round out the meal with a glass of sauvignon blanc.

When you’re working with juicy, ripe summer tomatoes, there’s really no need for fuss. We keep it simple in this no-frills tomato pie recipe by utilizing store-bought pie crust and pimiento cheese. We found that a thick pimiento cheese, such as Palmetto brand, works best for this recipe. 

This recipe will remind you of how good a pork chop can be. While the pork chops roast in the oven, the savory pan gravy comes together quickly on the stove-top, making a company-worthy meal in under an hour. You can easily swap out the green beans for thin asparagus spears or sliced zucchini for a personalized dish.

Think your Ragu has to filled with ground beef? Think again. While traditionally a meat sauce, we’ve developed flavors and textures in this sauce with multiple varieties of mushrooms. Serve a loaf of warm bread to sop up all the saucy goodness of this pasta dish. Use a Parmesan rind in your Ragu, soups, and stews to subtly infuse the dish with the flavors of the cheese. If the rind doesn’t dissolve during the cooking process, you can remove it from the mixture, as instructed in this recipe, or break it up with a fork into small, chewy pieces. While any pasta shape will work with this hearty vegetarian dish, we prefer penne or ziti; these noodles help capture every last bite of the chunky sauce.

The summer's favorite produce is compiled together to create this vibrant and beautiful salad. The salad is tossed in a sweet and savory honey vinaigrette and topped with feta for a stunning finish.

Garlicky tomato sauce gets an umami boost courtesy of flavor-packed anchovy fillets. Garnish with fresh basil, some sliced Fresno chile, and copious amounts of Parm for a simple yet satisfying dish.

Roasting fresh plum tomatoes (such as Roma or San Marzano) intensifies the flavor and gives this sauce a caramelized robustness lacking from tomatoes straight from the can. 

We loved the classic caprese salad so much, we transformed it into a vibrant summer “salsa,” so that we could top just about everything with it. The simple, but so satisfying, flavor combo of ripe, juicy tomatoes, fresh basil, and rich mozzarella cheese is the perfect path to amping up any number of your favorite summertime staples. Serve this fresh and flavor-packed topper over grilled steak or chicken, use it as a burger relish, or spoon it onto crostini or grilled bread for an awesome and easy appetizer. 

Just like the dip at your favorite Mexican restaurant—only better! This fresh and spicy salsa makes a big batch, but trust us, it won't last long. 

Transferring the bottom baking sheet to the middle rack during the last few minutes of cooking time allows the top to brown slightly.

Give another grain a try. One of the most common staple grains in other parts of the world, millet (available from Bob's Red Mill) is a naturally gluten-free whole grain. Its nutty corn flavor pairs well with tart cherry tomatoes, thyme, and Parmesan in this easy side. Cooking the millet in a little butter until it's fragrant and golden is worth the extra couple minutes to bring out the toasty grain flavor. Serve with seared scallops or top with a poached egg and round out your plate with a baby kale salad.

Think of this as a lighter, fresher take on chicken Parmesan: We ditch the breading on the poultry and let juicy cherry tomatoes stand in for jarred pasta sauce. A little grated carrot adds just enough sweetness to round out the acidity in the tomatoes. Mini balls of fresh mozzarella, also called ciliegine, melt just enough in the finished pasta so that the dish feels extra cheesy. This would also be delicious with cooked, crumbled Italian turkey sausage or with simply sauteed shrimp.

One pan, a handful of ingredients, and 30 minutes are all you need to put this impressive pork chop skillet dinner on the table. This flavor-packed, single-skillet supper is an easy dinner for two that feels like something special. It’s also an ideal recipe for one, as the leftover chop and veggies reheat well for a next-day lunch worth looking forward to. 

Earlier this year Whole Foods vegan BLT hit the shelves and people started going nuts for it. So we decided to make our own version, so you can make it at home, for less. It's the perfect sandwich if you love the flavor of smoked food but want to skip eating animal protein or just want to change it up with a plant-based meal. To make the smoked tempeh, you’ll need a disposable foil pan plus some small wood chips. Look for small wood chips labeled specifically as “smoking chips” at some supermarkets and most hardware stores near the grilling supplies. For the best tomato flavor, go for a perfectly ripe heirloom tomato. Serve with roasted (or air-fried) potato wedges or sweet potato fries.

Malt vinegar has a mid-palate weight that pairs nicely with the acidic tomatoes, crispy okra, and sweet onion.

Serve this fresh summer salad with plenty of crusty bread to soak up the flavorful tomato juices.

This warm, roasted tomato soup is perfect for weeknights and weekends alike. Pair this soup with a grilled cheese sandwich, and you're all set. An immersion blender, one of our favorite kitchen gadgets, makes pureeing this rich and creamy soup a snap. If you don’t have this kitchen tool, try this Southern Living Test Kitchen trick: simply transfer the hot soup in batches to a blender and process until smooth. Fill the blender no more than halfway so steam can escape.

You don’t have to wait for cold weather to enjoy a satisfying bowl of soup. Gazpacho is a refreshingly chilled, summer soup, usually made with a pureed mixture of fresh tomatoes and other garden vegetables, olive oil, breadcrumbs garlic. You can even stir in cold shrimp or crab to make this a more complete meal.  The gazpacho is even better when prepared one day ahead and stored in the refrigerator, which allows the flavors more time to blend.

This hearty condiment can stand up to just about anything, from charred flank steak to grilled halibut. If you can’t find Castelvetrano olives, pick out the mildest green olives you can find.