21 Fresh and Easy Recipes for Ripe Red Summer Tomatoes

We're keeping it simple to let the tomatoes shine.

By
Rachel Knecht
Rachel Knecht
Rachel Knecht
Rachel Knecht turned her home baking into a career in 2016 when she began working as the head baker at The Greenbean Coffeehouse in Seattle, WA. Afterwards, she started Baking with Rachel (her blog), began teaching kids' cooking classes, and recipe tested for the cookbook "Let's Stay In" by Ashley Rodriguez.
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Published August 13, 2023
Rachel Knecht
Plate of arugula salad with corn and tomatoes

Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

Every year my dad planted two or three tomato plants. That was it. No zucchini, sugar snap peas, or cucumbers to weed or trellis. Just tomato plants. This no-nonsense approach to gardening rewarded us with ruby red tomatoes all summer long. We ate them on BLTs for dinner, which was one of my all time favorite meals.

It’s not until I bite into a garden grown tomato that I remember how flavorful they are. Tomatoes come in all different sizes and varieties. Cherry and grape tomatoes are easily snackable and perfectly sized for pasta salads. Roma tomatoes have thicker walls and are great for cooking. Heirloom tomatoes are best enjoyed simply so that their nuance isn’t lost. 

If you’re looking for inspiration, check out these simple recipes that feature raw (or only slightly cooked) tomatoes for you to enjoy on hot summer days.

  • Tomato Egg

    a plate of Chinese tomato egg

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

    Tomato egg is so simple and so satisfying. Contributor Frank Tiu says “Chinese tomato egg is commonly served with a bowl of jasmine rice. The saucy tomatoes will infuse and permeate through the grains, making each bite of rice exciting.”

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  • Simple Summer Tomato Salad

    Bowl of Simple Summer Tomato Salad with a Serving Spoon

    Simply Recipes / Lori Rice

    Glow up sliced tomatoes with an easy vinaigrette and fresh herbs. Heirloom tomatoes really shine in this salad. Look for ones that are undamaged and feel heavy for their size.

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  • No-Cook Tomato Basil Pasta

    Bowl of No Cook Tomato Sauce Pasta with a Fork

    Simply Recipes / Sarah Tane

    I make pasta all year around but this pasta keeps me from standing over a hot stove. The sauce ingredients are mixed together and then can rest in the refrigerator before warming with the pasta. Use really ripe and juicy tomatoes for the best results. 

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  • Arugula Salad with Tomatoes, Corn, and Burrata

    Summer Salad with Tomatoes and Corn
    Sally Vargas

    Two types of tomatoes grace this simple salad. Toss them with fresh sweet corn, arugula, burrata, and a quick red wine vinaigrette and enjoy summer on a plate. If you can’t find burrata, substitute it for fresh or shredded mozzarella—or even cottage cheese.

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    Continue to 5 of 21 below.

  • Antipasto Salad

    Bowl of Antipasto Salad With Utensils on a Robin Egg Colored Kitchen Towel, and Next to It, a Bowl of Green Olives and a Jar of Salad Dressing With a Spoon

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

    Finding a crowd-pleasing, easy dinner salad is worth the chopping they require. You can mix the ingredients together the day before, leaving only the dressing and croutons to add when you're ready to serve. 

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  • Caprese Salad With Tomatoes, Basil, and Mozzarella

    Platter of Caprese Salad With Tomatoes, Basil, and Mozzarella Next to a Plate With a Serving, All on a Yellow Placemat

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    The first time I had caprese salad, I understood why it was classic. Juicy tomatoes, soft cheese, and fresh basil all topped with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. This one is worth splurging on the ingredients. You’ll be glad you did.

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  • Lok Lak (Shaking Beef)

    Lok Lak Served Over Sliced Tomatoes and Lettuce on a Platter With a Bowl of Pepper-Lime Sauce, and in the Background, a Bowl of Rice

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

    This Cambodian dish is usually served for special occasions, but when it only takes 35 minutes, you could easily make this on a weekday. Lany Phlong says “The sauce for lak lok contains salt, sugar, pepper, garlic, and lime. It rounds out the flavor of the beef by adding sour, spicy, and salty notes." Layer the beef on lettuce leaves and sliced tomatoes.

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  • Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwich

    Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwiches on a Parchment Lined Tray, and on the Counter Next to the Tray, Plates With Individual Ingredients

    Simply Recipes / Hannah Zimmerman

    This ciabatta bun sandwich comes piled high with grilled chicken, fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. Beefsteak tomatoes are easy to find anytime of year, but heirlooms would also be delicious.

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    Continue to 9 of 21 below.

  • Greek Pasta Salad

    Gluten Free Greek Pasta Salad
    Sabrina Modelle

    Pasta is a family favorite and when the weather warms up, I reach for pasta salads. This one is bursting with flavor and a great way to clean out the crisper or to use up the produce from the garden. Try out this easy hack for slicing cherry tomatoes and cut down on prep time!

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  • BLT Wraps

    BLT Wraps on a Plate with Chips

    Simply Recipes / Nick Evans

    Whether you eat these for lunch or dinner, you’ll love the flavor the chive mayo brings to the classic bacon, lettuce, and tomato combo. This recipe makes 6 wraps so there’s plenty to go around.

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  • Lentil Salad with Summer Vegetables

    French Lentil Salad Recipe
    Sheryl Julian

    This simple grain salad highlights cherry tomatoes, which is exactly what I want to eat for lunch on hot summer days. Make the lentils and dressing ahead of time and then add the vegetables for a fresh salad every day.

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  • One-Pan Paprika Chicken with Potatoes and Tomatoes

    Paprika Chicken and Potatoes with Tomatoes horizontal in a baking dish
    Sally Vargas

    Anyone else forget that one-pan dinners don’t need to be in a sheet pan? Instead, this chicken dinner is made in a 9 x 13 casserole dish, which helps the marinade and chicken juices flavor the vegetables. you add the cherry tomatoes towards the end of baking to keep them juicy.

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  • Bruschetta with Tomato and Basil

    How to Make Bruschetta

    Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker

    This is one of those recipes that tastes like it took a lot longer than it actually does. Serve as a side dish or an appetizer at your next backyard bash.

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  • BLT Pasta

    Summery blt pasta on a table with white linens, utensils and ice water.
    Alison Bickel

    By now you know how I feel about BLTs, so you can only imagine my delight at this BLT pasta. It’s similar to a pasta salad, except it’s served warm and the dressing is only added to the greens. The grape tomatoes are treated with care, drawing out their flavor and enhancing the whole dish.

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  • Stone Fruit, Tomato and Cucumber Salad

    Stone fruit and vegetable salad in a serving bowl with a linen underneath.
    Alison Bickel

    Tomatoes are technically fruit, so why not let them mingle with summer’s other shining stars: peaches, plums, and cherries? Any type of ripe tomato works in this chopped salad. Just use what you have on hand.

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  • Grilled Cheese BLT

    Grilled Cheese BLT sandwiches
    Aaron Hutcherson

    Adding melty cheese to a crispy BLT is a genius move. Slicing tomatoes like beefsteaks work the best for these deluxe sandwiches. 

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    Continue to 17 of 21 below.

  • Pico de Gallo (Fresh Salsa)

    tomato salsa in a bowl showing chopped tomatoes and onion
    Elise Bauer

    Make a batch of tortilla chips and serve them with a large bowl of homemade pico de gallo. Look for firm tomatoes, such as Roma, for this recipe.

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  • Tomatoes on Toast

    Sliced tomatoes on a crusty bread.
    Elise Bauer

    Toast is one of life’s simple pleasures. Eat it for breakfast or lunch, make it for guests, or just for yourself. Find juicy slicing tomatoes and a spreadable cheese, such as Boursin, and layer it on toasted crusty bread.

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  • Tomato, Onion, and Avocado Salad

    Tomato Onion Avocado Salad
    Elise Bauer

    Get out a large serving platter for this layered side dish. You’ll want juicy slicing tomatoes, such as heirloom, and good olive oil to finish it off.

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  • Cold Tomato Summer Vegetable Soup

    A bowl of cold tomato vegetable soup on a placemat.
    Elise Bauer

    Cold + soup sounds like an oxymoron but when the temperature is rising, it's a refreshing option when you just can’t eat one more salad. It’s full of tomatoes, zucchini, and bell peppers and thinned with tomato juice. Serve as a side for grilled chicken or as a light lunch with crusty bread.

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    Continue to 21 of 21 below.

  • Zucchini Tomato Quiche

    Zucchini Tomato Quiche on a blue linen.
    Elise Bauer

    Quiche is welcome at any brunch so why not flex with a homemade version? This one features a filling of zucchini, Parmesan, and cherry tomatoes suspended in a creamy custard. Let cool to room temperature before serving.

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