Blistered Tomatoes

Blistered tomatoes are cherry or grape tomatoes coated in garlic and olive oil, then sautéed until they’re juicy and bursting with flavor. Sautéed cherry tomatoes are quick and easy to cook and make a great side dish or topping for pasta and more!

With tomato season in full swing right now there is an abundance of cherry and grape tomatoes available. If you need a new recipe idea for all of those freshly grown tomatoes, look no further – this easy blistered tomatoes recipe is the BEST way to use them up!

You can make blistered tomatoes using cherry or grape tomatoes. I love using heirloom cherry tomatoes for color variety. Sautéing these small tomatoes is a quick (less than 10 minutes!) and easy way to add flavor to any meal!

Also, did you know cooking tomatoes improves their nutritional value. Winning!

That’s right. Tomatoes contain the powerful antioxidant lycopene, which has been linked to health benefits ranging from heart health to protection against sunburns and certain types of cancers. Studies have found that we’re able to absorb more lycopene from a cooked tomato than a raw tomato.

As an added plus, tomatoes that are cooked with olive oil have an even higher nutritional absorption rate. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get to the details and learn how to make blistered tomatoes!

Ingredients needed for blistered tomatoes:

One of the best parts about this recipe is that it does not require very many ingredients. However, the quality of the few ingredients you do need will largely impact the finishing taste and flavor.

• Tomatoes – Cherry or grape tomatoes will yield the best results.
• Olive Oil – I recommend using a higher quality olive oil to really elevate this recipe.
• Garlic – Optional, but highly recommend. We love fresh garlic sautéed with the tomatoes!
• Salt and Pepper – A good sea salt and crushed black pepper really bring out the flavor!
• Extras – There are a variety of herbs (basil, Italian seasoning, rosemary, oregano, thyme) that pair well with sautéed tomatoes. We also love serving these tomatoes with balsamic glaze. So good! 

Best tomatoes for blistering:

The special part about this blistered cherry tomatoes recipe is the burst of flavor you get when you bite into the individual tomatoes. Therefore, a cherry or grape tomato that has NOT been cut will be the best in delivering this flavor bomb.

For this dish, cherry or grape tomatoes will work exceptionally well. I would not recommend using other types of tomatoes.

You may be wondering the difference between cherry and grape tomatoes. Grape tomatoes typically grow to be a longer and oval shaped, whereas cherry tomatoes are usually perfectly round. Grape tomatoes also aren’t quite as sweet as cherry tomatoes. However, you can use grape tomatoes instead of cherry tomatoes in this recipe and get delicious results.

How to make blistered tomatoes:

The process could not be more simple. There are only a few steps you need to follow to get perfectly blistered cherry or grape tomatoes.

1. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Once hot, add in the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
2. Add in the tomatoes and stir to coat in the oil and garlic. Leave, untouched, for 2 minutes. Cook for 5 additional minutes, stirring often. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Remove from the heat and top with optional balsamic glaze and herbs. ENJOY!

Ways to use blistered tomatoes:

Blistered tomatoes are bursting with juicy sweetness and can be used in so many ways! Here are some of our favorite ways to use them:

• Place them on toast topped with cream cheese or sliced avocado. Add fresh herbs and a drizzle of balsamic glaze for extra deliciousness!
• Eat them straight out of the skillet!
• Toss them in a warm salad or make a caprese salad with them.
• Add them to an omelette.
• Mix them in savory oatmeal.
• Stir them into pasta.
• Use them as a topping or side dish for pizza, chicken, tofu, fish or steak.

Are cherry tomatoes healthy?

Cherry tomatoes are a great source of vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium and folate. They also are full of the antioxidant lycopene which has many health benefits including reduced risk of cancer and heart disease. There are only 27 calories and 6g of carbs in 1 cup of cherry tomatoes.

How to store these tomatoes:

Sautéed cherry tomatoes will keep well for about 3-4 days, if kept in a covered container in your fridge. However, eating these immediately is the best way to enjoy them. And they’re so flavorful and poppable, they don’t last long!

Reheating: Cooked tomatoes can either be reheated in the microwave, in a 250-300 degree oven, or in a skillet over low heat.

More tomato recipes to try:

• Tofu Caprese Skewers
• Simple Tomato Pasta
• Roasted Eggplant with Tomato and Feta
• Creamy Tomato One Pot Pasta

As usual, please let me know if you end up making this recipe and how you like it. You can come back here to leave a comment or snap a photo and tag me on Instagram @foodwithfeeling! I always love to see what y’all are making from the blog!

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