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Made with fresh tomatoes, vibrant basil, and toasted bread, this easy Tomato Bruschetta recipe delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort required.
Looking for more recipes that make the most of garden-fresh tomatoes? You will love Caprese Salad, Cucumber Tomato Salad, Blender Salsa, and Tomato Pizza.
My Favorite Bruschetta Recipe
Bruschetta is a classic Italian appetizer that is made with garlic-rubbed toasted bread. The options for toppings are endless, but the combination of juicy, sweet tomatoes, vibrant basil, and rich olive oil is not only classic, but in my opinion, the absolute best version of bruschetta.
Tomato Bruschetta is light. It is fresh. And while classically served as an appetizer, when paired with a salad (like a tossed Greek salad or Caesar salad) bruschetta makes the best light summer dinner.
Happy Cooking! xo Kristen
Notes on Ingredients
Tomato Bruschetta is made with only a handful of simple ingredients, so it goes a long way to choose them with care, especially the tomatoes!
- Tomatoes: In the summer, use vine-ripened or garden-fresh heirloom or beefsteak tomatoes. When tomatoes aren't in season, it is best to use cherry tomatoes or Campari tomatoes, as both are delicious year-round.
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Look for one labeled cold-pressed and that originates from one single country.
- Basil: Optional, but encouraged.
- Bread: Select a quality crusty, yeasty bread like Italian bread or a baguette.
How to Make Tomato Bruschetta
The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the ingredient quantities and detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Deseed Tomatoes. If you are using tomatoes other than cherry tomatoes, you will want to remove the seeds from the tomatoes to prevent your Bruschetta from becoming soggy. To do this, simply cut the tomatoes in half and then use a spoon to scoop out watery seeds.
- Prepare Tomato Topping. Dice the seeded tomatoes and add to a large bowl. Add olive oil, salt, and pepper. Then grate the garlic cloves using a small grater or microplane right over the tomatoes and toss to combine. Let the tomato mixture sit while the bread sits
- Toast Bread. Slice the bread of choice into ½-inch thick slices and toast in the oven until just golden.
- Rub Bread with Garlic. A classic step to good bruschetta is to gently rub the toasted bread with a clove of garlic. The warm bread will be infused with a subtle garlic flavor and make the perfect base for the tomato topping.
- Assemble and Serve. To serve tomato bruschetta, drain off any liquid that may have accumulated in the tomato mixture and serve over the the toasted bread. If desired, drizzle the bruschetta with more extra virgin olive oil and top with additional ribbons of basil.
Kristen's Key Tips
- Grate the garlic. Rather than using minced garlic or garlic powder, it is best to finely grate a garlic clove right into the tomato bruschetta topping. This will keep the garlic from overpowering the tomato topping.
- Assemble right before serving. It is best not to assemble the tomato bruschetta until immediately before serving, as the bruschetta will become soggy as it sits. Another option is to serve the tomato topping in a bowl alongside a basket of the toasted bread and allow guests to assemble the bruschetta themselves.
- Leftover Bread? If you have leftover toasted bread, use to make homemade croutons.
Bruschetta Variations
- Add Cheese: Tomato Bruschetta is delicious when the tomato topping is prepared with the addition of cheese, be it grated parmesan or small chunks of fresh mozzarella.
- Add Oregano: Instead of using fresh basil, try adding up to 1 teaspoon of fresh oregano to the tomato mixture.
- Add a Shallot: A finely minced shallot is a delicious addition to the tomato bruschetta topping. I don't recommend using yellow or red onions as they can overwhelm your palate when eaten raw.
- Add Olives: For a briny kick, add a couple of tablespoons of kalamata olives to the tomato mixture.
- Drizzle with Balsamic: Drizzle the assembled bruschetta with a balsamic glaze right before serving.
- Add Pesto: Top the toasted bruschetta with a smear of basil pesto before adding the tomato topping.
More Favorite Appetizers
- Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
- Sausage Balls
- Baked Brie
- Pull-Apart Pizza Bread
- The Best Deviled Eggs Recipe
- Air Fryer Potato Skins
- Whipped Brie
Did you make this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment with a 5-star review at the bottom of the post. Thank you!
Tomato Bruschetta
Made with fresh, ripe tomatoes, basil, and toasted bread, this easy recipe for Tomato Bruschetta makes a perfect appetizer for any gathering!
Video
Ingredients
- 4 large vine-ripened tomatoes, ripe and at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 2 cloves garlic, divided
- 5 medium basil leaves, sliced into ribbons
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 dash freshly grated black pepper
- 1 small baguette or skinny loaf of unsliced French or Italian bread
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉ (175℃).
- Cut the tomatoes in half and use a spoon to scoop out the watery seeds from the tomatoes and discard. Dice the tomatoes into ½-inch pieces and place them into a large mixing bowl.
- Finely grate 1 clove of peeled garlic over the tomatoes (using a Microplane grater or small cheese grater). Add basil ribbons, 1 ½ tablespoon of olive oil, kosher salt, and pepper to the tomato mixture and gently toss together. Let the mixture sit at room temperature while the bread toasts.
- Cut the bread into ½-inch thick slices and brush each side with the remaining ½ tablespoon of olive oil. Place the bread onto a large rimmed baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven, flip the bread and continue to bake for 5 minutes, or until the bread is golden.
- Remove toasted bread from the oven and rub each slice of bread with the remaining cloves of garlic.
- Drain off any liquid that may have accumulated in the tomato mixture and serve over the the toasted bread. If desired, drizzle the bruschetta with more extra virgin olive oil and serve immediately.
Notes
Tomatoes: Use the freshest, ripest tomatoes possible. And do not refrigerate your tomatoes. They have the best flavor if stored at room temperature. If you are making this outside the summer months, or when tomatoes are in season, opt to use grape or cherry tomatoes which are always bursting with flavor.
Olive Oil: Look for one labeled cold-pressed and that originates from one single country.
Serving for a Crowd: Because the bread will become soggy if you assemble the bruschetta more than 15-20 minutes before serving, you will want to serve the toasted bread and tomato topping separately and allow guests to assemble themselves.
Storage: Tomato Bruschetta is best served within a few hours of preparation. If you happen to have leftover tomato topping, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
Nutrition
Calories: 127kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 3gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 463mgPotassium: 175mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 505IUVitamin C: 8.1mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 1.1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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This is the best appetizer or snack. Love your tips for how to make it restaurant quality... especially with GARDEN FRESH tomatoes! I could easily make a meal out of this!
I often make a meal out of this myself! So good. I love hearing you enjoyed this recipe as well.
My hubby and I just love tomato bruschetta! Such a delicious and refreshing recipe. I made this for a little get together and everyone loved it! Definitely making this again!
Thanks for sharing Beth! I love hearing you enjoyed.
I needed something light to serve some guests after they arrived from the airport and this was a HIT! Thank you!
What a fabulous way to be welcomed!
I know this is meant to be an appetizer but it is so flavorful I just may eat it as a meal! Delish!
Beth, I am right there with you--I could just eat this for dinner! So glad you enjoyed!
One of my favorite ways to use up those fresh summer tomatoes! So delicious with tons of flavor!
It really is a perfect way to celebrate summer's bounty!