Marinated Cherry Tomatoes Recipe (2024)

Marinated cherry tomatoes are a colorful, juicy and tasty side dish that is perfect for summer parties, buffets and large gatherings because it can be made hours in advance! This is one of our favorite cherry tomato recipes!

Marinated Cherry Tomatoes Recipe (1)

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This recipe has just 4 ingredients and the process couldn’t be easier! I hesitate to call it a ‘recipe’, but we all need quick and easy side dishes when we’d rather not be doing heavy cooking in summer.

P.S. We have included Amazon affiliate links below for our favorite tools used to make this recipe.

One of our readers, Olga, wrote in and shared this idea for these marinated cherry tomatoes. She takes it a step further; blanching and peeling the tomatoes before marinating. We equally loved them peeled or unpeeled so we are sharing the unpeeled easier method; just slice them in half and you are ready to roll! Thank you Olga for sharing this treasure of a recipe!

Marinated Cherry Tomatoes Recipe (2)

Ingredients for Cherry Tomato Recipe:

We used the 2 lb pack of multi-colored baby tomatoes at Costco, but any cherry or even grape-sized tomatoes would work well in this recipe.

Which Italian Dressing is Best?

We used “Ken’s Steakhouse” LIGHTItalian dressing and loved that it had a little bit of parmesan in the ingredients. Olga who shared this recipe uses a “Zesty Italian” dressing. You can experiment and use YOUR favorite Italian dressing but I would suggest using one that is clearer in appearance (NOT CREAMY). You still want the color of your Italian marinated tomatoes to pop without disappearing into the marinade. If you have an option, select “Light” which will have less oil and more uniform marinating and is also less likely to solidify if refrigerated.

Marinated Cherry Tomatoes Recipe (3)

How to Make Italian Marinated Cherry Tomatoes:

1. Rinse cherry tomatoes and cut them in half. It is easiest to slice with a serrated knife and I slice them through the center because they look prettier.

Marinated Cherry Tomatoes Recipe (4)

2. Add the sliced tomatoes to a glass mixing bowl or container (or right into a quart-sized glass jar with lid). Add the chopped parsley and garlic then pour over 1 1/2 to 2 cups of Italian dressing or just enough to barely cover the tomatoes. Stir and cover to marinate.

Marinated Cherry Tomatoes Recipe (5)

How Long should I Marinate Tomatoes?

The tomatoes will be more flavorful the longer they sit and need a bare minimum marinating time of 2 hours. I cover and leave these on the counter at room temperature for 4 hours and serve – you will want to chill them after that if there are leftovers. They keep very well refrigerated overnight.

Marinated Cherry Tomatoes Recipe (6)

If you have leftover tomatoes or want to serve them with breakfast, try serving them as bruschetta. All you need are some toasted baguettes. So easy and good!

More Cherry Tomato Recipes to Discover:

  • Chicken Pesto Roll Ups with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
  • Chicken Mango Avocado Salad with baby tomatoes
  • Creamy Avocado Pasta Salad with fresh cherry tomatoes
  • BLT Salad with THE BEST dressing (super easy!)

Print-Friendly Marinated Cherry Tomato Recipe:

Marinated Cherry Tomatoes Recipe

4.97 from 29 votes

Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com

Marinated Cherry Tomatoes Recipe (8)

Marinated cherry tomatoes are a colorful, juicy and tasty side dish that is perfect for summer parties and entertaining because they can be made ahead! Let tomatoes marinate at least 2-4 hours. They are even better overnight.

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Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 15 minutes mins

Ingredients

Servings: 10 servings as a side dish

  • 2 lb cherry tomatoes*
  • 1/2 bunch parsley, (1/2 cup finely chopped)
  • 2 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups light Italian dressing**

Instructions

  • Rinse and cut cherry tomatoes in half.

  • Add the sliced tomatoes to a glass mixing bowl or quart-sized glass jar with lid. Add chopped parsley and minced garlic then add 1 1/2 to 2 cups of Italian dressing or just enough to barely cover the tomatoes.

  • Stir, cover and let sit at room temperature for at least 2-4 hours to marinate or refrigerate overnight.

Nutrition Per Serving

102kcal Calories8g Carbs1g Protein7g Fat1g Saturated Fat361mg Sodium243mg Potassium6g Sugar695IU Vitamin A24.6mg Vitamin C18mg Calcium0.9mg Iron

  • Full Nutrition Label
  • Nutrition Disclosure

Nutrition Facts

Marinated Cherry Tomatoes Recipe

Amount per Serving

Calories

102

% Daily Value*

Fat

7

g

11

%

Saturated Fat

1

g

6

%

Sodium

361

mg

16

%

Carbohydrates

8

g

3

%

Sugar

6

g

7

%

Protein

1

g

2

%

Vitamin A

695

IU

14

%

Vitamin C

24.6

mg

30

%

Calcium

18

mg

2

%

Iron

0.9

mg

5

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: marinated cherry tomatoes

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $

Calories: 102

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

Q: Do you have a go-to summer side dish? I am always looking for new ideas and would love to hear from you in a comment below!!

PS. Thank you so much for following along, trying our recipes, and sharing them with the people you love. Whether you are here for the first time or have been hanging out with us for the past 9 years, THANK YOU for stopping by! You are always welcome here.

Loads of Love,

-Natasha 🙂

Natasha Kravchuk

Marinated Cherry Tomatoes Recipe (9)

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

Read more posts by Natasha

Marinated Cherry Tomatoes Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you make cherry tomatoes taste better? ›

Cooking the tomatoes low and slow in olive oil and heavy seasoning will concentrate their flavor, drawing most of the water out. Drizzle your tomatoes with olive oil and generously season with salt and pepper, then roast in a 200-degree oven for about an hour to an hour and a half.

What can I add to tomatoes to make them taste better? ›

Yes, there are other ways to make your tomatoes taste even better and increase the acidity. There is lemon, vinegar, or my personal favorite, balsamic. Just imagine a tomato bruschetta with a balsamic vinaigrette drizzled on top.

What is the best way to eat cherry tomatoes? ›

The easiest to prepare way to eat cherry tomatoes is to simply eat them raw, whole. Very tasty. Other preparations I use that involve a bit more work… Cut them in half and put them on a grill pan (or broiling - if you're in the US) cut side up.

Why are my cherry tomatoes tasteless? ›

Watery, tasteless fruit is due to overwatering. When a plant starts fruiting, it starts looking yellow and tired. That's when we often rush out and water the plant to help perk it up.

What makes cherry tomatoes bitter? ›

What causes bitter garden tomatoes? It might be the variety. Maybe you are growing fruit that is particularly acidic that translates as sourness to your taste buds. High acid and low sugar tomatoes tend to be very tart or sour.

Can I freeze cherry tomatoes? ›

But, can you freeze cherry tomatoes? As it turns out, the bite-sized fruits couldn't be easier to pop in the freezer, so you can enjoy the taste of summer all year long. Just remember that freezing changes tomatoes' texture, so it's best to eat frozen tomatoes cooked into a sauce or soup, rather than fresh.

Can you overeat cherry tomatoes? ›

Eating too many cherry tomatoes can give you acid reflux and other negative digestive side effects. This may be due to the malic acid in cherry tomatoes.

Can dogs eat cherry tomatoes? ›

How to Safely Let Your Pet Enjoy Tomatoes. Ripe tomatoes are classified as nontoxic to pets but should be considered a treat, not a meal. So, sharing a freshly picked cherry tomato from the garden or offering a slice of tomato when making dinner is fine for your dog. Just be sure to remove any stems or leaves.

What seasonings taste good on tomatoes? ›

More Spices to Pair with Tomatoes
  • Chili powder.
  • Cayenne pepper.
  • Fennel seeds.
  • Homemade taco seasoning.
  • Homemade fajita seasoning.
  • Homemade Cajun seasoning.
Feb 8, 2021

What flavor cancels out tomato? ›

Cinnamon and nutmeg to eliminate tomato sourness

If you use canned or bottled peeled tomatoes, you can "soften" the sourness by adding half a teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg while cooking.

Does Epsom salt make tomatoes taste better? ›

Fact! Adding Epsom salts to your plant either through foliar spray or direct watering is a great way of boosting micronutrient absorption. This helps your tomato plant produce large, juicy, and very sweet fruits. Remember that a little bit goes a long way and too much can cause more problem than it fixes.

Do cherry tomatoes last longer in the refrigerator or on the counter? ›

Storing and Handling Guidelines

Store ripe cherry or grape tomatoes ideally at 45 to 60 °F with a relative humidity of 95%. Under these conditions, tomatoes will be acceptable for up to 10 days. Tomatoes stored at refrigeration temperatures below 41 °F will have approximate shelf life of 5 days.

Do you put cherry tomatoes in the fridge or counter? ›

The same rules apply to cherry tomatoes. Keep them on the counter in a bowl if possible. If your cherry tomatoes are very ripe or your kitchen is very warm, move them into the fridge. But, as with all tomatoes, let them come to room temperature again before freezing for the best flavor and texture.

Why are my cherry tomatoes tough? ›

In particular, lack of water or inconsistent soil moisture can cause tomato skins to thicken. You can do something about these possibilities by giving the plants a good, deep soaking every few days when it doesn't rain. You could also rig up a drip-irrigation or soaker-hose system.

How do you make cherry tomatoes less sweet? ›

Red wine vinegar is another good choice, though Rachael Ray adds balsamic to her cherry tomato sauce. Robust Kitchen recommends an unconventional vinegary ingredient: mustard. Because mustard is acidic, it can tone down the sugar.

How do you make cherry tomatoes less sour? ›

You can reduce the acidity of tomatoes by adding some baking soda after you cook them. You can also remove the seeds, reduce the time you cook tomatoes, or add them to a dish raw.

How do you make store bought tomatoes sweeter? ›

Brown or granulated sugar is often used for this, but you can also use honey or maple syrup in its place. All that's left to do is drizzle some of the sweet goodness over a few slices of tomatoes.

How do you make tomatoes sweeter? ›

Second when tomatos begin to appear and are about 1 inch in diameter lightly sprinkle baking soda around each plant to make them sweeter. Repeat this process again when tomatoes are about half grown. I used a lot of baking soda in his picture so it would show up but about 1/4 cup per plant is plenty.

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