Tomato Bruschetta Recipe (2024)

By Laura

Posted Apr 29, 2022, Updated Feb 17, 2024

5 from 1 vote

1 Comment

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This tomato bruschetta is easy to make in 10 minutes with a handful of simple ingredients. Learn how to make bruschetta better than your favorite Italian restaurant with this easy bruschetta recipe.

Tomato Bruschetta Recipe (2)

I can’t think of an appetizer more perfect for summer than tomato bruschetta. I love walking out to my garden on a warm summer day, picking fresh ripe tomatoes right off the vine, gathering a handful of fresh basil leaves and heading straight to the kitchen to make this recipe – served on top of homemade french bread!

This easy bruschetta recipe comes together in 10 minutes with a handful of simple ingredients but don’t let that fool you, it’s truly the best bruschetta I’ve ever had – even more delicious than my favorite Italian restaurant.

In this post you will learn how to make bruschetta as we walk through the process together.

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Tomato Bruschetta Recipe: Ingredients & Substitutions

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  • Vine-ripened tomatoes. Use your favorite tomato variety such as heirloom tomatoes, Roma tomatoes, etc.
  • Fresh basil. This really is a non-negotiable ingredient. I don’t recommend making substitutions.
  • Olive oil.
  • Balsamic Vinegar. Thereisa differencebetweenexcellentbalsamic vinegar and your run-of-the-mill varieties. High-quality balsamic vinegar should be so thick that it pours like syrup. It should be dark brown and taste sweet.It should most definitelyNOTbe thin, watery, or sour-tasting.My favorite balsamic vinegar can be foundhere.
  • Minced Garlic. I buy organic minced garlic in a jar and use that since I don’t ever seem to have time to mince fresh garlic. But you can choose whichever you prefer.
  • Bread. I enjoy using sourdough, Italian bread, or homemade French bread, etc. Just make sure to slice it into individual serving size pieces before toasting.
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How to Make Bruschetta

This bruschetta recipe is easy to make, the most time-consuming part is chopping the ingredients. We’ll walk through how to make bruschetta step-by-step, and don’t forget to watch the video.

The first step in this recipe is to make the tomato bruschetta so it can chill for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to blend. That being said, I have served it immediately and it still tastes amazing.

Begin by finely chopping the basil and dicing the tomatoes. I will often remove some of the excess seedy/watery portions of the tomatoes to avoid a runny bruschetta.

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Then, make the dressing by combining olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and minced garlic in a medium bowl and stir or whisk to combine.

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Next, add the diced tomatoes and basil to the bowl with the dressing and stir to combine.

Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste, then cover the bowl and transfer it to the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour.

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Toast the Bread

After the tomato bruschetta has chilled, it’s time to make the toasted bread for serving. Begin by slicing the bread into individual-sized servings.

Then, spread the sliced bread evenly on a large baking sheet and brush the surface of each piece with olive oil.

Bake the bread in the preheated oven for about 8 minutes, until the bread is toasted but not too hard/crispy. I should be soft to bite into but toasted enough to hold the bruschetta without turning mushy.

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Serve

Spoon the bruschetta on top of the toasted bread. If desired, add a thin slice of mozzarella cheese to the top. Serve as an appetizer to your favorite Italian dishes like this beef lasagna, pesto pasta, stuffed shells, spaghetti and homemade meatballs, or pasta primavera.

And don’t forget to make this delicious tiramisu recipe for dessert!

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Store

Store leftover tomato bruschetta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. I don’t recommend freezing this recipe. Do not store the bruschetta on top of bread.

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Bruschetta Recipe FAQs

Should bruschetta be served warm or cold?

Bruschetta can be served room temperature or cold – I prefer and suggest serving this tomato bruschetta recipe cold.

What bread is bruschetta made from?

I suggest using sourdough bread, French Bread, or Italian bread to make this recipe.


What main dish goes with bruschetta?

Serve this bruschetta recipe with your favorite Italian dishes. Some suggestions include: pesto pasta, spaghetti and homemade meatballs, pasta primavera, homemade gnocchi, and spinach tortellini.

How do you cut tomatoes for bruschetta?

Dice the tomatoes into small cubes. Remove excess watery/seedy portions of the tomatoes.

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Tomato Bruschetta Recipe (13)

Tomato Bruschetta Recipe (14)

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Easy Tomato Bruschetta Recipe

Laura

This tomato bruschetta is easy to make in 10 minutes with a handful of simple ingredients. Learn how to make bruschetta better than your favorite Italian restaurant with this easy bruschetta recipe.

5 from 1 vote

Prep Time10 minutes minutes

Cook Time8 minutes minutes

Chilling1 hour hour

Total Time1 hour hour 18 minutes minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

Make the Bruschetta

  • Finely chop the basil and dice the tomatoes.

  • In a medium-sized bowl, combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and minced garlic and stir to combine.

  • Add the diced tomatoes and basil and stir to combine.

  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.

  • Cover and transfer to the refrigerator to chill for 1 hour.

Toast the Bread

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

  • Slice bread into individual-sized servings.

  • Spread the bread evenly on a large baking sheet and brush the surface of each piece with olive oil.

  • Bake in the preheated oven for about 8 minutes, until the bread is toasted but not too hard/crispy. I should be soft to bite into but toasted enough to hold the bruschetta without turning mushy.

Assemble the Bruschetta

  • Spoon the bruschetta on top of the toasted bread. If desired, add a thin slice of mozzarella cheese to the top. Serve and enjoy.

Video

Notes

*Note: nutritional information calculated for 2 tablespoons of the tomato bruschetta mixture without the bread, since every loaf of bread has different caloric values.

Make in a Food Processor

You can also make this recipe in the food processor, but you have to be very careful not to over-process. To do this:

  1. Put the garlic, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and whole basil leaves in the container of a food processor with an “S” blade.
  2. Process until the basil is roughly chopped.
  3. Add half of the tomatoes and pulse once or twice to chop.
  4. Add the other half of the tomatoes and pulse to chop.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Vine-ripened tomatoes. Use your favorite tomato variety such as heirloom tomatoes, Roma tomatoes, etc.
  • Fresh basil. This really is a non-negotiable ingredient. I don’t recommend making substitutions.
  • Olive oil.
  • Balsamic Vinegar. Thereisa differencebetweenexcellentbalsamic vinegar and your run-of-the-mill varieties. High-quality balsamic vinegar should be so thick that it pours like syrup. It should be dark brown and taste sweet.It should most definitelyNOTbe thin, watery, or sour-tasting.My favorite balsamic vinegar can be foundhere.
  • Minced Garlic. I buy organic minced garlic in a jar and use that since I don’t ever seem to have time to mince fresh garlic. But you can choose whichever you prefer.
  • Bread. I enjoy using sourdough, Italian bread, or homemade French bread, etc. Just make sure to slice it into individual serving size pieces before toasting.

Store

Store leftover bruschetta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. I don’t recommend freezing this recipe. Do not store the bruschetta on top of bread.

Nutrition

Serving: 2Tablespoons | Calories: 49kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 102mg | Potassium: 191mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 683IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

Try these REcipes

Homemade Meatballs Recipe

Stuffed Shells

Spinach Tortellini

Pasta Primavera Recipe

Easy Pesto Pasta Recipe

Beef Lasagna

Tomato Bruschetta Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the best tomato for bruschetta? ›

Tomatoes – I like to use cherry or grape tomatoes for the bruschetta because they're easier to cut and aren't as watery and fleshy, but feel free to use Roma tomatoes or whatever is ripe in your garden!

What is bruschetta topping made of? ›

Bruschetta is a classic Italian appetizer that is easy to make at home. Toasted bread is topped with tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and fresh basil. Use a high-quality balsamic vinegar for best results.

Why is my bruschetta soggy? ›

Top the bruschetta right before serving to prevent it from going soggy. Alternatively, you can serve the bruschetta and topping separately and allow your guests to assemble them. Another step that can help is adding an ingredient to protect the bread from wetter ingredients.

Why is my bruschetta bitter? ›

Gently tear or chop them just before adding them to the bruschetta. Another factor could be overripe or low-quality tomatoes, which can taste bitter. Try using fresh, ripe tomatoes for a sweeter flavor. Also, be sure you're using good quality, fresh olive oil for the best taste.

Do you take the seeds out of tomatoes for bruschetta? ›

If you're using beefsteak or medium to large heirloom tomatoes, take the extra time to peel and seed tomatoes before dicing them. Not only can thick tomato skins and bitter seeds add a less-than-desirable flavor and texture to your topping, but seeds add extra water, which can make your toasts runny and even soggy.

How long does bruschetta last in fridge? ›

How Long Does This Classic Tomato Bruschetta Last In The Refrigerator? Keep this bruschetta covered in the refrigerator for up to three days. Going a little longer isn't going to hurt anyone, it'll just loose a lot of it's fresh consistency and texture.

What qualifies as bruschetta? ›

In its most simple form, bruschetta is a tasty tomato topping for toasted slices of crusty Italian bread. Traditionally, it's made with red ripe tomatoes, chopped herbs and extra virgin olive oil, but really, there are so many variations of bruschetta to fall in love with.

Is bruschetta good or bad for you? ›

The primary ingredient in Bruschetta is tomatoes and as you already know tomatoes are extremely good for health. They are packed with Vitamin C, Vitamin K1, folate and potassium. Moreover, they are also a rich source of antioxidants such as Chlorogenic Acid that is known to help lower blood pressure.

Will bruschetta keep overnight? ›

It is generally not recommended to leave perishable foods, especially those containing ingredients like tomatoes and garlic, at room temperature for more than 2 hours. To ensure food safety, it's advisable to refrigerate bruschetta if it has been left out for an extended period.

Why do Italians eat bruschetta? ›

Bruschetta traces its roots back to ancient Rome, where peasants created a simple dish by grilling leftover bread over an open fire. This practice allowed them to make use of stale bread and add flavor to their meals. The word “bruschetta” comes from the Italian verb “bruscare,” which means “to roast over coals.”

Should bruschetta be refrigerated? ›

Tips for Serving and Storing

This is best served cold or at room temperature. But don't let it sit at room temperature for more than 30 minutes. Bruschetta is one of those things that can last in the fridge as long as the tomatoes stay good. Eventually the vinegar will break down the tomatoes and turn kind of mushy.

What is the topping on bruschetta called? ›

food blogger Author has 2.8K answers and 46.9M. · 10mo. Though the whole thing is usually called bruschetta, the topping is called the condiment.

How do you cut the bitterness out of tomato sauce? ›

Add Some Baking Soda

If your tomato sauce is too acidic and verging on bitter, turn to baking soda, not sugar. Yes, sugar might make the sauce taste better, but good old baking soda is an alkaline that will help balance the excess acid. A little pinch should do the trick.

What is a substitute for basil in bruschetta? ›

Fresh oregano, thyme, and marjoram are all delicious substitutes for basil in bruschetta.

What kind of tomatoes do Italians use? ›

A DOP Italian tomato that's probably the best known in the world is the San Marzano tomato. San Marzano tomatoes are from the Campania region and are almost always used for tomato sauce, fresh or canned. They are somewhat elongated and have a thick and rich pulp with very few seeds.

What is the most popular tomato in Italy? ›

Simply known as San Marzano – The King of Tomatoes is one of Italy's most popular varieties. It has an intense flavor, thick flesh, and low acidity that make it perfect for creating rich tomato sauces. It is said to have fewer seeds than other varieties, which makes them easier to prepare.

What tomato has the best flavor? ›

'Gold Medal' (beefsteak, indeterminate, heirloom c. 1920) is arguably the top bicolor for taste. The giant 1-3 lb fruits are perfectly marbled with red and yellow and are large, meaty, and juicy. It has won lots of taste tests where it has been described as luscious and superb.

What is the most flavourful tomato variety? ›

Tomato 'Rosella Purple'

"The flavor of 'Rosella Purple' is truly outstanding," says LeHoullier. "The ability to get such flavor on a tomato plant easily grown in a 5-gallon pot on a porch or deck is a true advance in the selection of tomatoes possible for space-constrained gardens."

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