Grandma's Bruschetta Tomatoes Recipe (2024)

Are you looking for ways to use your summer tomato harvest? Wait until you try this classic bruschetta tomatoes recipe straight from my grandmother’s vault!

One of the best parts of summer is harvesting tomatoes.

I LOVE fresh garden tomatoes, don’t you?

My new raised bed vegetable garden has been producing like crazy this year! Because my harvest is out of control I’m looking for different ways to use them in recipes.

We’ve been enjoying this recipe for Caprese salad almost every day.

And now that my virtual supper club group is hosting a tailgating party, I’m all about making my grandmother’s recipe for bruschetta tomatoes.

It’s the perfect finger food that you can prepare ahead and serve at a tailgate or as an appetizer for another dinner party.

Who am I kidding?

It’s perfect to snack on too!

Wait until you try my grandmother’s bruschetta tomatoes recipe!

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What is Bruschetta?

Bruschetta is an Italian appetizer or antipasto dish that consists of grilled or toasted bread topped with a mixture of fresh ingredients.

The traditional and most common topping for bruschetta includes diced tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Sometimes, it’s also drizzled with balsamic vinegar for added flavor.

While the classic tomato and basil topping is the most well-known, there are many variations of bruschetta.

Some variations include toppings like mozzarella cheese, roasted peppers, olives, prosciutto, or even avocado. While you can make them in other ways, I stick with the classic way my Grandma used to make them.

But bruschetta is a versatile dish that can be customized to suit your preferences, making it a popular choice for appetizers or light snacks.

The Best Tomatoes for Bruschetta

While you can use almost any tomato for bruschetta, I love to use Romas because they have a deep flavor.

But I also enjoy making it with whatever’s ripe from the garden – Jersey boys, Rutgers Ramapo, Heirloom, etc.

Seriously, whatever you can use works!

How to Make the Best Bruschetta Tomatoes Recipe

I am a huge fan of Italian food because I grew up on it.

Between my grandmother and my mother, we were always eating amazing Italian dishes most nights of the week.

Before my grandmother passed away several years ago, she gave me some of her best homemade Italian recipes. And I’m so glad she did because they are SO GOOD and SO EASY to make!

(If you haven’t checked out my baked shrimp scampi, it’s seriously the best! And the fact that you don’t have to saute the dish makes it even better…but I digress.)

Fresh is Best

When making bruschetta, it’s important to keep in mind that the fresher the ingredients, the better the dish.

Now that doesn’t mean you can’t make it if tomatoes and basil aren’t in season, because it is a year-round dish.

But it’s best in summer when fresh tomatoes and basil are readily available.

Whether tomatoes are homegrown in the garden or picked up at the local farmer’s market, find the freshest ingredients for this dish if you can.

It’s just better.

Sometimes, I’ll add fresh mozzarella to this recipe to change it up.

But it’s really good as is!

Draining the Tomatoes

Since the tomatoes can get really watery, I like to squeeze some of the juice out before dicing and drain them a little before mixing all the ingredients together.

Because I’m not a fan of soggy bread with bruschetta.

So draining the tomatoes a little prior to mixing all the ingredients together helps it retain less water.

Toasting or Baking the Bread

I prefer toasting my bread in the toaster oven. Plus my toaster oven fits about 1/2 a loaf of sliced Italian bread.

If you don’t have a toaster oven or don’t want to work in batches, you can bake them too.

But whatever you do, don’t skip this part because the dish is WAY BETTER when the bread is lightly toasted.

And if you want to prepare this recipe ahead of time, toast your bread and make the bruschetta ahead of time.

Then assemble them when you are ready to serve. You can leave them unassembled too and just let guests dive in.

Ingredients

You don’t need a whole lot of ingredients to make this dish but like I mentioned earlier, the fresher the ingredients, the better the dish.

• 4-6 Fresh Tomatoes chopped
• 4 Cloves Garlic minced
• 1 Bunch Fresh Basil chopped
• 1/8 Tsp Oregano
• 5 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 2 Loaves Baguette French or Italian Crusty Bread
• Salt and Pepper to Taste

Directions

• Chop fresh tomatoes.
• Place in a colander over a bowl, add a few dashes of salt, mix and allow to drain for an hour or two.
• Mince 4 cloves of garlic.
• Chop fresh basil into thin strips.
• Mix tomatoes, basil, garlic, oregano, and extra virgin olive oil in a bowl.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Slice bread into thin slices.
• If toasting in the oven, preheat to 400 degrees.
• Place bread on a baking sheet and bake for a few minutes until lightly toasted. (Or toast slices in a toaster oven.)
• Top bruschetta onto bread slices and serve.

And that’s it!

If you make this recipe for bruschetta tomatoes, let me know what you think! I love that it’s a hand-me down recipe from my grandmother and am so happy to share it with you.

Next up on the virtual supper club menu is Anne and AnnMarie from Simply 2 Moms.

I can’t wait to try their dish!

More About This Recipe for Bruschetta Tomatoes

Have you ever made bruschetta tomatoes before? What way do you like it best? I would love to know more in the comments below.

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Tailgating Party Menu Idea

From co*cktails, to appetizers, side dishes, and desserts, we have your tailgating party covered!

On the photos below, click on the blog name to view the recipe.

• Midwest Life and Style’s Ultimate Apple Cider Mojito
• Bricks ‘n Blooms The Best Bruschetta Tomatoes Recipe (you are here)
• Simply 2 Moms’ Barbeque Cheddar Meat Pies
• The Ponds Farmhouse’s Pulled Pork Egg Roll Air Fryer Recipe
• White Arrows Home’s Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
• Vintage Home Designs’ Football Dessert Bar

My Favorite Fresh Tomatoes Recipes

One of the best parts about growing tomatoes is harvesting and using them in the kitchen.

Want to save your tomato harvest to use throughout the year? Try freezing tomatoes with these easy tips.

Wait until you try some of my favorite tomato based recipes!

• Simple Salad with Cucumbers, Tomatoes and Onion
• Caprese Salad Bites Appetizer
• The Best Recipe for Caprese Salad
• Loaded Nachos
• Quick and Easy Spinache Tortellini Soup
• How to Make Sunday Sauce with Meatballs Like a Pro

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Enjoy a beautiful day! xo

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