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.

Notes

*Any variety or color of ripe baby tomatoes will work.
**Do not use a 'creamy' variety of Italian dressing.

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 long will tomatoes last in vinegar? ›

It depends on the type of preparation. Marinated tomatoes are made with less vinegar and will last in the fridge for a week, tightly covered. Pickled tomatoes are made with brine (like these quick pickled red onions) and will keep up to two months because the ratio of vinegar is higher.

How do you make cherry tomatoes taste better? ›

Cream of tartar can do the job without masking the natural goodness. You can still enjoy the wonderful summer tomato flavor with cream of tartar. The best way to prepare your tomatoes is to dice them, season with salt and pepper, and sprinkle about a teaspoon of cream of tartar.

What seasoning is good for tomatoes? ›

While basil, cilantro, and oregano are all popular herbs to pair with Tomatoes, there are many more options to choose from! If you want to experiment with more herbs, here are a few extra options that taste great with Tomatoes: Parsley. Dill.

What happens when you soak tomatoes in vinegar? ›

Using vinegar to clean tomatoes has several benefits. Firstly, it removes dirt, wax, and other contaminants from the surface of the tomato, making it safe to eat. Secondly, it helps to kill harmful bacteria and viruses that may be present on the tomato.

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.

Are coffee grounds good for cherry tomatoes? ›

If you would rather not use those types of fertilizers though, used coffee grounds are a great, natural, way to help create a more suitable soil for the tomato plants to thrive in.

Why put baking soda on tomatoes? ›

Second when tomatos begin to appear and are about 1 inch in diameter lightly sprinkle baking soda around each plant to make them sweeter.

Why do you put Epsom salt on tomatoes? ›

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.

Can I freeze cherry tomatoes? ›

It's so simple to freeze whole cherry tomatoes that it hardly warrants instructions; just wash, dry, and freeze! Wash and dry cherry tomatoes. Lay the tomatoes out in a single layer on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, and freeze for about two hours, or until frozen solid.

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.

Is eating cherry tomatoes good for you? ›

Cherry tomatoes are a small but nutrient-dense fruit that are great for snacks, salads, pastas, and more. Compared with other types of tomatoes, they're particularly rich in antioxidants, which may help protect against cancer, heart disease, and skin damage.

Does vinegar preserve tomatoes? ›

Because of the uncertainty related to the pH of tomatoes, ALL home-preserved tomato products must be acidified to a pH of 4.6 or below (using lemon juice, citric acid, or vinegar (5% acidity)) and processed as a low-acid food using a boiling water or pressure canner.

Can you store tomatoes in vinegar? ›

If you're looking for a great way to enjoy cherry tomatoes, pickling might just be the answer! Pickling is a traditional preservation method that involves immersing food in a solution of vinegar, salt, and spices.

How do you store tomatoes in vinegar? ›

First, wash and dry the tomatoes, and then use a skewer to poke a hole through each of the tomatoes. Add the tomatoes into the jar, and pour the pickling brine — a combination of vinegar, water, salt, and sugar — over the tomatoes.

How do you preserve fresh tomatoes for months? ›

Tomatoes can be frozen raw or blanched first. Freeze tomatoes by washing them, scoring them, and blanching them in boiling water. Place the tomatoes on a cookie sheet in the freezer until completely frozen—typically a few hours. Then store the flash-frozen tomatoes in freezer bags or air-tight freezer containers.

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