Enjoy the flavors of summer with this heirloom tomato bruschetta! This recipe comes together in just a few minutes and makes the most delicious appetizer or side for any gathering.

Heirloom tomato bruschetta on a white plate.

It is so hard to beat fresh summer tomatoes. Of all the garden produce I grow, tomatoes easily trump the rest every year. They taste so much better than storebought and they can go in so many tasty dishes!

I love using my garden heirloom tomatoes in homemade mango pico de gallo, tomato basil soup, tomato sandwiches, and of course, bruschetta.

This simple summer heirloom tomato bruschetta is packed full of flavor and perfect for nearly any meal! Make it with fresh garden basil and enjoy all of the best flavors of summer in one delicious bite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you ask me, two of the absolute best flavors of summer are ripe garden tomatoes and fresh basil. This delightful recipe combines the two for a flavor that is unrivaled!
Bruschetta is a very easy appetizer that looks and feels fancy. If you’re hosting or making a special dinner, heirloom tomato bruschetta will elevate the meal without adding a lot of time in the kitchen.
This recipe is very customizable to any dietary preferences. Make it with gluten-free bread, skip the cheese for an easy vegan bruschetta appetizer, and swap out any of the ingredients to make it your own. Bruschetta is very forgiving; it will taste amazing no matter what.

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What You’ll Need

Heirloom tomato bruschetta ingredients on a wooden countertop.

Heirloom tomatoes: Ripe heirloom tomatoes that are fresh from the garden or farmer’s market are best. Roma tomatoes work too if that’s all you can find.

Fresh garlic: Feel free to adjust the amount of garlic based on your preferences. Before you add a lot of extra garlic, be aware that raw garlic packs a punch!

Fresh basil: Fresh basil is a must for bruschetta! You can also use fresh basil pesto.

Olive oil: A good quality olive oil matters for this recipe. I personally love Graza olive oil.

Salt: I recommend a good quality salt like pink Himalayan, Redmond’s real salt, or Maldon flakey salt. They have the best flavor.

(Optional) Parmesan cheese: I like to top my bruschetta with a bit of shredded parmesan cheese. This isn’t traditional, but it adds a delicious flavor! Feel free to skip it if you prefer cheeseless bruschetta.

How to Make Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta

A glass bowl of chopped tomatoes, basil, and fresh garlic.

Step 1. Dice the tomatoes and transfer them to a bowl. Add the fresh garlic, salt, olive oil, and sliced basil.

Step 2. Stir well. Set aside for about 30 minutes for the flavors to develop.

Sliced baguette with oil drizzled on it.

Step 3. Slice the baguette into rounds and drizzle them with olive oil. Grill the baguette slices in a cast iron or on the grill until golden brown and crispy.

Step 4. Right before serving, top the bread slices with the tomato mixture and add a pinch of parmesan cheese on top. Garnish with a basil leaf and serve.

Helpful Tips

Bruschetta can get soggy rather quickly. If your guests won’t be eating it right away, serve the tomato mixture in a bowl with the bread on the side. Your guests can top their bread with the tomatoes right before they dig in.
If you are making a lot of bruschetta, you can use the oven to toast the bread to expedite the process.
If you or your loved ones are sensitive to raw garlic, try sauteing it in olive oil on medium-low to give it a milder flavor. Allow it to cool for a couple of minutes before adding it to the tomato mixture.

Holding a plate of bruschetta on in a garden.

FAQs

What are heirloom tomatoes?

The official definition of heirloom tomatoes requires that they are open-pollinated, unhybridized varieties that have been around for at least 50 years. They are often varieties whose seeds have been passed down from generation to generation and are not genetically modified in a lab. That said, the term is used quite loosely in the culinary world and typically describes tomatoes that are large beefsteak-type tomatoes that come in a variety of colors, including red, orange, and yellow. In any case, heirloom tomatoes that are locally grown and are in their peak season are absolutely delicious. Plus, the unique colors add a beautiful flare to the dinner plate.

What are the best types of tomatoes for bruschetta?

Juicy, ripe tomatoes in their peak season are best for bruschetta! I like to use heirloom tomatoes, Roma tomatoes, red slicers, or even cherry tomatoes.

Should I remove the tomato seeds for bruschetta?

You don’t need to remove the tomato seeds when making bruschetta, but you certainly can. I will remove them if the tomatoes are particularly seedy, but otherwise, I leave them in and the bruschetta tastes great.

What goes well with bruschetta?

Heirloom tomato bruschetta is a delicious appetizer or side with just about any meal! It pairs particularly well with Italian-inspired meals, such as pizza, pasta prima vera, or homemade ravioli.

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