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Tomato Bruschetta Recipe

4.8 from 135 reviews

This fresh and flavorful Tomato Bruschetta recipe features ripe tomatoes marinated with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, and fresh basil, served atop toasted crusty bread slices. Perfect as an appetizer or light snack, this Italian classic offers a delightful balance of tangy, savory, and herby notes with a satisfying crunchy texture.

Ingredients

Scale

Tomato Mixture

  • 1 pound ripe tomatoes (any variety)
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic (1 grated or crushed, 1 whole for rubbing on bread)
  • 15 fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Bruschetta Base

  • 10 slices crusty bread or baguette, cut into ½ inch (1.2 cm) thick slices

Instructions

  1. Cut Tomatoes: Rinse the tomatoes thoroughly and dry them with paper towels. Dice the tomatoes into small pieces. If the tomatoes are very watery, discard about half of the liquid to prevent soggy bruschetta.
  2. Marinate Tomatoes: In a mixing bowl, combine the diced tomatoes with 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar, 1 clove of grated or crushed garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and the chopped fresh basil leaves. Toss everything together until well mixed. Taste and adjust salt as needed. Let this mixture marinate at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
  3. Prepare Bread: While the tomato mixture marinates, slice the bread into 10 to 12 slices about ½ inch (1.2 cm) thick. Arrange the slices on a baking sheet or grill rack. Toast them under the oven’s broiler setting until the slices turn golden brown and crispy, watching carefully to avoid burning.
  4. Assemble Bruschetta: While the toasted bread slices are still warm, rub each slice with the remaining whole garlic clove to infuse them with a fresh garlic aroma and flavor. Spoon one to two tablespoons of the marinated tomato mixture on top of each slice and serve immediately for best texture and taste.

Notes

  • Choose ripe but firm tomatoes for the best texture and flavor.
  • If you don’t have a broiler, you can toast the bread in a hot skillet or on a grill.
  • For extra flavor, drizzle a little additional olive oil over the top before serving.
  • Serve bruschetta immediately to keep the bread crisp.
  • Can be customized by adding a sprinkle of grated Parmesan or a drizzle of pesto.

Keywords: tomato bruschetta, Italian appetizer, toasted bread with tomato, easy bruschetta recipe, basil tomato bruschetta, summer appetizer