For tomato lovers, August is a sacred month—it’s the magical time of year when the farmer’s market overflows with ripe, juicy, heirloom tomatoes. These in-season beauties are delicious on their own, or as the star of a simple tomato sandwich. In the winter months, the selection is slimmer. Out of season tomatoes can pale, watery, and flavorless. Don’t despair just yet! The secret to how to find good tomatoes in the winter lies in plain sight.
Smaller tomatoes don’t need as many resources to ripen. They also have a lower water content, so they’re less likely to taste, well, watery. In the winter months, the smaller the better. Look for cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes. If you can find them, vine-on cherry tomatoes will be the best bet. Once you get your tomatoes home, be sure to store them properly to preserve flavor.
Even in the depths of winter, cherry tomatoes will bring bright flavor to salads, pastas and grain bowls. These are some of our favorite tomato recipes to make all year long.
Cherry tomato recipes
Spicy Beef Tacos with Cherry Tomato Salsa & Creamy Corn
These tacos feature jalapeños two exciting ways: fresh, in a simple salsa (your cherry tomatoes may be red or yellow), and dried, in the chipotle paste used to season the beef. Chipotles are smoked, dried red jalapeños, and their bold, savory flavor complements the beef’s richness.
Salsa Verde Shrimp & Cavatappi Pasta with Tomatoes & Zucchini
Cavatappi pasta provides a perfect complement to the bright flavors and textures of sautéed shrimp and zucchini in this easy dish. It’s all brought together by a light sauce of mascarpone cheese and our piquant salsa verde.
Crispy Baked Chicken & Honey-Chipotle Sauce with Cilantro Rice & Tomatoes
You’ll make a delightfully crispy, golden coating for chicken breasts by dredging them in spiced butter and cheesy breadcrumbs before baking in the oven to achieve a golden, crunchy exterior. They’re finished with a drizzle of spicy-sweet chipotle sauce and a topping of dressed tomatoes for welcome freshness and acidity.
Fried Egg & Pesto Grain Bowls with Spinach, Tomatoes & Feta Cheese
Kickstart your day with these flavorful breakfast bowls, which feature pesto-dressed farro topped with garlicky spinach, tomatoes, fried eggs, and tangy feta.
Romaine Salad with Mozzarella, Tomatoes & Fig Vinaigrette
This vibrant salad gets deliciously sweet flavor from a simple fig jam and apple cider vinaigrette. It’s perfectly balanced by a bounty of crisp vegetables (romaine, tomatoes, and radishes) and creamy mozzarella.
Italian Chicken & Orzo with Bell Peppers, Tomatoes & Onion
Classic Italian ingredients like olives, capers, crushed red pepper, and more come together to make the bright, zesty sauce that mixes into tender orzo pasta. It’s the ideal pairing for chicken seared with sage, oregano, and more Italian-style herbs and spices.
Meatball Pizza with Bell Pepper, Fresh Mozzarella, & Cherry Tomatoes
Tonight’s pizza is sure to be a household favorite. We’re topping our dough with fresh mozzarella, garlic, and green bell pepper, then baking it to meld those dynamic flavors. To top the pizza just before serving, we’re cooking meatballs—seasoned with classic Italian spices—in a savory sauce made from cherry tomatoes (yours may be red or yellow).
Turkey Piccata Meatballs with Zucchini, Tomatoes & Orzo
In this spin on an Italian-American classic, we’re cooking our turkey meatballs and vegetables in a rich butter sauce that highlights fresh meyer lemon juice, briny capers, and garlic.
One-Pot Chicken & Creamy Spinach Rice with Olives & Marinated Tomatoes
This wholesome dish features savory-seasoned chicken and rice mixed with creamy mayo, spinach, and roasted red peppers, which all comes together in one pot.
If you know how to find good tomatoes in the winter, you can enjoy the taste of summer all year long.
