Name: 5 Minute Marinated Tomatoes
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1 pound cherry tomatoes (or grape tomatoes); 2 cloves garlic (minced); 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 tablespoon lemon juice (or vinegar (like red wine vinegar)); 1 tablespoon finely minced herbs (like parsley, oregano, or basil ); salt (to taste)

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5-minute Marinated Tomatoes are the best summer staple, sauce, snack, or condiment! It’s made with fresh tomatoes, bright lemon juice, grated garlic, fresh herbs, and a little bit of olive oil. And yes, it’s delicious!

A white bowl filled with colorful halved cherry tomatoes, garnished with chopped herbs and salt. Fresh garlic, a small bowl of salt, and a teapot are nearby on a light wooden table.

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Why I Love These Marinated Tomatoes

This recipe is part of a weekly series I share on my free Substack called “One Simple Thing.” It is a time to take a step back from the busyness of life and do one simple thing—something easy and delicious that will elevate meals—and maybe, that one simple thing… is just for you!

I love these marinated tomatoes. With a punch of bright flavors, they can be a condiment, a topping, or a salad—whatever you want them to be. You can even enjoy them straight out of the bowl—yep—that’s me on some days. It’s lunch, straight from the bowl! It’s a no-recipe recipe, which means you can make it however you want!

A metal colander filled with colorful cherry tomatoes sits on a wooden board next to fresh green herbs and a whole garlic bulb.

5 Ingredients

Here are some ideas of what to add to this no-recipe recipe:

Tomatoes: I’m using cherry tomatoes, but you can use whatever you have. If using larger beefsteak-type tomatoes, I recommend slicing them.
Garlic: Finely grated
Olive oil + Acid: In addition to olive oil, you need an acid to balance the flavors. I love lemon juice, but red wine vinegar is delicious, too!
Fresh herbs: Use whatever you have on hand (or in your herb garden). Parsley is easy to go with, but I love oregano or basil, too.
Salt, of course!

How to Make Marinated Tomatoes

Prepare the tomatoes (halved if cherry tomatoes, sliced if larger tomatoes) and toss with garlic, olive oil, vinegar (or lemon juice), fresh herbs, and salt in a small bowl. That’s it! You’ve just made marinated tomatoes!

Now let the ingredients do their delicious work by covering and chilling to allow them to marinate for up to 24 hours. When serving, I love to bring them back to room temperature.

A bowl of colorful cherry tomato salad with chopped herbs on a white table, surrounded by a striped napkin, garlic, and a white ceramic jug.

Ways to Serve

Here are some ways you can use marinated tomatoes, so you know you’ve made something delicious. And when you share it with friends, neighbors, or guests, they’ll think you went to a lot of work, but actually, it took you only 5 minutes, MAX! Here are some ideas:

Over grilled chicken or shrimp.
Topping avocado toast.
With crostini (easy, easy, easy)
In tacos, enchiladas, and salads (anywhere you might add pico de gallo).
How about grilled corn on the cob? Absolutely yes.
A summer side dish or salad, even.
Enjoyed straight out of the bowl with pita chips.

If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear your comments and consider giving it a 5-star rating. Explore the recipe index for more easy, delicious ideas, and stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter and following us on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube!

A white bowl filled with sliced red, yellow, and orange cherry tomatoes, garnished with chopped herbs, sits on a light wooden table next to a garlic bulb and a striped cloth.

Author: Stephanie Wilson

5 Minute Marinated Tomatoes

5-minute Marinated Tomatoes are the best summer staple, sauce, snack, or condiment! It's made with fresh tomatoes, bright lemon juice, grated garlic, fresh herbs, and a little bit of olive oil. And yes, it's delicious!

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin

Prep: 5

Total Time: 5

Servings: servings (2-3 cups)

Ingredients

▢ 1 pound cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes
▢ 2 cloves garlic minced
▢ 2 tablespoons olive oil
▢ 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar (like red wine vinegar)
▢ 1 tablespoon finely minced herbs like parsley, oregano, or basil
▢ salt to taste

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Prepare the tomatoes (halved if using cherry tomatoes, sliced if using larger tomatoes). Add them to a bowl along with the garlic, olive oil, lemon juice (or vinegar), herbs, and salt and toss until combined.
Let the flavors mingle while covered in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours minimum or up to 24 hours. Serve at room temperature.

Notes

Serving Ideas:

- Over grilled chicken or shrimp.
- Topping avocado toast.
- With crostini (easy, easy, easy)
- In tacos, enchiladas, and salads (anywhere you might add pico de gallo).
- How about grilled corn on the cob? Absolutely yes.
- A summer side dish or salad, even.
- Enjoyed straight out of the bowl with pita chips.