Slow-roasted tomatoes are an easy way to turn fresh tomatoes into a deeply flavorful, versatile ingredient with just olive oil and salt.
The secret isn’t complicated. Tomatoes are diced and roasted in a single layer, starting at a high temperature and gradually reducing the heat. Over 80 minutes, the tomatoes slowly lose moisture while their natural flavor becomes more concentrated.
The result is tender, intensely flavorful roasted tomatoes that can be used in all kinds of ways. Spread them over toast with cream cheese, add them to sandwiches or eggs, use them to stuff a pork roast, or freeze them in portions to use later.
This is also a great recipe when you have more fresh tomatoes than you know what to do with. Instead of letting them go to waste, turn them into an ingredient you can enjoy now or save for later.
The recipe uses:
- Fresh tomatoes
- Olive oil
- Salt
Slow-Roasted Tomatoes
Ingredients
- Fresh tomatoes
- Olive oil
- Salt
Instructions
- Prepare the tomatoes. Dice the tomatoes and arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Try not to overcrowd the pan.
- Season. Drizzle the tomatoes with olive oil and sprinkle lightly with salt.
- Roast. Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F and continue roasting for another 20 minutes.
- Reduce the temperature to 300°F and roast for 20 minutes more.
- Finally, reduce the temperature to 250°F and roast for another 20 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and allow the tomatoes to cool before using or storing.
Video
🍽️ How to Use Slow-Roasted Tomatoes
These tomatoes are versatile enough to use in both simple meals and more elaborate dishes.
Cream Cheese Spread
Mix the cooled tomatoes with softened cream cheese for a flavorful spread. Serve on toast, crackers, bagels, or your favorite bread.
Stuffed Pork Roast
Use the roasted tomatoes as a filling for a pork roast. Their concentrated flavor pairs especially well with pork.
Eggs and Breakfast
Add them to scrambled eggs, omelets, frittatas, or breakfast sandwiches.
Sandwiches and Wraps
Add roasted tomatoes to sandwiches, burgers, or wraps for concentrated tomato flavor without the extra moisture of fresh tomatoes.
Sauces
Stir them into pasta sauces, cream sauces, or pan sauces to add depth and concentrated tomato flavor.
Freeze for Later
Roasted tomatoes can also be frozen in portions so you can pull out only what you need for a future meal.
🎥 Watch the Recipe
Watch the video demonstration to see how I make these slow-roasted tomatoes and a few of the ways I like to use them.
🧠 Why This Recipe Works
The gradual reduction in oven temperature gives the tomatoes plenty of time to release moisture and concentrate their natural flavor.
Starting at 400°F gets the roasting process going, while gradually lowering the temperature allows the tomatoes to continue cooking without exposing them to high heat for the entire cooking time.
Because the recipe uses only tomatoes, olive oil, and salt, the finished tomatoes remain versatile. They’re flavorful enough to eat on their own but neutral enough to work in everything from spreads and sandwiches to eggs and meat dishes.
The long roasting time also makes this a useful recipe when you have an abundance of fresh tomatoes. Rather than trying to use them all at once, you can turn them into a concentrated ingredient that can be used immediately or frozen for later.
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🔁 Variations & Substitutions
Tomatoes: Use the fresh tomatoes you have available. Roma tomatoes work particularly well because they contain less moisture, but other varieties can also be roasted.
Olive Oil: Extra-virgin olive oil works well, but regular olive oil can also be used.
Seasonings: Keep the basic recipe simple, or experiment with additional seasonings such as garlic, black pepper, Italian herbs, basil, oregano, or red pepper flakes depending on how you plan to use the tomatoes.
Tomato Size: Larger pieces will retain more moisture, while smaller pieces will cook down more quickly. Try to keep the pieces relatively uniform so they cook evenly.
📊 Nutrition
Nutritional information will vary depending on the type and quantity of tomatoes used and the amount of olive oil added.
For the most accurate nutritional information, calculate the recipe using the specific ingredients and amounts you use.
🥗 Diet Notes
These slow-roasted tomatoes are naturally vegetarian and gluten-free.
Tomatoes are also relatively low in carbohydrates, although the exact carbohydrate content will depend on the variety and quantity used.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different types of tomatoes?
Yes. Roma tomatoes work particularly well because they contain less moisture, but almost any fresh tomato can be roasted. Juicier varieties may simply take longer to cook down.
Do I need to peel the tomatoes?
No. The tomatoes can be diced and roasted with the skins intact.
Can I add other seasonings?
Absolutely. The basic recipe uses only salt so the tomatoes remain versatile, but garlic, black pepper, basil, oregano, Italian seasoning, or red pepper flakes can all be added.
Can I use less olive oil?
Yes. The oil helps with roasting and adds flavor, but you can adjust the amount based on how you plan to use the tomatoes.
Can I freeze roasted tomatoes?
Yes. Allow them to cool completely, then portion them into freezer-safe containers or bags. Freezing them in small portions makes it easier to use only what you need.
What can I do with roasted tomatoes?
Try them mixed with cream cheese as a spread, stuffed into a pork roast, added to eggs, sandwiches, wraps, sauces, or other dishes where you want concentrated tomato flavor.
What if I don’t have olive oil?
The olive oil adds flavor and helps the tomatoes roast, but you don’t necessarily need it. If you have another cooking oil, you can use that instead. If you don’t have any oil at all, you can roast the tomatoes without it. They may stick more easily and won’t brown quite the same way, so use parchment paper or a well-seasoned baking sheet and watch them closely as they cook.
🧊 Storage
Allow the roasted tomatoes to cool before storing.
For longer-term storage, portion the cooled tomatoes into freezer-safe containers or bags and freeze. Small portions are convenient when you only need a little for a recipe.
For refrigerated storage, keep the tomatoes in a clean, covered container and refrigerate promptly.
🍳 Low-Carb Breakfast Recipes
Looking for satisfying low-carb breakfast ideas? Explore more Practical Plate recipes featuring eggs, cheese, meat, and other simple ingredients that make it easier to keep breakfast filling without relying on flour or high-carbohydrate ingredients.
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