Bruschetta with Tomato and Basil, one of my favorite ways to use up all my summer tomatoes is with this simple appetizer or side dish.
Bruschetta with Tomato and Basil
Bruschetta with Tomato and BasilBasil and tomatoes compliment each other beautifully and are usually overflowing in my garden in the late summer months. You can toast the bread in the oven or on the grill so you don’t heat up the kitchen.
How to Make Bruschetta:
This classic Italian antipasto, or appetizer, uses toasted Italian bread rubbed with garlic. It’s then topped with a heavenly diced tomato medley including basil, red onions and balsamic vinegar. You can also add avocado or mozzarella! For gluten free options, I love using this topping over Grilled Salmon, Grilled Chicken or even a Naked Turkey Burger.
Should Bruschetta be Served Warm or Cold?
What makes all the difference is that toasted crunch of the outer bread and chewy insides as you bite down on the refreshing antipasto. This appetizer is best served freshly toasted while the tomato portion can be room temperature or refrigerated . Let’s be honest, no one wants a soggy bruschetta. For the toast, you can also choose to grill them to create a nice char.
Can You Make Bruschetta in Advance?
The answer is yes. You can make the tomato salad up to a day ahead and keep it in the fridge to really let the all the flavors combine. Then when the time comes, all that’s needed to do is cut and toast your bread, and voila!
More Tomato Recipes:
- Summer Tomato Salad
- Angel Hair Pasta with Zucchini and Tomatoes
- Tomato Basil Soup
- Pesto Parmesan Baked Tomatoes
- Caprese Salad
Bruschetta with Tomato and Basil
Ingredients
- 6-7 ripe plum or beefsteak tomatoes, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 small red onion, chopped
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- olive oil spray
- 6-8 fresh basil leaves, chopped
- kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 16 oz baguette or French bread
- 1-2 garlic cloves, peeled
Instructions
- Combine tomatoes, chopped garlic, red onion, vinegar, oil, salt, pepper, and basil.
- Set aside.
- Slice bread into 1/2 inch thick slices.
- Place on a tray and spray lightly with olive oil.
- Toast bread under broiler, until golden, watching closely not to let it burn.
- When bread is toasted, rub each piece with whole garlic clove.
- Place bread on a platter and top with tomato mixture.
- Serve immediately or the bread will become soggy.
For my 9 yo, he does not do well with eating topped toast foods, so I cut up the bread and just put the tomatoes in the bowl with the bread. He gobbled it up!!
More panzanella like, but none the less I was extra excited!!
Holy cow. I’m gonna embarrass myself and admit that i made these 2 times in one week because my whole family is obsessed. My 6 year old and I ate them for breakfast because we tried them after I marinated overnight and then we couldn’t stop eating them. WW friendly unless you have trouble stopping like I did.
Hahaha I love this 😂 I’m about to make all the servings for two for Valentines Day, so I think I’m about to be more embarrassed 😳Â
Thank you for these wonderful healthy recipes 💕 I love trying new dishes with my family
This was a big hit with my husband. I had some bread in the freezer that I sliced and toasted. Delicious!
Can I jar the fresh bruschetta I make?
What is a good crusty bread to use with bruschetta and would be good bread to bake in the oven with? Can I use 4 cloves of garlic and 1/2 cup of onion with out ruining your recipe? When do you add the basil? Thank youÂ
Wanted to make a Caprice salad but didn’t have mozz.  Then I remembered bruschetta and looked up the recipe for a reminder of ingredients and it came out amazing!  Even had an old loaf of Italian bread that I broiled for crostini. Â
Fantastic! Â
Must remember to add this as a party appetizer
Now that it’s summer I have to add this to our week night rotation !
delicious thanks so much for sharing such a delicious one
AMAZING! I was at the store thinking of what to get and when i started looking at recipes this was one of the first ones to come up and let me just say it came out sooo good and super easy to do 😊 will definitely be making this againÂ
Oh this was so good! Made it for company and it was gobbled up so fast!
Another winner!
Such a wonderful recipe full of bright bursting flavors. Grilled my chicken with Italian seasoning placed some of the bruschetta on top with a sprinkle of fresh mozzarella. Amazing!!
how long will this keep in the fridge? thanks in advance for your help:)
4 to 5 days
I don't see what you do with the balsamic? Add to tomato mixture or drizzle on top?
It says in step 1 to add the vinegar 🙂
I made this for my fiance's birthday party as an appetizer, and everyone loved it! 🙂 Thanks!
Good with a sliver of mozzarella underneath.
I made these yesterday, and they turned out absolutely amazing, and they tasted even more amazing!! I definitely would recommend this, a quick and easy recipe with a very delicious outcome!
I know this will kill some of the healthy factor, but I'm going to make this and also add a bit of goat cheese. I think it will be delicious!
I made this tonight and it was wonderful. Thanks for all your great recipes!
Sooooo delicious!!!!!
With the exception of toasting the bread, can this be made the night before?
I just discovered your website a few weeks ago. I heart you. :o) Thanks for the great inspiration!
Yes the tomatoes are great overnight.
Yes!
Delicious as always Gina! Had them at a party and they disappeared quicker than I could get them out!
I love bruschetta!! I am making this tonight for an appetizer for girl's night out.. 🙂