Fermented Tomatoes Recipe - Fermented Cherry Tomatoes with Basil (2024)

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Fermented Tomatoes Recipe – Fermented Cherry Tomatoes with Basil

Fermented Tomatoes Recipe - Fermented Cherry Tomatoes with Basil (1)

Here is a Fermented Tomatoes Recipe that you can use to make any type of fermented vegetable, including Fermented Cherry Tomatoes with Basil. This lacto-fermentation process creates lacto-fermented tomatoes that are rich in probiotics and are good for gut health.

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Why Make Fermented Tomatoes?

Doesn’t it just make sense to eat tomatoes when they are fresh? Or better yet, turn them into a delicious tomato sauce that’s perfect for topping pasta. These options are tasty and nutritious, but if you want to make your tomatoes probiotic-rich, then fermentation is the way to go!

What’s So Great About Probiotics?

Probiotics are a type of “good” bacteria that nourishes our guts. And scientists tell us that when our gut is healthy, the healthier we are overall. You’ve most likely heard that eating yogurt, or other “cultured” dairy, is good for us. Well, the same applies to fermented vegetables. Just like cultured dairy, fermented vegetables are rich in probiotics.

Fermented Tomatoes Aid in Digestion

Fermented Tomatoes benefit our gut health thanks to their rich complex of probiotics, but they also aid in digestion. And they are especially helpful when served with a meal that is heavy in cooked foods, especially meats. So be sure to include these delectable fermented mouthfuls on your next charcuterie platter.

Easy to Make

Fermented tomatoes are so easy to make that you’ll wonder why you haven’t done this before. In my recipe video, I show you how to bring together tomatoes, basil, salt, and water to easily create this nourishing, gut-loving versatile fermented vegetable. And versatile they are! Prepare the tomatoes as a snack or an appetizer, top them on a salad, or serve them as a side dish. In my printable recipe, I show you how to make Fermented Cherry Tomatoes with Basil.

Now, what if you want to try this with other types of tomatoes or vegetables? Yes, you can certainly do that. Whole plum tomatoes are wonderful and delicious when they are fermented in this fashion, and they make a dramatic presentation on any hors d’oeuvre platter.

If you want to try this with other veggies, such as carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, onions, or a combination of vegetables, simply fill your jar with your desired vegetables, add your salt, and top it all off with filtered water. Once fermented, you’ll have a delicious probiotic-rich vegetable that’s perfect when served as an appetizer or side dish.

More Fermented Videos

Now that you’ve learned how to make fermented tomatoes, try your hand at these other tasty ferments. I even share my secret to crisp fermented pickles! With my tips and tricks to making successful ferments, you’ll never have mushy fermented vegetables again!

  • How to Make CRISP Lacto Fermented Pickles – A Probiotic Rich Food
  • How to Make Fermented Carrots – A Probiotic Rich Food for Gut Health
  • How to Make Homemade Sauerkraut – A Delicious Probiotics Rich Side Dish for Gut Health
  • How to Make Fermented Giardiniera – Probiotic Rich Italian Pickle Relish

Fermented Condiments

Try these recipes out to make condiments for your next picnic or to dress up sandwiches on your kitchen table.

  • How to Make Fermented Salsa – Step-by-Step Tutorial for Beginners
  • Simple Fermented Ketchup Recipe That Tastes Like Store Bought
Fermented Tomatoes Recipe - Fermented Cherry Tomatoes with Basil (9)
  • Easy Homemade Fermented Mustard – 3 Tasty Recipes

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Fermented Cherry Tomatoes with Basil

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Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 0 minutes mins

Fermentation Time: 14 days d

Total: 14 days d 10 minutes mins

Yield: 32 servings

Author: Mary Bryant Shrader

You can follow this Fermented Tomatoes recipe to make any type of fermented vegetable, including Fermented Cherry Tomatoes with Basil. This lacto-fermentation process creates lacto-fermented tomatoes that are rich in probiotics and are good for gut health.

Equipment

  • One Half Gallon Jar or Two Quart Sized Jars

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds Fresh cherry tomatoes
  • 10 leaves Fresh basil
  • 2 tbsp Coarse sea salt Alternative salt may be used, such as pink Himalayan salt. If the salt is fine ground, cut the amount of salt in half to 1 tablespoon. Make sure your salt does not contain any anti-caking agents. If the salt contains anti-caking agents, they will be listed in the ingredients on the packaging.

Instructions

  • Wash tomatoes and basil.

  • Remove any stems from the tomatoes, and for each tomato, use a toothpick to poke a hole in the tomato where the stem was originally. Drop the tomatoes in the jar.

  • Layer tomatoes, basil, and salt in the jar. Pack the mixture as tightly as possible without rupturing the tomatoes. (See video.) If using 2 quart-sized jars, divide the ingredients evenly between the two jars.

  • Continue to layer the tomatoes, basil, and salt in the jar, leaving an approximately 1-inch headspace at the top of the jar.

  • Fill the jar with chlorine-free water, making sure that the tomatoes are completely submerged.

  • You can place extra basil leaves and stems at the top of the jar on top of the tomatoes to help keep the tomatoes submerged under the brine.

  • Put a screw-top lid on the jar and tighten. Place the jar in a bowl to catch any overflow as the tomatoes ferment. (See video.) Next, place the jar in the bowl in a warm place in your kitchen or pantry out of direct sunlight.

  • Each day, loosen the lid of the jar to allow carbon dioxide to escape. The good bacteria produce this gas during the fermentation process. Once the gas is released, retighten the jar lid.

  • After 2-3 days (or earlier), you will begin to see bubbles developing in the jar. At this point, refrigerate the tomatoes in the jar. The cooler temperature will slow the fermentation process, but it will continue. The lower temperature will also help to prevent the development of mold, which can be a problem with a summertime ferment, like as tomatoes, when temperatures are often warmer than ferments prefer.

  • The fermented tomatoes will be ready to eat in approximately two weeks, and they will stay fresh in your refrigerator for approximately six months. Ferments generally like to be stored at approximately 40°F, so the top shelf of your refrigerator or your refrigerator door are the best storage locations. Alternative storage options include a cellar or root cellar, if those locations can properly maintain a temperature of approximately 40°F.

Video

Notes

Find this recipe and video at https://marysnest.com/fermented-cherry-tomatoes-with-basil/

Copyright © 2020 Mary’s Nest, LLC, All Rights Reserved

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Americana

Keyword: Fermented Tomatoes, Fermented Vegetables, Lacto Fermented Tomatoes, Tomatoes

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Disclaimer:I am not a medical doctor, a medical professional, a dietician, or a nutritionist. All content found on the MarysNest.com website, including text, images, videos, eBooks or eGuides, social media, or other formats, were created solely for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or proper nutritional advice. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have watched in a video or read on this website. Use caution when following the recipe in this video. The creator and publisher of this video and website will not be held responsible for any adverse effects that may arise from the use of this recipe and method or any other recipe and method on this website or corresponding video channel.

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Fermented Tomatoes Recipe - Fermented Cherry Tomatoes with Basil (2024)

FAQs

What do fermented cherry tomatoes taste like? ›

Fermented cherry tomatoes are delightfully fresh, tangy and literally bursting with flavor. We can't recommend them enough.

What are the best tomatoes to ferment? ›

Sun Gold Cherry – When it comes to fermenting tomatoes, this is my go to variety. Sun Golds are already naturally sweet, which enhances the fermenting process. They are can be picked a little early without losing flavor.

Can you ferment green cherry tomatoes? ›

With a garden overflowing with tomatoes Cass has shared her delicious Fermented Green Cherry Tomato recipe so you can make the most out of yours (or your local produce stores) tomatoes while they're in season! Fermented green tomatoes are a wonderfully delicious, crispy and tangy snack.

How long will fermented tomatoes last? ›

Allow the tomatoes to ferment for up to 7 days, then place them into the fridge & enjoy at your leisure for up to 6 weeks.

Is it OK to eat fermented tomatoes? ›

You can also ferment cherry tomatoes. They are then consumed like olives, and they pop under the tooth. Green tomatoes can also be fermented! However, once fermented, they are best served fried or cooked, as they can be quite sour to the taste.

What is the white stuff on fermented tomatoes? ›

One of the most common visible contaminations is a white, cloudy substance called Kahm Yeast. While Kahm yeast isn't harmful it can indicate that there is a problem with your ferment. Kahm yeast is actually safe to eat as long as there are no molds present and the ferment tests at a pH of 4 or lower.

What do I do with all my cherry tomatoes? ›

7 Things to Do with Cherry Tomatoes
  1. Tart. Mound cherry tomatoes in a pastry shell and bake until the crust is browned.
  2. Salsa. Make a sweet-and-juicy pico de gallo or avocado salsa for flatbreads or fish tacos.
  3. Burst them. ...
  4. Gratin. ...
  5. Roasted. ...
  6. Vinaigrette. ...
  7. Granita.
May 23, 2017

How long does it take to ferment tomatoes? ›

Let the jar sit at room temperature for about 5 days. During that time, the brine will become cloudy and the tomato color more subdued—signs of successful fermentation. The tomatoes are ready when they are effervescent and tangy. Move them to the refrigerator, where they will keep for several months or longer.

Are green cherry tomatoes OK to eat? ›

Shall we eat green tomatoes raw or cooked? Green tomatoes preferably shall be cooked before eating them. They have a higher content in “Solanina”. This substance is a natural fungicide or pesticide that the tomato plants contain in order to avoid other organism or animals to consume it.

Will picked green cherry tomatoes ripen? ›

Like many fruits, tomatoes continue to ripen once they've been picked. Ethylene is a gas produced by fruits, including tomatoes, that promotes ripening. Many commercial tomatoes are actually picked while still green for shipping and ripened at their destination by introducing them to an ethylene-rich environment.

What is the green stuff in cherry tomatoes? ›

It's not a discoloration. It a sign that the tomato was picked a bit too early. Unripe tomato: All is green. The green matter is made up of Chlorophyll , starches, sugars, acids, and all the rest of what make up a tomato.

Can you ferment tomatoes and cucumbers together? ›

Place the tomatoes, onion, cucumbers, salt, and pepper in a large bowl and toss to combine. Add the mixture to a one-quart glass jar that can be securely sealed. Add the Cutting Edge Culture or kefir whey and cover with water, leaving an inch or two at the top.

Can fermented food go bad? ›

Short answer: Indefinitely! Well, actually, it depends. But, if stored properly, fermented foods can last indefinitely, as confirmed by the USDA, on page 7, in a 1917 "Farmer's Bulletin." More recently, the USDA states that fermented foods can last at least a year, even without refrigeration (see section 14.3.

How do you eat fermented tomatoes? ›

It works as any chutney, salsa or relish. It's amazing with cheese toasties, as a bruschetta topping, or simply mopped up with fresh sourdough, olive oil and dukkah. It's equally good dolloped on curries and tagines. It's best at room temperature rather than cold from the fridge.

What do fermented tomatoes smell like? ›

A vinegary smell at the end of fermentation is perfectly normal. The environment in which your vegetables are immersed has become more acidic and, with that, comes a smell and taste reminiscent of vinegar.

How long does it take for tomatoes to ferment? ›

Let the jar sit at room temperature for about 5 days. During that time, the brine will become cloudy and the tomato color more subdued—signs of successful fermentation. The tomatoes are ready when they are effervescent and tangy. Move them to the refrigerator, where they will keep for several months or longer.

What does fermented taste like? ›

What Do Fermented Vegetables Taste Like? Fermented vegetables have a more or less pronounced tangy taste. It is similar to vinegar marinades but in a much less pronounced way. During fermentation, vegetables develop new and very subtle flavours.

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