Beefsteak tomatoes are one of the most popular varieties of tomatoes. They are known for their large size, meaty texture, and sweet, rich flavor. With so many ways to use them, what are the best uses for beefsteak tomatoes? Here we will explore some of the top options.
Eating Raw
One of the best and simplest uses for beefsteak tomatoes is to eat them raw. Their sweet, juicy flesh makes them an ideal tomato to enjoy on its own. Sliced beefsteak tomatoes make a perfect topping for salads, burgers, sandwiches, and bruschetta. The large slices provide lots of rich tomato flavor in every bite. Beefsteak tomatoes also make great snacks on their own. Simply slice one up and enjoy the fresh garden flavors.
Making Tomato Salad
Beefsteak tomatoes really shine when featured in fresh tomato salads. Their meaty texture stands up well when diced or sliced, providing tons of juicy tomato goodness in every bite. In tomato salads, the beefsteak tomato’s rich sweetness balances well with ingredients like mozzarella, basil, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil. Some classic tomato salad recipes that highlight beefsteak tomatoes include Caprese salad, panzanella, and Greek salad. For any tomato salad, select beefsteak tomatoes at their ripest and use them soon after cutting to preserve their fresh flavor.
Cooking Down into Sauce
While excellent raw, beefsteak tomatoes also cook down beautifully into rich, full-bodied tomato sauce. Their meatiness gives the sauce more texture. To make tomato sauce, core the tomatoes, crush them by hand or puree briefly, and simmer in a pot along with aromatics like onion, garlic, basil, and olive oil. Let the sauce reduce to the desired consistency. Use the tomato sauce on pasta, pizza, in soup, chili, braises, or wherever you need a boost of tomato flavor. Making your own sauce highlights the sweetness of in-season beefsteak tomatoes.
Roasting
Roasting concentrates the flavors of beefsteak tomatoes and caramelizes their natural sugars. To roast, simply cut tomatoes in half, drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and roast cut-side down on a baking sheet at 400°F until softened and browned on top. The oven heat intensifies the tomato’s sweetness and umami. Roasted beefsteak tomatoes make amazing toppings for bruschetta, toast, eggs, chicken, and fish. Blend roasted tomatoes into a smoky soup or sauce. The possibilities are endless.
Grilling
Like roasting, grilling brings out the best in beefsteak tomatoes. The dry heat concentrates the tomato flavor and creates irresistible charred bits. To grill tomatoes, simply slice them about 3/4-inch thick and lightly oil. Grill over direct heat just until grill marks form and the slices soften, 2-3 minutes per side. Be careful not to overcook. Grilled beefsteak tomato slices are fantastic in sandwiches, tacos, salads, and pasta. Alternately, grill beefsteak tomatoes whole after slicing them in half horizontally. The tomatoes will soften and caramelize in the grates as they grill. Grilled beefsteak tomatoes make an easy and impressive side.
Canning Tomato Sauce
Beefsteak tomatoes are a favorite variety for canning into tomato sauce. Their meaty flesh cooks down well, creating a silky smooth texture. The tomatoes are easy to peel and seed prior to processing. Once processed and sealed, the jars of tomato sauce store well for a year or more. Having canned tomato sauce lets you enjoy the summer’s tomato harvest all year-round. When canning tomato sauce, be sure to use proper canning practices to prevent bacteria growth.
Sun-Drying
Larger tomato varieties like beefsteak are excellent candidates for sun drying. Cut the tomatoes in half or in thick slices and place in a single layer on drying racks or mesh screens. Put the racks in full sun and let the tomato halves dehydrate for 6-8 hours, flipping halfway through. Properly dried tomatoes will be leathery and shrunken. They make tasty additions to pasta, pizza, salads, and sandwiches. For the best flavor, drizzle the tomatoes with olive oil and herbs before drying. Store sun-dried beefsteak tomatoes in oil or in an airtight container.
Freezing
Freezing is another preservation method that works well for peak season beefsteak tomatoes. To freeze, core the tomatoes and cut into halves or quarters. Arrange in a single layer on a sheet tray and freeze until solid. Transfer the frozen tomatoes to freezer bags. Frozen beefsteak tomatoes are great for cooking into soups, stews, and sauces during the winter when fresh tomatoes aren’t in season. Simply thaw what you need before using. Alternatively, peel, seed, and puree or crush beefsteak tomatoes before freezing for an easy Tomato base.
Making Tomato Jam
Turning beefsteak tomatoes into sweet tomato jam is a unique way to enjoy their flavor. Tomato jam highlights the natural sugars in the tomato. Simmer cored, peeled, chopped tomatoes with sugar and lemon juice until thickened and spreadable. Season with spices like cinnamon or cardamom for extra flavor. Use tomato jam on sandwiches, bruschetta, grilled cheese, and crostini. It also makes a nice glaze for meatloaf or ham.
Juicing
Beefsteak tomatoes provide lots of rich, sweet tomato juice when juiced. Pass peeled, cored tomatoes through a juicer and collect the resulting juice. Enjoy the juice on its own, or use it to make gazpacho, tomato cocktail mixes, or virgin Bloody Marys. Tomato juice is also a great way to extract nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants from beefsteak tomatoes. Just be sure to drink the juice soon after making it for the best flavor and nutrition.
Frying
Frying really concentrates the flavor of beefsteak tomatoes and gives them a delicious crispy texture. To fry, cut the tomatoes into thick slices and dust with flour, cornmeal, or panko crumbs. Fry in olive oil for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. Fried green tomatoes are a classic Southern dish that is made even better with meaty beefsteak tomato slices. Fried beefsteak tomatoes make amazing burger and sandwich toppings. You can also fry halved or quartered tomatoes for an easy side dish.
Making Guacamole
Using beefsteak tomatoes helps create extra thick, chunky guacamole. Diced beefsteak tomatoes provide more firm pieces of tomato compared to smaller varieties. The juicy tomato bits add nice bursts of color and flavor contrast to the creamy avocado base. Beefsteak tomatoes have a lower water content, so there is less risk of the guacamole getting watered down. When making chunky beefsteak tomato guacamole, be sure to remove the gel and seeds from the tomato pieces.
Baking
Baked beefsteak tomatoes make a simple, healthy side dish. To bake, simply cut tomatoes in half, drizzle with oil, and season. Place them cut-side up on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes until softened and edges are browned. Baked beefsteak tomatoes pair perfectly with fish, chicken, steak, and plant-based proteins. You can also stuff halved tomatoes before baking them. Some delicious stuffing mixes include breadcrumbs, cheese, herbs, rice, ground meat, or vegetables.
Making Salsa
Beefsteak tomatoes are the ideal base for fresh salsa. Their firm, meaty flesh dice up nicely and provides hearty tomato texture and flavor. Combined with ingredients like onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime juice, beefsteak tomatoes make super flavorful salsa for dipping chips or topping tacos. Roasting the beefsteak tomatoes before making salsa adds even more depth of flavor. For a restaurant-style presentation, serve the salsa in hollowed out beefsteak tomato halves.
Topping Flatbreads and Pizzas
The large circular shape and meaty flesh of beefsteak tomatoes make them perfect for topping flatbreads and pizzas. Arrange sliced or quartered tomatoes over the flatbread or pizza crust before or after baking. Beefsteak tomatoes handle high heat well so they won’t become watery or mushy. Their sweetness provides nice contrast to the cheese, sauce, and other savory pizza toppings. Beefsteak tomatoes give excellent coverage and plenty of juice when biting into a flatbread or slice of pizza.
Making Stew
When making beef, chicken, or vegetable stew, add one or two halved or quartered beefsteak tomatoes during the last 30 minutes of simmering. The tomatoes will soften but still hold their shape, creating hearty tomato pieces in every spoonful. The juices also thicken the stew broth. Be sure to season the stew well so the tomato flavor shines. A little sugar can balance out the acidity. Beefsteak tomatoes work for making stew because their firm flesh doesn’t break down too quickly.
Making Bruschetta
Bruschetta loaded with juicy beefsteak tomatoes is a classic Italian appetizer. Chop and drain fresh beefsteak tomatoes before mixing with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, basil, and seasoning. Spoon the mix over grilled bread slices. Beefsteak tomatoes provide more substantial chunks and texture than smaller grape or cherry tomatoes. Let the bread soak up the tomato juices for amazing flavor in every bite. Beefsteak tomatoes are the best choice for making bruschetta.
Topping Tacos
Tacos get a juicy burst of flavor from chopped or sliced beefsteak tomatoes. The large pieces and meaty texture hold up well on tacos of all types including fish, carnitas, carne asada, and beyond beef. Diced tomatoes add freshness to balance the rich taco fillings. Mixing in some of the tomato juice helps keep the tacos from getting too dry. Beefsteak tomatoes make excellent pico de gallo too. Just dice, mix with onion, cilantro, lime juice, and seasoning for fresh taco topping.
Making BLT Sandwiches
A BLT sandwich is only as good as its tomatoes. Meaty beefsteak tomato slices are the best choice to pair with crispy bacon and lettuce. The substantial slices don’t slip out from the sandwich or become mushy. Beefsteak tomatoes provide plenty of sweet tomato juice to complement the saltiness of the bacon. A few slices give great tomato coverage in every bite. For an even heartier sandwich, add sliced avocado. Beefsteak tomatoes are a must for the ultimate BLT experience.
Conclusion
Beefsteak tomatoes are very versatile and can be used in endless recipes from sandwiches and tacos to salsa and stew. Their sweet flavor and meaty texture make them ideal for eating raw, while they also cook down beautifully into rich sauces. Grilling and roasting beefsteak tomatoes brings out their best flavors. No matter how you use them, beefsteak tomatoes provide an amazing depth of flavor and juiciness that can’t be beaten.