Ways to Use Ripe Tomatoes

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Looking for ways to use ripe tomatoes? You’ll love these easy ways to use tomatoes and your family will, too!

If you have an overabundance of tomatoes coming from your garden, you may have more than you know what to do with. Chances are your tomatoes are ripening and even getting over ripe faster than you can make use of them.

Don’t despair! There are several ways you can use those over ripe tomatoes. It doesn’t matter if they’re store bought or from your garden, you have to try these ways to use ripe tomatoes.

Ways to use Ripe Tomatoes:

1. Make Spaghetti Sauce

Spaghetti sauce is a perfect choice for tomatoes that are just a little too soft for regular eating. We have a delicious crock pot spaghetti sauce with meat recipe that you can try. If you have too much to make just spaghetti sauce, you can also make basic tomato sauce, too.

A large plate of spaghetti topped with a delicious spaghetti sauce

2. Tomato Soup

Do you love tomato soup? If so, then you’re in luck. Those over ripe tomatoes can make some great soup for you. Search for some great recipes online or check out this creamy tomato basil soup recipe.

Check a few out then get to work making your own homemade tomato soup to enjoy with some grilled cheese sandwiches on a chilly fall evening. Nothing beats it!

A bowl of creamy tomato soup topped with homemade croutons

3. Dried or Dehydrated Tomatoes

Put your food dehydrator to good use by drying those tomatoes. They are great in salads and on homemade pizzas. If you don’t have a dehydrator, Amazon has some on sale right now with great reviews.

Check the instructions that came with your dehydrator, or check out this post from Pick your own on how to dry tomatoes. If you don’t have a food dehydrator, use your oven to dry those babies! They will be great come winter.

4. Slow-Roasted Tomatoes

Slow roasting tomatoes basically brings all of their flavor to the surface! It doesn’t matter if they’re overripe or under ripe, slow roasting is the way to go! Slow roast those tomatoes to save for later and add to other dishes, to liven up a basic side dish or even for snacking.

To slow roast tomatoes, first halve the tomatoes and then place them along with garlic cloves on a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper.

Drizzle a little olive oil on the tomatoes and add herbs and seasonings if you’d like. Bake for about three hours in a 225 degree oven. Allow them to cool then put into a jar, and cover with olive oil.

Store in the fridge and then use them as you need them. Oh how I love slow roasted tomatoes! So much so, that this Roasted Tomato Mozzarella Salad is a staple in our house during the summer! This is the perfect recipe for your heirloom tomato varieties. YUM!

Roasted Tomato and Mozzarella Salad with fresh basil

5. Make Salsa

When life gives you tomatoes, you have to make salsa! Am I right? Just about everything is better when salsa is involved! Whether you like the traditional homemade salsa or pico de gallo, either way they’re a great way to use up those ripe tomatoes.

Both of those can be made in under 30 minutes, too which makes them a great addition to your Taco Tuesday or Taco Bar Parties!

A bowl of homemade salsa next to corn chips

6. Summer Tomato Salad

One of the easiest, most basic ways to use up over ripe tomatoes (and other garden vegetables), is to create a quick and easy salad. Simply combine chopped tomatoes and other veggies such as red pepper, onions, garlic, and cucumber and toss in olive oil and red wine vinegar.

If you have a red onion it gives the salad a sweet kick! Season with salt and pepper and you have an incredible fresh tomato recipe that everyone will love!

It’s easy to let those tomatoes sit out and get over ripe. When you have too many, you just can’t seem to use them up before they start to get a little soft. Use some of these ideas to turn your abundant harvest into useful food items.

If you don’t have a garden, you can also stock up on tomatoes from the grocery store or from the Farmer’s Market when they are rock bottom price. Then you can use these 5 tips to help you use them to save you money.