At a glance
Toss cherry tomatoes, on or off the vine, with olive oil, salt, pepper and thyme. Smoke them at 225°F to 250°F for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the skins wrinkle and some start to burst. Use them warm in pasta and salads, or keep them in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Smoked cherry tomatoes are one of the easiest ways to add a burst of smoky flavor to everyday dishes. The heat concentrates their sweetness, the skins blister, and the smoke adds a savory depth. Throw a pan on alongside whatever else you are smoking and you have an instant pasta sauce, salad topping or bruschetta.
On the vine or loose?
Tomatoes on the vine look stunning on a platter and keep their shape well. Loose cherry or grape tomatoes are easier to toss with seasonings and to use in sauces. Both take about the same time. For a whole batch of tomatoes turned into a spread, see our smoked tomato jam.
How long to smoke them
For a light smoke and tomatoes that still hold their shape, 45 minutes is plenty. For softer, jammier tomatoes that collapse into a sauce, give them a full hour or a little more. Keep the smoke clean and thin, as tomatoes can turn bitter with heavy smoke.
Recipe
Smoked Cherry Tomatoes
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 1 hr
- Total
- 1 hr 10 min
- Makes
- 4 servings as a side
- Smoker 225°F (107°C) to 250°F (121°C)
- About 45 minutes to 1 hour
- Done when soft and starting to burst
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb (680 g) cherry or grape tomatoes, on the vine if possible
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves or a few basil leaves
- 1 tsp balsamic vinegar (optional)
Equipment
- Smoker
- Cast iron pan, foil tray or grill basket
Method
- Rinse and dry the tomatoes. Leave them on the vine, or toss loose tomatoes in a pan.
- Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper and thyme.
- Heat the smoker to 225°F to 250°F (107°C to 121°C) with apple, cherry or oak.
- Smoke for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the skins wrinkle and some begin to burst.
- Drizzle with balsamic vinegar if you like and use warm, or cool and store.
Notes
- Smoked tomatoes keep for 4 to 5 days in the fridge in a covered container.
- Do not store them under oil at room temperature. Keep them in the fridge and use them within 4 days if covered in oil.
Ways to use smoked cherry tomatoes
- Tossed through hot pasta with olive oil, garlic and parmesan.
- Spooned over burrata or smoked goat cheese with basil.
- Blended into a smoky salsa with onion, chili and lime.
- Piled on toast as bruschetta.
Frequently asked questions
How long do you smoke cherry tomatoes?
About 45 minutes to 1 hour at 225°F to 250°F.
Can I smoke larger tomatoes?
Yes. Halve Roma or vine tomatoes and smoke them cut side up for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
How do I store smoked tomatoes?
In a covered container in the fridge for 4 to 5 days, or freeze them for up to 3 months.