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Home » Cherry Tomato Confit

Cherry Tomato Confit

By Hank Shaw on August 26, 2021 - 31 Comments

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5 from 32 votes
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Cherry tomato confit sounds a lot more esoteric than it is. Basically this is slow roasted cherry tomatoes with salt and olive oil, plus some garlic and herbs.

It is incredibly versatile as a topping for pasta, polenta, bread, rice, or mixed with grilled vegetables as a sort of sauce — it’s a fantastic way to use up a ton of cherry tomatoes.

A bowl of cherry tomato confit
Photo by Holly A. Heyser

I grow several varieties of cherry tomatoes, sungolds, Mexico midgets, and sometimes others. I like the color and size variations, and I find that many supermarkets and farmer’s markets will sell either baskets of various varieties, or mixed baskets.

And while no, you don’t need multiple varieties for cherry tomato confit, it looks prettier. And summer food ought to be pretty.

The method is stupid easy.

Arrange the cherry tomatoes in one layer on a baking sheet, douse with extra-virgin olive oil, scatter smashed garlic cloves all around and sprinkle salt and maybe some herbs over it. Bake at 225°F until the tomatoes collapse, which takes some time.

How long is up to you. At least 2 hours, and I would go closer to 4 or 5 hours. The longer time will concentrate flavors, break down the skins a bit, infuse the olive oil with flavor, and soften the garlic cloves.

cherry tomato confit over pasta in a bowl
Photo by Holly A. Heyser

I mostly use cherry tomato confit as a mega-flavorful topping for starchy-bready things like, well, bread, pizza, polenta, pasta or even rice. You can also use it as the filling in a cherry tomato tart.

Or, use it alongside a simple seared duck breast or a steak. I really like it over seared or butter poached fish. It’s amazing as a dressing of sorts for grilled zucchini, potatoes and onions.

Use your imagination. And you’ll have some time. Once made, cherry tomato confit will keep several weeks in the fridge. I like to put it in glass Mason jars. It is not shelf stable, however.

A bowl of cherry tomato confit
Print Recipe
5 from 32 votes

Cherry Tomato Confit

Any variety of cherry tomatoes will work here, and I recommend using several, just because it's pretty. Once made, this keeps several weeks in the fridge. Keep the tomatoes covered by the olive oil.
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time4 hrs
Total Time4 hrs 10 mins
Course: Appetizer, Condiment, Main Course, Pasta
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 185kcal
Author: Hank Shaw

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds cherry tomatoes
  • 1 head garlic, cloves peeled and separated
  • Salt
  • 2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary, or thyme or basil or oregano

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 225°F. Arrange the tomatoes in one layer in sheet pans. Scatter the garlic cloves among them. Drizzle the olive oil over everything and sprinkle everything with salt. Set in the oven for between 2 and 5 hours.
  • When the tomatoes have collapsed and have simmered for at least 1 hour, sprinkle the herbs over everything. Turn off the heat and leave the pans in the oven. Once everything has returned to room temperature, pack into containers. This will keep several weeks in the fridge.

Notes

If you happen to have large cherry tomatoes, slice them in half. And yes, this works with large tomatoes, but you will need to chop them. 

Keys to Success

  • Ingredients matter. Use fresh tomatoes, and good olive oil. 
  • Err on cooking this longer than shorter. You want the garlic to be soft. You want the flavors to marry. 
  • Use whatever herb you like. I prefer rosemary, but oregano, marjoram, sage, mint, parsley, savory, basil, etc. are all very nice. 
  • Puree this for a crazy good pasta sauce. Or just spoon it on as is. 

Nutrition

Calories: 185kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Sodium: 14mg | Potassium: 265mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 569IU | Vitamin C: 27mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg
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Filed Under: American Recipes, Appetizers and Snacks, Featured, How-To (DIY stuff), Recipe

Avatar for Hank Shaw

Hank Shaw

Hey there. Welcome to Hunter Angler Gardener Cook, the internet's largest source of recipes and know-how for wild foods. I am a chef, author, and yes, hunter, angler, gardener, forager and cook. Follow me on Instagram and on Facebook.

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Comments

  1. Avatar for CleveCleve says

    August 22, 2022 at 5:25 pm

    Made this on Saturday from my garden tomatoes (and some from the farmer’s market — been a tough year here for tomatoes.) Deee-liscious! Pureed most for sauce as Hank suggests. Reserved a few for texture. Sauteed some button mushrooms in the confit oil. Served over spaghetti with some added fresh basil from the garden and some sliced black olives. Pretty great Meatless Monday dinner. Which observation I usually ignore.

    Reply
  2. Avatar for Hunter GreggHunter Gregg says

    August 17, 2022 at 8:51 am

    My wife and I love this! Since the first time I made this, we keep a jar in the refrigerator while the tomatoes are producing… why not when this is such an easy and passive recipe? Great on its own over pasta, and spectacular with fish!

    Reply
  3. Avatar for GreggGregg says

    August 9, 2022 at 2:53 pm

    Perfect easy put it on Pan Roasted Striper

    Reply
  4. Avatar for John FitzgibbonJohn Fitzgibbon says

    August 9, 2022 at 12:35 pm

    Tried this once a few weeks ago, have made it twice since. It’s so versatile and a great way to use my tomatoes in summer. Love it on pasta

    Reply
  5. Avatar for ShaneShane says

    July 15, 2022 at 4:06 am

    These are amazing! My new go to base for bruschetta.

    Reply
  6. Avatar for Ron May-PumphreyRon May-Pumphrey says

    October 19, 2021 at 2:56 pm

    Third batch this summer and each has made 2-3 meals for my wife and me. Definitely a “keeper”.

    Reply
  7. Avatar for Sue BuckholzSue Buckholz says

    October 2, 2021 at 10:51 am

    Love your recipes in general but this one is phenomenal. SO much more than the sum of its parts. Thank you!!

    Reply
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Hi, my name is Hank Shaw; I’m a James Beard Award-winning author and chef. I started this site back in 2007 to help you get the most out of all things wild: fish, game, edible wild plants and mushrooms. I also write cookbooks, have a website dedicated to the intersection of food and nature, and do a podcast, too. If it’s wild, you’ll find it here. Hope you enjoy the site!

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