How to Cut Tomatoes for Salad

🍅 What is the best kind of tomato for a salad?

The best kind of tomato depends on the salad you are making. It is best to use small sweet tomatoes like Campari tomatoes (they are about 2 inches wide) or cherry tomatoes also called grape tomatoes for green salads.

You can also dice larger tomatoes for salads but this does take extra work. I suggest you save those for Caprese salad where slicing tomatoes like heirloom varieties and beefsteak tomatoes work best.

I do not recommend paste tomatoes or Roma tomatoes for salads.

🔪What is the best knife for cutting tomatoes?

Serrated knives are best for cutting tomatoes. They have a saw-like blade that can easily slice through the skin. A bread knife is also great for slicing large tomatoes into wedges or slices.

But my time favorite knife for cutting tomatoes is this cheese knife. It is specially made for cutting fruits, vegetables, and cheese!

The most stable way to hold your knife in your dominant hand. Grip the handle with your thumb and index finger on either side of the blade. Place your middle finger on the back of the handle, near the blade, to provide additional support and control.

Tomato Wedges

This is the most popular way to cut a tomato for a salad. Use tomatoes that are less than 3 inches wide. Because of their small size, I don't typically cut off the tomato stem but you can do that by

Cut the tomato in half and lay the tomato flesh side down. Cut into smaller wedges, 3 to 4 wedges per half.

If desired, you can remove the seeds from the wedges by gently scooping them out with a spoon.

Sliced Tomatoes

This is the preferred method for layered salads. Place the tomato on its side, carefully take a small sliver off the bottom and discard. Use your knife to cut a ⅓ inch slice off the tomatoes. Repeat this until you reach the top of the tomato. You can discard the top pieces or remove the stem and use it in your salad.

Diced Tomatoes

This is the best way to cut larger tomatoes.

Start by cutting a small portion from the top and bottom of the tomato, so it is flat on both sides. Then cut in half again and continue to make parallel cuts until you get your desired size pieces. Rotate and make equally size cuts, i.e. cut in the opposite direction.

You can also cut around the stem and dice both the bottom and top pieces to reduce waste.

How to Cut Cherry Tomatoes

Cherry tomatoes should actually be cut into halves or quarters. Hold them between for index finger and thumb down on the cutting board. Slide your knife through and gently cut it in half.

💬Frequently Asked Questions

How do you cut tomatoes for a greek salad?

For Greek salads, tomatoes are typically cut into wedges or half-wedges.

How do you cut tomatoes for a Caprese salad?

For a traditional Caprese salad the tomatoes are cut into thick slices. Although some versions use wedges or wedges cut in half.

How do you deseed a tomato?

To remove the seeds from a tomato cut the tomato in half vertically. Using a spoon, scoop out the seeds from each half of the tomato.

🌡️How to Store Fresh Tomatoes

Ripe tomatoes should be used within 2 to 3 days. Store them at room temperature on the counter, away from direct sunlight. Alternatively, you can refrigerate them, but I do not recommend this for salad tomatoes or any tomatoes that will be eaten raw. Refrigeration can cause the skin to wrinkle and the flesh to become mealy.

Underripe and green tomatoes can be left in full sunlight to finish ripening. Place them in a single layer on a plate or tray, stem side down, and keep them away from direct sunlight. They should be ready to eat within a few days.

Once you have cut the tomatoes, it’s important to store them properly in order for them to remain fresh and tasty. You can store the leftover wedges or slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should stay fresh for 2-3 days.