The Best Bruschetta Recipe - Shaye Elliott (2024)

There's one reason I garden. Well, I should say, there's a reason above many others why I garden. And the reason lay right here:

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Sweet morsels of angel deliciousness. How I look forward to you each year – succulent, sweet, juicy, bright. The flavor of summer. The juicy fruit of the Gods.

Once tomato season hits, you'll be hard pressed to find me cooking anything besides caprese salads and this delicious bruschetta recipe. Because… frankly… why try and beat perfect? There's no point. This is, quite literally, the best bruschetta recipe in the history of the entire world.

You don't even have to take my word for it. Make it. Taste it. Die.

You will need:

– 2 pounds fresh, garden tomatoes (the better the tomato the better the bruschetta… source some good ones!)

– 6 tablespoons olive oil (I buy mine every year in bulk from Chaffin Family Orchards)

Sea salt & freshly ground pepper, to taste

– 1/2 cup freshly chopped basil

– Sweet balsamic vinegar (here's the only brand I buy in bulk!)

– 1 clove garlic, peeled

– Fresh, crusty bread (I use Eat, Drink, & Be Merry Bread – recipe from From Scratch!)

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1.Using a breadknife, gently chop the tomatoes into small pieces. I like to slice them all one way… and then gently slice them the opposite way so I end up with pretty squares. The point is not to obliterate the tomato into a mushy mess, but rather to keep the integrity of the tomato intact. It should, after chopping, still resemble a tomato. Hence the breadknife – it really helps to not just squish the tomato. Place the tomato pieces into a large bowl.

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2. Drizzle the tomatoes with the olive oil.

3. Give the tomatoes a small pinch of sea salt and a few goodgrindings of fresh black pepper. How much salt you need with vary based on your tomato variety, so don't overdo it! Start slow.

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4. Add in that delicious basil… mmm…. smelling like summer, isn't it?! Stir to combine.

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5. Meanwhile, place some thick bread slices under the broiler for a few minutes or into the toaster. Some people serve their bruschetta with soft bread. I am not one of those people. I think the soft tomatoes pair much better with a crunchy bread. It adds wonderful texture to the dish. So broil the bread, I say! Once the bread is nice and toasted, rub it geeeently with the garlic clove. This adds a nice hint of garlic to the dish without it being a punch of garlic in the face.

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Theflavor of garlic is gravely missed in this dish if you skip this step. So don't do that! Just gently rub the toasted bread with the garlic clove. Just do it I say!

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6. Place the toasted garlic bread on a dish. Drizzle the bread with that oh-so-delicious-high-quality balsamic vinegar we've been talking about. (Note: this is my all time favorite balsamic vinegar! I buy it in bulk and use it straight as salad dressing and for a million other things. It's fantastic!).

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7. Lastly, scoop a big ‘ol pile of bruschetta onto the toast… like so:

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Oh dear. Oh dear, dear, dear.

If you want to add a bit more to the dish, lay a nice piece of homemade mozzarella onto the bread before the tomatoes. It simply doesn't get any better than these basic and classic flavors coming together in the most delicious way possible.

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Happy bruschetta eating, my friends! I hope you enjoy!

For other great meal ideas, no matter what your dietary restrictions, check out the meal planning service I use: Real Plans.

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This is, quite literally, the best bruschetta recipe in the history of the entire world.

  • 2 pounds fresh (garden tomatoes)
  • 6 tablespoons olive oil
  • Sea salt & freshly ground pepper (to taste)
  • 1/2 cup freshly chopped basil
  • Sweet balsamic vinegar
  • 1 clove garlic (peeled)
  • Fresh (crusty bread)
  1. Using a bread knife, gently chop the tomatoes into small pieces. Place the tomato pieces into a large bowl.
  2. Drizzle the tomatoes with the olive oil.
  3. Give the tomatoes a small pinch of sea salt and a few good grindings of fresh black pepper. How much salt you need with vary based on your tomato variety, so don’t overdo it! Start slow.
  4. Add in that delicious basil… mmm…. smelling like summer, isn’t it?! Stir to combine.
  5. Meanwhile, place some thick bread slices under the broiler for a few minutes or into the toaster.
  6. Once the bread is nice and toasted, rub it gently with the garlic clove. This adds a nice hint of garlic to the dish without it being a punch of garlic in the face.
  7. Place the toasted garlic bread on a dish. Drizzle the bread with balsamic vinegar.
  8. Lastly, scoop a big ‘ol pile of bruschetta onto the toast. Enjoy.

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The Best Bruschetta Recipe - Shaye Elliott (2024)

FAQs

What is the best tomato for bruschetta? ›

The key to making the best bruschetta? It's all in the tomatoes. Because tomatoes are the focus of this simple recipe, it's worth it to use ripe, fresh ones. Juicier tomatoes work, but drier varieties like Roma are really what you're looking for.

Why does my bruschetta taste bitter? ›

Fresh herbs like basil can turn bitter if they are chopped too finely or bruised too much. Gently tear or chop them just before adding them to the bruschetta. Another factor could be overripe or low-quality tomatoes, which can taste bitter. Try using fresh, ripe tomatoes for a sweeter flavor.

How long does homemade bruschetta last in the fridge? ›

Once the bread is lightly toasted, rub garlic on each slice and spoon on the tomato mixture. Drizzle with the balsamic glaze, if desired, and enjoy! Store any excess bruschetta in a sealed, airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Why is my bruschetta watery? ›

Peel and gut your tomatoes

Seeds and skin also contain extra water, which can make your bruschetta runny and your toast points soggy. No one wants that!

What tomato has the best flavor? ›

'Gold Medal' (beefsteak, indeterminate, heirloom c. 1920) is arguably the top bicolor for taste. The giant 1-3 lb fruits are perfectly marbled with red and yellow and are large, meaty, and juicy. It has won lots of taste tests where it has been described as luscious and superb.

Should you deseed tomatoes for bruschetta? ›

If you're using beefsteak or medium to large heirloom tomatoes, take the extra time to peel and seed tomatoes before dicing them. Not only can thick tomato skins and bitter seeds add a less-than-desirable flavor and texture to your topping, but seeds add extra water, which can make your toasts runny and even soggy.

What neutralizes bitter taste? ›

Sweetness: From sugar, honey, fruits or otherwise, sweetness will counteract bitter and sour flavours. It can also be used to cut down the heat of a particularly spicy meal. Saltiness: Salt plays two very important roles in flavouring a dish. Firstly, it balances against bitterness.

How do you upgrade bruschetta? ›

40 ways to make your bruschetta even better
  1. Grilled haloumi and tomato bruschetta with za'atar caper salsa. ...
  2. Roasted capsicum bruschetta. ...
  3. Bruschetta with butter-braised zucchini and smoked salmon. ...
  4. Eggplant, fennel and burrata rye bruschetta. ...
  5. Tomato conserva bruschetta. ...
  6. Mushroom bruschetta with garlic and macadamia pesto.

Is bruschetta supposed to be hard? ›

Bread used for bruschetta can be either hard or soft. Some people like their bruschetta crunchy, and at any rate the toppings tend to soften the bread slices somewhat.

Is bruschetta good or bad for you? ›

Despite being a smaller dish, there are a few significant health benefits that come with bruschetta. Many of them are within the tomatoes! Amongst other things, they are a great source of potassium and Vitamin C. They are also a great source of antioxidants, which can help do all sorts of things for your body.

What can I use instead of basil for bruschetta? ›

Fresh oregano, thyme, and marjoram are all delicious substitutes for basil in bruschetta.

What do you eat with bruschetta? ›

The best side dishes to serve with bruschetta are Caprese salad, prosciutto wrapped melon, marinated olives, scrambled eggs, butternut squash, Italian sausage, pork tenderloin, zucchini noodles, grilled vegetables, antipasto platter, Caesar salad, stuffed cherry peppers, and pasta salad.

What is the stuff on top of bruschetta called? ›

Ian De Pagie. food blogger Author has 2.8K answers and 47M. · 10mo. Though the whole thing is usually called bruschetta, the topping is called the condiment.

What's the best way to eat bruschetta? ›

The bread is then served warm either with a topping spooned over or with a topping on the side so each person can build their own bruschetta. Bruschetta is meant to be served as a hand-held finger food, large enough for one or two bites.

What kind of tomatoes do Italians use? ›

A DOP Italian tomato that's probably the best known in the world is the San Marzano tomato. San Marzano tomatoes are from the Campania region and are almost always used for tomato sauce, fresh or canned. They are somewhat elongated and have a thick and rich pulp with very few seeds.

What is the most popular tomato in Italy? ›

Simply known as San Marzano – The King of Tomatoes is one of Italy's most popular varieties. It has an intense flavor, thick flesh, and low acidity that make it perfect for creating rich tomato sauces. It is said to have fewer seeds than other varieties, which makes them easier to prepare.

Which tomato is best for caprese? ›

When selecting tomatoes, choose fragrant ones that smell earthy at the stem end and feel heavy for their size. Avoid any with wrinkled skins. You can also make a caprese with smaller tomato varieties, such as plum, roma, cherry, grape, or sungold.

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