5 Creative Ways to Use Up Tomatoes & Prevent Food Waste

Tomatoes take 100 days to grow, so don't waste a single one!

Tomatoes are one of my favourite ingredients and they are best stored at room temperature. Therefore, they can sometimes ripen faster than expected, leaving me scrambling for ways to use them up!

Instead of letting them go to waste, here are five creative and practical ways to put your tomatoes to good use.

1. Make a Quick and Easy Tomato Sauce

When your tomatoes are on the brink of over-ripeness, a homemade tomato sauce is a lifesaver as it’s easy to make and very versatile.

How to make it:
Chop your tomatoes and sauté them with olive oil, garlic, onions, and a pinch of salt. You can add chilli, basil, oregano, mixed herbs, etc. extra flavour. Simmer the tomatoes until the sauce thickens, then blend for a smoother texture, if desired.
Use it for: Pasta, pizza, pesto or on top of toasted sourdough, with a bit of feta on top. You can also add it to any tomato-based sauces like Bolognese.

Pro tip: Freeze small portions in jars for future use.

2. Make a Fresh Tomato Salad

When you want something light and refreshing, a tomato salad is the perfect choice.

Simple recipe:
Slice ripe tomatoes and mix with fresh mozzarella, basil, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. Sprinkle with salt and pepper for a classic Caprese salad.
Other options: Add cucumbers, red onions, and feta for a Greek Salad.

This works well as a side dish or a light lunch.

3. Roast them

Roasting tomatoes enhances their sweetness and transforms them into an even more versatile ingredient. If you have the oven on anyway for something else, this is a great option.

How to roast:
Halve or quarter your tomatoes depending on how big they are, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, pepper, and herbs (like thyme or rosemary), and roast at 190°C (375°F) until they’re caramelized, about 20 minutes. Make sure you don’t overdo it as they’ll get dried out. Be sure to scrape up all the delicious jellied juices – the best bit!

What to do with roasted tomatoes: Add them to salads, blend into soups, or use them as a topping for pasta. I also love them just served on some sourdough toast.

Pro tip: Store roasted tomatoes in olive oil in the fridge for a longer shelf life and to prevent food waste.

4. Make Homemade Salsa

You can very easily turn your tomatoes into a zesty salsa.

Basic recipe:
Chop tomatoes, onions, coriander (cilantro), and jalapeños. Mix with lime juice, salt, and a dash of cumin. Adjust spice levels to your preference.
Ways to use it: Pair with tortilla chips, spoon over grilled chicken, or serve as a taco topping.

Homemade salsa is fresher and tastier than store-bought options. It doesn’t keep for long, but that shouldn’t be a problem!

5. Blend Them into a Tomato Smoothie or Juice

Tomatoes also make great in drinks too!

Smoothie idea:
Blend ripe tomatoes with a little orange juice, a pinch of salt, and a few basil leaves for a refreshing drink.
Classic juice:
Go savoury with a homemade Virgin Mary by blending tomatoes, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and your favourite spices.

These drinks are delicious but also super good for you.

Final Thoughts on Preventing Food Waste from Tomatoes

Reducing food waste requires you to be a bit more creative in the kitchen. It takes 100 days to grow a tomato, so it’s a shame to waste a single one! Whether you roast, blend, chop, or cook them, these ideas above will ensure your tomatoes never go to waste again. If you are short on time, simply put the tomatoes in a jar and freeze them for later use in a Bolognese or other sauce.

What’s your favourite way to use up ripe tomatoes? Let us know in the comments!

Save this guide for your next tomato surplus and share it with fellow foodies looking to cut down on food waste