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22 Plant-Based Recipes to Make the Most of Tomato Season

By Lisa Esile,

Last Updated:

It’s that time of year when tomatoes are cheap, plentiful, and at their seasonal peak. If you find yourself with more juicy tomatoes than you know what to do with, here are some tantalizing dishes!

Bulgur-Bean Salad with Tomato Vinaigrette on a gray ceramic plate with a green cloth napkin

Bulgur-Bean Salad with Tomato Vinaigrette

Tomatoes do double duty in this chewy bulgur wheat and mixed bean salad with juicy, quartered cherry tomatoes taking center stage. An out-of-this-world tomato vinaigrette delivers a sweet, acidic kick to tie all the flavors together. Serve over a bed of greens, and don't hold back!
Spicy Corn and Tomato Salad in a yellow serving bowl with metal serving utensils

Spicy Corn and Tomato Salad

In this colorful summery salad, the sweet flavor of corn works well with the rustic tang of in-season tomatoes. Peppery scallions, fresh cilantro, and tart lemon juice brighten the earthy flavors, while chopped jalapeño lends heat. This refreshing corn and tomato salad is excellent eaten on its own or spooned over tortilla chips, plant-based tacos, or whole grain toasts.
Greek-Style Vegan Stuffed Tomatoes in a baking pan, with filling spilling out

Greek-Style Stuffed Tomatoes

The intense flavors of peak-season produce make these stuffed tomatoes tastier than ever. Filled with brown rice, currants, roasted pine nuts, and a choice selection of herbs, they make a scrumptious side dish fit for any occasion.
A hearty, colorful bowl of polenta and mashed sweet potato topped with blistered cherry tomatoes and juicy cremini mushrooms, with a dish of pine nuts on the side

Polenta and Sweet Potato Mash with Mushroom Sauce

In this incredibly satisfying, robust family meal, cherry tomatoes, spinach, and mushrooms are served over mashed sweet potato and polenta. Mathematically speaking, this is comfort food squared!
Vegan Tomato Soup with Chickpeas

Garden Chickpea Tomato Soup

This vibrant summertime soup features chickpeas in a blended base made from tomato, bell pepper, onion, and garlic, topped with pumpkin seeds, quartered cherry tomatoes, and parsley.
Air-Fried Green Tomatoes on a white plate with dipping sauce

Air-Fried Green Tomatoes

In this oil-free take on a Southern classic, unripe green tomatoes are coated in subtly spiced breadcrumbs and fried in an air-fryer to delicious effect: Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, these tasty treats are stealthily healthy. Serve with Creamy Dairy-Free Dill Ranch Dip. Notes a reader, “Totally awesome recipe!”
Cherry Tomato Bruschetta Tartines on a white countertop

Cherry Tomato Bruschetta Tartines

Smarten up your toast-topping repertoire with these delectable sprouted whole grain toasts. Just add a slather of a creamy cannellini bean spread and top with tangy cherry tomatoes, cool cucumber slices, a few beans, and fresh basil to create a nourishing meal or snack. Shares one fan, “A hit in our household!”
Homemade Ketchup in a glass bottle sitting on a wood cutting board next to fresh tomatoes

Fresh Tomato Ketchup

There really is nothing like transforming a box of in-season tomatoes into a delectable sauce, rich with spicy flavor. And it’s easy to do: Most of the work is hands-off, as you let the tomatoes simmer on the stove. Once made, ketchup will keep for 6-8 months if unopened, 1 month when opened.
A bowl of Summer Tomato Soup with Pesto Breadsticks on the side

Quick Summer Tomato Soup with Pesto Breadsticks

Thick and absolutely delicious, this vegan tomato soup features both fresh and canned tomatoes, sweet potato, navy beans, and corn. Serve with twisty pesto breadsticks for a meal that’ll be remembered long after the dishes have been cleared.
Bold red tomato chutney served in a teal stoneware bowl

Tomato Tamarind Chutney

Having chutney on hand is an easy way to boost the flavor of curries, grain bowls, or sandwiches, and making your own is easier than you’d think. Here, the grassy aroma of fresh tomato mingles with the sweet tang of tamarind paste in this flavor-packed homemade chutney. A few toasted cumin seeds and black mustard seeds add complex flavor to tie it all together.
Vegan Ratatouille Baked Penne

Ratatouille Baked Penne

This saucy vegan ratatouille—fragrant with fresh herbs and loaded with veggies, kidney beans, and whole grain pasta—is one for the whole family!
Creamy Avocado Kale Pasta in a white bowl on wooden table next to a small bowl of paprika

Creamy Avocado-Kale Pasta

Fresh asparagus and cherry tomatoes take center stage in this scrumptious pasta dish, which also features a palate-pleasing kale-and-avocado sauce. Writes a reviewer, “This dish is so delicious! I have made it for my family, and they all loved it. If you have a toddler, this dish works very well as they can grab the pasta with their hands and they get a good serving of veggies even if they don’t eat the asparagus and/or tomatoes.”
Chipotle-Watermelon Gazpacho recipe

Chipotle-Watermelon Gazpacho

Equal parts cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and watermelon, this chilled summer soup has a tangy flavor and crunch that’s instantly refreshing. Cumin powder and chipotle chile powder add an earthiness and a pop of heat, while lemon zest, lemon juice, and cilantro give it a zesty lift.
spicy tomato sushi rolls

Spicy Tomato Sushi Rolls

You’ll savor every bite of these vegan sushi. Wrapped in toasted nori sheets, riced butternut squash adds extra sweetness to sticky brown rice and perfectly pairs with the spicy tomato-vegetable filling. Notes a commenter, “These are delicious and the tomatoes make for a wonderful mouth feel instead of meat or fish.”

Roasted Tomato Salsa

Whether you’re entertaining or looking for a movie night snack, this smoky salsa and a batch of homemade baked tortilla chips will have everyone munching happily. And it’s ready in only 20 minutes!
Chickpea and Corn Fritters with Tomato-Corn Chutney on a white platter

Chickpea and Corn Fritters with Tomato-Corn Chutney

These fabulous oven-baked fritters, served with a dollop of homemade tomato and corn chutney, have that going-out-to-brunch feel. The chutney, which features tomato, corn, apples, and sweet onion, needs to be simmered for 10 minutes; it can be prepared while you’re waiting for the fritters to bake.
Sunshine Gazpacho topepd with apple slices and mint in blue bowls on a peach colored tabletop

Sunshine Gazpacho

Golden heirloom tomatoes give this refreshing gazpacho a gorgeous golden hue, while fresh apple gives it a fruity kick. Other tomato varieties would also work, but expect the color to change accordingly. Notes a fan, “Refreshing and delicious. What a creative way to enjoy fresh raw veggies and gazpacho!”
myrna's homemade marinara sauce

Myrna’s Marinara Sauce

Homemade marinara sauce is incredibly handy to have around and a great vehicle for capturing the sweet, sweet fragrance of in-season tomatoes. We love it! I use it wherever marinara sauce is used.”—Christine
Roasting vegetables is an easy way to add flavor to a dish, and, yes, you can absolutely make them for this roasted tomatoes pasta without oil!

Spaghetti with Roasted Tomatoes, Chickpeas, and Basil

For a simple summertime meal, take your favorite whole grain spaghetti, toss through garlicky-roasted tomatoes, chickpeas, and fresh basil, and watch as friends and family wonder who the gourmet chef is.
vegan bruschetta

Sweet Potato Bruschetta with Avocado-Tomato Topping

Bruschetta isn’t just for bread: Sweet potatoes serve as a flavorful base in this plant-packed appetizer. A refreshing mix of veggies and creamy avocado top things off.
vegan buddha bowl

Italian Roasted Vegetable and Wheat Berry Buddha Bowl

This luscious bowl gets twice the tomato goodness, with roasted cherry tomatoes and marinara sauce.
Tomato and Red Pepper Soup

Tomato and Red Pepper Soup

Tomato plays beautifully with another MVP of summer produce—red bell pepper—in this satisfying soup.

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