Tomato Basil Bruschetta
Crisp toasted bread rubbed with garlic and piled high with ripe tomatoes, fresh basil and good olive oil. The simplest summer appetizer.
By Tasty Nest Recipes Editorial TeamPublished
20 min total About 20 piecesEasy
Photo: Salvadonica, Chianti, Tuscany · CC BY 2.0. Illustrative photo; your results may look different.
About this recipe
In Italy, bruschetta simply means grilled bread rubbed with garlic and drizzled with olive oil. Topped with chopped tomatoes and basil, it becomes one of the most beloved appetizers there is.
Salting the tomatoes and letting them sit for a few minutes draws out their juices and concentrates their flavour. Drain off most of the liquid before spooning them onto the toast, so the bread stays crisp.
Assemble just before serving. If you are entertaining, prepare the topping and the toasts separately ahead of time and put them together at the last minute.
Equipment you'll need
- Baking sheet
Tips for success
- The broiler works fast. Stay by the oven and check the bread after 1 minute.
- Slice basil just before using; it darkens quickly once cut.
- Out of season, use halved cherry tomatoes, which tend to have more flavour than large winter tomatoes.
Substitutions and variations
- Toast the bread on a grill or in a dry griddle pan for a smoky flavour.
- Add small cubes of fresh mozzarella to the tomato topping for a caprese-style bruschetta.
- Use a gluten-free baguette or thick slices of gluten-free bread.
Storage
To store: Store the topping in the fridge for up to 1 day and the toasts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Bring the topping to room temperature before serving.
Recipe
Tomato Basil Bruschetta
Crisp toasted bread rubbed with garlic and piled high with ripe tomatoes, fresh basil and good olive oil. The simplest summer appetizer.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 5 min
- Total
- 20 min
- Yield
- About 20 pieces
- Level
- Easy
Ingredients
Tick off ingredients as you gather them.
For the topping
For the toasts
Instructions
Step 1: Salt the tomatoes
Toss the diced tomatoes with the salt in a bowl and set aside for 10 minutes while you prepare the toasts.
Step 2: Toast the bread
Heat the broiler with a rack about 6 inches from the heat. Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet and brush the tops with the olive oil. Broil for 1 to 2 minutes per side, watching closely, until golden and crisp.
Step 3: Rub with garlic
While the toasts are still warm, rub the top of each one with the cut side of the halved garlic clove.
Step 4: Finish the topping
Tip off most of the liquid from the tomatoes. Stir in the minced garlic, basil, olive oil, balsamic vinegar (if using) and a few grinds of pepper.
Step 5: Assemble and serve
Spoon the tomato mixture onto the toasts and serve right away.
Cuisine: Italian · Course: Appetizer
Estimated nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 190
- Protein
- 4 g
- Fat
- 9 g
- Carbs
- 24 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
- Sugars
- 3 g
Approximate values estimated from typical nutrition data for the listed ingredients, excluding optional toppings and serving suggestions. Actual values vary with brands, portion sizes and substitutions. Not verified by a dietitian or laboratory analysis.
tastynestrecipes.com/recipes/tomato-basil-bruschetta
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Guides for this recipe
Techniques, troubleshooting and leftover ideas to help you get the most from your tomato basil bruschetta.
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