Bruschetta is a classic Italian appetiser that consists of toasted bread topped with a variety of ingredients. The most popular version features juicy tomatoes, fresh basil, and a drizzle of olive oil or butter. It is fresh, flavourful, and ridiculously easy to make.

What toppings for bruschetta are best?

While tomatoes and basil are the most well-known toppings, there is plenty of room to get creative. You can add garlic, pesto, creamy burrata, or a sprinkle of Parmesan for extra flavour. If you like a bit of heat, try chilli flakes, or if you are in the mood for something tangy, a drizzle of balsamic glaze works as well.

What are the best tomatoes for bruschetta?

Ripe, juicy tomatoes work best for bruschetta. Cherry tomatoes are a great choice because they are naturally sweet and available all year round. If you are using larger tomatoes, go for heirloom or Roma varieties, as they have a rich flavour and fewer seeds. Whatever you choose, make sure they are ripe.

How to cut tomatoes for bruschetta?

It depends on the size of the tomato. For cherry tomatoes, simply halve or quarter them so they release their juices but still hold their shape. For larger varieties, dice them into small, bite-sized pieces. The goal is to create a mixture that is chunky enough to sit nicely on the bread without being too messy.

Can I store leftover tomato bruschetta?

Tomato bruschetta is best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, store the tomato mixture separately in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a day. The bread, however, should be toasted fresh – otherwise, it will go soggy. When you are ready to eat, just spoon the tomatoes onto a new slice of toasted sourdough and enjoy.

Tomato bruschetta

15 mins cooking time

If you are looking for a quick and easy meal idea, this homemade tomato bruschetta is perfect – fresh and full of flavour. This dish is effortlessly delicious yet takes only minutes to make. Combine juicy cherry tomatoes, fragrant basil, and a generous spread of Lurpak® butter on crispy sourdough bread. A simple yet superb Italian classic that is perfect as a starter or appetiser.

Tomato bruschetta

15 mins cooking time

Cook mode

Method

Toast the bread to your liking. Add liberal spreads of Lurpak®.

Toast the bread until it is golden and crisp but still has a slight chew inside. If using a grill or pan, toast it dry for a few minutes on each side, then spread the butter while it is still warm, so it melts into the bread beautifully. If you prefer an oven, bake at 180C for about 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Slice the cherry tomatoes into halves or quarters, depending on the size. Season well with salt, pepper, and some torn basil leaves.

Drain excess tomato juice, as it can make your bruschetta soggy. After chopping the cherry tomatoes, place them in a bowl with a pinch of salt and let them sit for about 5 minutes. This draws out some of the excess moisture. Then, gently drain off the liquid or use a paper towel to pat them dry before mixing them with basil and seasoning.

Spoon the tomatoes onto buttered bread and serve.

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Questions about tomato bruschetta

Tomato bruschetta is one of those simple dishes that always tastes incredible, but if you have questions about how to make it just right, you are not alone. Below, you will find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions.

Bruschetta is a classic Italian appetiser that consists of toasted bread topped with a variety of ingredients. The most popular version features juicy tomatoes, fresh basil, and a drizzle of olive oil or butter. It is fresh, flavourful, and ridiculously easy to make.
While tomatoes and basil are the most well-known toppings, there is plenty of room to get creative. You can add garlic, pesto, creamy burrata, or a sprinkle of Parmesan for extra flavour. If you like a bit of heat, try chilli flakes, or if you are in the mood for something tangy, a drizzle of balsamic glaze works as well.
Ripe, juicy tomatoes work best for bruschetta. Cherry tomatoes are a great choice because they are naturally sweet and available all year round. If you are using larger tomatoes, go for heirloom or Roma varieties, as they have a rich flavour and fewer seeds. Whatever you choose, make sure they are ripe.
It depends on the size of the tomato. For cherry tomatoes, simply halve or quarter them so they release their juices but still hold their shape. For larger varieties, dice them into small, bite-sized pieces. The goal is to create a mixture that is chunky enough to sit nicely on the bread without being too messy.
Tomato bruschetta is best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, store the tomato mixture separately in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a day. The bread, however, should be toasted fresh – otherwise, it will go soggy. When you are ready to eat, just spoon the tomatoes onto a new slice of toasted sourdough and enjoy.

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Savour fresh tomato bruschetta

From simple to glorious, there is something about tomato bruschetta that just hits the spot. It is proof that great food does not have to be complicated. And best of all, it is effortless to make it at home in just 15 minutes.

Toast some good sourdough bread, pile on juicy cherry tomatoes and fragrant basil, and enjoy the satisfying and multifaceted taste with each bite. Whether you are looking for a quick snack, a light lunch, or a delicious appetiser, this tomato bruschetta recipe delivers every single time.

There are plenty of more easy dinner recipes in store for you. Try delicious mushroom spinach pasta, juicy rib-eye steak with Asian slaw, and corn on the cob with paprika.

Buttery toasted sourdough bread

Good tomato bruschetta starts with great bread, and sourdough bread is the perfect choice. It has that irresistible, chewy, and crisp texture, with just the right amount of bite around the edges. Toasting it brings out its rich, slightly tangy flavour while giving the texture that holds up against all those juicy tomatoes, soaking up their flavour without becoming soggy.

Spread with a generous layer of butter, the bread becomes even more indulgent – rich, golden, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. It makes you want to tear off a piece before you even get to the toppings.

With juicy cherry tomatoes and fresh basil

Crown the toasted sourdough bread with juicy cherry tomatoes and fresh basil. The sweetness of ripe cherry tomatoes, bursting with juice, meets the fresh, peppery kick of basil, creating a combination that is simple but totally addictive.

While many tomato varieties work well for bruschetta, cherry tomatoes have a distinct advantage – they are consistently sweet and firm. Since they are available all year round, you do not have to wait for peak tomato season to enjoy them. A pinch of salt and pepper brings out the best of the veggies, letting their juices mix beautifully with the crisp, buttery bread. Just one taste and you will wonder why you do not make this more often.

Try a classic Italian starter and appetiser

Bruschetta is not only delicious but also a little taste of Italian tradition. It has been around for centuries and is said to have originally been made by olive oil producers who used bread to sample their freshly pressed oil. Over time, toppings evolved, with tomatoes and basil becoming a classic go-to. Today, tomato bruschetta is a classic in Italian kitchens and restaurants. It is light yet satisfying, full of flavour, and the perfect way to start a meal without spoiling your appetite. Serve it up for guests or treat yourself by bringing a little Italian magic to your table.

Add your own touch

Bruschetta is already a masterpiece of simplicity, but that does not mean you can’t make it your own.

If you love a bit of garlic, try rubbing a clove over the warm, toasted sourdough before spreading on the butter. It adds just the right amount of savoury depth without overpowering the freshness of the tomatoes and basil. Or, if you want to go all in, mince some garlic and mix it straight into the tomatoes for an extra punch.

Now, if you really want to take things to the next level, creamy burrata is the way to go. Tearing apart that soft, delicate cheese and letting it melt into the juicy tomatoes turns a simple bruschetta into something utterly indulgent. Add a drizzle of good olive oil and some balsamic glaze.

Are you looking for something a little unexpected? Try mashing some avocado onto the toast before adding the tomatoes – it is creamy, buttery, and ridiculously good. Or, for a final touch, shave some Parmesan over the top for a bit of salty richness that ties everything together beautifully.

Keep it classic, make it fancy, or play around until you find the version that is perfect for you.

COOK, BAKE AND SPREAD WITH

Lurpak® Spreadable Unsalted

Toast, baguette, sourdough, crackers - get ready! Lurpak® Spreadable Unsalted is always on hand to turn your simple sandwiches into something glorious. Spread your passion for Good Food with our Lurpak® Unsalted that spreads straight from the fridge. The distinctive, creamy, delicate, and fresh taste of Lurpak®, but spreadable!

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Tomato bruschetta

Tomato bruschetta

Method

Questions about tomato bruschetta

What is bruschetta?

What toppings for bruschetta are best?

What are the best tomatoes for bruschetta?

How to cut tomatoes for bruschetta?

Can I store leftover tomato bruschetta?

ENTER THE WORLD OF GOOD FOOD

Savour fresh tomato bruschetta

Buttery toasted sourdough bread

With juicy cherry tomatoes and fresh basil

Try a classic Italian starter and appetiser

Add your own touch

Lurpak® Spreadable Unsalted