A Guide to Cherry Tomatoes
Jump to Recipe![bowl of cherry tomatoes in the grass](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60805a0f5f83cfc3688b8d9f/630e070d0c22d91d0d44982e_cherry-tomato.jpg)
My favorite of the tomatoes has to be the cherry tomato. They are easy to add to meals, the flavor is sweet, and they are snack-able.
What are Cherry Tomatoes?
Cherry tomatoes are small tomatoes about 1” round. They are sweeter than your typical roma or beefsteak tomato.
There are many varieties of cherry tomatoes. Some popular ones include sungold, black cherry, and cherry bomb.
Cherry tomatoes are sometimes confused with grape tomatoes. Grape tomatoes have a similar size but are more oblong shaped. Grape tomatoes are less sweet and firmer than your typical cherry tomato.
![bowl of cherry tomatoes](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60805a0f5f83cfc3688b8d9f/630e073b8d845a54e03e105e_types-of-cherry-tomatoes.jpg)
How to Use Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes are most commonly used in salads. They can easily be cut in half and tossed with your favorite salad dressing. You can also use them in sauces or soups.
Roasting cherry tomatoes in another great way to use them. I love to add roasted tomatoes to pasta and pizza. This is a great guide to roasting cherry tomatoes from Minimalist Baker.
The Best Cherry Tomato Recipes
Above, I shared some ways you can add cherry tomatoes to your everyday meals. If you have a lot of cherry tomatoes you may want a meal that highlights them. These are a few of my favorite cherry tomato recipes when I have an abundance of tomatoes.
Tomato Salad
Roasted Garlic Tomato Soup Recipe
Creamy Vegan Garlic Pasta with Roasted Tomatoes
Roasted Cherry Tomato Caprese
Grain Salad with Tomatoes and Cucumbers
Vegan Pasta Primavera
![bowl of cherry tomato salad next to a baguette](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60805a0f5f83cfc3688b8d9f/630e0747c56e34df7163140b_cherry-tomato-recipes.jpg)
How to Grow Cherry Tomatoes
I always have a bunch of cherry tomatoes in the summer because I grow them in my garden. Most years I have 1-2 plants and that is enough for me to have as many cherry tomatoes as I can eat.
Some of my favorite varieties to grow are sungold and blueberry tomatoes. Sungolds are a classic and always produce very well for me. You can start them from seed or buy a plant start. I typically buy them from plants at my local farmers market.
Blueberry tomatoes are a fun one to grow because they have a deep blue color that change to red as they ripen. The flavor is similar to a regular cherry tomato, they just add a fun color to your recipes.
The main thing you need to consider when growing tomatoes is consistent watering. You want to keep the soil regularly watered so the plant never fully dries out. You also want to trim any branches that are touching the ground. If the leaves get too wet they may start to collect diseases. Just remember: Soil moist, leaves dry.
Most tomato plants want full sun so make sure to plant them somewhere where they get at least 6 hours of sunlight.
Tomatoes are one of the most rewarding things to grow. The flavor from a fresh grown tomato can’t be beat.
If you don’t have a ton of space to grow tomatoes, consider growing a smaller variety in a pot. Tiny Tim is a great small space tomato plant.
![cherry tomatoes growing on a plant](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60805a0f5f83cfc3688b8d9f/630e0752cb00f120000cb785_growing-cherry-tomatoes.jpg)
Enjoy!
Whether you are growing, preserving, or eating cherry tomatoes I hope this guide gives you some ideas on how to get the most from this delicious summer treat!