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Flavorful Recipes for 20 Pounds of Juicy Tomatoes Easy and Delicious Ideas

20 pounds of juicy tomatoes recipes - featured image

A collection of easy and delicious recipes designed to make the most of 20 pounds of fresh, juicy tomatoes, celebrating their vibrant flavor and versatility in sauces, salsas, and stews.

Ingredients

Scale
  • About 20 pounds of ripe, juicy tomatoes (Roma, beefsteak, or vine-ripened)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Fresh garlic cloves, minced
  • Yellow or sweet onions, finely chopped
  • Fresh herbs: basil, oregano, thyme (fresh preferred, dried acceptable)
  • Salt to taste (sea salt recommended)
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Optional: red pepper flakes
  • Optional: fresh lemon juice or balsamic vinegar
  • Optional: Parmesan cheese rind for simmering
  • Optional: bell peppers or jalapeños for salsa variations

Instructions

  1. Wash and prep tomatoes by rinsing under cold water, removing stems and rough spots, and scoring a small ‘X’ on the bottom of each tomato (15-20 minutes).
  2. Blanch tomatoes in boiling water for 30-60 seconds until skins loosen, then transfer to an ice bath and peel skins starting from the scored ‘X’ (10 minutes).
  3. Roughly chop peeled tomatoes, including seeds and juice, into a large bowl (10 minutes).
  4. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large stock pot over medium heat. Add chopped onions and garlic and sauté until translucent and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
  5. Add chopped tomatoes and juice to the pot and stir to combine with aromatics (5 minutes).
  6. Lower heat and simmer sauce gently for 40-50 minutes, stirring occasionally and breaking down tomatoes with a wooden spoon. Add salt, pepper, and herbs halfway through simmering.
  7. Optional: Blend sauce with an immersion blender or in batches in a blender for a smooth texture (2-3 minutes).
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning by adding a pinch of sugar if too acidic, or a splash of balsamic vinegar or lemon juice to brighten flavors (2 minutes).
  9. Cool sauce before transferring to airtight containers. Refrigerate up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months (10 minutes).

Notes

Roasting tomatoes at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes before chopping adds caramelized, smoky flavor. Avoid rushing the simmering step to prevent watery sauce. Add fresh herbs like basil at the end to preserve brightness. Stir often to prevent burning. Use a heavy-bottomed pot to avoid hot spots.

Nutrition

Keywords: tomato recipes, tomato sauce, fresh tomatoes, homemade sauce, easy tomato recipes, canning tomatoes, tomato salsa, tomato stew