Vegan Tomato Bruschetta Recipe (2024)

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The Best Vegan Tomato Bruschetta Recipe Ever! A classic Italian appetizer made with grilled crusty bread rubbed with garlic and a light brushing of olive oil. Generously topped with fresh heirloom tomatoes and basil for the quintessential Italian Aperitivo!

Jump to Recipe

“Bruschetta Pomodoro ” pronounced“ Brusketta“ – I really don’t think there is any other food out there easier and more comforting than this grilled garlic bread loaded with chopped heirloom tomatoes and basil.

I made this easy Italian salsa recipe from last week to use as a simple topping on my tomato bruschetta, but in all honesty you can go with many different combinations, take your pick from the ideas below.

Vegan Bruschetta Toppings:

sautéed wild mushrooms in white wine

marinatedartichoke hearts

sun dried tomato pesto
roasted vegetable spread

olive tapenade

grilled zucchini or eggplant

strawberries

roasted figs

white bean puree

roasted sweet potatoes

La Bomba Sauce.

Tips on Choosing the Best Bread and Tomatoes for Bruschetta!

  • The Bread – You must use a crusty loaf, baguette or ciabatta bread, preferably whole wheat but without any seeds or added herbs. Just plain, hearty, rustic bread, the kind that crackles in your hands when you squeeze it.
  • Grill Baby Grill – To make the best authentic bruschetta it is imperative to grill the bread, do NOT toast it. A hot cast iron griddle or skillet works best here, make sure to preheat it well or you might just end up with a hard piece of bread and nobody wants that.
  • The Goal– the ultimate goal here is to get nice charred grill marks on the outside of the bread with a soft center permeated by a subtle layer of smoky flavor. There is nothing else like it friends, so I hope you give this tomato bruschetta recipe a go today!
  • Tomatoes – Choose the freshest, organic heirloom tomatoes you can get your hands on. A mix of colorful cherry tomatoes looks lovely or just dice up a a couple of the large and juicy varieties.
  • Can you use canned tomatoes for bruschetta? – Just because you can doesn’t mean you should. That is a NO, as in Negative my friends. Choose the fresh heirlooms forever ever, trust me!

Mangia Bene!

Watch How to Make Vegan Tomato Bruschetta:


P.S. As always If you make this recipe come back here to rate it and tag us with #VeggieSociety on Instagram,it always makes my day ~ Florentina Xo’s

Vegan Tomato Bruschetta Recipe (6)

5 from 1 vote

Vegan Tomato Bruschetta

The Best Tomato Bruschetta Recipe Ever! A classic Italian appetizer made with grilled crusty bread rubbed with garlic, a light brush of olive oil and juicy heirloom tomatoes.

Print Recipe

Prep Time:10 minutes mins

Cook Time:10 minutes mins

Total Time:20 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 6 slices crusty bread (3/4 inch thick + preferably whole wheat)
  • 1 batch Italian Heirloom Tomato Salsa
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (cold pressed) -or as needed
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
  • 1 pinch sea salt flakes

Instructions

  • Preheat a cast iron griddle or skillet over medium high flame. Grill the bread for a couple of minutes on each side until nice grill marks form but taking good care not to burn it. (Open windows, things will get a little smoky)

  • Rub one side of each slice of bread with a garlic cove to your liking, then use a little pastry brush to brush it with a thin layer of the olive oil. Repeat with all the sliced bread.

  • Sprinkle all the bruschetta with a pinch of coarse sea salt then spoon some of the Italian Tomato Salsa or chopped heirloom tomatoes over the top. Sprinkle with the fresh basil leaves and more sea salt flakes to taste. Mangia bene!

Video

Notes

  • The Bread - You must use a crusty loaf, baguette or ciabatta bread, preferably whole wheat but without any seeds or added herbs. Just plain, hearty, rustic bread, the kind that crackles in your hands when you squeeze it.
  • Grill Baby Grill - To make the best authentic bruschetta it is imperative to grill the bread, do NOT toast it. A hot cast iron griddle or skillet works best here, make sure to preheat it well or you might just end up with a hard piece of bread and nobody wants that.
  • Tomatoes - Choose the freshest, organic heirloom tomatoes you can get your hands on on making the Italian salsa. A mix of colorful cherry tomatoes looks lovely or just dice up a a couple of the large and juicy varieties and hit them with a squeeze of lemon to taste.
  • Can you use canned tomatoes for bruschetta? - Just because you can doesn't mean you should. That is a NO, as in Negative my friends. Choose the fresh heirlooms forever ever, trust me!

Nutrition

Calories: 228kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 5g | Sodium: 335mg | Potassium: 87mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 55IU | Vitamin C: 0.7mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 2.4mg

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: plant based, Tomato Bruschetta, vegan,

Servings: 6 people

Calories: 228kcal

Author: Florentina

Vegan Appetizers:

Vegan Tomato Bruschetta Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What kind of tomato is best for bruschetta? ›

You can use any tomato variety you have on hand. Roma tomatoes work great for bruschetta, but you can also use Cherry Tomatoes, as well. Other varieties like Sungold tomatoes, beefsteaks and heirlooms can all work, just be sure to take out the seeds for more meatier/less waterier tomatoes!

How long will tomato bruschetta last in the fridge? ›

Once the bread is lightly toasted, rub garlic on each slice and spoon on the tomato mixture. Drizzle with the balsamic glaze, if desired, and enjoy! Store any excess bruschetta in a sealed, airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Why does my bruschetta taste bitter? ›

Fresh herbs like basil can turn bitter if they are chopped too finely or bruised too much. Gently tear or chop them just before adding them to the bruschetta. Another factor could be overripe or low-quality tomatoes, which can taste bitter. Try using fresh, ripe tomatoes for a sweeter flavor.

Why is my bruschetta soggy? ›

Top the bruschetta right before serving to prevent it from going soggy. Alternatively, you can serve the bruschetta and topping separately and allow your guests to assemble them. Another step that can help is adding an ingredient to protect the bread from wetter ingredients.

What is the number one best tasting tomato? ›

Brandywine. Classic for a reason, the Brandywine tomato is an excellent all-around variety. It might just be the perfect red slicer (some fruits tend to look more pink than red).

What tomato has the best flavor? ›

'Gold Medal' (beefsteak, indeterminate, heirloom c. 1920) is arguably the top bicolor for taste. The giant 1-3 lb fruits are perfectly marbled with red and yellow and are large, meaty, and juicy. It has won lots of taste tests where it has been described as luscious and superb.

Is bruschetta good for you? ›

The Bruschetta bread has only about 140 calories or even less. There is an abundance of nutrients like vitamins and minerals that make your system stronger and robust to top it. Enjoy its delectable taste while keeping your nutrients in the body topped up.

What is bruschetta topping made of? ›

Bruschetta is a classic Italian appetizer that is easy to make at home. Toasted bread is topped with tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and fresh basil. Use a high-quality balsamic vinegar for best results.

Will bruschetta keep overnight? ›

It is generally not recommended to leave perishable foods, especially those containing ingredients like tomatoes and garlic, at room temperature for more than 2 hours. To ensure food safety, it's advisable to refrigerate bruschetta if it has been left out for an extended period.

How do you enhance bruschetta? ›

Add 1 tablespoon of lime zest, and 1/2 teaspoon of dried chili peppers (to taste) for an extra kick. Smear the toasted baguette points with goat cheese, or crumble some queso fresco into the topping. Make it vegan by using an avocado in place of goat cheese on the bread.

Should I deseed tomatoes for bruschetta? ›

Cut each tomato in half and use a spoon to scoop out the core and seeds. Removing the seeds is not mandatory, but recommended, as it will help remove extra moisture and prevent your bruschetta from getting soggy. You can also peel the tomatoes, but I don't bother. Salt the tomatoes and let them drain.

Do you take the seeds out of tomatoes for bruschetta? ›

If you're using beefsteak or medium to large heirloom tomatoes, take the extra time to peel and seed tomatoes before dicing them. Not only can thick tomato skins and bitter seeds add a less-than-desirable flavor and texture to your topping, but seeds add extra water, which can make your toasts runny and even soggy.

What is the topping on bruschetta called? ›

food blogger Author has 2.8K answers and 46.9M. · 10mo. Though the whole thing is usually called bruschetta, the topping is called the condiment.

Why do Italians eat bruschetta? ›

Bruschetta traces its roots back to ancient Rome, where peasants created a simple dish by grilling leftover bread over an open fire. This practice allowed them to make use of stale bread and add flavor to their meals. The word “bruschetta” comes from the Italian verb “bruscare,” which means “to roast over coals.”

Is bruschetta supposed to be hard? ›

It's not so much hard or soft, more like how chewy . It's toasted. You make bruschetta with leftover stale bread that you lightly toast then drizzle oil, maybe touch with a garlic clove (not too much) or top with various toppings, like diced fresh tomatoes.

What kind of tomatoes do Italians use? ›

A DOP Italian tomato that's probably the best known in the world is the San Marzano tomato. San Marzano tomatoes are from the Campania region and are almost always used for tomato sauce, fresh or canned. They are somewhat elongated and have a thick and rich pulp with very few seeds.

What is the most popular tomato in Italy? ›

Simply known as San Marzano – The King of Tomatoes is one of Italy's most popular varieties. It has an intense flavor, thick flesh, and low acidity that make it perfect for creating rich tomato sauces. It is said to have fewer seeds than other varieties, which makes them easier to prepare.

What tomatoes are best for Italian cooking? ›

Top 5 Tomatoes for an Italian Sauce from Scratch
  • Roma. This plum tomato is fleshy and meaty enough to give you the substance you need for your sauce. ...
  • San Marzano. These tomatoes originated in the mother country and are a deep red color. ...
  • Viva Italia. ...
  • Amish Paste. ...
  • Super Italian Paste.
Jun 15, 2017

Which tomato is best for caprese? ›

When selecting tomatoes, choose fragrant ones that smell earthy at the stem end and feel heavy for their size. Avoid any with wrinkled skins. You can also make a caprese with smaller tomato varieties, such as plum, roma, cherry, grape, or sungold.

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