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How To Cut A Tomato

There are a few ways to cut a tomato. In this post, we will show you how to cut a tomato into slices for your next burger or sandwich.

Then we will show you how to cut wedges for your next salad.

Follow these simple steps to cut into slices. You will be able to use these slices on your next cheeseburger.

It is also important to note it is really important to have a sharp knife.

Video: How To Cut A Tomato

Step1: Wash the tomato

washing a tomato

Before you start make sure that your tomatoes are nice and ripe. You can find out more about how to tell in our full guide.

The first thing we want to do is wash the fruit. Yes, tomatoes are fruits, not veggies. This is really important to do, to prevent adding things to your food that you don’t want to eat.

Step 2. Remove the tomato stems

removing tomato stem

Nobody wants to eat a tomato stem so you want to remove it. They should remove very easily by just twisting the stem.

I should note it is better to buy tomatoes with stems, I don’t remember why, if you do know let me know in the comments. I think it has to do with how long tomatoes last.

Step 3. Cut the ends off of the tomato

cutting tomato ends off

Cut the ends off to keep that stem part of the tomato out of your slices.

Depending on how thick the tomato is you can eat the end without cutting off, the end that did not have the stem.

Now if you are really in the mood for tomato you should check out my grilled cheese and tomato soup recipe!

Step 4. Slice the tomato

cutting tomato slices

Now you are ready to cut your slices. The wider the slices the better chance you have of them not falling apart.

I shoot for at least 1/4 in and sometimes a little bit bigger.

What are the best tomatoes to slice?

  • beef steak tomatoes
  • vine ripe tomatoes
  • hot house tomatoes
  • Roma tomatoes
  • heirloom tomatoes

There are also a ton of other varieties of tomatoes to consider.

How to cut tomato wedges

When it comes to wedges it is the same as the slice, it is really important to have a sharp knife. These wedges go really nicely in a garden salad. Cutting tomatoes into wedges is great for freezing them and having them on hand for long-term storage.

1. Wash the tomato

washing tomatoes

It is always important to wash your tomatoes. Be careful because the skin is so fine.

2. Cut the tomato in half

cutting tomatoes in half

Get a good balance of your tomato and slice it through the tomato from the stem to the base.

You are cutting the tomato vertically when it is standing up with the stem side up.

3. Cut the tomato halves into quarters

cutting tomato quarters

Now that they are all cut in half you can cut those halves into quarters.

You want to make sure to include some of the center parts of the tomato so that they do not fall apart.

4. Remove the stem

cutting the tomato stem

Now, just slice those tomato stems off at an angle. The goal is to just cut the wood part of the stem.

Alternatively, you could use a stem core tool when you start in the beginning.

This is way easier seeing that you are already using a knife. If you are cutting these wedges for a salad then click here to learn how to cut lettuce also.

What are the best tomatoes for wedges?

  • beef steak tomatoes
  • vine ripe tomatoes
  • hot house tomatoes
  • Roma tomatoes
  • heirloom tomatoes
  • cherry tomatoes
  • grape tomatoes

FAQ for Cutting Tomatoes

Again sharp knife is the answer. Serrated might crush the tomatoes so I would look at using a really sharp chef’s knife.

Yes. absolutely. Now if you want to eat one is a different story. Green tomatoes can be ones that are not ripe yet but they do sell some varieties that are ready to eat and have a green appearance.

The best knife to cut tomatoes is the sharpest knife that you own. Chef knives work great and for a smaller tomato, you can use a pairing knife. A serrated knife also works great as it saws the tomato.

How to Cut a Tomato

Bob
Learn how to cut a tomato into slices and wedges for your next recipe
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 4 minutes
Cutting 2 minutes
Total Time 6 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 2

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tomato

Instructions
 

How to cut a tomato into slices

  • Wash the tomato to get any unwanted material off like dirt and pesticides.
  • Remove the tomato stem by twisting it.
  • Cut the ends off of the tomato, if the non-stem end is not too hard you can go ahead and leave it.
  • Slice the tomato into 1/4" to 3/8" slices.

How to cut a tomato into wedges

  • Wash the tomato
  • Cut the tomato in half equally cutting vertically through with the stem side is up.
  • Cut the tomato halves into quarters, in the end, you should get about 8 wedges. You want to make sure that you keep some of the centers of the tomato in every piece so that it stays intact.
  • Remove the part of the stem that is woody on the top of the tomato.
Keyword how to cut a tomato, how to cut tomato slices, how to cut tomato wedges
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