Easy Summer Bruschetta Recipe with Fresh Tomatoes and Basil
I love heading to the farmer’s market and then using the ingredients I buy there to make something delicious. This easy summer bruschetta recipe is the perfect thing to make with tomatoes, onions, basil, and garlic from the farmer’s market. And if you serve it with bread, which is my favorite because the bread soaks up the juices, you can find that at the farmer’s market too. Interested in seeing what I got the last time I went? Check out my recent farmers market haul.
What Is Bruschetta?
Bruschetta is a mixture of tomato, onion, garlic, basil, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and seasonings. It’s an appetizer typically served on bread or toast, think French or Italian bread, sliced on the thicker side and soft in the middle.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
It’s made with vegetables that are at their peak ripeness in summer, and there’s nothing better than a tomato picked fresh from the garden earlier in the day. This is also a super quick recipe to put together. The bruschetta topping only requires chopping and mixing, while the cheesy toast just needs a few minutes in the oven. It’s one of those appetizers that’s a huge crowd pleaser, because who doesn’t love fresh vegetables on crusty bread? And if you’re a vegetarian like I am, this recipe doesn’t require any modifications at all. If you’re looking for some more summer themed food, check out how I build satisfying salads.
How to Make Easy Summer Bruschetta (Step by Step)
Start by dicing the tomatoes into small pieces and chopping the basil. Add both to a medium bowl along with the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, salt, and pepper, then toss everything together to combine. Set the mixture aside while you prepare the bread.
Slice the bread into 12 pieces on a slight angle and arrange them on a parchment lined baking sheet. Sprinkle each slice with parmesan, then place the baking sheet under the oven broiler for 2 to 3 minutes, watching closely, until the bread is golden. Once toasted, top each slice with the tomato mixture and serve right away.
Tips for the Best Bruschetta
My first and biggest tip is to use ripe tomatoes. If you have a garden, there’s absolutely nothing like freshly picked tomatoes to make bruschetta with. If you don’t have a garden, grocery store bought is fine, just make sure they’re ripe. Tomatoes are the star of this recipe, so make sure they have as much flavor as possible.
If you want to use homemade bread and try something a bit different, try my sourdough focaccia recipe. Homemade bread always tastes so much better than store bought, so if you have the time to make it, why not?
How to Store Leftovers
Leftovers are easy to take care of. Simply store the bruschetta in an airtight container for up to 2 days. I actually think it tastes even better the next day, once the flavors have had time to meld.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make bruschetta ahead of time?
Absolutely! Like I mentioned above, I think it tastes better the next day.
What kind of bread is best for bruschetta?
I like crusty bread with a soft interior, think French or Italian bread. But you can also use whatever you have on hand.
Easy Summer Bruschetta Recipe with Fresh Tomatoes and Basil
Ingredients
- ½ loaf French baguette cut into 12 slices (discarding the ends)
- ¼ cup shredded parmesan
- 4 roma tomatoes diced
- ⅓ cup chopped fresh basil
- 1 ½ tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- ½ tsp pepper
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions
- Dice the tomatoes into small pieces, and chop the basil.
- Add the tomatoes, basil, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, salt and peppers to a medium bowl and toss to combine. Set aside.
- Slice the bread into 12 pieces on a slight angle. Arrange on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Top each bread slice with a sprinkle of parmesan and put under the oven broiler for 2-3 minutes, until golden.
- Top the bread slices with the tomato mixture and serve.
I really hope that this easy summer bruschetta recipe hits the spot for you, your family, and your guests. Bruschetta is a staple in our house, and for good reason. It’s quick and easy to make while also being full of flavor and so pretty to look at. If you’re interested, you can find more easy recipes on my recipes page. If you make bruschetta, be sure to tag me on Instagram. I’d love to see how it turned out!
