Tomatoes from Garden to Table or, as We Like to Say, From Seed to Spoon
Let’s dive into the flavors of different tomato types and discover the best ways to enjoy them.
As gardeners and foodies, we understand the satisfaction of harvesting fresh tomatoes and the extra burst of flavor they bring to our dishes. But how do the flavors of different tomatoes add nuance and depth to our favorite recipes? Let’s take a look at beefsteak, cherry, heirloom, organic tomato seeds, and more to uncover the best options for your specific needs and flavor preferences.
Visit the From Seed to Spoon app to find planting videos and more recommendations.
Best Tomatoes to Grow for Slicing?
Beefsteak Tomatoes
Flavor Profile: Juicy and mildly sweet with a meaty texture. Dozens of seed varieties for the Best Sliced Tomatoes Ideal for burgers, sandwiches, wraps, and salads due to their large size and hearty structure. Beefsteak tomatoes pair beautifully with fresh basil, mozzarella, and a drizzle of olive oil for delectable, homegrown caprese salad.
Best Tomatoes to Grow for Canning?
Determinate Tomatoes, so you get a large harvest all at once.
Flavor Profile: Firm and less juicy, with a balanced sweetness and acidity. Perfect for canning and making preserves. Their robust flavor enhances homemade salsas and stews. Canning Tomatoes pair well with herbs like oregano and thyme. Browse roma tomatoes for canning.
Best Tomatoes to Grow for Fresh-from-the-vine Snacking?
Cherry Tomatoes
Flavor Profile: Sweet and tangy, bursting with juice. Excellent for snacking, in salads, for sweet salsa, or roasted. Complement flavors of garlic, balsamic vinegar, and soft cheeses like feta or goat cheese.
Best Tomatoes to Grow for an Early Harvest?
Early Season Tomatoes that mature quickly
Flavor Profile: Bright and tangy, offering a fresh taste. Great for impatient gardeners wanting an early harvest, early season tomatoes add a zesty flavor to sandwiches and wraps. Pair well with crisp greens and light vinaigrettes.
Best Seeds to Grow for Grape Tomatoes?
All-America Selections has awarded many grape tomatoes with honors for flavor and easy growing. Look for the AAS Winner logo. Find 5-star rated grape tomatoes chosen by growers like you at Park Seed!
Flavor Profile: Sweet and firm, smaller and less juicy than cherry tomatoes. Ideal for salads, pasta dishes, and as a roasted side. Their sweetness balances well with bitter greens and robust herbs like rosemary.
Best Heirloom Tomatoes to Grow from Seed?
Treasured for their flavor, performance, or unusual characteristics, heirloom tomatoes have been grown for generations. Choose from a dozen different options at Park Seed.
Flavor Profile: Varies widely, generally rich, and complex in flavor. Excellent in simple dishes where their heirloom flavor can shine, like caprese salads or bruschetta. Pairs wonderfully with fresh herbs and a sprinkle of sea salt.
Best Organic Tomatoes to Grow?
With organic seeds you can plant organically in addition to growing organically. Find your favorites in our organic selection.
Flavor Profile: Similar to their non-organic counterparts, with a focus on natural cultivation. Versatile, based on the specific variety. Ideal for those seeking organically grown produce for any tomato-based dish.
Best Tomatoes to Grow for Sauce and Paste?
Profile: Determinate varieties. Choose dense and meaty tomatoes with less moisture and concentrated flavor. The go-to choice for sauces, pastes, and ketchup. Their low moisture content creates thick, rich sauces. Paste and sauce tomatoes complement flavors like garlic, onions, and basil.
Below are expert recommendations for types of tomato seeds to grow for popular dishes that are made even better with homegrown tomatoes.
- Best tomatoes to grow for tomato soup? Roma or plum tomatoes
- Best tomatoes to grow in your salsa garden? Roma Supremo Hybrid tomato seeds (part of our salsa collection, check it out!)
- Best tomatoes to grow for pico de gallo salsa? Because they are coarsely chopped, any tomato type works in pico. Our experts recommend using whichever tomato type is at its peak for the best flavor when you’re making your pico de gallo.
- Best tomatoes to grow for pizza sauce? San Marzano plum tomatoes for genuine Italian flavor.
What is your favorite tomato seed to grow for specific recipes? What are your favorite recipes using tomatoes? Share with us on Facebook or Instagram.
As you can imagine, with the popularity of homegrown tomatoes, we’ve gathered a lot of information to help gardeners grow tomatoes from seed.
Choosing Which Tomatoes to Grow
- 9 Types of Tomatoes to Grow in the Garden
- Are Big Beef Tomatoes Determinate or Indeterminate?
- Versatile Tomatoes to Grow Anywhere
