How to Cut Tomatoes: 3 Tips for Cutting a Tomato

You can cut tomatoes in several different ways, depending on how you plan to use them. Here are a few options: 1. __Slices__: You can use sliced tomatoes in various ways, including in sandwiches as an accompanying or main ingredient. 2. __Wedges__: You can use tomato wedges in green salads. 3. __Diced__: Use diced tomatoes in everything from salsa and chili to homemade hot dog relish. While knife skills are helpful, a proper knife is even more essential in ensuring easy cutting and even pieces that don’t fall apart. You can use serrated knives, otherwise known as bread knives, which professional chefs and home cooks alike recommend. The small teeth on a serrated knife blade can easily cut straight through both the top skin of the tomato and the inner flesh. Here are a few tips to make slicing or dicing tomatoes easier: 1. __Use the right cutting board__. A non-slip cutting board is useful, as tomatoes can be juicy and may move around while you’re cutting into them. 2. __Vary your technique depending on the tomato__. Some tomatoes are easier to slice and dice than others, but smaller ones, for example, may pose a challenge. When slicing cherry tomatoes, Roma tomatoes or grape tomatoes, place several tomatoes between two plastic lids. The bottom lid should face rim side up, while the top lid should face rim side down. Gently press down on the top lid to support the tomatoes without crushing them. Using a serrated knife, cut through the center of one of the tomatoes, then follow around the edges of the remaining tomatoes in a circular fashion until you have sliced all tomatoes in half. 3. __Look for firm tomatoes__. Tomatoes are easiest to cut when they are perfectly ripe; the tomato skin should be slightly firm and free of blemishes. The inner flesh of overly ripe tomatoes is mushy, making it hard to make neat slices. Meanwhile, under-ripe tomatoes are firm and difficult to cut through. While overly ripe tomatoes are harder to cut, this does not mean they are unusable. If the tomatoes are free of mold and dark blemishes, you can still chop and use them in soups and to make tomato sauce. To cut a perfectly ripe tomato without crushing it, follow these steps: - __Find a flat surface__: Place your tomato on a cutting board or flat kitchen surface. - __Position the tomato on its side__: Ensure the tomato is in the right position, and then firmly hold one site of the tomato with one hand to prevent slipping. - __Use a serrated knife__: With a serrated knife, insert the blade into the tomato. Use a gentle sawing motion to create even slices. Cubed tomatoes, also referred to as diced tomatoes, are often used [in salsas](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-guajillo-chile-salsa), salads and as fresh toppings for tacos, quesadillas, cold soups, and bruschetta. Follow these steps to create diced tomatoes or cut tomatoes into even cubes: - __Rinse your tomato__: Start by rinsing your tomato thoroughly with cold water and remove any produce stickers. Then pat dry. - __Position tomato on its side__: Stand the tomato on its side and use a serrated knife to cut thin slices from the stem down to the bottom. - __Stack the slices__: Place the slices on top of one another so the tomato appears whole. With a serrated knife or sharpened chef’s knife, cut the tomato slices into even, thin strips. - __Dice the strips__: Once you cut the slices into strips, use your sharp knife to make even cuts across each strip to create diced tomato cubes. While slicing fresh tomatoes may seem like a relatively simple task, there are some steps you should take to ensure firm, even slices. For example, make parallel cuts so that you get a nice slice. Follow these steps to learn how to slice a tomato: - __Rinse your tomato__: Use cool water and pat your tomato dry. - __Remove stems and leaves__: Stand the tomato on its side, and then the stem end should face left if you’re left-handed or right if you’re right-handed. Cut the top of the tomato on the stem end. - __Slice lengthwise__: Once you have removed the top, continue to slice the tomato lengthwise with even, parallel cuts until you reach the end. Become a better chef with the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com). Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Alice Waters, Gabriela Cámara, Niki Nakayama, Chef Thomas Keller, Gordon Ramsay, Yotam Ottolenghi, Dominique Ansel, and more. Tomatoes are a versatile fruit you can cut in various ways, such as slices, small wedges, and cubes. Using the proper techniques when cutting tomatoes helps ensure the slices stay intact when paired with sandwiches or used as toppings on a wide range of dishes.