Marinated Tomatoes (Sott’olio Method)

Name: Marinated Tomatoes
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 16oz cherry tomatoes; 1 1/2 cups of water; 3/4 cup white wine vinegar; 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano; 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper; 1 tsp salt; About 1 cup extra virgin olive oil (may be less, may be more)

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By: MadelinePosted: 04/25/2021Updated: 04/17/2022

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Add flavor to any dish with Marinated Tomatoes! Use the Italian sott’olio method to make delicious marinated cherry tomatoes with simple ingredients.

Above view of a piece of toast with ricotta cheese on it with marinated tomatoes

Got extra cherry tomatoes? Make a batch of marinated tomatoes!

If you buy a large batch of cherry tomatoes, you know that there comes a point where they start to get sort of wrinkled and imperfect. When that happens you can make a quick batch of pickled cherry tomatoes!

This cherry tomato recipe is also perfect for summer months when you grow your own cherry or grape tomatoes at home. Towards the end of the summer you can be harvesting tomatoes almost daily and what do you do with all those tomatoes? Preserve them in olive oil using the sott’olio method.

Above view of cherry tomatoes for marinated tomatoes recipe

What is the Sott’olio Method?

Sott’olio is translated to ‘under the oil’ in english and sott’olio is an Italian cooking method for preserving vegetables in oil. The vegetables are boiled in a water and vinegar mixture, drained and stored in a glass jar under a layer of olive oil.

Brined cherry tomatoes for marinated tomatoes recipe tossed in seasonings

What kitchen tools will I need to make this cherry tomato recipe

Sauce pan
Liquid measuring cup, measuring cups, and measuring spoons
Fine mesh strainer
Mixing bowl
Wide mouth glass jar for storage

Marinated cherry tomatoes in a jar with olive oil pouring on top of them

What ingredients will I need to make these marinated tomatoes?

Cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes
Water and white wine vinegar
Extra virgin olive oil (opt for a high quality oil here to ensure best flavor)
Salt, oregano, crushed red pepper

Above view of a piece of toast with ricotta cheese on it with marinated cherry tomatoes

How to make Marinated Tomatoes with the Sott’olio Method

Step 1: Pierce and boil tomatoes

To begin, pierce each cherry tomato through the stem hole with a toothpick and pull the toothpick back out. Then, add water and vinegar to a pot and bring to a boil.

Next, add the cherry tomatoes and reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes.

Step 2: Cool and season tomatoes

Then, drain the water from the cherry tomatoes and allow them to cool completely. It is helpful to cool them in the fine mesh strainer so they continue to drain as they cool.

Next, add the cooled tomatoes to a mixing bowl and toss with dried oregano, crushed red pepper and salt.

Step 3: Store cherry tomatoes in a glass jar with olive oil

Finally, transfer seasoned tomatoes to a 2 cup glass jar. Fill jar with extra virgin olive oil until the tomatoes are covered with oil.

As you eat them be sure that the tomatoes stay covered with oil. Store in the refrigerator.

Step 4: Enjoy!

Above view of a bowl of marinated cherry tomatoes made with the sott'olio method in a small bowl

How should I store these pickled cherry tomatoes?

Store them in the refrigerator. The oil may solidify in the refrigerator so just allow the jar to come to room temperature before serving!

How should I serve this marinated cherry tomato recipe?

My absolute favorite way to enjoy sott’olio tomatoes is on a piece of sourdough toast with ricotta cheese and flakey sea salt. They are also delicious on avocado toast with a poached egg.

I also like to serve them on salads with chicken cutlets or on top of creamy white bean hummus.

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