Fresh, colorful, and bursting with flavor, this Tomato Flight is the ultimate summer appetizer or side dish. Thick slices of heirloom tomatoes are topped in six different ways, from creamy burrata to tangy feta, smoky bacon, and garden-fresh ranch. Each bite is unique, making it a fun and customizable tasting board. Want to really impress? Whip out this Tiktok viral Tomato Flight and showcase the best of summer tomatoes!
I love serving this when tomatoes are at their peak because it turns simple produce into a show-stopping platter. It’s perfect for sharing with friends, and everyone can find their favorite flavor. The variety keeps it interesting, and the toppings are easy to prep ahead, so you can assemble just before serving.
Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, summer dinner party, or looking for a light meal that feels festive, this Tomato Flight delivers. Pair it with a crisp glass of white wine or sparkling lemonade, and you’ve got a dish that’s as impressive as it is easy.
Ingredients
Base
- Large heirloom tomatoes – Sliced thick. This will serve 2. Double it for more than 2 people.
Burrata Slice
- Burrata cheese – Be sure to scoop up the rest of the creamy goodness with crackers or toasted baguette slices.
- Fresh basil leaves
- Olive oil – Just a drizzle.
- Balsamic glaze – Just a drizzle.
Pesto Slice
- Basil pesto
- Fresh mozzarella pearls
- Toasted pine nuts – Dry-toast them in a skillet over medium heat.
- Shaved Parmesan
Ricotta Slice
- Ricotta
- Lemon zest – Just a wee bit to brighten up the flavors.
- Black pepper – A grind or two is all you need.
- Honey – Just a wee drizzle over the top.
Feta Slice
- Crumbled feta
- Cucumber
- Pickled red onion – Just a wee bit to add acidity to the tomato slice.
- Kalamata olives – Add as much as you like but don’t overload the tomato.
- Dried oregano
BLT Slice
- Crisp-cooked bacon – Crumbled. I cheated and used some precooked bacon and just crisped it up. Whatever you do, you want it crunchy.
- Romaine – Or iceberg lettuce.
- Mayonnaise
Garden Ranch Slice
- Ranch dressing
- Romaine – Or iceberg lettuce.
- Cucumber
- Carrot
- Fresh dill – Or parsley
How to Make a Tomato Flight
Scroll down for the full recipe card with exact measurements and printable instructions.
Start by slicing the heirloom tomatoes into thick, even rounds. I like using a razor-sharp chef’s knife for this so it glides through juicy tomatoes without crushing them, leaving you with picture-perfect slices. Arrange the slices on a large wooden board or platter. Aim for tomatoes about ⅓-½ inch thick.
For the Burrata Slice, add a chunk of burrata to one tomato round. Top with fresh basil, a drizzle of olive oil, and a little balsamic glaze.
For the Pesto Slice, spread basil pesto over a tomato slice and top with mozzarella pearls. Sprinkle with toasted pine nuts and finish with shaved Parmesan.
Next, make the Ricotta Slice by spreading ricotta generously over a tomato slice, then topping with lemon zest, cracked black pepper, and a drizzle of honey.
For the Feta Slice, top a tomato slice with sliced cucumber, crumbled feta, pickled red onion, olives, and oregano.
The BLT Slice comes together with a thin layer of mayonnaise, shredded lettuce, and crisp bacon crumbles.
Finally, for the Garden Ranch Slice, drizzle ranch dressing on a tomato slice, then top with cucumber, shredded lettuce, shredded carrot, and fresh dill.
Serve the tomato flight immediately, letting guests enjoy the variety of toppings. A large serving board or charcuterie platter works beautifully here, and I like to set out mini tongs so guests can pick their favorites easily without making a mess.
Chef Jenn’s Tips
- Use heirloom tomatoes in different colors for a gorgeous presentation.
- Pat the tomato slices dry with clean paper towel or kitchen towels before topping so the dressings and toppings don’t just slide off.
- For a fun presentation, set out little bowls of toppings and let your guests top their own!
Recommended
Serving Suggestions
This Tomato Flight makes a great starter before grilled steak, roast chicken, or summer pasta dishes. Pair it with fresh bread and wine for a casual dinner spread.
Storage
This dish is best served immediately, but you can prep toppings ahead of time and refrigerate them in separate containers for up to 1 day. Don’t cut the tomatoes unti lthe last minute, and assemble just before serving to keep the tomatoes fresh and juicy.
Tomato Flight
Ingredients
Base
- 2-3 large heirloom tomatoes sliced thick
Burrata Slice
- Burrata cheese 1 ball
- olive oil just a drizzle
- balsamic glaze just a drizzle
Pesto Slice
- basil pesto about 2 teaspoons per slice of tomato
- 2-3 fresh mozzarella pearls
- 1 tablespoon toasted pine nuts
- 2 teaspoons shaved Parmesan
Ricotta Slice
- Ricotta about 1 tablespoon per tomato slice
- lemon zest
- black pepper –
- honey just a wee drizzle over the top.
Feta Slice
- 1 tablespoon crumbled feta
- 2-3 slices cucumber
- pickled red onion just a wee bit to add acidity to the tomato slice
- kalamata olives chopped – Or sliced. Add as much as you like but don’t overload the tomato.
- pinch dried oregano
BLT Slice
- crisp-cooked bacon crumbled
- ⅛ cup Romaine or iceberg lettuce, shredded
- 2 teaspoons mayonnaise
Garden Ranch Slice
- 2 teaspoons ranch dressing
- ⅛ cup Romaine or iceberg lettuce, shredded
- cucumber sliced – Just 2-3 thin slices of cucumber.
- 1 tablespoon carrot shredded
- fresh dill or parsley
Instructions
- Slice 2-3 large heirloom tomatoes into thick ⅓-½-inch rounds and arrange on a serving platter.
- For the Burrata Slice: Top one slice with burrata, basil, olive oil, and balsamic glaze.
- For the Pesto Slice: Spread pesto on a tomato slice, then add mozzarella pearls, pine nuts, and Parmesan.
- For the Ricotta Slice: Spread the ricotta on the tomato then sprinkle with lemon zest and pepper. Drizzle with honey.
- For the Feta Slice: Top the tomato slice with cucumber, crumbled feta, pickled red onion, olives and oregano.
- For the BLT Slice: Spread a thin layer of mayo on the tomato slice, then add shredded lettuce and sprinkle with bacon.
- For the Garden Ranch Slice: Drizzle the tomato with ranch, then top with lettuce, cucumber, carrot, and dill.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the variety!
Notes
Chef Jenn’s Tips
- Use heirloom tomatoes in different colors for a gorgeous presentation.
- Pat the tomato slices dry with a clean paper towel or kitchen towels before topping so the dressings and toppings don’t just slide off.
- For a fun presentation, set out little bowls of toppings and let your guests top their own!
A Note on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.