When you want to wow your guests without breaking a sweat, a charcuterie board always does the trick. But instead of the same old meats and cheeses, why not put a fresh, seasonal twist on it? That’s why I love a Tomato Tasting Board. It’s bright, colorful, loaded with flavor, and showcases tomatoes in all their juicy glory.
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This tomato charcuterie board is the perfect girl dinner or board to share when entertaining. You don’t need to cook, just slice, assemble, and let the tomatoes steal the spotlight. It’s casual enough for a summer picnic but chic enough for entertaining friends with a glass of wine in hand.
And, you can get as fancy and complicated as you like, or keep it simple. I’ve got more suggestions below if you want to jazz it up.
Ingredients
- Tomatoes – Look for a variety of tomatoes. I love heirloom tomatoes, but San Marzano, beefsteak, field tomatoes and really any kind of tomato will work. Just ensure they’re nice and ripe!
- Tomato salad – I make a simple salad of halved grape tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and herbs.
- Prosciutto – It’s nice to have a meat element on the board, but you can totally skip this to keep this tomato charcuterie board vegan or vegetarian.
- Pearl mozzarella – Cheese is a must! I also love this board with ricotta or burrata cheese.
- Cucumber – I like the pop of green from the cucumber, and the slices are a non-acidic palate cleanser from all that tomato.
- Basil – Tomato and basil go hand-in-hand, and fresh basil is a must on this board!
- Pickled onion – Or another pickled element.
- Toasted pine nuts – I know pine nuts are worth their weight in gold, so you can skip them. But I do love their buttery, nutty crunch.
- Optional additions: Pesto, olives, burrata, Parmesan, good quality olive oil, ricotta
How to make a Tomato Charcuterie Board
Scroll down for the full recipe card with exact measurements and printable instructions.
Slice the tomatoes into even rounds using a sharp chef’s knife. I always use my 8-inch chef’s knife; it glides through juicy tomatoes without crushing them, which is exactly what you want when you’re building a board that’s all about presentation. Arrange the slices on a large wooden board or marble slab.
Toss the halved grape tomatoes with minced garlic, olive oil, and fresh herbs in a small mixing bowl. I love using a glass prep bowl here because you can see the dressing coat every tomato. A silicone spatula makes it easy to stir without bruising those delicate tomatoes.
Layer the prosciutto around the board. I fold each slice into loose ribbons using small tongs. They help keep the prosciutto neat and make it easier for guests to grab later.
Add pearl mozzarella and slices of cucumber. Scatter them across the board so every bite of tomato has something creamy or crunchy nearby.
Scatter basil leaves and pickled onion. A set of herb scissors is perfect here; they keep basil leaves looking fresh and cleanly snipped, not bruised. For the onions, I love using a small mason jar to store them in advance; it doubles as storage and presentation if you want to keep things rustic.
Sprinkle toasted pine nuts over the tomatoes for crunch. Toast them in a dry nonstick skillet for just 3–4 minutes, stirring with a wooden spoon.
Finish with extras. Drizzle pesto with a small spoon, drop burrata right in the center, or use a microplane grater to shower the whole thing with Parmesan. I especially love that grater because it creates feathery shavings that look dramatic but melt instantly on warm bread or tomatoes.
Chef Jenn’s Tips
- Use a variety of tomatoes—heirloom, beefsteak, cherry, or plum—for flavor and color contrast.
- A drizzle of balsamic glaze adds a sweet punch that pairs beautifully with tomatoes and mozzarella.
- Chill the platter before assembling so the tomatoes stay crisp longer.
- Toast your pine nuts in a dry skillet for 3–4 minutes; it really intensifies their flavor.
- If you’re using burrata, place it in a small bowl or dish to catch all the runny goodness.
Recommended
Serving Suggestion
Pair this Tomato Tasting Board with crusty bread, grilled chicken skewers, or even a simple pasta tossed in olive oil. Add a crisp white wine or a sparkling rosé, and you’ve got an easy summer dinner.
Storage
This Tomato Charcuterie Board is best enjoyed fresh. If you have leftovers, store tomatoes separately in the fridge in an airtight container for up to two days. Avoid freezing, as tomatoes lose their texture once thawed.
Tomato Tasting Board
Ingredients
- 3–4 different kinds of tomatoes sliced
- 1.5 cups tomato salad
- 6 ounces prosciutto
- 8 ounces pearl mozzarella
- 1 cucumber
- 1/4 cup basil leaves
- 1/4 cup Pickled onion
- 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
- Optional additions: pesto, olives, burrata, Parmesan, good quality olive oil, ricotta
Instructions
- Slice the tomatoes into even rounds using a sharp knife, arranging them on a large board or platter.
- Toss the grape tomatoes with garlic, olive oil, and herbs to make a quick tomato salad.
- Layer prosciutto around the board, folding it for texture and easy grabbing.
- Add pearl mozzarella and slices of cucumber for a refreshing contrast.
- Scatter basil leaves and pickled onion across the board for color and tang.
- Sprinkle toasted pine nuts over the tomatoes for crunch.
- Finish with optional extras like dollops of pesto, chunks of burrata, or a drizzle of good olive oil.
Notes
Chef Jenn’s Tips
- Use a variety of tomatoes—heirloom, beefsteak, cherry, or plum—for flavor and color contrast.
- A drizzle of balsamic glaze adds a sweet punch that pairs beautifully with tomatoes and mozzarella.
- Chill the platter before assembling so the tomatoes stay crisp longer.
Toast your pine nuts in a dry skillet for 3–4 minutes; it really intensifies their flavor. - If you’re using burrata, place it in a small bowl or dish to catch all the runny goodness.
Nutrition
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.