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Here’s my step-by-step guide and video for how to cut a tomato with a serrated knife, including diced, slices, and how to cut tomatoes for salad!
Are you wondering how to cut a tomato but not sure the best way? There are many ways to cut a tomato: diced, into wedges, and into slices. As a professional recipe developer, I’ve been cutting loads of tomatoes for years.
Here is exactly how I cut tomatoes showing four different ways; I use these methods in everything from pico de gallo to tabbouleh! Here’s how to cut tomatoes, including a video of me showing how to dice, slice, and cut tomato wedges in our kitchen.
The Best Knife for Cutting Tomatoes
What’s the best knife to cut a tomato? Using a serrated knife is best for cutting through the tomato skin. You may notice that using a paring knife can sometimes tear and mangle the skin when cutting. The knife I’m using here is Shun 9-inch Serrated Knife.
How To Cut a Tomato: Step By Step
Step 1
To slice a tomato: Place the tomato on its side. Using a large serrated knife, slice off the top of the tomato. Then cut the tomato into thin slices.
Step 2
To cut tomato wedges: Using a large serrated knife, cut the tomato in half. Then cut it again to make quarters. You can cut smaller wedges by cutting the quarters down the center.
Step 3
To dice a tomato (seeds in): Start with the tomato slices from Step 1. Cut them into thin strips, then turn the strips and cut crosswise into a dice.
Step 4
To dice a tomato (core and seeds out): Start with the tomato wedges from Step 2 (quarters are easiest). Cut out the core and seeds from each wedge by sliding underneath them with the knife. Cut the remaining tomato flesh into strips, then turn the strips and cut crosswise into a dice.
The Fastest Way to Cut Cherry Tomatoes
Halving cherry tomatoes one by one can take forever. Here’s a fun trick that Alex and I learned: arrange them in a single layer on a plastic lid or plate, set a second lid or plate on top, and press gently with your palm. Then run a long serrated knife horizontally through the gap between in the center of the cherry tomatoes. Done!
Tip: Use a great chef’s knife!
A good knife can drastically improve your time in the kitchen. I’ve had my chef’s knives for over 10 years, and they still work great. My favorite knife is this 7″ Chef’s Knife. For safe storage, you can use a drawer knife organizer. Make sure to keep your knives sharpened using a local service or home knife sharpener.
Fresh Tomato Recipes To Try
How to Cut a Tomato
Wondering how to cut a tomato? Here’s a step by step guide and video that shows you how to dice a tomato, how to cut tomatoes for salad, and how to cut tomato slices.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Yield: About ½ cup diced 1x
- Category: Knife Skills
- Method: Cutting
- Cuisine: N/A
Ingredients
- 1 ripe tomato
Instructions
- To slice a tomato: Place the tomato on its side. Using a large serrated knife, slice off the top of the tomato. Then cut the tomato into thin slices.
- To cut tomato wedges: Using a large serrated knife, cut the tomato in half. Then cut it again to make quarters. You can cut smaller wedges by cutting the quarters down the center.
- To dice a tomato (seeds in): Start with the tomato slices from Step 1. Cut them into thin strips, then turn the strips and cut crosswise into a dice.
- To dice a tomato (core and seeds out): Start with the tomato wedges from Step 2 (quarters are easiest). Cut out the core and seeds from each wedge by sliding underneath them with the knife. Cut the remaining tomato flesh into strips, then turn the strips and cut crosswise into a dice.
