Tomato Balsamic Bruschetta Recipe
Balsamic bruschetta is a classic Italian appetizer that's easy to make, yet impressive enough to serve to guests. The combination of juicy tomatoes, fresh basil, and tangy balsamic vinegar makes for a flavor-packed topping for crusty bread. Whether you're entertaining guests or simply looking for a quick and delicious snack, this easy recipe is a great way to use up summer tomatoes.
Servings: 24 slices
Calories: 84kcal
Ingredients
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar (or store-bought balsamic glaze)
- 2 Tablespoons light brown sugar
- 6 Roma (plum) tomatoes, diced
- 1 shallot, diced
- ½ cup fresh basil, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 5 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 loaf French bread, cut into ¼-inch slices
- flaky sea salt (optional)
Instructions
Make balsamic glaze:
- ** If using store-bought balsamic glaze, skip this step. In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together balsamic vinegar and brown sugar. Bring to a low boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it has thickened into a syrupy texture. Remove from heat and let cool.
Prepare tomato mixture:
- In a medium bowl, use a large spoon to combine tomatoes, shallot, basil, garlic, 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, and pepper. Set aside to marinate.
Make the toasts:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Use a pastry brush or small spoon to spread 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil on both sides of baguette slices. Place slices single layer on a baking sheet and bake for 5-8 minutes, until golden and toasted.
- Spoon tomato mixture on top of bread slices and place on a serving platter. Drizzle lightly with balsamic glaze, sprinkle with flaky sea salt (if using), and serve immediately.
Notes
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- Storage: The tomato mixture can be placed in an airtight container and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The toasts can be placed in an airtight container and stored at room temperature for up to 2 days.
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- Make ahead instructions: You can make the tomato mixture up to 24 hours ahead of time; store it in the fridge until ready to serve. The balsamic glaze can be made up to 1 month ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
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- Use high-quality ingredients: Because this recipe only uses 7 simple ingredients, they should be the best quality for optimal flavor. So that means fresh (and ripe) tomatoes, fresh basil, fresh garlic, a good quality balsamic vinegar, and a nice loaf of crusty bread.
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- Drain tomatomixture.If you do make your tomato mixture ahead of time to marinate, you might need to drain the mixture before serving (or serve with a slotted spoon). This will prevent your bread from becoming soggy.
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- How to serve bruschetta: For a gathering, pair your balsamic bruschetta with other savory appetizers like imitation crab dip or this 4 ingredient guacamole recipe. Alternatively, serve it with an Italian main dish, like zucchini risotto or summer tortellini salad.
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- Serve right after assembling. This will keep your bread nice and crunchy. Another option is to let your guests assemble their own toasts.
Nutrition
Calories: 84kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 0.5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 151mg | Potassium: 70mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 156IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg