Fermented Tomatoes (How To Ferment Cherry Tomatoes)

Fermented tomatoes take only minutes to make and are a great way to consume more gut-healthy probiotics. With only a couple of ingredients, you’ll be enjoying fresh summery flavors all year round. Plus, fermentation is an easy preservation method that enhances the health benefits of tomatoes.

Fermenting veggies – tomatoes, cabbage, garlic, onions, and more – is a great way to preserve fresh summer foods for enjoying in the cooler months. And it’s a simple and fast way to consume more gut-healthy probiotics. Probiotics help to heal the lining of our gut, which then can help to boost your immune system, improve mental clarity, and support good gut health. Lacto-fermentation is a traditional process that enhances beneficial bacteria and preserves the fresh ingredients naturally.

(For other ideas to boost your probiotics, try making bone broth from chicken feet or kefir smoothies!)

All you need to ferment veggies is salt, filtered water, and glass jars. The process takes only a few minutes to complete, making it an easy recipe to incorporate into your kitchen routine.

You might think you need to harvest your own veggies from a backyard garden to get started with fermenting, but that’s not the case. My family and I live in a small urban apartment with minimal outdoor space. I buy my veggies from the grocery store and farmer’s market and just ferment those. Whether you use grape tomatoes, larger tomatoes, or fresh cherry tomatoes, this method works well.

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How to make fermented tomatoes 

Ingredients

• Unadulterated sea salt – such as pink Himalayan sea salt (here’s a bulk source)
• Tomatoes (grape tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, or other small tomatoes work best)
• Filtered water
• Optional – fresh herbs (such as fresh basil or coriander seed)

For complete measurements, see the printable recipe card below.

Supplies

• Glass mason jars (wide-mouth jars are best)
• Fermenting weight (pickle pebbles or a glass fermentation weight work well)
• Saucepan
• Spoon
• Jar lid

Instructions

Add water and sea salt to your saucepan and heat until salt is dissolved. Set aside to cool.

Wash your tomatoes thoroughly.

Pack your glass jar as full as you can without crushing the tomatoes. It’s best to leave the tomatoes whole.

If using fresh herbs, add basil, mustard seeds, or garlic cloves into the jar with the tomatoes for extra flavor.

Once the saltwater brine has cooled, pour it over the tomatoes, and make sure that they are fully covered in the brine.

Set a fermenting weight on top of the tomatoes to keep them below the brine. I use a pickle pebble but you can simply use a rock in a ziplock bag!

Add a loose lid or fermentation lid to the top of the jar. Put the jar on a plate or towel to catch any overflow and leave it sit in a room temperature place. I like to simply leave mine on our kitchen countertop!

How long the fermentation process will take depends on the temperature in your home. A small batch in half-gallon mason jars can be ready in 6-8 days, while a gallon jar may take 3-4 weeks. You will know fermentation is happening when bubbles form in the salt brine, and it becomes foggy due to carbon dioxide release and lactic acid formation.

After the tomatoes are fermented (this will either take a week or a month depending on the size of your jar), move the fermented tomatoes to cold storage, such as the fridge or a cool, dark place, to slow down further fermentation.

What are the benefits of lacto-fermented tomatoes?

The lacto-fermentation process facilitates the growth of beneficial bacteria. Consuming fermented foods, such as fermented cherry tomatoes, sauerkraut, and kefir, supports gut health, the immune system, and overall digestion. This method also preserves the tomatoes’ nutrients and enhances their tanginess!

How to use fermented tomatoes

In sandwiches – Layer them with cheese and fresh ingredients for a delicious fermented tomato sandwich.

Pizza or pasta sauce – Blend the tomatoes and add garlic, onion, and herbs to make a fermented tomato sauce.

Raw – Add the tomatoes to salads or as a side dish.

Expert tips

Use a glass jar to ferment vegetables and avoid metal or plastic.

Always use unadulterated salt, like sea salt, and avoid iodized salt.

What do fermented tomatoes taste like?

They have a tangy tomato taste. You can add herbs like fresh basil for a more blended flavor.

How long do fermented tomatoes last?

They should last up to 12 months in cold storage.

How to know if the tomatoes are fermented?

You will see bubbles form in the brine and the brine will become cloudy. If it’s becoming too sour, move them to the fridge.

How to store fermented tomatoes?

Store them in the fridge, a cellar, or another dark place to slow fermentation. Avoid direct sunlight to maintain a stable fermentation process.

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What to read next

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Strawberry Kefir Smoothie Recipe

Simple Lacto-Fermented Carrots

If you make this recipe and enjoy it, please consider giving it 5 stars. Find me on Instagram @documentingsimpleliving and show me what you’ve made!