Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes

Cream-cheese-stuffed cherry tomatoes are a simple yet elegant vegetarian appetizer that’s ideal for a spread of snacks or a charcuterie board. They’re so easy to make, and the flavors are simple and sophisticated. The creamy, cheesy filling, with its hint of dill and a touch of crunch from the cucumber, is the perfect complement to the sweet and juicy tomatoes. It’s a delightful make-ahead appetizer that’s sure to please.

Ingredients for Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes

• Cherry tomatoes: Tangy, sweet tomatoes contrast with rich, creamy filling in these party appetizers. Look for large grape or cherry tomatoes that are about the size of a walnut in its shell. Grape tomatoes will work too, but they’re so small that it may be tedious to fill them!
• Cream cheese: Softened cream cheese adds a creamy and tangy richness to the filling, providing a luxurious mouthfeel.
• Mayonnaise: Another creamy and slightly tangy element of the filling, mayonnaise helps bind the ingredients together.
• Cucumber: Peeled and finely chopped cucumber provides a fresh crispness that complements the creamy base.
• Green onion: Just a little green onion adds a burst of savory flavor to the cheese filling.
• Dill: Minced fresh dill gives the filling a flavor reminiscent of ranch dressing. You can substitute parsley, chives or cilantro, if you prefer them to dill.

Directions

Step 1: Prep the tomatoes

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Cut a thin slice off the top of each tomato. Scoop out and discard the pulp, then invert the tomatoes onto paper towels to drain.

Step 2: Mix the filling

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In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese and mayonnaise until smooth, then stir in the cucumber, onion and dill.

Step 3: Fill the tomatoes

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Spoon the filling into the tomatoes. Refrigerate until serving.

Editor’s Tip: Transferring the filling to a piping bag, or a zip-top bag with a corner cut off, will make it easier and faster to stuff the tomatoes.

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Stuffed Cherry Tomato Variations

• Try more seasoning: Boost the flavor of the filling by adding a clove of grated garlic, or a dry seasoning blend such as our all-around seasoning or everything bagel seasoning.
• Add some seafood: The flavors of fresh tomato, cream cheese and herbs are particularly good with seafood. Add some elegance to these party bites by placing a tiny cooked bay shrimp on top of each one, or fold some lump crab meat or flaked hot smoked salmon or trout into the filling.
• Give it brunch vibes: Replace the cream cheese with mashed ripe avocado for a version of this dish with flavors reminiscent of avocado toast.

How to Store Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes

Store leftover stuffed cherry tomatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. It’s best to serve them within a day or two for optimal flavor and texture.

Can you make this recipe for stuffed cherry tomatoes ahead of time?

Yes. You can fill the tomatoes up to a day in advance and store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve them.

Stuffed Cherry Tomato Tips

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What’s the best way to hollow out the tomatoes?

A tomato stem corer, sometimes called a tomato shark, is a toothy tool designed for removing the stems and seeds from tomatoes with ease. Unless you’re regularly canning tomatoes or cooking big batches of fresh tomatoes down into sauce, this probably isn’t a tool you have on hand. In that case, a small metal measuring spoon or melon baller is the best tool we’ve found to make hollowing out tomatoes into quick work for something like stuffed cherry tomato recipes.

Is there anything you can do with the tomato tops and insides?

Absolutely. Save the tomato tops and insides in a container and stash them in the freezer. The next time you cook up a batch of chili or marinara sauce, you can add them.

Can I use different vegetables in the filling?

Sure! You can experiment with other vegetables, like diced bell peppers, shredded carrots or finely chopped spinach.