Name: How to Peel and Seed a Tomato
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 1 min
Total time: 3 min
Ingredients: 1 tomato (or as needed)

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Here is the way I peel tomatoes. Removing the seeds and tougher outer skin leaves tomatoes with the perfect texture and taste for pasta sauces, soups, and all other recipes based on canned tomatoes.

How to peel and seed a tomato - showing peeled tomato on cutting board

If you find yourself with a surplus with fresh tomatoes from the summer, take advantage of the bounty and substitute them in places where you usually reach for canned. Peeling is also the usual first step in canning tomatoes for long-term storage.

Why should you peel tomatoes for sauce

There is a reason your favorite brand of canned tomatoes is labeled “peeled.” When cooked, the tomato skins get tougher and float apart. They do not cook down like the tomato flesh. The skin also becomes bitter.

On the other hand, tomato skin is loaded with lycopene, a nutritious antioxidant. If you want to keep the skins, consider running your cooked recipe through a food mill – if practical.

How to peel tomatoes properly

Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil.
Cut an ‘X” in the bottom of each tomato. Cut just deep enough to penetrate the skin.
Prepare a bowl with ice water.
Place the tomato carefully into the boiling water and simmer for one minute.
Remove the tomato and place in the ice bath.

Collage showing how to mark x at the bottom of tomato, boil and blanch it

When cool enough to handle, peel the skin; it should remove very easily, coming off section by section.

Collage showing step by step how to peel a tomato after boiling

Here is your naked tomato.

How to seed tomatoes

Cut the tomato in half (equatorially.)

gently squeeze the tomato to remove the seeds.

Your fresh, peeled and seeded tomatoes are ready to make a sauce, use in chili, or any other recipe where you would usually use canned tomatoes.

When tomatoes are in season, I load up and use them in every way possible.

Recipes with peeled tomatoes

For more cooking tutorials, check out:

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Review

How to Peel and Seed a Tomato

This tutorial shows a simple method for how to peel and seed tomatoes when you have a bunch of fresh tomatoes- substitute for canned tomatoes

5 from 187 votes

Author Yumna Jawad

Servings serving

Course Ingredient, Sauces

Calories 22

Prep Time 2

Cook Time 1

Total Time 3

Video

Ingredients

▢ 1 tomato or as needed

Instructions

Fill a pot with water, bring to a boil.
Cut an “X” in the bottom of each tomato, just deep enough to penetrate the skin.
Prepare a bowl of water with ice.
Place the tomato carefully into the boiling water and simmer for one minute.
Remove the tomato and place in the ice bath.
When cool enough to handle, peel the skin; it should remove very easily.
Cut the tomato in half (equatorially), gently squeeze the tomato to remove the seeds

Equipment

Nutrition

Calories: 22kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 6mg, Potassium: 292mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 1025IU, Vitamin C: 17mg, Calcium: 12mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.

Cuisine American

Course: Ingredient, Sauces

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