Homemade Smoked Tomatoes are the best addition to smoked tomato sauce, soups, salads, side dishes, and more! The sweetness of the tomatoes combined with the smokiness from the smoker is absolute perfection.
Tomatoes are versatile and easily add a load of flavor to your favorite dish. They do not need to be a side dish or an afterthought; they can also hold their own as the star of the plate.
Sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, fresh basil leaves, drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, is one of my favorite appetizers.
I am happy with a lightly salted slice of tomato as well. However, there is something great about the flavor that emerges when you grill, roast, and even smoke your tomatoes.
What types of tomatoes can I smoke?
You can smoke any tomato, but the type depends on your application. If you have cherry tomatoes, then I would recommend placing them on a skewer or in a basket so you don't lose any through the grates. These are great to add to a salad.
If you want thick slices with a smoky flavor, then go with big, fat tomatoes, such as beefsteak tomatoes. The choice is up to you.
How to Smoke Tomatoes
Step One: Preheat your smoker to about 225° - 250°F. I actually did two batches simultaneously. One with my Weber Kettle, the other with my Traeger Ironwood, but you can use any smoker that you can maintain a good low/medium temperature on. I used charcoal with hickory wood chips in the Weber and hickory pellets in the Traeger pellet grill.
Step Two: I placed a piece of foil on my grate so that the juices wouldn't drip and extinguish my coals or make a mess. You can also put them in a baking dish. Season the tomatoes with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil.
Step Three: Smoke the tomatoes in a single layer until they are hot throughout and the outer skin breaks and cracks. For these plum tomatoes that took about two and a half hours.
Step Four: Remove from heat when the smoked tomatoes reach your desired doneness. Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge.
How to Use Smoked Tomatoes
Once you smoke your tomatoes, use them in your favorite tomato recipe. From smoked tomato sauce to a juice, a gazpacho, a soup, or even serving them as a side on their own with your steak and eggs, flavor-packed smoked tomatoes are one of my new favorites. It really doesn't get any easier than this.
How to Make Smoked Tomato Sauce
Step One: You can treat these like you would if they were roasted tomatoes. Peel the skin off of the tomatoes. This only takes a few minutes because the smoke has lifted the skin nicely from the flesh.
Step Two: Once the tomatoes are peeled, place them in a blender or food processor. Give it a few good pulses.
Step Three: Season to taste. I added a few pinches of salt and some freshly ground black pepper.
Step Four: Pour the sauce into a container or mason jar and store it in the refrigerator for up to three days. If you want to save it longer for later use, you can put it into a freezer-safe container and freeze it for up to six months, or you may want to can the smoked tomato sauce.
How to Use Smoked Tomato Sauce?
Use it as you would any of your other favorite tomato sauces. It goes great on Traeger Pizza, in this delicious Keto Meatball Casserole, in Smoked Lasagna, or on Grilled Chicken Parmesan. This is sure to take any of your favorite ways to use marinara sauce to the next level!
Variations
- Fresh Herbs: You can easily add fresh basil, rosemary, oregano, or thyme.
- Garlic: Garlic or even roasted garlic or Smoked Garlic, would be amazing in this easy recipe.
- Chunky Vegetable Sauce: If you are looking for a hearty tomato sauce, I would add a mix of grilled vegetables. I would suggest mushrooms, zucchini, eggplant, and onions. Just add your favorite ingredients.
- Onions: Blend some roasted, sauteed, or Smoked Onions when you puree the sauce.
- Thickener: For a thicker sauce, add some pureed sundried tomatoes or tomato paste. You can also just cook down the sauce to thicken in.
And make sure to try these Keto Stuffed Tomatoes next!
Can you can smoked tomatoes?
Absolutely! I love the idea of canning and preserving food from when it is in season for a later time to be enjoyed. Canning is a great way to achieve that. Here is a great step-by-step way to can your smoked tomatoes. Click here to learn how to can your tomatoes.
Recipe
Smoked Tomatoes & Smoked Tomato Sauce Recipe
Equipment
- Traeger Grill or other smoker
Ingredients
Smoked Tomatoes
- 3 lbs ripe plum tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Smoked Tomato Sauce
- 3 lbs smoked tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Smoked Tomatoes
- Rinse plum tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil.
- Place tomatoes on the smoker that was preheated to 225°F.
- Smoke at a steady 225°F temperature until skin is cracked and charred and tomatoes are hot throughout. This will take approximately 2 hours.
- Once tomatoes reached your desired doneness remove them from the smoker.
Smoked Tomato Sauce
- Peel your smoked tomatoes.
- Place peeled tomatoes into a food processor or a blender. Pulse until they become puree. Store or freeze for later use.
- If you are looking to add more vegetables and herbs, you can pour the pureed smoked tomato sauce into a large saucepan to continued cooking.
- Once you are done, you can either serve immediately, store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, can preserve it, or freeze it.
Video
Nutrition
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Originally Published September 22, 2021. Revised and Republished January 12, 2026.
Ernie moore says
Trying the receip this weekend. Thank you
Joshua says
I loved the smoky flavor. So good.