Grilled tomatoes from the BBQ may be one of the most underrated barbecue dishes. By briefly grilling tomatoes they develop an intense, slightly sweet flavor with a delicious roasted edge.
Combine that with herbs, garlic, olive oil or feta and you have a surprisingly flavorful side dish that pairs perfectly with summer barbecue evenings.
Whether you choose a Mediterranean version with feta, a spicy BBQ rub or sticky tomatoes with BBQ sauce: grilled tomatoes are easy to make and go with almost anything. Serve them alongside grilled meat, fish, potatoes or simply with fresh bread to dip in the juices.
In this blog we share different variations for grilled tomatoes from the BBQ, including herb combinations, serving tips, and tips on which tomatoes to use.
Which tomatoes are best for the BBQ?
Not every tomato is equally suitable for the barbecue. Preferably choose firm tomatoes that keep their shape well during grilling.
Best types of tomatoes for the BBQ
- Roma tomatoes
- Vine tomatoes
- Beefsteak tomatoes
- Coeur de Boeuf tomatoes
- Cherry or cocktail tomatoes
Roma tomatoes are often the best choice because they are firm and contain less moisture. Cherry tomatoes are ideal for skewers or a grill pan.
1. Grilled tomatoes with garlic and Italian herbs
Ingredients
- 4 large vine tomatoes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tsp (organic) oregano
- 1 tsp (organic) basil
- Pinch of ground (organic) black pepper
- Sea salt
Preparation
- Halve the tomatoes.
- Mix olive oil with herbs and garlic.
- Brush the tomatoes generously.
- Grill 8–12 minutes indirectly on the BBQ.
- Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
Perfect with grilled chicken, bread or a fresh salad.
2. BBQ tomatoes with feta and Mediterranean herbs
Ingredients
- 4 roma tomatoes
- 100 g feta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp (organic) oregano
- Chili flakes
- Fresh parsley
Preparation
- Halve the tomatoes.
- Drizzle with oil and herbs.
- Grill for about 8 minutes.
- Crumble feta over the warm tomatoes.
- Finish with chili flakes and parsley.
Delicious as a summery BBQ side dish or tapas dish.
3. Spicy grilled tomatoes with smoky spice rub
Ingredients
- 5 tomatoes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika powder
- ½ tsp (organic) chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Pinch of cumin
- Salt and pepper
Preparation
- Mix all spices with olive oil.
- Brush the tomatoes.
- Grill 10 minutes over medium heat.
- Let lightly caramelize for extra BBQ flavor.
Tasty with burgers or grilled corn.
4. Stuffed BBQ tomatoes with mozzarella
Ingredients
- 4 large tomatoes
- 1 ball mozzarella
- 1 tbsp pesto
- 1 tsp Italian herbs
- Fresh basil
Preparation
- Carefully hollow out the tomatoes.
- Fill with mozzarella, pesto and herbs.
- Grill indirectly 12–15 minutes.
- Garnish with basil.
A delicious vegetarian BBQ dish.
5. Sweet balsamic BBQ tomatoes
Ingredients
- 4 tomatoes
- 1½ tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp (organic) thyme
- Pinch of pepper
- Handful of arugula
Preparation
- Mix balsamic with oil and herbs.
- Brush the tomatoes.
- Grill 8–10 minutes.
- Serve on arugula.
Extra nice with burrata or grilled sourdough bread.
6. Sticky BBQ grilled tomatoes with Beasty BBQ sauce
Ingredients
- 4 large vine tomatoes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp Natural Zero Beasty BBQ sauce
- 1 tsp smoked paprika powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Pinch of black pepper
- Fresh spring onion or parsley
Preparation
- Halve the tomatoes.
- Mix olive oil with the BBQ sauce and spices.
- Brush the tomatoes generously.
- Grill 8–10 minutes indirectly on the barbecue.
- Garnish with spring onion or parsley.
This sticky variant pairs perfectly with burgers, pulled chicken or crispy BBQ potatoes.
Tips for perfect BBQ tomatoes
- Use ripe but firm tomatoes.
- Grill larger tomatoes indirectly so they don't burn.
- Add fresh herbs only after grilling for extra flavor.
- Use a grill pan for small tomatoes.
- Combine with spice mixes for extra depth and BBQ flavor.
Frequently asked questions about grilled tomatoes from the BBQ
1. Which tomatoes are best for the BBQ?
Firm tomatoes such as roma tomatoes, vine tomatoes and beefsteak tomatoes work best because they stay nicely firm during grilling.
2. How do you prevent tomatoes from falling apart?
Use tomatoes that are not too ripe and grill them indirectly or on a barbecue plate.
3. Which herbs go well with grilled tomatoes?
Oregano, basil, thyme, garlic, smoked paprika and chili pair perfectly with BBQ tomatoes.
4. How long should tomatoes be on the BBQ?
On average 8 to 12 minutes over medium heat.
5. What goes well with grilled tomatoes?
They are delicious with meat, fish, vegetarian dishes, potatoes and fresh bread.
