🥬 Vegetables & Aromatics

Can You Substitute Regular Tomatoes for Cherry Tomatoes: Complete Guide

Learn if you can substitute regular tomatoes for cherry tomatoes in recipes. Find proper ratios, preparation techniques, and cooking tips for perfect results every time.

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Quick Answer

Yes, you can substitute regular tomatoes for cherry tomatoes. Use a 1:1 ratio by volume, but cut regular tomatoes into smaller pieces first. Regular tomatoes have similar flavor but different texture and size.

Best Substitutes

Regular Tomatoes (Cut)

1:1 by volume

Regular tomatoes provide the same tomato flavor as cherry tomatoes but need to be cut to size. They're more watery so may need longer cooking time.

Best for:

cookingroastingsaucesstewswhen you need similar flavor

Cut into quarters or eighths depending on size. Remove seeds and excess juice for better texture.

Grape Tomatoes

1:1

Grape tomatoes are the best substitute for cherry tomatoes. They have similar size, texture, and sweetness with just a slightly different shape.

Best for:

saladsroastinggrillingsnackingwhen you want similar size

Closest substitute in size and texture. Slightly sweeter flavor but works perfectly in most recipes.

Cocktail Tomatoes

1:1

Cocktail tomatoes are essentially the same as cherry tomatoes - small, round, and sweet. They work as a perfect 1:1 substitute.

Best for:

saladsroastinggrillingsnackingwhen you want identical size

Very similar to cherry tomatoes in size and flavor. Perfect substitute when available.

Pear Tomatoes

1:1

Pear tomatoes have similar sweetness and size to cherry tomatoes but a different shape. They work well in most recipes where appearance isn't critical.

Best for:

cookingroastingsaladswhen shape doesn't matter

Similar sweetness and size. Different shape but works well in most applications.

Plum Tomatoes (Small)

1:1

Small plum tomatoes have a meatier texture and less water content than cherry tomatoes. They're excellent for cooking applications.

Best for:

cookingroastingsauceswhen you want meatier texture

Meatier texture and less watery. Cut in half lengthwise for best results.

Cooking Tips

  • 💡Cut regular tomatoes into quarters or eighths to match cherry tomato size
  • 💡Remove excess seeds and juice from regular tomatoes to prevent watery dishes
  • 💡Regular tomatoes may need 2-3 minutes longer cooking time due to higher water content
  • 💡For roasting, cut regular tomatoes smaller to ensure even cooking
  • 💡Regular tomatoes work better in cooked dishes than raw applications
  • 💡Consider using grape tomatoes instead of regular tomatoes for better texture match
  • 💡For salads, grape tomatoes or cocktail tomatoes are better substitutes than regular tomatoes
  • 💡Regular tomatoes are excellent for sauces and stews where texture differences don't matter

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary

Learn if you can substitute regular tomatoes for cherry tomatoes in recipes. Find proper ratios, cutting techniques, and cooking tips for perfect results every time.