How to Cut a Tomato

Wondering how to cut a tomato? Here’s a step by step guide and video that shows you how to dice a tomato, how to cut tomatoes for salad, and how to cut tomato slices.

Video: How to cut a tomato

Are you wondering how to cut a tomato but not sure the best way? There are many ways to cut a tomato: diced, into wedges, and into slices. Here is exactly how Alex and I cut tomatoes showing four different ways; we use these methods in everything from our pico de gallo recipe to our tabbouleh recipe! Here’s our step by step guide for how to cut tomatoes, including a video of me showing how to dice, slice, and cut tomato wedges in our kitchen.

Related: 20 Knife Skills Videos: How to Cut Everything!

How to cut a tomato step by step

Before we start, what’s the best knife to cut a tomato? Using a serrated knife is best for cutting through the tomato skin. You may notice that using a paring knife can sometimes tear and mangle the skin when cutting. (See below for our favorite serrated knife recommendation.)

Step 1

To slice a tomato: Place the tomato on its side. Using a large serrated knife, slice off the top of the tomato. Then cut the tomato into thin slices.

Step 2

To cut tomato wedges: Using a large serrated knife, cut the tomato in half. Then cut it again to make quarters. You can cut smaller wedges by cutting the quarters down the center.

Step 3

To dice a tomato (seeds in): Start with the tomato slices from Step 1. Cut them into thin strips, then turn the strips and cut crosswise into a dice.

Step 4

To dice a tomato (core and seeds out): Start with the tomato wedges from Step 2 (quarters are easiest). Cut out the core and seeds from each wedge by sliding underneath them with the knife. Cut the remaining tomato flesh into strips, then turn the strips and cut crosswise into a dice.

And there you have it: how to cut a tomato using 4 easy methods!

Let us know if you try our method for how to cut a tomato and tell us how it goes in the comments below.

Best chef knife & cutting boards

Alex and I are often asked about the best kitchen tools. And every time we answer, “A good sharp chef’s knife!” A good knife can drastically improve your time in the kitchen, and lasts for years (we’ve had our chef knives for 10 plus years). Here are some of the knives we recommend, as well as cutting boards and the best knife sharpener. These recommendations are perfect for outfitting your own kitchen, or great gifts for a wedding registry or someone who loves to cook!

Video: Knife Skills, Gear, & How to Hold a Knife!

• 7″ Chef’s Knife — our best knife recommendation
• 10″ Chef’s Knife — our favorite large knife
• 8″ Chef’s Knife — our favorite affordable knife
• Paring Knife
• Serrated Knife / Bread Knife
• Non-Slip Wood Cutting Board (used in the video!) or Non-Slip Bamboo Cutting Board
• Non-Slip Plastic Cutting Board
• Knife Sharpener
• Drawer Knife Organizer — this is how we store our knives, and it’s even slicker than a knife block

Looking for fresh tomato recipes?

Now that you know how to cut a tomato, here are some of our favorite fresh tomato recipes for you to try:

• Pico de Gallo with Black Beans
• Peach, Heirloom Tomato and Burrata Salad
• Tabbouleh (Mediterranean Bulgur Salad)
• Heirloom Tomato Salsa
• Homemade Tomatillo Salsa
• Simple Summer Pasta with Tomatoes and Zucchini
• Loaded Tater Tot Nachos
• Best Mexican Pizza
• Ribollita (Tuscan Vegetable Stew)
• 65 Tomato Recipes for the Height of the Season

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