Bruschetta Recipe

This Bruschetta Recipe is made with cherry tomatoes, basil, garlic, olive oil, salt, balsamic vinegar and served on toasted bread.

Want a light appetizer before dinner? Go with bruschetta! It is a great appetizer for cocktail parties or family get togethers. This is an Italian appetizer that consists of rubbing garlic onto the bread and topping with marinated tomatoes with basil and olive oil. Other dishes add Parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar, but we kept it very simple!

If you love this recipe, feel free to try my Proscuitto and Ricotta Toast or my Caprese Skewers with Proscuitto.

Jump to:

• What is Bruschetta?
• Ingredients
• How to make this Bruschetta Recipe
• What To Serve With Easy Homemade Bruschetta
• What Kind of Bread Should I Serve With Classic Bruschetta?
• Substitutions
• Bruschetta Recipe Variations
• Equipment
• How Long Does Fresh Bruschetta Keep?
• Bruschetta Recipe Top tips
• Bruschetta Recipe
• Food safety

What is Bruschetta?

Bruschetta is an Italian antipasto (appetizer) consisting of grilled bread rubbed with garlic and topped with various toppings such as chopped tomatoes, basil, and olive oil. The bread used for bruschetta is typically a rustic, crusty bread such as sourdough or ciabatta. The word "bruschetta" comes from the Italian word "bruscare," which means "to roast over coals." Bruschetta can be served as a starter or as a light meal, and it's often accompanied by a glass of wine. It's a simple and delicious dish that's popular all over the world.

Ingredients

You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

• Cherry tomatoes
• Basil
• Garlic
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Balsamic vinegar
• Italian bread

See recipe card for this Bruschetta Recipe quantities below.

How to make this Bruschetta Recipe

See video below for step by step instructions.

Hint: Let the mixture marinate for a bit before toasting the bread and adding on.

What To Serve With Easy Homemade Bruschetta

This Bruschetta Recipe is a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer, snack, or light meal. You can serve it with:

• Charcuterie board: Pair bruschetta with a selection of cured meats, cheeses, and olives for a delicious and easy-to-prepare charcuterie board.
• Salad: A fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette is a great side dish to serve with bruschetta. You can also add some sliced avocado or fresh mozzarella for a creamy texture.
• Grilled vegetables: Grilled vegetables such as zucchini, eggplant, or bell peppers are a great complement to the flavors of bruschetta. Drizzle them with some balsamic glaze for an extra touch of sweetness.
• Pasta: Serve bruschetta as a starter to a pasta dish, such as spaghetti with tomato sauce or linguine with pesto.
• Soup: Bruschetta can also be served as a side dish to a warm bowl of soup, such as tomato soup or minestrone.
• Wine: Pair bruschetta with a glass of chilled white wine, such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc, for a refreshing and elegant combination.

What Kind of Bread Should I Serve With Classic Bruschetta?

A good-quality, artisanal bread is ideal, as it will have a more complex flavor that will complement the tomatoes and garlic. Classic bruschetta is traditionally made with rustic Italian bread, such as a country-style loaf, sourdough, or ciabatta. These types of bread are crusty and have an open crumb, which makes them ideal for grilling or toasting.

If you can't find a rustic Italian bread, you can also use a French baguette, a hearty whole-grain bread, or even a gluten-free bread, depending on your preferences and dietary needs. Just be sure to slice the bread thinly and brush it with olive oil before grilling or toasting to give it a crispy texture and enhance its flavor.

Substitutions

Cherry tomatoes: I like to cut the cherry tomatoes into quarters. The smaller you cut them, the easier they are to scoop them up. You can also use finely chopped Roma tomatoes, which are juicy too.

Garlic: I love using fresh garlic for this, although using a pinch of garlic powder works wonders.

Basil: I have seen recipes that use dried oregano in place of basil, but I love using fresh basil for this recipe.

Olive oil: For best quality bruschetta, I would use extra virgin olive oil. Since we wont be cooking anything in the oil, it is important to use the best quality. 

Balsamic vinegar: I love going traditional and using balsamic vinegar for this recipe, although balsamic glaze is to die for.

Bruschetta Recipe Variations

Bruschetta is a versatile dish that can be customized with various toppings and flavors.

• Tomato and basil: This is the classic bruschetta topping, consisting of chopped tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic, and olive oil. You can also add a sprinkle of salt and pepper to taste.
• Caprese: Top the bread with sliced fresh mozzarella cheese, tomato, and basil leaves. Drizzle with balsamic glaze for an extra touch of sweetness.
• Mushroom and goat cheese: Sauté sliced mushrooms in olive oil and garlic until tender, then top the bread with the mushrooms and crumbled goat cheese.
• Prosciutto and fig: Top the bread with thinly sliced prosciutto, sliced figs, and crumbled goat cheese. Drizzle with honey for a touch of sweetness.
• Roasted red pepper and feta: Roast red peppers in the oven until tender, then chop them up and mix them with crumbled feta cheese, garlic, and olive oil. Spoon the mixture onto the bread.
• Avocado and corn: Mash ripe avocado with lime juice, salt, and pepper, then top the bread with the avocado mixture and grilled corn kernels.
• Artichoke and spinach: Mix canned artichoke hearts and chopped spinach with garlic, Parmesan cheese, and mayonnaise. Spoon the mixture onto the bread and bake in the oven until golden brown.

Check out these Spicy Beef Empanadas.

Equipment

• Cutting board and knife: You'll need a cutting board and a sharp knife to chop the tomatoes, garlic, and other ingredients.
• Mixing bowl and spoon: You'll need a mixing bowl to combine the chopped tomatoes, garlic, and other ingredients. Use a spoon to mix everything together.
• Grilling pan or toaster: You'll need a grilling pan or toaster to toast the bread. If you're using a grilling pan, you'll need a spatula to flip the bread slices.
• Garlic clove or garlic press: You'll need a fresh garlic clove or garlic press to infuse the bread with garlic flavor. Simply rub a peeled garlic clove on the grilled bread or use a garlic press to squeeze garlic onto the bread.
• Olive oil brush: You'll need an olive oil brush to brush olive oil onto the grilled bread slices.
• Optional: Cheese grater: If you're using grated cheese, you'll need a cheese grater to grate it.

How Long Does Fresh Bruschetta Keep?

Fresh bruschetta is best eaten immediately or within a few hours of preparation, as the bread can become soggy and the tomatoes can release their juices and become watery over time. However, if you need to store fresh bruschetta, here are some tips:

1. Store the bread and toppings separately: Keep the bread and tomato topping separate until just before serving. This will help prevent the bread from becoming soggy.
2. Store in the fridge: If you need to store the tomato topping for a short time, you can place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Tomatoes should be stored at a temperature between 40-45°F (4-7°C).
3. Reheat the bread: If the bread becomes stale or loses its crunchiness, you can reheat it in the oven or on a grill for a few minutes before topping it with the tomato mixture.

Bruschetta Recipe Top tips

• Choose ripe and flavorful tomatoes: The key to a great bruschetta is using fresh, ripe, and flavorful tomatoes. Choose firm, yet ripe tomatoes with a bright red color and a sweet aroma.
• Use good quality bread: Use a good quality bread that is crusty on the outside and soft on the inside. A rustic Italian or sourdough bread works well.
• Toast the bread just before serving: Toast the bread just before serving to ensure that it is crispy and warm. This will also help prevent the bread from becoming soggy.
• Infuse the bread with garlic flavor: Rub a fresh garlic clove onto the grilled bread or use a garlic press to squeeze garlic onto the bread. This will add a subtle garlic flavor and aroma to the bread.
• Brush the bread with olive oil: Brush the bread slices with olive oil to add flavor and prevent the bread from drying out.
• Use fresh herbs: Use fresh herbs, such as basil or parsley, to add flavor and freshness to the bruschetta. Chopped fresh herbs should be added just before serving.
• Keep the toppings simple: Bruschetta is a simple dish, so keep the toppings simple and fresh. Avoid using too many toppings that can overpower the flavor of the tomatoes.
• Don't assemble too far in advance: Don't assemble the bruschetta too far in advance, as the bread may become soggy. Instead, assemble just before serving.

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Food safety

• Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
• Wash hands after touching raw meat
• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
• Never leave cooking food unattended
• Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
• Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.