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Oil-Poached Tomatoes

Peer reviewed by UK recipe editorsAuthored by UK recipe editorsOriginally published 16 Jan 2026

Meets Patient’s editorial guidelines

This elegant vegan dish transforms humble plum tomatoes into something truly special through the gentle process of oil-poaching. By slowly bathing the fruit in high-quality olive oil infused with garlic, rosemary, and thyme, the natural sugars concentrate and the texture becomes incredibly silky. This method creates a versatile pantry staple that captures the essence of Mediterranean cooking, providing both tender tomatoes and a fragrant infused oil to use in subsequent recipes.

These oil-poached tomatoes are excellent served on crusty sourdough with a smear of vegan cream cheese, or tossed through fresh pasta for a quick, sophisticated supper. As they can be prepared up to five days in advance, they are a practical choice for weekend meal prep. Simply keep them submerged in the flavoured oil in the fridge to preserve their vibrant colour and savoury depth.

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Ingredients for Oil-Poached Tomatoes

  • 450g plum tomatoes (about 6), halved, cored

  • 1 head of garlic, cloves separated

  • 2 sprigs rosemary

  • 2 sprigs thyme

  • 240ml olive oil

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

How to make Oil-Poached Tomatoes

Preheat oven to 149°C. Toss tomatoes, garlic, rosemary and thyme sprigs, oil, and salt in a large baking dish.

Bake tomatoes until they are soft and skins begin to shrivel, 35-45 minutes. Let cool slightly, then slip off skins. Discard herbs.

DO AHEAD: Tomatoes can be made 5 days ahead. Cover tomatoes and oil and chill.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 16 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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