Guides

What’s the best way to peel a tomato?

Denise LandisFounder & Editor in Chief of The Cook's Cook
Two blanched tomatoes in a steel bowl.

Two tomatoes being blanched in hot water.

  1. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Meanwhile, using a sharp knife, slice a small shallow “X” shape on the bottom of the tomato, opposite the stem.
  2. Carefully drop the tomato into the boiling water and let it sit for 10-20 seconds, or just until the skin starts to peel away from the “X” mark.
  3. Using a slotted spoon or tongs, remove the tomato from the boiling water and immediately put it under cold running water.* Use your fingers or a knife to peel away the skin starting from the “X” mark.
  4. Once you have peeled away the skin, you can then cut the tomato as you wish to use in soup, sauce, or preserves.

*Alternatively, you can prepare a bowl of ice water ahead of time, but cold running water is sufficient and cuts down on both time and equipment.

Denise Landis
Denise LandisFounder & Editor in Chief of The Cook's Cook

Denise Landis tested recipes and wrote for the New York Times for 25 years and has tested and edited numerous cookbooks. She founded The Cook's Cook in 2014 with a desire to bring together the worlds of professional chefs and food writers and enhtusiastic home cooks at all levels.

Never Miss a Guide
Sign up for our thoughts on the latest in food, cooking, and culture. Subscribe above the fold to hear about new articles and recipes.