Easy Tomato Carpaccio Recipe
Easy Tomato Carpaccio is a fresh, vibrant vegan and vegetarian-friendly appetizer featuring thinly sliced ripe tomatoes layered with red onions, creamy hummus or vegan cheese, and drizzled with a homemade or store-bought balsamic glaze. This delicious Italian-inspired dish is perfect for warm weather gatherings or festive occasions like Christmas when plated as a wreath. It’s quick to prepare, naturally flavorful, and offers a beautiful balance of sweet, tangy, and savory notes with a touch of herbaceous basil and freshly ground black pepper.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (for balsamic glaze, if making homemade)
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-cook / Assembly with simmering balsamic glaze reduction optional
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Tomatoes
- 4–5 ripe bright red tomatoes (preferably heirloom or high-quality vine-ripened tomatoes)
Vegetables & Herbs
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- Fresh basil leaves, a handful
Spreads & Cheese
- About 4–5 teaspoons of hummus or vegan cheese (e.g., vegan mozzarella or burrata)
- 1–2 tablespoons nutritional yeast (optional, to mix with hummus)
Glaze & Seasoning
- 2–3 tablespoons balsamic glaze (store-bought or homemade by simmering 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar until reduced by half)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Slice the tomatoes thinly crosswise: Turn each tomato on its side so the stem faces sideways and slice thinly from top to bottom to create perfect round slices, not wedges.
- Arrange tomato slices on a plate: Lay the slices flat, either covering the entire plate for a classic carpaccio presentation or in a circular wreath shape for a festive holiday look.
- Prepare the onion and optional yeast mix: Peel and thinly slice the red onion. If using nutritional yeast, mix it gently into the hummus to add a cheesy umami flavor.
- Add onions and dollops of hummus: Sprinkle the sliced red onion evenly over the tomatoes. Then place about 1 teaspoon of hummus (or your vegan cheese) on each tomato slice, distributing evenly.
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze: Pour balsamic glaze lightly over the assembled tomatoes, onions, and hummus to enhance sweetness and acidity.
- Garnish and season: Sprinkle fresh basil leaves on top and finish with freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve and enjoy: Serve immediately as a refreshing appetizer or side dish that’s perfect for sharing.
Notes
- Choosing ripe, fragrant tomatoes is essential for the best flavor.
- You can easily make your own balsamic glaze by simmering balsamic vinegar over low heat until reduced by half without adding sugar.
- Use nutritional yeast only if not using vegan cheese, to avoid overpowering flavors.
- The wreath plating is perfect for holiday occasions and adds a festive touch.
- Keep this dish refrigerated if not serving immediately but best eaten fresh to preserve tomato texture.
- This recipe is vegan and vegetarian friendly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 75
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Tomato Carpaccio, vegan appetizer, vegetarian, Italian, balsamic glaze, hummus, easy recipe, holiday appetizer, healthy starter
Find it online: https://ellaeatsdaily.com/easy-tomato-carpaccio-recipe/
