How to Dice a Tomato

How to Dice a Tomato easy and fast? We hear you, but some tomato dicing needs to go down before you can enjoy this delectable and popular recipe. And if you are here, you probably know by now that there is a right and a wrong way when it comes to dicing. So if you’ve been wondering how to dice a tomato, keep reading to find everything on the matter.

Tomatoes aren’t only major ingredients in numerous dishes; these are also the major dietary source of the antioxidant lycopene, linked to many health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease and cancer. In short, you need to be consuming tomatoes in whichever way possible. One of those ways is to dice your tomatoes.

However, as good as tomatoes are, dicing them is another situation. Dicing takes a bit of practice, so don’t get discouraged if, at first, you find it a little overwhelming. That said, dicing tomatoes doesn’t need to be a pain when you utilize the right technique and the right tools. So if you are thinking about dicing tomatoes for your next recipe, find out the right ways to dice a tomato.

How to dice a tomato

Method 1: Chef’s slicing

  1. Start by washing the tomato to remove any dirt and debris.
  2. Next, use a serrated knife to core the tomato and cut it lengthwise across the top. You should be able to see the entire seed chamber on the inside.
  3. Gently squeeze the tomato to press out the seeds. You can also use a small paring knife or your finger to remove seeds from the chambers.
  4. Take the seeded tomato halves and lay them with the cut side facing down on your countertop or a cutting board.
  5. Hold your serrated knife parallel to the cutting board, and cut the tomato halves into slices horizontally. Make these slices as thin or thick as you want.
  6. Now cut the stack of tomato slices into strips to dice them and then slice them crosswise with the knife.

Method 2: Wide strip

  1. Wash the tomato in the sink with antibacterial dish soap to remove any dirt and debris.
  2. Take a small table knife or your finger and remove the seeds from the inside of the tomato.
  3. Take your knife, and cut the tomato into small strips. Then reposition the tomato to dice it, just as you would an onion.
  4. Next, cut a skinny slice from the bottom of the tomato to create a flat surface.
  5. Position your knife parallel to the tomato, and starting at the top, cut wide strips curving down to the bottom of the tomato. As you do this step, be sure to separate the inner core from the tomato’s flesh.
  6. Continue to cut the flesh and leave the seedy section of the tomato inside the core and discard it. Next, cut all the strips lengthwise or as thick as you wanted the dice, turn the slices 90°, and cut the strips crosswise.

Method 3: Small Cube

  1. First, wash and dry all the tomatoes and remove the stickers from the skin.
  2. Take a chef’s or pairing knife and remove the tomato’s core and stem.
  3. Next, slice through the tomato vertically swiftly, so you do not squish or dent it.
  4. Then slice the tomato halves in half. Afterward, you should have eight pieces of tomato.
  5. Next, take each of the eight pieces and slice them into thirds.
  6. Toss the tomatoes in a salad or a freezer bag for later use.

Common Question on How to Dice a Tomato

How to pick tomatoes?

Every good recipe starts by picking the best ingredients. When shopping you tomatoes, look for ones that feel heavy, with smooth and bright skins, free of any blemishes or bruises. Wash them under cold running water. Let them air dry.

How to store tomatoes?

Tomatoes do well at room temperature; store them at room temperature away from direct sunlight. Use when they are at peak ripeness.

How to use diced tomatoes?

Small tomato cubes are often used as toppings and to make sauces. Medium tomato cubes work best for salsas and sides, while larger ones are best for salads, soups, and stews.

What is the easiest way to dice tomatoes?

You can easily dice tomatoes using either your food processor or with dicer. Using these utensils will make it much easier to dice your tomatoes.

Follow these steps to dice a tomato with dicer:

  1. Choose a dicer with a suitably sized blade frame and secure it in place.
  2. Cut the tomato half crosswise.
  3. Seed the tomatoes before dicing them.
  4. Place the tomato on the blade frame and press the lever down.
  5. Empty the preservation box when it is full before dicing another piece.

Dice tomatoes using the food processor:

  1. Cut the tomatoes with a knife into pieces that will fit into the bowl of the food processor. You can also cut the tomatoes into halves and seed tomatoes before putting them in the processor.
  2. Use the regular blade that came with the appliance, and do not overload the bowl with tomato pieces.
  3. Press the pulse button to cycle the blade for two or three seconds.
  4. Empty the bowl once you have diced the tomatoes to the desired size. Repeat the process with a new batch.

How do you dice a perfect tomato?

If what you want is a perfect diced tomato, your safes bet might be by using a knife:

  1. Using the tip of the knife, cut around the core of the tomato at an inward angle to remove the stem.
  2. Using the knife, quarter the tomato by cutting from the stem side down.
  3. Remove the seeds by slicing the seeds away from the tomato flesh.
  4. Cut each quarter into ½” wide strips, then cut across to make ½” dice.

How do you dice a tomato without squishing it?

The keyton dicing tomatoes without squishing them is not to use overripe or raw tomatoes to making tomato cubes. Overripe tomatoes are too soft and squishy for dicing, while raw tomatoes would not taste good.

  1. Place the tomato on its side and use a serrated knife to trim off any stems or leaves.
  2. Cut the tomato half crosswise to expose the seeds and pulp in the middle.
  3. Gently squeeze the seeds and use a spoon or table knife to seed tomatoes from the middle. Then, discard the seeds.
  4. Make vertical and evenly spaced slices with the seeded half tomatoes on the cutting board. You can choose the thickness depending on how large or small you want the cubes to be.
  5. Rotate the tomato slices 90 degrees and slice in the opposite direction to make cubes.

Can I dice tomatoes in a blender?

A food processor is perfect for dicing tomatoes in less than a minute. You can use the pulse feature to prevent the appliance from making a sauce from your tomatoes.

The second alternative is to use a dicer. This alternative is best if you are to dice small and medium-sized tomatoes. You have to push down the lever to dice a tomato into fine and uniform cubes.
However, a blender will leave you with tomato purée.

Is there a specific knife to dice a tomato?

A pairing knife and a chef’s knife are what you need to dice your tomatoes efficiently. The Paring Knife provides just the right amount of stability and maneuverability for making a precise cut when removing the stem. The Chef’s Knife carries just the right weight to perform a clean cut without bruising the tomatoes.

A serrated knife also comes in handy and is considered for cutting through the tomato skin.

How to use a tomato knife?

  • Use the pronged or pointed end of your knife to remove the core on the top of the tomato.
  • Hold the knife at a 45-degree angle as you cut.
  • Pull the knife back to penetrate the skin without putting pressure on the tomato.
  • Slide the knife smoothly through the remaining flesh using a gentle sawing motion.

What is the best knife to dice a tomato?

Recommended Product

Wusthof CLASSIC Tomato Knife

Tomato Knife with a serrated edge, fork tip, full tang triple-riveted synthetic polypropylene handles that resist fading, discoloration, heat, and impact.

This tomato Knife has a serrated edge that enables the blade to slice through tomatoes without damaging the delicate fruit inside. The fork tip is ideal for picking up the thinly sliced produce for serving.

Like a serrated utility knife, the tomato knife could also cut citrus or other small fruits and vegetables. The robust and comfortable handles feature durable rivets and no joints.

How to dice a tomato: Wusthof CLASSIC Tomato Knife

Features:

  • Exceptionally long edge retention
  • Extremely high initial cutting performance
  • Serrated edge
  • Fork tip

Additional Tips on How to Dice A Tomato

  • If you feel that seeding tomatoes with a spoon can be messy, you can cut off the sides of the tomatoes, leaving the core.
  • Do not use overripe or raw tomatoes for making tomato cubes. Overripe tomatoes are too soft and squishy for dicing, while raw tomatoes would not taste good. You can strain the diced tomatoes in a colander or strainer if you do not want tomato juice.
  • Using the Pulse function of the processor for longer will give you finer tomato cubes. But, overdoing it can turn the tomatoes into puree.
  • Use only firm tomatoes for dicing.

Author

Photo of author
Abel developed a passion for precision cutting techniques early on in his career. An insatiable curiosity about the tools that he was using led him to learn more about knives and other cutlery products. Over time, Abel became a cutlery expert junky, devoting himself to studying the intricacies of knives and their manufacturing processes. Learn More About Abel's Journey
Photo of author
Abel developed a passion for precision cutting techniques early on in his career. An insatiable curiosity about the tools that he was using led him to learn more about knives and other cutlery products. Over time, Abel became a cutlery expert junky, devoting himself to studying the intricacies of knives and their manufacturing processes. Learn More About Abel's Journey