Slow-roasted tomato confit is one of those simple recipes that delivers incredible flavor with very little effort. Fresh tomatoes are slowly roasted with garlic, herbs, and plenty of extra-virgin olive oil until they become tender, sweet, and intensely flavorful.
Served over creamy burrata, the warm tomato confit creates a beautiful contrast between the rich, silky cheese and the sweet, garlicky tomatoes. It makes an elegant appetizer, a delicious side dish, or an easy centerpiece for a relaxed dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple ingredients: Tomatoes, garlic, herbs, olive oil, and burrata are all you need.
- Incredibly flavorful: Slow roasting concentrates the natural sweetness of the tomatoes.
- Easy to prepare: Most of the cooking time is hands-off.
- Versatile: Serve it with crusty bread, pasta, grilled meat, or as part of a Mediterranean-style spread.
- Perfect for entertaining: It looks beautiful on a serving platter and can be prepared ahead of time.
Ingredients
For the Tomato Confit
- 500–700 g cherry or grape tomatoes
- 5–6 garlic cloves, lightly crushed
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, or enough to generously coat the tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- A few fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar, optional, if the tomatoes are not very sweet
- A pinch of red pepper flakes, optional
For Serving
- 1–2 balls burrata
- Fresh basil leaves
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- Flaky sea salt
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Crusty toasted bread
How to Make Slow-Roasted Tomato Confit
1. Prepare the Tomatoes
Preheat your oven to 140°C (285°F).
Wash the tomatoes and pat them completely dry. If using larger tomatoes, cut them in half. Cherry and grape tomatoes can be left whole.
Arrange the tomatoes in a baking dish or shallow oven-safe pan in a single layer.
2. Add the Garlic and Herbs
Scatter the crushed garlic cloves over the tomatoes.
Add the oregano, thyme, basil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. If your tomatoes are slightly acidic or lack sweetness, add a small amount of sugar.
Drizzle generously with extra-virgin olive oil, making sure the tomatoes are well coated.
3. Slow Roast
Place the dish in the preheated oven and roast for approximately 2 to 2½ hours.
The tomatoes should become very soft and slightly wrinkled, while the garlic becomes tender and the olive oil becomes infused with the flavors of the herbs and tomatoes.
For a deeper, more concentrated flavor, you can roast them for up to 3 hours, depending on the size of the tomatoes and your oven.
Avoid roasting at a high temperature. The goal is to gently cook and concentrate the tomatoes rather than quickly brown or burn them.
4. Prepare the Burrata
Remove the burrata from the refrigerator about 20–30 minutes before serving so it can come closer to room temperature.
Place the burrata in the center of a serving plate or shallow bowl.
5. Add the Tomato Confit
Spoon the warm tomato confit around and partially over the burrata.
Make sure to drizzle some of the fragrant garlic-and-herb-infused olive oil over the cheese. This olive oil is full of flavor and is one of the best parts of the dish.
6. Finish and Serve
Top with fresh basil, freshly cracked black pepper, and a small sprinkle of flaky sea salt.
Finish with another drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil.
Serve immediately with toasted crusty bread for dipping into the creamy burrata and flavorful tomato oil.
What Is Tomato Confit?
Tomato confit is a slow-cooking technique where tomatoes are gently cooked in olive oil at a low temperature. Unlike traditional roasting, the tomatoes are not cooked quickly at high heat.
The slow process allows the tomatoes to gradually lose moisture while concentrating their natural sweetness. At the same time, garlic and herbs infuse the olive oil, creating a rich and aromatic sauce.
What Tomatoes Should You Use?
Cherry and grape tomatoes are ideal because they are naturally sweet and hold their shape well during slow roasting.
You can also use:
- Roma tomatoes
- Plum tomatoes
- Small heirloom tomatoes
- A combination of different varieties
If using larger tomatoes, cut them into halves or quarters so they cook evenly.
How to Serve Tomato Confit with Burrata
This dish is delicious on its own, but serving it with something to scoop up the flavorful olive oil makes it even better.
Try serving it with:
- Crusty sourdough bread
- Grilled baguette
- Focaccia
- Crostini
- Toasted ciabatta
It can also be served alongside grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, pasta, or a Mediterranean-inspired dinner.
Tips for the Best Tomato Confit
Use good olive oil. Since the olive oil becomes part of the finished dish, use an extra-virgin olive oil with a flavor you enjoy.
Don’t rush the roasting. Low and slow is the key to developing the tomatoes’ concentrated flavor.
Don’t overcrowd the dish. Arrange the tomatoes in a relatively even layer so they cook consistently.
Use room-temperature burrata. Very cold burrata won’t have the same creamy texture or flavor.
Save the infused oil. The leftover tomato-and-garlic oil can be drizzled over bread, pasta, roasted vegetables, or grilled meat.
Make-Ahead Instructions
The tomato confit can be prepared ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Allow it to cool before refrigerating. When ready to serve, gently warm the tomatoes before spooning them over the burrata.
For the best texture, add the burrata only when you are ready to serve.
Storage
Store leftover tomato confit in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use it within a few days.
Keep the burrata refrigerated separately and consume it according to the package’s use-by instructions.
Final Thoughts
Slow-roasted tomato confit with burrata is proof that a few simple ingredients can create something incredibly satisfying. The tomatoes become sweet and tender, the garlic turns soft and aromatic, and the olive oil absorbs all those beautiful Mediterranean flavors.
Add creamy burrata and some crusty toasted bread, and you have an effortless dish that works just as well for a casual lunch as it does for entertaining.
