Bruschetta

Bruschetta is a quick and easy appetizer! A mixture of garden-fresh tomatoes, basil, Parmesan cheese, balsamic vinegar, and spices on top of grilled slices of French baguettes! 

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The flavors are amazing and it’s an easy go-to recipe to use up your fresh tomatoes from your garden and the perfect party appetizer!

The reason that Bruschetta is so good is that it’s made using delicious and fresh ingredients. Making this simple recipe during the summer months when the tomatoes are prime and ripe from the garden and fresh basil is in season – they will make this recipe that much more flavorful!

There’s really no wrong way to whip up and enjoy this classic Italian appetizer so have fun gathering up the ingredients and making this delicious recipe.

Skip the bread and make this a low carb main dish by adding a grilled chicken breast. Bruschetta Chicken is one of our favorite summer meals!

Why You’ll Love this Easy Bruschetta Recipe!

• So quick and easy. It’s ready in less than 20 minutes.
• Ideal for parties because you make the topping in bulk and toast the bread ahead of time.
• The flavors are amazing from all the fresh ingredients.

What is Bruschetta?

It is an antipasto from Italy. Traditional Bruschetta consists of grilled bread rubbed with garlic and topped with olive oil and salt.

Variations of it include toppings like tomatoes, vegetables, beans, cured meat or cheese.

Ingredients for bruschetta

• Roma tomatoes – This type of tomato is great for bruschetta because they’re meaty, but any fresh ripe tomato will work like chopped cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, or other variety.
• Fresh basil leaves – There isn’t a sub for this, but you can also add some chopped fresh parsley if you have some on hand. 
• Shredded Parmesan cheese – for the best flavor, shred or grate a wedge of Parmesan cheese instead of using the pre-shredded kind.
• Minced garlic cloves – use fresh garlic for the best flavor.
• Balsamic vinegar – this adds a pop of tangy flavor. Or try some balsamic glaze which is a little thicker.
• Olive oil
• Kosher salt and ground black pepper
• French bread – or use sliced Italian bread.

How to Make Bruschetta

1. In a bowl, toss together the tomatoes, basil, Parmesan cheese, and garlic. Stir in the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, kosher salt, and pepper. Refrigerate while preparing bread.
2. Heat up your grill or get a grill pan heated up on your stove.
3. Brush your sliced French loaf with olive oil and place on the grill to toast. Once browned, turn and repeat.
4. Once done cooking, remove from heat and top the toasted bread with your homemade Bruschetta and cheese.

Recipe Variations

• Serve this over grilled chicken in our Chicken Bruschetta recipe.
• Add a half slice of prosciutto on top of the bruschetta before you serve it.

How to Serve for a Party!

For parties, I like to arrange the baguette slices on a platter and spoon the bruschetta topping over the top. Drizzle some more olive oil and let everyone help themselves.

Is Bruschetta served warm or cold?

Bruschetta is to be served cold, while the bread that you’re putting it on should be served toasty warm. Although, some people prefer to eat it on bread that is cooled down as well, which is totally fine.

Storage Tips

This is best enjoyed within a few hours of serving. You can keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days but it’s not ideal. The tomatoes start to break down quickly.

If you have leftovers add them to an omelette for great flavors!

Serving Suggestions

During the summer months, Bruschetta goes really well with a nice side salad or even some smoked salmon as a main meal.

And during the winter months, this dish can be a great starter for a soup or a heartier option. Honestly, you can pair this appetizer with any dish that you’d like. (it’s just that good!)

Is Bruschetta Freezer Friendly?

The tomato topping is best served fresh but technically you can freeze it but it won’t be the same. The tomatoes will break down when frozen and when you thaw the mixture it will be watery. The herbs won’t be as vibrant and fresh-tasting either, so we don’t recommend freezing it.

What is the difference between Bruschetta and Crostini?

Bruschetta is actually an Italian word, meaning to “roast over coals” while a Crostini is more just sliced bread, that sometimes doesn’t even have to be toasted.

I hope you give this easy bruschetta recipe a try when you get your hands on some fresh tomatoes from the garden or farmer’s market! It’s so simple but amazingly delicious – fresh, fast, and delicious! That’s what summer is all about, right? Enjoy!

More Grilled Appetizer Recipes!

• Grilled Corn Salsa
• BBQ Little Smokes with Bacon
• Grilled Corn Guacamole
• Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers

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Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @gimmesomegrilling or #gimmesomegrilling so I can see your grilling masterpieces!

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5 from 5 votes

Bruschetta Recipe

Quick and easy homemade bruschetta recipe using garden tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, balsamic vinegar and spices! Easy Appetizer recipe everyone will love!

Prep:15 minutes mins

Cook:4 minutes mins

Total:19 minutes mins

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Ingredients

• ▢ 8 roma tomatoes seeded and diced
• ▢ ⅓ cup chopped fresh basil
• ▢ ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• ▢ 2 cloves garlic minced
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• ▢ 1 teaspoon olive oil
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ▢ 1 loaf French bread toasted and sliced

Instructions

• In a bowl, toss together the tomatoes, basil, Parmesan cheese, and garlic. Mix in the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, kosher salt, and pepper. Refrigerate while preparing bread.
• Heat gas grill to medium or charcoal grill until coals are ash white. You can also use a grill pan on the stove top.
• Brush bread slices with olive oil as desired; place onto grill. Grill until browned and grill marks are visible. Turn bread slices and repeat.
• Remove from grill; top each toast with bruschetta topping. Serve immediately

Video

Nutrition Information

Calories: 117kcal (6%), Carbohydrates: 21g (7%), Protein: 5g (10%), Fat: 2g (3%), Saturated Fat: 1g (6%), Cholesterol: 1mg, Sodium: 255mg (11%), Potassium: 141mg (4%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 2g (2%), Vitamin A: 396IU (8%), Vitamin C: 6mg (7%), Calcium: 46mg (5%), Iron: 1mg (6%)

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We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box is calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.