1. Remove the stem and any damaged areas.
2. Wash the tomatoes under running water.
3. Roughly chop them.
4. Heat a little olive oil in a saucepan.
5. Add minced garlic or chopped onion if desired.
6. Add the tomatoes.
7. Season with salt, black pepper, and dried or fresh herbs.
8. Simmer until the tomatoes break down.
9. Blend for a smooth sauce or leave it chunky.

Basil, oregano, thyme, parsley, and a pinch of chili flakes all work beautifully with tomato sauce.

You can spoon the finished sauce over pasta, use it as a pizza base, or serve it alongside chicken, vegetables, eggs, or grains.

A useful flavor tip

If your tomatoes are naturally sweet and fully ripe, you may not need any added sugar. Taste the sauce first and adjust the seasoning rather than automatically adding sweetener.

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2. Turn Them Into Tomato Soup

Soft tomatoes are perfect for soup because appearance and firmness no longer matter.

You can make a simple tomato soup with just a few basic ingredients:

• Overripe tomatoes
• Onion
• Garlic
• Olive oil
• Vegetable or chicken broth
• Salt and black pepper
• Fresh basil or dried herbs

Cook the onion and garlic until fragrant, add the chopped tomatoes and broth, then simmer until everything is tender.

Blend until smooth if you prefer a creamy texture.

For a richer soup, you can add a little cream, milk, yogurt, or a spoonful of olive oil depending on the recipe.

This is a particularly good option when you have several tomatoes that are too soft for sandwiches but still perfectly usable.

For another comforting homemade idea, try our Easy Homemade Soup Recipes.

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3. Add Them to Stews and Casseroles

Another smart answer to how to use overripe tomatoes is to add them to hearty cooked dishes.

Their soft texture means they disappear into the sauce while adding moisture and tomato flavor.

Try adding chopped ripe tomatoes to:

• Beef stew
• Chicken casseroles
• Lentil dishes
• Bean stews
• Vegetable casseroles
• Rice dishes
• Pasta sauces
• Shakshuka
• Mediterranean-style dishes

For example, sauté onions and garlic, add your chopped tomatoes, then combine them with beans, lentils, peppers, or cooked meat.

As the mixture simmers, the tomatoes naturally create a flavorful sauce.

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4. Make Fresh Salsa While They’re Still Good

Overripe tomatoes can also work in salsa, but texture is important here.

If the tomatoes are simply soft and ripe, they can produce a juicy, flavorful salsa. If they’re extremely watery, you may want to remove some of the seeds and excess liquid.

Combine chopped tomatoes with:

• Red onion
• Fresh cilantro
• Jalapeño or another pepper
• Lime juice
• Salt
• Garlic, if desired

For a chunkier salsa, use tomatoes that are ripe but still hold some shape.

For a more rustic, juicy salsa, softer tomatoes work beautifully.

Serve it with tacos, grilled foods, eggs, beans, or homemade tortilla chips.

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5. Use Them as a Pizza or Flatbread Base

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