Grape tomatoes are small, oval tomatoes that taste sweet, feel firm, and stay fresh for a good while after you buy them. You can toss them into a salad, roast them for pasta, or eat them straight from the container as a snack. Many people mix them up with cherry tomatoes, so this guide shows exactly how the two differ. You will also learn about the taste, nutrition, storage, cooking ideas, and easy steps for growing grape tomatoes in your own garden or on a patio.
What Are Grape Tomatoes?
Grape tomatoes are a type of small tomato with an oval shape, a bit like a grape or a tiny plum tomato. Most are about one inch long and have smooth, firm skin. Wikipedia describes them as having the shape of plum tomatoes but the small size and some of the sweetness of cherry tomatoes.
Red grape tomatoes are the ones you see most often in grocery stores, usually packed in a plastic container. If you shop at a farmers market or browse seed catalogs, you can also find yellow, orange, and even brown or pink types.
Their size makes them easy to use. You do not need to chop them for a lunch box or a snack plate, and the thick skin means they do not burst the moment you bite into them.
Where Do Grape Tomatoes Come From?
Grape tomatoes are a fairly new kind of tomato. According to Wikipedia, they are believed to have started in southeast Asia, and they reached the world market in the 1990s.
One famous variety is called Santa. A grower named Andrew Chu brought it to the United States market in 1997, after he got seeds from a seed company in Taiwan. Since then, grape tomatoes have become a common sight in stores. Shoppers like them because they are small, sweet, and easy to eat.
How Do Grape Tomatoes Taste?
Grape tomatoes taste sweet with a mild tang and a slightly savory side. Their flesh is meaty and not very watery, so each bite feels firm instead of juicy and messy.
Chef Richard LaMarita of the Institute of Culinary Education says grape tomatoes feel thicker, meatier, and chewier than cherry tomatoes. Some food writers say cherry tomatoes taste sweeter. Others say grape tomatoes have more sugar than big, regular tomatoes. Both can be true. Grape tomatoes are sweeter than a large slicing tomato, but a ripe cherry tomato can taste a little more like candy.
The best way to decide is to buy a small container of each and taste them side by side.
What Is the Difference Between Grape Tomatoes and Cherry Tomatoes?
The biggest difference is shape: grape tomatoes are oval, and cherry tomatoes are round. The two also feel different when you eat them.
| Feature | Grape Tomatoes | Cherry Tomatoes |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | Oval, like a grape | Round, like a cherry |
| Size | About 1 inch long | Often a little bigger |
| Skin | Thicker | Thinner |
| Texture | Meaty and firm | Soft and juicy |
| Taste | Sweet with a savory note | Very sweet |
| Shelf life | Usually longer | Usually shorter |
| Best use | Salads, roasting, sauces, kebabs | Fresh eating, stuffing |
Most cooks can swap one for the other. The Kitchn explains that you may need to cut cherry tomatoes into smaller pieces because they are bigger. Cherry tomatoes are the better choice when you want to stuff them. Grape tomatoes are the better choice when you want tomatoes that last longer or keep their shape in the oven.
Their nutrition is also very close, so you can pick the one you like best.
Are Grape Tomatoes Good for You?
Yes, grape tomatoes are a healthy snack. They have very few calories and they bring useful vitamins and plant compounds.
Here is what one cup (about 149 grams) of raw grape tomatoes has, based on nutrition data from Eat This Much:
- About 27 calories
- About 6 grams of carbs, with 2 grams of fiber
- About 1 gram of protein
- Less than 1 gram of fat
- About 20 milligrams of vitamin C, which is roughly a fifth of what an adult needs in a day
- About 353 milligrams of potassium
- A good amount of lycopene, the red plant pigment found in tomatoes
Numbers can change a little from one source to another, because tomatoes differ in size and ripeness. The main message stays the same. Grape tomatoes are low in calories and sodium, and they have no added sugar.
Lycopene is the part many people ask about. Your body absorbs it better when tomatoes are cooked and eaten with a little healthy fat, such as olive oil. Cooking does lower some of the vitamin C, though. A mix of raw and cooked tomatoes gives you the best of both.
If you follow a low-carb diet, grape tomatoes can fit. One cup has about 4 grams of net carbs. If you have a health condition or a special diet plan, ask your doctor or a dietitian how much is right for you.
What Is the Best Way to Cook With Grape Tomatoes?
The best way depends on what you want, but roasting is one of the easiest and tastiest methods. Heat makes grape tomatoes softer and sweeter, and their thick skin helps them hold their shape.
Here are simple ways to use them:
- Roast them. Cut them in half, drizzle with olive oil, and roast at 400°F for about 20 to 25 minutes, until soft and a little brown. A food guide from the University of Kentucky, backed by USDA funding, shares this method.
- Blister them. Toss them with oil and garlic and place them under a hot broiler. The chefs at Milk Street say they soften in just a few minutes. Spoon them over pasta with fresh mozzarella.
- Add them to a quick sauce. Halved grape tomatoes break down in a pan and give curries and pasta sauces a bright, fresh taste.
- Make a fast salad. Texas A&M’s Dinner Tonight program shares a simple recipe. Cut the tomatoes in half, add olive oil, green onion, and fresh cilantro, and stir. It takes only a few minutes.
- Thread them on skewers. Because the skin is thick, they stay on the stick and do not fall apart on the grill.
- Eat them as a snack. Wash them, pat them dry, and enjoy.
One small tip from Milk Street: if you salt halved grape tomatoes for a few minutes, they soften a little and the flavor goes deeper into the fruit.
How Should You Store Grape Tomatoes?
Keep your grape tomatoes on the counter, out of direct sun, and move them to the fridge only when you need more time. Most food experts agree that cold air can hurt the flavor and texture of tomatoes.
Here are the main rules:
- Leave a little space. A Texas A&M expert suggests giving tomatoes some room so air can move around them. A bowl or plate works well.
- Avoid the fridge when you can. The same expert says to refrigerate ripe tomatoes only if you cannot eat them in time.
- Use the fridge if needed. If your tomatoes are very ripe or your kitchen is hot, the fridge is a fair choice. Stop Food Waste says this applies to cherry tomatoes too. Food Network, citing the USDA, says ripe tomatoes can stay in the fridge for up to five days.
- Warm them up before you eat. Cold tomatoes taste better after they sit out for a short time.
- Keep them away from fruit. Tomatoes give off ethylene gas, which can make nearby fruit ripen too fast.
- Use cut tomatoes quickly. Put leftover halves in an airtight container in the fridge and eat them within one to two days.
Can you freeze them? Yes. The University of Kentucky guide says you can core tomatoes, put them in a bag, and freeze them without blanching. After they thaw, the texture is softer, so use them in soups, sauces, and stews instead of fresh salads.
How Do You Grow Grape Tomatoes at Home?
You grow grape tomatoes the same way you grow most tomatoes: start in warm weather, give them lots of sun, water them often, and add support. They are friendly plants for beginners, and one plant can give you a lot of fruit.
When Should You Start the Seeds?
Start seeds indoors about six to eight weeks before your last spring frost. Sow them about a quarter inch deep in a tray, and keep the room around 70°F (20°C). Seeds usually sprout within a few days to a week, according to Hobby Farms.
Before you move the plants outside, let them get used to the outdoors for about a week. Tomatoes do not handle cold, so wait until the frost risk is gone.
Where Should You Plant Them?
Pick a spot with full sun. Tomatoes need at least six to eight hours of direct light each day, and the soil should drain well. A soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0 is a good target.
Plant them deep. Roots grow along the buried part of the stem, which makes the plant stronger. Space plants about two to three feet apart so air can move between them.
You can also grow them in a large pot. Park Seed notes that determinate types (the kind that stay more compact) do well in big containers.
How Much Water and Food Do They Need?
Water deeply and steadily, and try to keep water off the leaves. Hobby Farms suggests adding a layer of straw or grass clippings around the plants. This mulch stops rain from splashing soil and germs onto the leaves.
For plant food, follow the directions on your tomato fertilizer. Many guides, including The Old Farmer’s Almanac, suggest feeding every few weeks once the fruit starts to grow.
Do They Need Support?
Yes. Grape tomatoes grow in clusters, and the clusters get heavy. Use a cage, a stake, or a trellis.
Plants can be determinate or indeterminate. Determinate plants grow to a set size and ripen most of their fruit around the same time. Indeterminate plants keep growing and producing until frost. Indeterminate vines can get very tall. Bonnie Plants says the Tami G variety can reach eight to nine feet in one season.
When Can You Pick Them?
Grape tomatoes are usually ready about two and a half months after you start the seeds, but this depends on the variety. Pick them as they ripen, and remove any damaged fruit so the plant can focus on new tomatoes. When a frost is coming, bring in all the fruit, even the green ones.
Which Grape Tomato Varieties Are Worth Trying?
A few good ones to look for are Juliet, Santa, Rosalita, and Tami G. Each one has its own strengths.
- Santa: This is the variety that helped start the grape tomato trend in the United States. Wikipedia says the seeds are hard to find, because only a few seed companies sell them.
- Rosalita: Wikipedia lists it as a grape tomato that home gardeners can find more easily.
- Tami G: Bonnie Plants describes it as firm, sweet, and dark red, about 1 1/4 inches long. It is disease resistant and gives a long harvest.
- Juliet: Many gardening guides list it as a popular grape type.
Always read the seed packet or plant tag. It tells you how many days the plant needs to reach harvest and whether it is determinate or indeterminate.
How Can You Keep Grape Tomato Plants Healthy?
Water the soil instead of the leaves, and take away any fruit that looks sick or damaged. These two habits stop many common problems.
Here are a few more tips:
- Choose disease resistant plants. Plant tags with the letters V and F mean the variety resists verticillium wilt and fusarium wilt.
- Mulch the soil. It keeps dirt from splashing up on the leaves.
- Move your tomatoes. A garden center in Arizona, Sierra Vista Growers, suggests planting tomatoes in a new spot every one to two years.
- Check plants often. Catching a problem early makes it much easier to fix.
Some seed sellers also suggest good plant neighbors. One catalog lists basil, garlic, carrots, and lettuce as friendly companions, and it says to keep potatoes and peppers away.
How Do You Pick the Best Grape Tomatoes at the Store?
Look for tomatoes that feel firm and plump, with smooth skin. Avoid any that look wrinkled, soft, or leaky. Check the bottom of the container too, because one damaged tomato can spoil the ones around it.
Color matters less than you might think. Look for a rich, even color for the type you are buying. If you plan to eat them within a day or two, choose ripe ones. If you want them to last all week, choose ones that are firm and just a little less ripe.
Final Thoughts on Grape Tomatoes
Grape tomatoes are small, sweet, and easy to use. They are low in calories, they last well in the kitchen, and they work in salads, sauces, and sheet pan dinners. They are also friendly to grow, as long as you give them sun, water, and support. Whether you buy them or grow them, a few grape tomatoes can make a simple meal taste better.
Frequently Asked Questions About Grape Tomatoes
1. Are grape tomatoes the same as cherry tomatoes?
No. They are close relatives, but they are not the same. Grape tomatoes are oval and have thicker skin and meatier flesh. Cherry tomatoes are round, softer, and juicier. Most cooks can swap one for the other in salads and pasta, so use whichever one looks best at the store.
2. Can I use grape tomatoes instead of cherry tomatoes in a recipe?
Yes, in most recipes. Grape tomatoes work well in salads, sauces, kebabs, and roasted dishes. They hold their shape better when cooked. The main exception is stuffing, where the larger, rounder cherry tomato is easier to fill. You may also need to cut cherry tomatoes smaller than grape tomatoes.
3. How many calories are in grape tomatoes?
One cup of raw grape tomatoes, about 149 grams, has roughly 27 calories. A single tomato has only a few calories, so a handful makes a light snack. Exact numbers change slightly between brands and sizes, but grape tomatoes are always a low-calorie food.
4. Are grape tomatoes keto friendly?
They can fit into a keto plan in small amounts. One cup has about 6 grams of carbs and 2 grams of fiber, which leaves about 4 grams of net carbs. Since the carbs add up, measure your portion. If you follow a strict plan, check with your doctor or dietitian.
5. Should I keep grape tomatoes in the fridge?
Usually the counter is better. Cold air can make tomatoes soft and dull their flavor. A Texas A&M expert says to refrigerate ripe tomatoes only if you cannot eat them in time. If your kitchen is warm or they are very ripe, use the fridge and let them warm up before eating.
6. Can you freeze grape tomatoes?
Yes. Core them, place them in a freezer bag, and freeze them whole. You do not need to blanch them first. After thawing, they become soft, so use them in cooked dishes such as soups, stews, and sauces. They will not be as good in a fresh salad.
7. How long do grape tomatoes take to grow?
Most grape tomato plants give ripe fruit in about two and a half months, though the exact time depends on the variety and your weather. Some seed sellers list 60 to 65 days after planting. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks before your last frost to get a head start.
8. Can I grow grape tomatoes in a pot?
Yes. Choose a large container with drainage holes, and place it where it gets six to eight hours of sun. Compact determinate varieties are the easiest choice for pots. Water often, because containers dry out faster than garden soil, and add a stake or cage for support.
9. Are grape tomato plants determinate or indeterminate?
Both types exist, so check the seed packet or plant tag. Determinate plants stay a set size and ripen most fruit at once. Indeterminate plants keep growing and give fruit until frost. Either way, grape tomato clusters get heavy, so plan to use a cage, stake, or trellis.
10. Are grape tomatoes as healthy as bigger tomatoes?
Yes, they are very similar. Grape, cherry, and large tomatoes all give you vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and lycopene. The amounts per gram are close, so the best tomato for your health is the one you will enjoy and eat often, raw or cooked.
