How to Peel, Slice, and Dice Tomatoes

Tomato prep can be a challenge because the skin is tough while the insides are soft. However, you can emerge victorious with the right knife and a solid technique. A sharp cutting tool like the Kiritsuke Damascus Japanese Chef Knife helps you get the precision slices and dices you’re looking for. Read on to find out more about how to cut a tomato.

Slices and diced pieces of tomato on a wooden cutting board with a knife.

Peel, Slice, and Dice Like a Pro With Seido Knives

The Best Tools for Prepping Tomatoes

Because they are such a versatile ingredient in everything from salads to sauces, you probably use tomatoes often. Having the right tools for slicing and dicing can make a difference between a mess and success.

Serrated Knife or Chef Knife

A sharp serrated knife is one great option for all your tomato prep jobs. What is a serrated knife used for? You can use it to slice foods with a tough outer skin and a softer interior, like French bread and unpeeled tomatoes. The serrated blade helps saw through crust or skin without crushing the insides.

A chef's knife is another effective option for cutting tomatoes. A professional-grade chef knife like our Epokishi AUS-10 Nakiri is designed specifically for vegetable processing, as this high-quality knife features a durable, sharp steel edge for precise cutting. It also looks beautiful on your knife rack with its etched steel blade and blue resin-infused handle.

A fully stocked cook's kitchen should have a selection of knives that includes serrated and chef's knives in different sizes. Our hand-forged, artisan Tengoku 8-Piece Emerald Green Knife Set is the perfect choice for all-around use.

A set of eight Seido Tengoku knives with green handles and Damascus steel blades arranged on a dark

Cutting Board

A quality cutting board provides a firm surface for your tomato prep, allowing you to slice and chop with greater precision. Our Acacia End Grain Cutting Board offers some essential features for slicing tomatoes. For example, it has rubber-tipped legs that prevent slippage while you work. It also features a deep juice channel that keeps the tomato juices away from your work surface. Furthermore, the self-healing wood also helps maintain a sharp knife edge.

Close-up of hands slicing raw fish with a chef's knife on a large, square wooden cutting board with a variety of vegetables in the background.

Bowl

Be sure to have a bowl for storing your tomatoes before cutting. It is handy for soaking and blanching them as well.

How to Peel a Tomato

Many sauce and soup recipes call for peeled tomatoes. Once you learn how to peel tomatoes, you are ready to start cooking.

Blanching Method

Blanching is a process that loosens the skin of fresh tomatoes to make peeling easier. Put a pot of water on the stove. While it is heating, cut an X in each tomato on the opposite side of the stem end. Plunge each fruit into boiling water for about 10 seconds, then transfer it to a bowl with a slotted spoon. Place the bowl under a cool stream of water and use your fingers to slide the peels off.

Hands peeling skin off a blanched tomato with an X cut on the bottom..

Using a Sharp Knife

If you only need one or two tomatoes for a recipe, you can peel them with a sharp paring knife. Take care to pare them thinly to avoid waste.

Hands peeling skin off a blanched tomato with a knife.

How to Slice a Tomato

Cut the tomato in half. To core the tomato, cut a V-shaped notch at the upper edge of each half. Next, make thin slices of the fruit, holding the tomato half firmly on the edge with one hand while slicing downward with your knife.

Hands slicing a tomato into wedges on a white plate.

Choosing the Right Knife

A serrated knife will likely work best on tomatoes with thicker skins. A sharp chef’s knife is also effective for soft, well-ripened fruit.

A set of five Seido steak knives with straight edges and patterned blades arranged on a light wooden cutting board.

Slicing Techniques for Even Cuts

Your slices will come out even and uniform if you take your time and use a professional-quality knife. Make sure your workspace is well-lit. Keep the cutting surface free of slippery seeds and juices.

How to Dice a Tomato

Many recipes call for diced tomatoes. Follow the steps below to get perfectly uniform pieces.

Step-by-Step Dicing Guide

Slice each tomato according to the directions above.
Lay each slice flat on the board and make several parallel cuts across it.
Rotate the board 180 degrees, and make crosscuts to create small squares.

Hands with pink nails cutting a tomato on a wooden board.

Keeping the Juices Intact

You can minimize juice loss with a sharp knife designed for the task. A serrated knife helps cut through the skin without compressing the fruit, retaining more juice for better flavor.

Master Tomato Prep With the Right Techniques

Whether you are dicing bushels of tomatoes or slicing tomatoes one by one, mastering the process is a matter of tools and technique. With the right knives and plenty of practice, you'll enjoy consistent, professional results.

Shop Seido Knives to Peel, Slice, and Dice Tomatoes