Easy Vegan Bruschetta Recipe - Running on Real Food (2024)

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posted: 11/20/19 — updated: 12/07/21 by Deryn Macey Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.

Jump to Recipe·★★★★★5 from 2 reviews

This easy vegan bruschetta features a simple but classic combination of fresh tomatoes, balsamic, olive oil and basil for the perfect Italian-inspired appetizer.

Easy Vegan Bruschetta Recipe - Running on Real Food (1)

This vegan bruschetta recipe is flavourful, delicious and perfect for entertaining. It’s easy to make and can be put together in minutes if you skip the marinating. If you have time, let the topping sit for an hour so the flavours can really blend together.

Table of Contents

Ingredients Notes

Here’s what you’ll need to make this bruschetta recipe:

  1. Roma tomatoes. Look for firm roma tomatoes that are on the larger side. You’ll need about 2.5-3 cups diced so if the tomatoes are quite small, you may need more than 3. If you can’t find roma tomatoes, any kind will work just fine, just make sure they aren’t overly ripe.
  2. Basil. Fresh basil is key in this recipe. I used 8 large leaves or about 3-4 tbsp chopped. If you really love basil, go ahead and add a bit more. I like to reserve some for sprinkling on top as well.
  3. Balsamic vinegar. Balsamic vinegar is also a must. It adds that tanginess you expect in bruschetta.
  4. Olive oil. Oil and vinegar is what bruschetta is all about. Use a good quality extra-virgin olive oil here.
  5. Green onion. A little chopped fresh green onion livens things up a little! Red onion works here too.
  6. Nutritional yeast or vegan parmesan. Classic bruschetta typically contains parmesan cheese. We’ll use a little nutritional yeast as a stand in. If you have a vegan parmesan you love, you can also use that. You can also make vegan parmesan to sprinkle on top.
  7. Oregano, salt and pepper. Finally, a little oregano, salt and pepper to add that last touch of seasoning.
Easy Vegan Bruschetta Recipe - Running on Real Food (2)

How to Make Vegan Bruschetta

Making vegan bruschetta is as easy as chopping the tomatoes, mixing up the topping and toasting the bread. After you’ve done that, simply spoon the mixture onto the toasted baguette and serve!

Let’s go over just a couple tips and points to consider:

  1. Remove the juiciest bits of the tomato. As you can see in the photo below, I scraped out the juiciest bits of the tomato, which contain most of the seeds. You don’t have to get every last bit out but it does prevent the mixture from getting too wet.
  2. Marinate the bruschetta topping. For the most flavourful topping, it helps to marinate the tomato mixture for an hour or so. While this isn’t totally necessary, it does allow the different flavours time to blend together.
  3. Toast the bread. Toasting the sliced baguette is optional but I do prefer it lightly toasted. 5-10 minutes at 350 degrees F should do the trick. I don’t use any oil or butter when toasting but for a special treat, you can brush the sliced bread with olive oil before toasting.
  4. Additional toppings. I like to add a tiny drizzle of balsamic or balsamic reduction I’m ready to serve. Another little sprinkle of finely chopped fresh basil and some black pepper is nice for serving too.
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Easy Vegan Bruschetta Recipe - Running on Real Food (4)
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Easy Vegan Bruschetta Recipe - Running on Real Food (8)

More Vegan Sides and Appies

  • Butternut Squash Bruschetta
  • Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
  • Roasted Garlic Hummus
  • Maple Dijon Roasted Brussel Sprouts
  • Vegan Buffalo Dip
  • Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip
  • Vegan Jalapeño Poppers

Did you try this recipe? I’d love to hear about it! Scroll down to the comment section to leave a star rating and review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Easy Vegan Bruschetta Recipe - Running on Real Food (9)

Easy Vegan Bruschetta

★★★★★5 from 2 reviews

  • Author: Deryn Macey
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 20 baguettes
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegan
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Description

Simple and delicious vegan bruschetta that’s perfect for a special dinner at home or holiday entertaining. This recipe is easy to make in minutes if you need a quick appetizer in a pinch!

Ingredients

  • 3 fresh roma tomatoes, finely diced (approx. 2.53 cups diced)
  • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 810 fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
  • 23 green onions, finely chopped or 2 tbsp minced red onion
  • 1 tbsp vegan parmesan or nutritional yeast, plus more for topping
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1 baguette, sliced diagonally into approximately 1/2 inch slices

Instructions

  1. Dice the tomato, removing the watery parts with the seeds. You don’t have to get all the watery bits and seeds out but remove a fair amount of it so the mixture doesn’t become soggy. See photos in blog post for example.
  2. Mix everything except the salt (and baguette) together in a mixing bowl.Place in the fridge for 1 hour. If you don’t have time to let it marinate, you can skip that step or even just let it sit for 5-10 minutes.
  3. When ready to serve, lightly toast the baguette slices on a baking tray in the oven at 350 degrees F for 5-10 minutes. Watch closely so as not to burn. They should be lightly browned.
  4. Toss the tomato mixture with the sea salt, then top the toasted baguette slices with the tomato mixture and serve right away topped with a little more chopped fresh basil and a sprinkle of fresh-cracked black pepper, if desired.

Notes

For more flavour and the most perfectly toasted baguette, lightly brush sliced bread with olive oil before toasting. I don’t usually do this but it does add a nice touch!

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2 pieces
  • Calories: 133
  • Sugar: 2.6 g
  • Sodium: 277.8 mg
  • Fat: 3.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 21.2 g
  • Fiber: 1.6 g
  • Protein: 2.6 g

Keywords: healthy bruschetta, easy bruschetta recipe, quick bruschetta

Appetizers Christmas Recipes Less than 30 Minutes Low-Fat Nut-Free Recipes Soy-Free Sugar-Free

posted by Deryn Macey on November 20, 2019

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3 comments on “Easy Vegan Bruschetta”

  1. Sarah February 1, 2021 @ 3:13 pm Reply

    Delicious! My whole family loved this. I will be making sure I have all these ingredients on hand because this so easy to make and pairs perfectly with a nice red wine.

    • Deryn Macey February 1, 2021 @ 3:32 pm Reply

      Happy to hear it, Sarah! It is so yummy, isn’t it? Glad it was enjoyed and YES to bruschetta and wine!

  2. Shelly December 28, 2019 @ 8:42 pm Reply

    This was really great, we made it for an appy during Christmas and everyone really loved it! So easy too. We make the mixture in advance and then toasted the bread right before serving. Worked great!

Easy Vegan Bruschetta Recipe - Running on Real Food (2024)

FAQs

Why is my bruschetta watery? ›

Peel and gut your tomatoes

Seeds and skin also contain extra water, which can make your bruschetta runny and your toast points soggy. No one wants that!

Why does my bruschetta taste bitter? ›

Fresh herbs like basil can turn bitter if they are chopped too finely or bruised too much. Gently tear or chop them just before adding them to the bruschetta. Another factor could be overripe or low-quality tomatoes, which can taste bitter. Try using fresh, ripe tomatoes for a sweeter flavor.

What type of tomato is most commonly used for bruschetta? ›

Something sweet and juicy, like heirloom tomatoes, tomatoes, vine tomatoes or Roma tomatoes. If making bruschetta when tomatoes are not in season, I recommend using grape or cherry tomatoes instead. Garlic – We will use just a clove to rub on the bread! Oil – The best extra-virgin olive oil you can afford!

Why is bruschetta healthy? ›

The primary ingredient in Bruschetta is tomatoes and as you already know tomatoes are extremely good for health. They are packed with Vitamin C, Vitamin K1, folate and potassium. Moreover, they are also a rich source of antioxidants such as Chlorogenic Acid that is known to help lower blood pressure.

How do you make tomatoes less watery? ›

Drain Tomatoes for Tossed Salads

Salt the tomatoes before combining them with other ingredients, letting them drain in a strainer or colander for just 15 or 20 minutes. You'll simultaneously intensify their flavor and ensure that the only liquid in the bowl is your dressing of choice.

How do you counteract bitterness in a recipe? ›

Sweetness: From sugar, honey, fruits or otherwise, sweetness will counteract bitter and sour flavours. It can also be used to cut down the heat of a particularly spicy meal. Saltiness: Salt plays two very important roles in flavouring a dish. Firstly, it balances against bitterness.

How do you upgrade bruschetta? ›

40 ways to make your bruschetta even better
  1. Grilled haloumi and tomato bruschetta with za'atar caper salsa. ...
  2. Roasted capsicum bruschetta. ...
  3. Bruschetta with butter-braised zucchini and smoked salmon. ...
  4. Eggplant, fennel and burrata rye bruschetta. ...
  5. Tomato conserva bruschetta. ...
  6. Mushroom bruschetta with garlic and macadamia pesto.

What takes bitterness out of tomato sauce? ›

Heat 1 cup of sauce with 1/4 teaspoon baking soda (baking soda neutralizes acidity). Taste the sauce and add tiny amounts of baking soda to see if it mellows the acidity. If there is still an edge, swirl in a teaspoon of butter, letting it melt until creamy. Usually this does the job.

Should you deseed tomatoes for bruschetta? ›

If you're using beefsteak or medium to large heirloom tomatoes, take the extra time to peel and seed tomatoes before dicing them. Not only can thick tomato skins and bitter seeds add a less-than-desirable flavor and texture to your topping, but seeds add extra water, which can make your toasts runny and even soggy.

What are the best tasting tomatoes for bruschetta? ›

Roma tomatoes work great for bruschetta, but you can also use Cherry Tomatoes, as well. Other varieties like Sungold tomatoes, beefsteaks and heirlooms can all work, just be sure to take out the seeds for more meatier/less waterier tomatoes!

What country invented bruschetta? ›

History. Bruschetta was first documented in English by Elizabeth David in 1954. David observed in Italian Food that "bruschetta are eaten with the newly made oil" in the olive oil-producing districts of Tuscany and Umbria. Waverley Root and Marcella Hazan trace the origins of bruschetta to ancient Rome.

What is a fun fact about bruschetta? ›

Some experts think that the word 'bruschetta' may come from the name of an instrument once used in Italy by cattle breeders: the 'brusca'. It was a rough brush, meant to clean up oxen and horses from dead hair. Its shape was very similar to that of a bruschetta.

What causes watery tomato sauce? ›

This could happen when you add too much pasta water into your sauce, and you accidentally drown the thick sauce with the starchy water (happens to the best of us). I find that this happens to me most often when I'm making quick sauces, like a meat sauce or light marinara that hasn't had the time to simmer.

Why does my tomato sauce get watery? ›

But sometimes it's just too watery. In most cases, the reason is that it hasn't been simmered long enough. You see, fresh tomatoes contain a lot of liquids, which are released during cooking. And if you don't give them time to evaporate, your sauce will be diluted.

Why is my tomato juice watery? ›

5) Avoiding Watery Sauce or Separation

The natural pectin in your tomatoes is what allows the sauce to thicken during cooking. Tomatoes contain an enzyme that, when exposed to air, begins to degrade the natural pectin. This can cause your jars of sauce to separate into layers of sauce and water.

Why does my tomato sauce come out watery? ›

What Causes Watery Tomato Sauce? Enzymes! Fresh tomatoes are filled with enzymes that break down and eat through thickening agents. You need to deactivate those enzymes before you do anything else.

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