Tomato and Garlic Confit

Tomato and Garlic Confit is one of those recipes that feels simple, yet luxurious at the same time. Slow-roasting sweet cherry tomatoes with garlic, fresh herbs, and plenty of olive oil creates tender, juicy bites bursting with flavor. The garlic mellows into soft, buttery cloves, and the infused oil becomes liquid gold that’s perfect for drizzling on crusty bread, tossing with pasta, or spooning over grilled meats and vegetables.

What is Confit?

Confit is a French cooking technique that means “to preserve.” Traditionally, it referred to meats like duck or goose that were slowly cooked in their own fat and then stored in it for preservation. Over time, the term has expanded to include vegetables, fruits, and even garlic cooked gently in fat (often olive oil), at a low temperature.

When you make something like tomato confit or garlic confit, you’re slowly roasting it in oil until tender and flavorful. The process not only transforms the ingredient (making tomatoes sweeter and garlic buttery-soft), but also infuses the oil itself with amazing flavor, so both the solids and the oil can be used in different dishes.

Why You Will Love This Confit Garlic and Tomatoes Recipe

• Flavor Explosion – Sweet roasted cherry tomatoes and garlic cloves transform into a rich, savory bite that’s versatile for countless dishes.
• Easy Mediterranean Recipe – With just a few ingredients, this oven-roasted tomato confit captures the essence of Mediterranean cooking.
• Meal Prep Friendly – Store it in the fridge and enjoy ready-to-use bursts of flavor all week long on bread, pasta, or grain bowls.
• Perfect for Entertaining – A rustic appetizer when served with crusty bread or charcuterie boards, making it ideal for dinner parties.
• Healthy Olive Oil Confit – Infused with rosemary or thyme, the leftover oil is perfect for salad dressings, dipping, or sautéing vegetables.
• Versatile Sauce Starter – Use this tomato and garlic confit as a base for pizza, bruschetta, or pasta sauces to instantly elevate your recipes.

Ingredient Substitutions

• Cherry or Grape Tomatoes – Use Roma or Campari tomatoes cut into halves, if cherry tomatoes aren’t available.
• Garlic – Swap cloves for a whole garlic bulb with the top cut off, or use shallots for a milder, sweeter flavor. Easily, omit the garlic, if you so desire.
• Herbs – Fresh oregano or basil can replace rosemary or thyme for a different herbal profile.
• Olive Oil – Avocado oil or sunflower oil works in place of olive oil, though olive oil gives the best Mediterranean flavor.
• Salt – Use sea salt or flaky Maldon salt for a more delicate finish.

How to Prepare Tomato Confit

1. Preheat the oven to 260°F (127°C).
2. Add the cherry tomatoes to a small casserole dish (about 7.5 x 6 inches, or similar size).
3. Nestle in the garlic cloves and sprinkle evenly with the salt.
4. Place the rosemary or thyme sprigs on top.
5. Pour in enough extra virgin olive oil (approximately 1 to 1 1/4 cups) to fully cover the tomatoes.
6. Bake uncovered for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, until the tomatoes are tender but still holding their shape with small bursts of juice.
7. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.

How to Serve and Store

• Serve – Spoon the confit garlic and tomatoes over crusty bread or crostini for a simple appetizer, toss with hot pasta for an instant sauce, mix in risotto, add to grain bowls, layer on sandwiches, or spread on pizza dough before baking. It’s also incredible drizzled over grilled chicken, steak, or fish.
• Store – Allow the confit to cool completely, then transfer to a clean airtight jar or container. Make sure the tomatoes and garlic are completely submerged in the oil to extend freshness. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
• Freeze – For longer storage, place in freezer-safe jars or bags and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before using.
• Reuse the Oil – The infused olive oil is just as valuable as the tomatoes and garlic. Use it for salad dressings, roasting vegetables, dipping bread, or sautéing.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How long does tomato confit last? Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, it will keep for up to 2 weeks. Always make sure the tomatoes are submerged in oil.
• Can I freeze tomato confit? Yes. Transfer cooled confit into freezer-safe jars or bags. Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw in the fridge before using.
• Is tomato confit the same as sun-dried tomatoes? No. Sun-dried tomatoes are dehydrated, chewy, and more concentrated, while confit tomatoes are soft, juicy, and simmered in oil.
• What do I use tomato and garlic confit for? It’s delicious on crostini, tossed with pasta, mixed in risotto, spread over pizza dough, layered in sandwiches, or served with grilled fish and meats.
• What happens to the garlic in confit? The garlic cloves soften as they slowly roast in the olive oil, losing their sharp bite. They become sweet, mellow, and spreadable, almost like butter, making them perfect for smearing on bread or blending into sauces.

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GET TO KNOW ME!

WELCOME! My name is Melissa Latin aka. Charlotte Fashion Plate. Happy to meet you! I am more than just recipes. I love fashion and style too! Most importantly, I love my Family (my Hubby and my Fur Babies). My Husband (aka my “Kitchen Bitch”) means the world to me. He’s pretty damn cool too. Not only is he one of the nicest guys you will ever meet, he also has had a lengthy career in professional hockey. Not only winning two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the early ’90’s, but most recently winning the Calder Cup with the Charlotte Checkers, amongst many other accolades. If you live in Charlotte and play hockey, or have a family member who plays, be sure to contact him!

Our life has changed dramatically in the past few years with the passing of our two goldendoodles, Vegas and Viva. We were lucky enough to have Vegas for five years (totally wish it was longer). Most recently, losing our Viva to a brain tumor in July of 2020. We welcomed our mini goldendoodle 7, almost seven years ago. We just added the amazing Hazel! Of course, I am always posting tons and tons of photos! Be sure to check out my recipe for Pet Bone Broth! This broth is super rich in nutrients and will provide your pet with a multitude of health benefits!

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