How to Cut a Tomato Perfectly Every Time

One the most plentiful and versatile fruits (yes fruits!) of late summer, tomatoes are tasty addition to meals any time of day. You can blend them into an omelet, bake them in a summer veggie strata, slice them for a simple salad, or puree them into a zesty gazpacho. And don't forget all the saucy possibilities—from classic red to bright and citrusy salsa!

No matter what you're making, you'll need to prep your tomatoes before you start cooking. When choosing your fruit, look for produce with no blemishes or punctures. If ripe, it should be firm with just a little give. Though an extra sharp chef's knife or paring knife (if you only have a few tomatoes to cut) will do the job, a serrated knife is best for easily cutting through the skin of the fruit. Here's the best way to break them down.

How to cut a tomato into slices

1. With a serrated knife, hold the fruit firmly and trim away the stem end.

2. Slice it crosswise into rounds.

How to cut a tomato into wedges

1. Firmly hold the fruit in place and halve it lengthwise.

2. Cut "V" shape into the top of each half to trim away the stem.

3. Slice each half into wedges.

How to dice tomatoes (without seeds and core)

1. Slice the fruit into wedges as directed above, then run your knife between the pulp and flesh of each wedge to trim away the core.

2. Halve each remaining piece of flesh lengthwise.

3. Dice the strips into small pieces.