What are Tomato Flights and How to Make a Great One

There’s a new kind of tasting board making the rounds on social media this summer, and it’s not cheese, hummus or butter this time. It’s tomatoes. Tomato flights, inspired by the format of a wine or beer tasting flight, are popping up in viral TikToks and food-forward Instagram videos. 

The concept is simple: Slice a few peak-season tomatoes and top each one differently to create a vibrant, flavor-packed spread you can share (or keep all to yourself).

Some creators keep it simple, adding just flaky sea salt, olive oil and fresh herbs. Others go bolder—think whipped ricotta, chili crisp or thinly sliced charcuterie. It’s part snack, part salad and entirely a love letter to tomatoes at their ripest and most intense.

What Is a Tomato Flight?

Just like a flight of beer offers a sampling of different brews, a tomato flight gives you a chance to taste tomatoes dressed up in a variety of ways. 

Start with a few thick slices of ripe tomatoes—preferably heirlooms in a rainbow of colors and shapes. Many boards opt for about six slices. Then layer each one with toppings that bring different flavors and textures, from creamy to crunchy, spicy to tangy.

Juicy, sweet and acidic, in-season tomatoes need very little to shine. But this format invites playful experimentation while still letting the tomato itself be the main event.

How to Make a Tomato Flight at Home

Making your own tomato flight is as easy as slicing, topping and serving. Here’s how to build one:

1. Choose your tomatoes. Look for large, ripe slicing tomatoes—heirlooms or beefsteaks work well. The more variety in color and shape, the more visually striking your board will be.
2. Slice thick rounds. Cut your tomatoes into ½-inch slices and lay them out on a cutting board or platter.
3. Pick your toppings. Choose several different toppings or combos. Aim for a balance of creamy, crunchy, spicy, tangy and herbal elements. Dairy, fun condiments and more seasonal produce are definitely your friends.
4. Serve and snack. Serve immediately, or refrigerate for up to 30 minutes before eating. Tomato flights are best eaten fresh, when the toppings are still vibrant and the tomato juices haven’t started pooling.

How to Top Your Tomato Flight

Now that you’ve gotten the picture, it’s time to consider how you’ll top your tomatoes. Give the cabinet and fridge a good look for a little inspiration. If you have some herbs, cheeses, peppers or dips that need to get used up, your tomato flight could be the perfect occasion to polish them off. 

Here are some tomato topping ideas to get you started:

• Whipped feta and honey: Take inspiration from Whipped Feta Honey Toast, but top tomato slices instead of the bread. Some crunchy toasted hazelnuts wouldn’t be out of place.
• French onion: Make this Whipped Cottage Cheese French Onion Dip, dollop it on your tomato slices and top with green onions, chives or even some potato chip crumbs.
• BLT: Use our BLT Breakfast Sandwich as a template, and layer the sandwich fillings on tomato instead of toast.
• Smoked tuna: Tuna and tomatoes are a classic combo (we’re looking at you, tonnato), so topping your slices with this Smoked Tuna Spread would only be natural. 
• Egg salad: You can’t go wrong spooning The Best Egg Salad over your tomatoes as part of a flight. Top with pickles or fresh dill.
• Caprese: Keep it classic with this irresistible Italian combo. Use the main ingredients in this Caprese Salad recipe—burrata, basil, arugula, olive oil—stacked on your tomato slice. 
• Hummus: This rich, creamy Double-Tahini Hummus pairs perfectly with tomato’s tangy bite. Add a few black olive slices and a little crumbled feta to take it over the top.

The Bottom Line

Besides being a visually stunning way to serve tomatoes, this trend is also good for you. Tomatoes are a rich source of lycopene, an antioxidant that’s linked with heart and skin health. Pairing them with a little healthy fat—like olive oil—can help your body absorb even more of those beneficial compounds.

And summer is the best time to enjoy them. Unlike the pale, mealy versions you’ll find out of season, in-season tomatoes are heavy with juice and fragrant with the scent of sun-warmed vines. Whether you grow your own or snag them at the farmers’ market, now is the time to enjoy them with as few steps between garden and plate as possible.

Tomato flights are quick, fun and endlessly customizable. Think of them as a tomato tasting board—a way to make the most of what might be the best bite of the season. And as summer appetizers go, these boards are a great way to entertain deliciously without tons of effort.