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Soy Sauce Pickled Cherry Tomatoes: Try Bold, New Pickle Flavor

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Canning cherry tomatoes is a fantastic way to preserve their fresh, juicy flavor all year long. But if you’re craving something with a bit more zest, soy sauce pickled cherry tomatoes offer a tangy twist on the traditional preservation method. In this post, we’ll show you how to can and pickle cherry tomatoes using a flavorful soy sauce-based brine. For those who are looking for more conventional flavors of pickled cherry tomatoes, we also have another recipe that brings out the classic tartness you might be more familiar with.

But why settle for just one pickle flavor when you can enjoy both? Each of these cherry tomato pickles offers something unique. The soy sauce pickle flavor is for those who love a savory, umami twist, while the traditional pickling recipe offers a classic, tangy pickle flavor. By experimenting with both, you’ll be able to enjoy the best of both worlds and have a variety of pickled cherry tomatoes to suit any dish or craving!

Choosing The Best Cherry Tomatoes For Canning

When canning cherry tomatoes, look for firm, ripe tomatoes with smooth skins. Avoid any that are overly soft or have cracks—they’re more likely to turn mushy during the processing. For this particular recipe the sweeter varieties, like Sun Gold or Sweet 100s, work particularly well because they balance out our soy-sauce brine beautifully.

You can grow cherry tomatoes in a small container, even on your balcony!

Shop for Sun Gold Cherry Tomato Seeds

Shop for Sweet 100s Cherry Tomato Seeds

Now, if you are wondering if this cherry tomato recipe can be modified, and if you can use grape tomatoes instead, the answer is, “Absolutely!”. Grape tomatoes are slightly smaller and less juicy than cherry tomatoes, which makes them an excellent alternative. They hold their shape well and still absorb all the delicious flavors of the brine.

So how do you choose between cherry and grape tomatoes? It really depends on what you have available and your personal taste. Cherry tomatoes are very juice, while grape tomatoes offer a firmer bite. Either way, make sure you’re picking the freshest, firmest tomatoes for the best end result.

Important Note About Jars For Canning Pickled Cherry Tomatoes

Cherry tomatoes are very delicate which makes them tricky to preserve. If you over-process them, they will quickly turn mushy or fall apart—not exactly what you want from a pickled tomato. For this reason, we always recommend 16 oz. (500 ml) Mason jars when canning pickled cherry tomatoes. Using smaller jars allows us to significantly reduce the processing time, which helps keep the tomatoes firm, vibrant, and packed with bold, soy-sauce goodness flavor

The secret to just the right amount of brine every time

Have you’ve ever tried guessing how much brine you need based on the weight of your tomatoes? Then you know it’s a gamble. If you make too much brine, you will waste ingredients. If you make too little, your tomatoes will be uncovered with the brine. We hate the waste, which is why we recommend this:

Add your cherry tomatoes into the jars. Then, count how many jars you’ve filled. Next, multiply the brine ingredients listed in the recipe by the number of the jars you will be using. This ensures you use just the right amount of brine ingredients—no waste, no stress.

Soy Sauce Pickled Cherry Tomatoes Preparation steps:

Ingredients for soy sauce pickled cherry tomatoes recipe
Ingredients for soy sauce pickled cherry tomatoes recipe
we add soy sauce and vinegar to jar packed with cherry tomatoes, aromatics and spices
we add soy sauce and vinegar to jar packed with cherry tomatoes, aromatics and spices
pour hot pickling brine into jars
pour hot pickling brine into jars
use small canning jars to minimize processing time
use small canning jars to minimize processing time
we use atmospheric steam canner for canning cherry tomatoes
we use atmospheric steam canner for canning cherry tomatoes
Enjoy the new pickle flavor. Canned cherry tomatoes can go into the pantry after the they rest
Enjoy the new pickle flavor!

Soy Sauce Pickled Cherry Tomatoes Recipe

This soy sauce pickled cherry tomatoes recipe takes just a handful of ingredients and transforms your humble cherry tomatoes into something you’ll crave. The combination of spices, soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar creates a surprisingly balanced flavor profile. Plus, this cherry tomato recipe is so easy you’ll wonder why you didn’t try it sooner.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Yield: 1 16 oz. (500 ml) jar
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Ingredients

The amount of brine you’ll need depends on how many jars you’re filling, not the weight of the cherry tomatoes.The following ingredients list is for one 16 oz. (500 ml) jar. If you plan to make multiple jars, simply multiply the listed amounts by the number of jars you want to fill. To fill one 16 oz. (500 ml) jar, you’ll need approximately ½ lb. (230–300 g) cherry tomatoes, depending on their size. For each 16 oz. (500 ml) jar, prepare the following:

  • 250 ml 8 oz. water (or more, as needed)
  • 1 ½ tbsp. soy sauce
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tbsp. sugar
  • 1 tbsp. 7% pickling vinegar
  • 1 whole allspice berry
  • 3 black peppercorns
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 clove
  • 1 garlic clove sliced

Instructions

Prepare the jars and tomatoes:

  • Sterilize the jars. If unsure how, one of our earlier posts tells all about the proper jar sterilization methods.
  • Wash the cherry tomatoes thoroughly.
  • Optional step, use a toothpick to pierce each tomato—this prevents them from bursting during the pickling process.

Place the following into each jar:

  • 1 sliced garlic clove
  • 1 allspice berry
  • 3 peppercorns
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 clove

Pickle cherry tomatoes:

  • Pack cherry tomatoes tightly into the jars, but be careful not to squish them.
  • Boil a kettle of water and pour it over the tomatoes in the jars. Let them sit for 3 minutes. This helps the tomatoes soften slightly and prepares them for pickling.
  • Carefully pour the hot water out of the jars into a pot. Do not discard. Use a canning lid, a sprouting screen, or a Mason jar pour spout to keep the tomatoes in place while you drain the water.
  • Pour 1 tbsp. of vinegar and 1 ½ tbsp. of soy sauce into each jar with the tomatoes.
  • Multiply the amounts of salt and sugar, by the number of jars you’re using.
  • Add the measured salt and sugar to a pot with drained water (use 250 ml per jar). Bring it to a boil and stir until fully dissolved.
  • Pour the brine into the jars, leaving ½ inch of space at the top. Put on the lids and tighten the bands.
Learn how to prepare mason jars and lids for canning

Notes

Processing time guidelines for hot water bath or atmospheric steam canners

Style of Pack: Hot
  Process Time at Elevations of:
Jar Size 0 – 1,000 ft 1,001 – 6,000 ft Above 6,000 ft
Pints (16 oz, ~500ml) 10 min 15 min 20 min
 
Preserve Type Appetizer | Pickles | Side Dish | Snack
Cuisine Fusion
Keyword can you pickle cherry tomatoes | canned cherry tomatoes recipe | how to pickle cherry tomatoes easy | pickle with soy sauce | pickled cherry tomatoes recipe | soy sauce pickled

We can’t wait to learn how this preserve recipe worked out for you. Leave us a comment below, like us on X, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram. And remember, sharing is caring!

Any food looks good in WECK Jars! Learn more and try them today.

Canning tools we use: If you are in the market for a reliable atmospheric steam canner, consider VKP brands made canners.

Want to learn more? Read our steam canners review.

Frequently asked questions

Can I skip the spices in the recipe?

The spices and aromatics (like allspice, bay leaf, cloves and peppercorns) contribute to the depth of flavor in the brine. Skipping them might result in a less complex pickle flavor. However, if you don’t have one or more of the spices on hand, feel free to leave them out!

How do I prevent the tomatoes from bursting during pickling?
Piercing each tomato with a toothpick before pickling helps prevent or minimize bursting. This allows steam to escape while the tomatoes are soaking in the hot water and brine, which keeps them intact and prevents them from popping open.

Can I use a different type of vinegar for the brine?

We recommend 7% white pickling vinegar as the best option for this recipe because it adds the required amount of acidity to make these soy sauce pickled cherry tomatoes safe for canning. While you can use other vinegars like rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar, you’ll need to use more of them to match the acidity that you get with 7% pickling vinegar. For example, if you are using 1 tbsp. of 7% white pickling vinegar and want to switch to a 5% rice vinegar. To adjust for the lower acidity of 5% rice vinegar, you’ll need to use 1.4 tablespoons of 5% rice vinegar for every 1 tablespoon of 7% white pickling vinegar.

How can I use soy sauce pickled cherry tomatoes?

Soy sauce pickled cherry tomatoes have a rich umami pickle flavor that regular pickled tomatoes just can’t match. Here are a few ideas that highlight the special uses of these canned cherry tomatoes:

  • In Teriyaki-Style Sauces: Add soy sauce pickled tomatoes to homemade teriyaki sauces or glazes. Brush it on grilled chicken, tofu, or vegetables for an unforgettable dish.
  • With Asian Rice Dishes: Serve them with fried rice or sticky rice. Their umami taste enhances the richness of the rice, and their soft texture contrasts beautifully with the firm grains.
  • In Stir-Fried Vegetables: Add them to stir-fried vegetables, especially those with Asian sauces like hoisin or oyster sauce.
  • As a Marinade Base: The brine from soy sauce pickled tomatoes can double as a flavorful marinade for meats or tofu. Use it in place of soy sauce for a deeper, more rounded taste for your proteins.

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