Heirloom tomato pizza is the very definition of summer.
Bright summer produce, grilled dough, and a garlicky herb butter spread—this pizza is all about fresh flavors. Slathering the crust with herb butter and topping it with ripe heirloom tomatoes gives a smoky, buttery, juicy bite that pairs perfectly with a chilled glass of white wine.
A photo like this makes me smile. It’s the kind of food that brings summer memories back instantly, a reminder that those long, gray winter days are behind us.
I recently had a little revelation about Sunday meals. I’ve always wanted to be the person who hosts a comforting Sunday dinner—the house where family and friends gather for a warm, soul-soothing meal before the week begins. It sounds idyllic, but with small kids and busy work schedules, dinner-time gatherings don’t always work out.
Between bath time, bedtime routines and the need to have the kitchen completely clean for an early Monday morning, big Sunday dinners often leave us more stressed than relaxed. So instead, we’ve shifted to Sunday lunch—and it has been a game changer.
Sunday lunch is now my favorite
Sunday lunches mean light, fresh food served earlier in the day when there’s more time to enjoy the meal and less need to rush through nighttime routines. Our typical spread includes grilled corn, heaps of tomatoes, grilled vegetables and often grilled pizzas like this heirloom tomato version. It’s too hot for the oven most of the time, and the grill gives everything a lovely char and smoky flavor.
Sometimes Sunday lunch becomes dinner or we enjoy the leftovers later, and sometimes the meal is so satisfying we don’t eat again that day. It’s relaxed, low-stress and exactly what summer should feel like.
Every summer when heirloom tomatoes are at their peak, I love to showcase them in simple, delicious ways. One of my favorite combinations is grilled bread with sliced heirlooms and creamy cheese. This grilled garlic herb butter pizza is a variation on that idea—warm, buttery, slightly smoky, juicy and full of fresh herbs.
It works as an appetizer, a main course, or even a salad substitute if you pile on the tomatoes and herbs. Add burrata if you want an extra creamy finish—it’s a delicious option.
Heirloom Tomato Pizza
Grilled Garlic Herb Butter Pizza with Heirloom Tomatoes
2
to 4 people
2 hrs
15 mins
2 hrs 15 mins
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 heirloom tomatoes, thinly sliced
- Pinch of flaked salt
- Sprinkling of fresh herbs
Garlic Herb Butter
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped basil
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped oregano
- 1 tablespoon chopped chives
- 1 teaspoon chopped dill
- 1 teaspoon chopped rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
Crust
- In a large bowl combine warm water, yeast, honey and olive oil. Stir and let sit until foamy, about 10 minutes. Add 2 1/2 cups flour, garlic powder and salt, stirring until the dough comes together but remains sticky. Form into a ball and work in the remaining 1/2 cup flour on a floured surface, kneading for a few minutes.
- Rub the bowl with a little olive oil, place the dough inside and turn to coat. Cover with a towel and let rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
- After rising, punch down the dough and shape it on a floured surface. Cover with a towel to rest while you preheat the grill and prepare the butter and tomatoes.
- Preheat the grill to high. Roll the dough into your desired shape. Generously flour a pizza peel and place the dough on it, brush the top with olive oil.
- Slide the dough onto the grill grates. Close the lid and cook until the dough is bubbly and golden on one side, about 3 to 5 minutes. Flip and grill the other side 2 to 3 minutes more.
- Remove from the grill and spread the garlic herb butter over the hot crust so it melts. Top with the sliced heirloom tomatoes so they warm slightly. Sprinkle with flaked salt and extra herbs, then slice and serve.
Garlic Herb Butter
- In a bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped herbs and salt. Mash together until well mixed. Store any extra in the refrigerator for use on bread or other dishes.
Did you make this recipe?
Share your photo and tag the recipe creator on social media. I appreciate you so much!
Happy, happy joy joy.