How do I cut a lot of cherry tomatoes in half at once
Sandwich the tomatoes between two flat container lids and slice through the gap. Pack about 12 cherry tomatoes in one layer on a lid, set a second lid on top, and press lightly with a flat palm. Saw a long serrated knife horizontally between the lids; one pass gives about 24 halves, with your fingers above the blade.
How to do it
- Pick two matching flat lidsUse two same-size lids from food storage containers, or two flat plates. A slight rim on the bottom one keeps the tomatoes from rolling off.
- Pack the tomatoes in a single layerPlace about a dozen cherry tomatoes on the bottom lid, snug against each other. Tomatoes of similar size cut most evenly.
- Cover with the second lidSet the second lid on top so it rests on the tomatoes, leaving a visible gap between the two lids.
- Hold the top lid with a flat palm and light pressureKeep your palm flat in the center and your fingers away from the edges. Press just enough to stop the tomatoes from moving, not enough to squash them.
- Saw a long serrated knife through the gapRun the knife horizontally between the lids with slow back-and-forth strokes until it comes out the far side, then lift the top lid to reveal the halves.
Questions that come up
Does this work with grapes or olives?
Yes, grapes work very well because they are firm and roughly the same size. Pitted olives also work. Very soft items, like overripe tomatoes or berries, tend to squash under the top lid before the knife reaches them, so they usually come out messy.
Why are my tomatoes squashing instead of cutting cleanly?
Usually it is too much pressure, a dull knife, or a straight edge instead of a serrated one. Ease off the top lid, use a sharp serrated knife, and let gentle sawing strokes do the work rather than pushing the blade through.
Is this actually safer than cutting them one by one?
It is usually safer, since your hand rests on the lid above the blade instead of holding a small round tomato. The blade still passes under your hand, though, so keep your fingers away from the edges, go slowly, and use a knife longer than the lid is wide.
Full transcript
Two lids halve a dozen cherry tomatoes at once. Pack them on a flat lid. Set a second lid on top. Palm flat, light pressure, then saw a serrated knife through the gap. Fingers stay above the blade, and one pass leaves twenty-four clean halves.