Are you on the hunt for some of the most beautiful and flavorful beefsteak tomato varieties to grow in your garden this year? If so, you are going to love today’s article featuring 5 of the meatiest and juiciest beefsteaks of all!
Beefsteak tomatoes are beloved for their large shape and size. And because they are the perfect tomato for slicing and adding to sandwiches. But it isn’t only their appearance that is appealing – it’s also their delicious, rich flavor that makes these hefty producers well worth growing!
You can find beefsteak varieties in almost every flavor profile, from highly acidic to mildly sweet. In addition, you can find these massive tomato types in every color as well – from red, pink, orange and yellow, to purple, green, brown and even black.
What really makes beefsteaks special is their versatility. There is little doubt how well they compliment a sandwich, but their meaty flesh is also perfect for fresh eating or for creating wonderful juices, soups, sauce and more. Even better, most varieties are great for canning as well.
Growing Seeds Vs. Transplants
You can often find a fairly good selection of beefsteak tomatoes as transplants at local garden centers and nurseries in the spring. However, you can also easily start and grow your own beefsteak tomato plants from seeds. And that can lead to some pretty amazing tomato harvests!
Being able to start your own tomato seeds has many advantages, the first being that it opens up a whole new world of flavors, colors and varieties that you might not be able to find as transplants locally. Best of all, growing from seed can save on the budget too.
The good news is that if you do grow from seed, all of the tomatoes featured today are open-pollinated heirlooms. That means once you have seeds, you can save from your plants each year to grow again and again.
All five of the tomatoes are also indeterminates that will keep on producing all growing season long – right up until your first frost. Because of that, they will need to have strong supports to hold up the large vines and fruits.
With beefsteak growing success in mind, here is a look at the best beefy tomatoes to plant and grow this year!
The 5 Best Beefsteak Tomato Varieties To Grow In Your Garden!
#1) Big Rainbow
If you really want a show-stopper in your garden (and on your plate) this summer, then Big Rainbow is the tomato for you. This variety features beautiful marbled yellow, orange and red flesh with streaks running throughout. It is certainly a true feast for the eyes and the taste buds!
Each fruit features the iconic beefsteak shape, growing to an average of 22 ounces each. Many can even grow over two pounds. The Big Rainbow tomato is not only beautiful, but it has an amazing mildly sweet flavor profile with low hints of acid.
Typically consumed fresh, Big Rainbow is perfect for topping burgers, sandwiches, and salads. And since it is an indeterminate variety, it will continue to produce big harvests of fruit until the first frost. This allows you to enjoy thick slices of these beauties all summer long. Affiliate Seed Link: Big Rainbow Heirloom Seeds
#2) Mortgage Lifter – The 5 Best Beefsteak Tomato Varieties To Grow
The story behind the Mortgage Lifter (pictured at the top of the article) might be just as tasty as the fruit the plant produces! Back in the 1930s, a home gardener in West Virginia started crossing four of the biggest tomato varieties he grew in his garden.
After a few growing seasons, he created a new tomato variety that produced fruit averaging 2 pounds each. Some were even as large as 4 pounds!
He then began growing and selling the plants for $1 each. After only six years, he ended up paying off his mortgage with the profits made from his new variety. Rightfully so, the name “Mortgage Lifter” was given to the massive tomato variety.
The heirloom beefsteak tomato plant not only produces massive fruit, but its flavor is outstanding as well. The meaty Mortgage Lifter tomato is perfect for slicing up on sandwiches or enjoying fresh with just a dash of salt and pepper.
#3) Cherokee Purple – The 5 Best Beefsteak Tomato Varieties To Grow
Cherokee Purple tomatoes are toted as being one of the first true darker skinned heirloom tomato varieties. Because the Cherokee Purple has become so popular, you usually have a good chance of finding it at local nurseries and garden centers.
The fruit features dark purple skins with stunning deep red and purple flesh inside. Cherokee Purple plants are indeterminates and continue to push out large harvests of medium to large size fruits. The tomatoes have a great juice content and average around 13 ounces each in weight.
Cherokee Purple heirloom tomatoes have a rich, deep flavor with the perfect amount of sweetness. They are ideal for fresh eating. Their dense flesh also makes them a great choice for adding flavor and body to tomato sauces and juices. Affiliate Seed Link: Cherokee Purple Heirloom Seeds
#4) Brandywine Pink – The 5 Best Beefsteak Tomato Varieties To Grow
Brandywine is of the most popular heirloom beefsteak tomato varieties of all and dates back to 1885. Fast forward to today, and the newer Brandywine Pink variety has become the new hot tomato to grow – and for good reason!
As its name states, this variety features deep rosy pink colored flesh. But what Brandywine Pink is really known for is its incredibly intense and sweet flavor. It’s a popular choice for topping sandwiches and for eating fresh and is loved by those looking for a lower acid tomato.
With around a 90 day seed to harvest maturity rate, this indeterminate heirloom ripens later in the season than most other tomato varieties. However, seeing the deep reddish-pink 14 to 16-ounce sized fruit on the vine and enjoying its sweet flavor is more than worth the wait! Affiliate Seed Link: Brandywine Pink Tomato Seeds
#5) Black Krim – The 5 Best Beefsteak Tomato Varieties To Grow
Black Krim is one of the smaller beefsteak tomato varieties on today’s list. However, it still weighs in at a respectable 8 to 12 ounces each. And what it might lacks in size it more than makes up for with its deep maroonish-red coloring and rich, bold flavor! (See, “Growing Black Krim Tomatoes”)
The Black Krim has a great balance of acidity and sweetness with a slightly salty finish. It is delicious paired with your favorite sandwich, or when added to juices and sauces.
The heirloom tomato first gained popularity on the west coast of the United States. Since then, it has spread everywhere due to its amazing flavor and unique coloring. It might be hard to find Black Krim as transplants, so starting by seed is usually the route to go. Affiliate Seed Link: Black Krim Tomato Seeds
Here is to growing your own collection of delicious beefsteak tomatoes in your garden this year. And to bringing amazing tomato flavor and color to all of your dishes!
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