vegan tomato cobbler
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Southern Vegan Tomato Cobbler

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A Savory Twist on a Summer Classic

When you hear the word “cobbler,” your mind probably goes straight to bubbling peaches or tart blackberries topped with a sugary crust. But in the South, we know that summer’s true crown jewel is the tomato. When the garden is overflowing and you’ve already had your fill of Southern Tomato Sandwiches, it’s time to turn that harvest into something hearty, rustic, and deeply savory.

Enter the Southern Vegan Tomato Cobbler!

Think of this as the summer cousin to a pot pie. We take two pints of bursting cherry tomatoes and sauté them with sweet onions, fresh basil, and a splash of white wine vinegar to create a jammy, acidic, and flavorful base. Instead of a sweet dough, we drop spoonfuls of herby, garlic-infused Bisquick biscuit dough right into the cast iron skillet.

As it bakes, the biscuits soak up all that juice from the tomatoes, creating a golden, cobbled crust that is pure comfort food. Whether you’re serving this for a slow Sunday brunch or a light summer dinner, this dish is a delicious reminder that tomatoes aren’t just for salads they’re meant for the oven too.

Southern Vegan Tomato Cobbler baked in cast iron skillet

Why use a Cast Iron Skillet?

Cast iron is non stick when seasoned properly and can be used on the stovetop. Cast iron skillets are amazing at distributing heat evenly and retaining that heat for a long time. That makes them perfect for baking. In this recipe we start by cooking onion and tomato in the skillet on the stovetop and then transfer that same skillet to bake in the oven. If you don’t have a cast iron skillet you should consider buying one because the are durable and will last for generations. I recommend the Lodge brand because they are made here in Tennessee. If you don’t have a cast iron skillet you will have to transfer from your skillet to an oven safe baking dish and your baking time may be different.

What’s in Vegan Tomato Cobbler?

Tomatoes! We use two pints of cherry tomatoes. We also use fresh basil from our garden. The biscuit topping is made with Bisquick Original Pancake and Baking Mix which is vegan! Not all Bisquick products are vegan but the Original mix is. Don’t you love when companies accidently make a product vegan?

Looking for more to fill your plate? Check out this collection of 20+ Vegetarian Southern Side Dishes for the perfect pairing.

Southern Vegan Tomato Cobbler

Frequently Asked Questions: Southern Vegan Tomato Cobbler

Can I use large tomatoes instead of cherry tomatoes? Yes! While cherry tomatoes are great because they burst and create a natural sauce, you can use large heirloom or beefsteak tomatoes. Just make sure to chop them into bite-sized pieces. If they are particularly juicy, you may want to increase the cornstarch by a half-tablespoon to ensure the filling thickens properly.

Is all Bisquick vegan? No, only the Bisquick Original Pancake & Baking Mix is “accidentally vegan.” Other varieties, like the “Heart Smart” or “Complete” mixes, often contain buttermilk or other dairy derivatives, so always double-check the ingredient label.

Do I have to use a cast iron skillet? While a cast iron skillet is the best tool for the job because it transfers perfectly from stovetop to oven and retains heat beautifully, you can use a regular sauté pan for the stovetop portion. Simply transfer the tomato mixture to an 8×8 baking dish before adding the biscuit topping and moving it to the oven.

How do I store and reheat leftovers? Store any leftover cobbler in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, I recommend using the oven at 350°F to help the biscuit topping regain its crispness. The microwave works too, but the biscuits will be much softer.

5 from 3 votes
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Southern Vegan Tomato Cobbler

Course Brunch, Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Southern, vegan
Keyword Tomato
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients

  • 2 pints Cherry Tomatoes
  • 1 Sweet Onion finely diced
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1 tsp Dried Thyme
  • 1 tbsp Brown Sugar
  • 1 tbsp White Wine Vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Corn Starch
  • 1/2 cup Vegetable Broth or Water
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Basil finely chopped
  • Salt and Pepper

For Biscuit Topping

  • 2 cups Bisquick Original Pancake & Baking Mix
  • 2/3 cup Almond Milk (or other plant based milk)
  • 1 tbsp Vegetable Oil
  • 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Basil finely chopped

Instructions

  1. Using a medium sized mixing bowl combine all ingredients for Biscuit Topping. Mix together to form a sticky dough and set aside for later.

  2. Pre Heat the oven to 375 degrees.

  3. Place a large cast iron skillet on the stove top and begin to heat 1 tbsp of Olive Oil over medium high heat.

  4. Add the finely diced Sweet Onion to the cast iron skillet with the oil and sauté the onions for about 10 minutes. Season the onions with 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder, 1 tsp Dried Thyme, and a dash of salt and pepper.

  5. When the onions are starting to turn translucent add the 2 pints of Cherry Tomatoes. Stir frequently for roughly another 10 minutes as the tomatoes cook and start to burst in the skillet.

  6. Remove the skillet from the heat and then stir in the Brown Sugar, White Wine Vinegar, 1/2 cup of Vegtable Broth or water, and 1/4 cup finely chopped Fresh Basil.

  7. Then use a small spoon to drop biscuit dough onto the top of the tomato filling. You should have 7 or 8 small spoonfuls of dough spaced somewhat evenly across the top of the skillet. The biscuit dough will not completely cover the cobbler.

  8. Carefully transfer the hot cast iron skillet into the pre heated oven. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the top of the biscuits are golden brown.

  9. Allow the cobbler to cool for about 10 minutes before serving.

classic tomato sandwich

If You Love Tomatoes…

If you love tomatoes as much as we do you may want to check out these other amazing recipes.

Check out this towering Vegan Tomato Stack Salad.

Check out our twist on the classic Southern Tomato Sandwich.

Southern Vegan Tomato Cobbler

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