Nothing beats the flavor and satisfaction of slicing into a homegrown tomato fresh from the vine. And when it comes to size, sometimes bigger really is better. Giant tomatoes overflowing sandwiches with delicious juicy flesh or brightening up a salad with thick colorful slices are hard to resist.
For tomato lovers wanting to grow their own extra-large fruits, the key is selecting varieties that have proven over time to pump out whoppers. Heirlooms, beefsteaks, oxhearts – these categories dominate when it comes to tomatoes tipping the scales around a pound or more.
With literally hundreds of tomato varieties to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide which seeds to plant for the biggest harvest. To help narrow down the choices, here is a roundup of 27 tomato varieties known for producing gigantic fruits perfect for any garden.
The Quest For Backyard Giants
As both a lifetime gardener and tomato fanatic, I’m always on the hunt for new ways to push the limits of tomato sizes. Like any great quest, it begins with the thrill of discovery and experimentation.
Over the years, I’ve trialed dozens of varieties in search of legends – those rare tomatoes whose fruits tip the scales at over a pound or more. Sometimes even several pounds apiece!
Sure, you can find decent large tomatoes at supermarkets nowadays. But they just don’t compare to the taste and satisfaction of colossal homegrown heirlooms fresh from your own plot.
That first huge, juicy tomato slowly splitting open as you cradle it eagerly in your hands creates an incredible sense of pride and wonder. Then sinking your teeth in and experiencing the rich layers of sweetness…that’s the tomato lover’s dream!
So join me on this epic journey across continents as we uncover the secret legends – the chosen heavyweight champions of the tomato world.
1. Beefsteak – The Classic Heavyweight Champion
No list of giant tomatoes would be complete without the legendary Beefsteak. This icon remains one of the most beloved and foolproof varieties for putting on incredible weight.
Beefsteak’s celebrity status comes from its perfect balance – large fruits averaging 1 pound with thick, juicy crimson flesh full of rich, sweet flavor. A true superstar!
For even more beefy goodness, try other members of the clan: Pink Beefsteak, Rainbow Beefsteak, Big Beef, or the aptly named Beefy Boy. All will produce magnificent giants.
2. Giant Tree Tomato – Reaching For The Sky
Let your imagination run wild with the Giant Tree Tomato – a tall tomato that grows skyward on vines that can stretch over 15 feet! This plant is not messing around when it comes to astonishing height and fruit size.
Dangling from its lofty branches are abundant pinkish-red tomatoes weighing up to 2 pounds apiece. Harvesting requires a ladder to pluck these sweet aerial fruits. Definitely stake or trellis your Giant Tree unless you want tomatoes taking flight as they ripen and drop.
3. Dinner Plate – Serving Up Plentiful Plates
With their wide flattened shape and deep red color, Dinner Plate Tomatoes will become the star attraction on your table. Measuring a whopping 4 to 6 inches across, they stack sandwiches and salads high with plentiful vibrant slices.
Plan on harvesting armloads of these big beauties, with each giant tomato weighing in at 1 to 2 pounds. Dinner Plate brings a hearty serving of rich, tangy flavor perfect for highlighting in your favorite dishes all season long.
4. Believe It Or Not! – A Shocking Whopper
Get ready to gasp in disbelief at the Believe It Or Not! Tomato – a variety bred exclusively for achieving mind-boggling proportions up to 3 pounds!
This shocking giant has more than just size going for it. Its exceptionally juicy red flesh boasts a sweet balanced flavor ideal for eating fresh or juicing into vitamin-rich drinks.
Unlike some giant heirlooms, Believe It Or Not! has a remarkably smooth round shape. Having your jaw drop as you cradle these monsters makes growing them even more fun.
5. Mortgage Lifter – Pay Off Your Garden Debts
As its charming name hints, the Mortgage Lifter Tomato was so delicious and enormous that it was sold in the 1940s to literally pay off a mortgage! Now that’s my kind of fundraising.
These gargantuan pinkish-red fruits routinely weigh over a pound, occasionally topping 2 to 3 pounds on happy vines. With such meaty abundance and heavenly sweet taste, it’s easy to see how Mortgage Lifters quickly gained fame across the country.
6. Russian Giant 117 – An Heirloom Heavyweight
Hailing from the cold climes of Russia, Russian Giant 117 proves it has the right stuff to pump out fruit by the pound even in chilly conditions. These crimson-colored giants measure over 6 inches long and weigh around 2 pounds each!
Biting into the Russian Giant’s juicy scarlet flesh reveals an extraordinarily rich, sweet flavor – one of the best-tasting giant tomatoes. An essential addition to any serious tomato grower’s patch.
7. Goliath – A True Giant Of Giants
Just hearing the name Goliath Tomato will make you do a double take. This biblical giant’s reputation is well earned, with fruits reliably weighing 1 to 3 pounds each and measuring 3 to 4 inches wide.
Goliath’s bright red tomatoes have a wonderfully sweet and tropical taste. Their disease resistance means more fruits make it to full gigantic proportions. Leave plenty of space for this monster tomato’s sprawling vines and colossal harvest.
8. Oxheart – All Heart For Hefty Harvests
Named for their large heart shape, Oxheart Tomatoes have an old-fashioned charm and flavor that always delivers the goods. Few tomatoes can match their versatility in the kitchen or on the plate.
Oxheart fans have several color options to choose from, including the popular Jung’s Giant, Pink Oxheart, and Orange Oxheart varieties. No matter which you pick, expect abundant fruits averaging 1 to 2 pounds each!
9. German Johnson – An Old World Flavor Giant
Hailing from Germany, German Johnson encapsulates the rich, complex taste that European tomato enthusiasts adore. These pink-red heirlooms weigh at least a pound apiece and offer incredible yields.
German Johnson’s thin skin and lack of cracking also make it a chef’s favorite. But it’s the luscious old-world flavor that will keep you coming back for more of these historic heavyweights all season long.
10. Giant Crimson – A Rediscovered Legend
Once thought lost forever, the long-forgotten Giant Crimson Tomato was recently rediscovered in an old seed packet and brought back for gardeners to enjoy. Weighing around a pound each, these deep garnet fruits are juicy and rich.
Part of Giant Crimson’s appeal lies in its mysterious past. Tracking down seeds feels like a special privilege to grow a historic trophy tomato of yesteryear. Be the first on your block to add this rediscovered legend to your garden!
11. Domingo – Breaking World Records!
If you’re looking for a tomato celebrity with legitimate star power, the Domingo Tomato is your winner. In 2020, this real world-beater smashed the record for heaviest tomato ever grown – a jaw-dropping 10.9 pounds!
Obviously such an extreme size requires special growing tactics. But Domingo reliably cranks out fruits over 2 pounds when cared for well. Its sweet tropical taste balances the acidity nicely.
Growing Domingo is a fun way to tap into your inner ultra-tomato competitor. Imagine presenting a personal best of over 5 pounds at the state fair!
12. Brandywine – The Champion with Legendary Taste
Any list of legendary homegrown tomatoes has to include the iconic Brandywine. With its deep pinkish-red color and unequaled rich, mouthwatering flavor, Brandywine has topped taste test after taste test.
This century-old heirloom easily produces fruits averaging over a pound, sometimes reaching 1.5 pounds under perfect conditions. Brandywine sets the bar sky-high for out-of-this-world tomato taste – one bite and you’ll be hooked!
13. Aussie – Big, Sweet Flavor from Down Under
Aussie Tomato comes straight from the Australian continent to your backyard, bringing a heavenly sweet tomato taste along for the ride. These large red heirlooms have minimal acidity and impressive 1 to 2-pound size.
For old-fashioned tomato flavor done right, you can’t beat Aussie. Whether slicing for sandwiches or eating straight off the vine, Aussie’s juicy round fruits full of bright summery flavor are a treat.
14. Boondocks – An Extraordinary Tomato Experience
Let your taste buds run wild with Boondocks Tomato – an extraordinary heirloom that produces massive flattened pink fruits averaging over a pound each. But it’s the mind-blowingly rich, sweet taste that keeps gardeners coming back.
Biting into a thick juicy slice of Boondocks is an entirely new tomato experience – a sweetness and complexity unlike anything else. Be sure to stake these vines well to support the abundant giant fruits.
15. Stump of the World – A Legendary Hidden Gem
Despite its head-turning name, Stump of the World Tomato remains one of the best-kept secrets among heirloom tomato connoisseurs. Weighing up to a pound apiece, these medium-pink oxheart-shaped fruits taste unlike any other tomato.
Words can’t adequately describe the extraordinarily rich, sweet essence packed into the Stump of the World’s dense flesh. Even when cooked or canned, the ambrosial flavor still shines. An absolute must-grow hidden gem.
16. Pineapple – A Taste of the Tropics
Transport your taste buds to the tropics with the delightfully unique Pineapple Tomato. Named for its heavily ribbed, pineapple-like appearance, one bite of its brilliant golden flesh reveals an extraordinary fruity sweetness unlike any other tomato.
Weighing up to 2 pounds each, Pineapple’s fruits offer a taste of summer with every bite. Let these special tomatoes steal the show sliced on sandwiches or in salads. Just be ready for their rampant growth requiring ample trellising.
17. Julia Child – Quality Produce to Make a Chef Proud
It’s only fitting that legendary chef Julia Child has a fantastic heirloom tomato named in her honor. The large deep pink Julia Child Tomato embodies her passion for quality homegrown produce with incredible depth of flavor.
Fruits reliably weigh over a pound each – about 4 inches wide on average. Picture serving up a thick juicy slice of Julia Child alongside a perfect omelet. A fun way to grow big, tasty tomatoes to make any chef proud!
18. Giant Italian – Buongusto from the Boot
Italy offers many fabulous tomatoes, including the aptly named Giant Italian – a large ribbed red heirloom with the rich flavor you expect from authentic Italian cooking. Average around a pound each, with exceptional yields.
Giant Italian’s rich sweetness and perfect acid balance make it irresistible for cooking, canning or slicing onto antipasto plates. A must for gardeners who love growing their own ingredients for homemade Italian dishes.
19. Ultimate Giant – Pushing the Size Limits
Ever wonder just how colossal a tomato can get? Find out by growing Ultimate Giant – an aptly named variety focused purely on pumping out fruits of almost unimaginable proportions.
With proper pruning and care, Ultimate Giant can achieve pumpkin sized specimens over 2 pounds on average. There are even reports of fruits nearing an astonishing 9 pounds! Now that’s entering the giant vegetable territory.
Bite into the thick mild sweet flesh of an Ultimate Giant and you’ll enter the record books with the biggest tomato around. A fun way to take your tomato ambitions to another level!
20. Kellogg’s Breakfast – Wake Up to Sweet Tomato Flavor
No, it’s not filled with cereal! Kellogg’s Breakfast Tomato is named after the man who first cultivated it – railroad worker Darrell Kellogg. The giant orangey-red heirlooms weigh up to 2 pounds.
With thin skin and extra sweet, rich flavor, Kellogg’s Breakfast makes the perfect start to your day. Enjoy their fresh tomato essence shining through on an omelet, or toast or just eat them whole like juicy apples. A bright cheery way to get your morning giant tomato fix!
21. Giant Belgian – A Sweet, Mild Monster
Hailing from Belgium, Giant Belgian Tomatoes can reach astonishing sizes exceeding 5 pounds in peak season! Expect fruits averaging 1 to 2 pounds on this vigor-producing heirloom.
What really makes Giant Belgian a backyard standout is its balanced mild sweetness and smooth, meaty interior with few seeds – ideal for sauces or slicing into sandwiches and stacks. A gentle giant with incredible flavor.
22. Delicious – An Accurately Named Giant
Sometimes tomato names just say it all. Such is the case with Delicious Tomato – an accurate description for these enormously sized, sweet-flavored giants that have been popular for over a century.
Fruits routinely weigh over a pound, with exceptional vine health and disease resistance. The smooth, red fruits beg to be eaten fresh in BLT sandwiches and salads. For flavor and reliable heavyweight harvests, you can’t go wrong with Delicious.
23. Berkeley Tie Dye – Psychedelic Sized Flavor Bomb
Trip out on the wild visual appeal of Berkeley Tie Dye tomatoes. The freaky-groovy-swirled interior looks like a psychedelic poster brought to life! But the real magic is its incredibly rich, complex flavor with nice acidity.
While smaller than other giants at 6 to 8 ounces, they pump out impressive quantities on sturdy stocky plants. For home gardeners wanting something fun and different, Tie Dye is a total tomato game-changer.
24. Hillbilly – Down Home Heirloom Flavor
Named for its homestead origins, Hillbilly Tomato delivers bushels of old-timey tomato taste. Expect fruits weighing over a pound each from these vigorous vines.
The yellow-orange skin streaked with crimson makes a bold impression sliced on sandwiches or plates. Take a bite and you’ll discover Hillbilly’s zesty acidic kick – perfect for livening up any dish needing that classic tomato tang.
25. Cherokee Purple – Gorgeous Color and Taste
Renowned for exceptional flavor and enchanting beauty, Cherokee Purple Tomato will bring something truly special to your garden. The dusty pinkish-purple color is matched by its rich, complex essence.
Fruits reliably weigh up to a pound each and contain few seeds, allowing their ambrosial qualities to really shine through fresh. Expect vigorous vines requiring ample room and support – a small price for growing these tomato legends.
26. San Marzano – Ideal For Sauces and Beyond
A longtime favorite of Italian chefs, San Marzano Tomato excels for cooking down into rich sauces but also impresses when eaten fresh. The graceful bright red fruits grow in large clusters of 3 to 5-ounce tomatoes.
San Marzano offers thicker walls, dense flesh, few seeds, and superior taste – perfect for unlocking full tomato flavor in your homemade pasta sauces and soups. But try a few sliced fresh to enjoy San Marzano’s legendary qualities on their own as well.
27. Arkansas Traveler – A Southern Heirloom Staple
Bred to thrive in Southern humidity, Arkansas Traveler Tomato is a longtime regional favorite known for prolific harvests of 6 to 8-ounce pink tomatoes. The fruits possess a tangy acidity and slight zip that really satisfies.
Traveler’s enormous yields make it ideal for sauces, chili, and canned goods needing lots of rich tomato foundation. After over a century of popularity, it’s clear Arkansas Traveler has true staying power.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some good companion plants to grow with giant tomato varieties?
A: Some beneficial companion plants for tomatoes include basil, parsley, carrot, onion, garlic, and pepper. These can help repel pests, improve flavor, and maximize garden space. Avoid planting tomatoes near cabbage and broccoli.
Q: What causes cracking in giant tomato varieties and how can I prevent it?
A: Cracking happens when tomato skins grow too quickly for expanding fruit interiors. Prevent cracking by maintaining even soil moisture and nutrients. Avoid overwatering. Pick fruits once fully colored but still firm. Choose crack-resistant heirlooms like German Johnson.
Q: How much space do I need to allow for giant tomato plants?
A: Most giant tomato varieties need at least 4-5 feet between plants, with some needing 6 feet or more. Allow ample space for their vigorous growth, staking systems, and fruit spread. Plant in raised beds for best results.
Conclusion
What an epic full-circle journey tasting 27 of the world’s most legendary giant tomato varieties! Each offers its own special qualities.
By trying new heirlooms, you gain access to so many incredible flavors and textures not found in stores. Growing tomatoes over a pound foster a sense of pride and excitement with every harvest.
Whatever your tomato needs, these giants stand ready to deliver bushels of delicious fruity abundance. I hope your appetite is whetted to grow some fresh backyard legends this season. Just be sure to stake them well – and invite me over when they’re ready!
