Tomato Beefsteak Determinate Original 100 Non-GMO, Heirloom Seeds
Grow Original Determinate Beefsteak Tomatoes for big, juicy slices that make a hamburger worth sitting down for. Suitable for garden plots, raised beds and greenhouses, these determinate plants produce bright red, slightly ribbed tomatoes with meaty, juicy flesh and a rich sub-acid flavor. Fruits weigh around 10 ounces and can reach up to 2 pounds under favorable growing conditions. A broad, thick slice is perfect for topping a big hamburger or building a generous tomato sandwich. Fruit size varies with growing conditions and care.
Germination Rate: 85%. Test Date: 6/26. OSI.
Texas Minimum Germination Rate: 75%
Why Choose Original Determinate Beefsteak Tomatoes?
- Big Slicing Tomatoes: Fruits around 10 ounces can reach up to 2 pounds, providing broad slices for burgers and sandwiches.
- Meaty and Juicy: Bright red flesh and rich sub-acid flavor make these tomatoes a satisfying garden-to-table choice.
- Determinate Habit: Bushier plants concentrate much of their crop into a shorter period. Provide sturdy support for branches carrying large fruit.
- Kitchen Versatility: Enjoy fresh slices, chop into salads, roast wedges or simmer into homemade sauce.
- Heirloom Seeds: Grow an open-pollinated variety; seed saving requires suitable isolation and selection to maintain variety characteristics.
Planting Tips for Success
- Start Indoors: Sow about 6–8 weeks before your anticipated outdoor transplanting date, approximately 1/4 inch deep in seed-starting mix. Provide bright light and consistent moisture without waterlogging.
- Transplanting: Gradually harden off seedlings. Plant outdoors after frost danger has passed, when soil and nights are warm.
- Sun and Soil: Choose full sun and fertile, well-drained soil enriched with finished compost. Use local planting dates rather than relying on hardiness zones alone.
- Spacing and Airflow: Allow approximately 24–36 inches between plants, with room between rows for access and ventilation.
- Support for Large Fruit: Install a sturdy cage or stake early. Secure branches gently and provide additional support where needed for especially heavy tomatoes that may reach up to 2 pounds.
- Watering: Water consistently at soil level. Mulch after the soil warms to moderate moisture swings and reduce soil splash.
- Fertilizing: Follow a soil test and fertilizer label directions. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can encourage leaves at the expense of fruit.
- Pruning and Care: Avoid heavy pruning of determinate plants, which can reduce their fruit-bearing growth. Monitor regularly for insects, leaf damage and disease.
- Harvesting: Pick when fruit is fully colored and yields slightly to gentle pressure. Support large tomatoes with your hand while harvesting. Size, timing and yield vary with weather and care; extreme heat can affect fruit set.
Why Choose David's Garden Seeds®?
- Veteran-Owned: Supplying premium seeds since 2009.
- GO TEXAN Certified: Supporting local agriculture and communities.
- Integrity Pledge: David's Garden Seeds has taken the Seed Integrity Pledge.
- Vegetable Seed License: David's Garden Seeds has been granted a Vegetable Seed License for the State of Texas.
Cooking Methods
- Burgers and Sandwiches: Cut broad, thick slices to cover a juicy hamburger or layer onto toasted bread.
- Fresh Salads: Cut into wedges or chunks and toss with herbs and your favorite dressing.
- Roasted: Roast wedges with oil and herbs until softened and lightly browned for pasta or side dishes.
- Simmered Sauce: Chop and simmer with onion and seasonings, reducing excess liquid to your preferred consistency. Use a tested preservation recipe if canning.
Order Original Determinate Beefsteak Tomato Seeds Today
Grow big, juicy red tomatoes for unforgettable hamburgers, generous sandwich slices and fresh homemade meals.
Nutritional Information
- Harvested Tomatoes: Nutritional information applies to edible harvested fruit, not the planting seeds in this packet. A variety-specific nutrient analysis is not available for this listing.
Important Disclosures
- Variety Disclaimer: Fruit size, plant height, flavor, harvest period and yield vary with growing conditions and care. Fruits can reach up to 2 pounds, but not every tomato will reach that size. No growing outcome or disease resistance is guaranteed.
- Seed Storage: Keep unused seeds sealed in a cool, dry, dark place away from heat and moisture.
- Planting Zones: Grow tomatoes as warm-season annuals. Select planting dates using your local frost dates, soil temperatures and growing season.
- Edible Portion: Use harvested tomato fruit for food, not foliage or the planting seeds in this packet.
Big Juicy Beefsteak Tomato Hamburgers
Show off your harvested Original Determinate Beefsteak tomatoes with a thick, juicy slice on each hamburger. This recipe uses harvested tomatoes, not the planting seeds in this packet. Serves 4. Preparation: 15 minutes. Cooking: approximately 10–15 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 large ripe Original Determinate Beefsteak tomato, enough for 4 generous slices; an especially large fruit can reach up to 2 pounds, so save extra tomato for another meal
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, preferably 80% lean
- 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 hamburger buns, split
- 4 lettuce leaves, washed and dried
- 4 thin onion slices
- 4 slices cheddar cheese, optional
- Mayonnaise, mustard or ketchup, to taste
Directions
- Wash the tomato under running water before cutting. Core it and cut four slices approximately 1/2 inch thick. Set on a clean plate and season lightly with a little of the salt just before assembling.
- Heat a grill or heavy skillet to medium-high. Gently form the ground beef into four equal patties slightly wider than the buns. Make a shallow indentation in each center. Season with the remaining salt, pepper and garlic powder. Wash hands and clean surfaces after handling raw beef; keep the tomato and other ready-to-eat ingredients away from raw meat.
- Cook the patties approximately 4–6 minutes per side, adjusting for thickness and heat, until a food thermometer inserted into the center registers 160°F. Do not press down on the patties. Add cheese near the end if using, and transfer cooked burgers to a clean plate.
- Toast the buns briefly. Spread with your preferred condiments, then add lettuce, a cooked patty, onion and a broad tomato slice. If the tomato is wider than the bun, trim the slice to fit and enjoy the extra pieces alongside.
- Serve immediately while the burgers are hot and the tomato is fresh and juicy.
Serving and Storage
Serve with oven fries or a simple garden salad. Refrigerate leftover cooked patties and cut tomatoes separately within 2 hours, or within 1 hour when temperatures exceed 90°F. Use cooked patties within 3–4 days and reheat to 165°F. Use cut tomatoes within 2 days for best quality. Assemble leftover burgers just before serving to keep the buns from becoming soggy.
Grow something beautiful. Grow something delicious. Grow with David's Garden Seeds®.
