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Red Beefsteak tomato plant with ripe fruit

How to Grow Red Beefsteak Tomato From Seed

By Maxim Kaufman — Founder & CEO, Organo Republic

Updated July 2026

Red Beefsteak is the classic garden slicing tomato, the big, deep-red fruit most people picture when they think of a home-grown tomato. It is an indeterminate (vining) heirloom that keeps growing and producing all season, so plants climb tall and need staking or caging. The fruit is large and meaty with the traditional ribbed, slightly flattened beefsteak shape and a rich, full, well-balanced flavor. Grow it for thick, juicy slices that make the perfect sandwich, burger, and BLT tomato.

This is the quick guide to Red Beefsteak. For the full step-by-step on starting seeds, transplanting, feeding, and troubleshooting tomatoes, see our complete guide to growing tomatoes from seed.

Quick start

Start Red Beefsteak seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost, keeping them warm at 70 to 80F until they sprout. Transplant only after all danger of frost has passed and the soil is at least 60F, setting each plant deep so two-thirds of the stem is buried. Space plants 24 to 36 inches apart and give every vine a sturdy stake or tall cage, since this is a tall, all-season indeterminate. Expect the first big, deep-red beefsteaks about 80 days after transplant.

Best tip

Because Red Beefsteak fruit is so large and heavy, thin to one or two main stems and support each cluster so branches do not snap under the weight. In hot regions, light afternoon shade during heat spikes helps these big fruit set and finish without cracking.

At a glance

How to Grow Red Beefsteak Tomato From Seed — growing specifications at a glance
Botanical name	Solanum lycopersicum
Plant type	Warm-season annual (indeterminate)
USDA zones	3 to 12 (grown as an annual)
Sun	Full sun (6 to 8+ hours)
Days to maturity	80 days from transplant
Height	6 to 8+ feet (indeterminate)
Spacing	24 to 36 inches apart
Water	Deep and even; 1 to 2 inches a week

Uses

Red Beefsteak is the classic slicing tomato: thick, meaty slices for burgers, BLTs, and sandwiches, plus wedges for salads and platters. Its rich, full flavor also cooks down well into sauces and roasted tomato dishes.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Red Beefsteak tomato take to grow?

Red Beefsteak is ready to pick about 80 days after transplant. Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost, then set plants out once the soil is warm, and the first big red fruit follows in mid to late summer.

Is Red Beefsteak determinate or indeterminate?

Red Beefsteak is an indeterminate (vining) tomato that keeps growing and setting fruit all season until frost. Plants reach 6 to 8+ feet, so give each one a tall stake or sturdy cage and space them 24 to 36 inches apart.

How big are Red Beefsteak tomatoes and what do they taste like?

These are large, deep-red beefsteak tomatoes with the classic ribbed, slightly flattened shape and thick, meaty flesh. The flavor is rich, full, and balanced, the taste most people picture for a garden tomato.

What is Red Beefsteak best used for?

Red Beefsteak is the classic slicing tomato. Its thick, meaty slices are perfect for burgers, sandwiches, and BLTs, while wedges are great in salads, and the rich flavor also cooks down well into sauces.

Ready to grow your own Red Beefsteak? Start with a multi-variety tomato pack, then follow our complete guide to growing tomatoes from seed for every step from sowing to harvest.

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Want more tomatoes? These value packs pair Red Beefsteak with other varieties:

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By Maxim Kaufman — Founder & CEO, Organo Republic

Maxim founded Organo Republic in 2017 and personally selects, tests, and grows the heirloom, non-GMO varieties the company offers. Under his leadership, Organo Republic was named Agri Business Review’s Top Non-GMO Seed Variety Solution 2026.