This Tomato Salad combines the best summer harvest with sun-ripened fresh tomatoes, sweet red onions, garlic, and fresh basil in a simple oil and red wine vinegar dressing.
It is one of my favorite summer salads and the perfect side dish for the hot summer months. I love to serve it with grilled pork tenderloin and grilled chicken.
There is nothing tastier than fresh sun-ripened garden tomatoes right off the vine. I am not a huge fan of heat and humidity, but it produces delicious tomatoes. This simple Tomato Salad brings out the best in those sweet fruits and takes less than ten minutes to prepare.
Ingredients Needed
- Tomatoes: start with sun-ripened garden or fresh farmer tomatoes, as they are the star of this show. Any fresh tomato works well with this recipe. Heirloom tomatoes are always a win. Cut cherry and grape tomatoes in half, but cut larger tomatoes into bite-size pieces.
- Red onion
- Garlic: fresh, of course
- Fresh herbs: basil, thyme, dill, mint, chives, or parsley. Use dried oregano or marjoram, as fresh is too bitter.
- Extra virgin olive oil: look for extra virgin cold-pressed olive oil. This oil has been extracted without adding heat. Adding heat to the olives allows producers to extract more oil from the olives, but the heat damages the natural benefits of olive oil.
- Red wine vinegar: or balsamic vinegar, white wine vinegar, and champagne vinegar.
- Kosher salt: to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper: to taste
How to make Tomato Salad
Start by slicing your tomatoes. I like to cut the large tomatoes into bite-sized wedges and the grape tomatoes in half lengthwise. Then, slice the red onion thinly. Combine the tomatoes, red onion, garlic, and fresh basil leaves in a large bowl.
Drizzle with olive oil and red wine vinegar. Toss gently to coat and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Let the salad rest for 15-20 minutes to let the tomatoes marinate in the vinaigrette and release their natural juices.
Preparation Tips and Storage
- If possible, use fresh herbs. Once tossed, let the Tomato Salad sit for 15-20 minutes so all the flavors meld. Serve this dish at room temperature.
- For added texture, include more vegetables like avocado chunks, cucumber slices, or blanched asparagus.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Recipe Variations
- For a little more crunch, add some chopped English cucumber and make it a cucumber tomato salad. Or add a handful of kalamata olives for a Mediterranean flair.
- Do you love cheese? For a caprese salad, add 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese, Parmesan cheese, or 1 cup fresh mozzarella pearls.
- Nuts are always a good source of protein. Right before serving, toss in some toasted walnuts or sunflower seeds.
- Toast some crusty bread and toss it in the salad.
Tomato Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 ripe tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cup halved grape or cherry tomatoes
- ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 ½ tablespoons chopped fresh herbs like basil thyme, or parsley (see notes about dried herbs)
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, red onion, garlic, and fresh herbs.
- Drizzle with olive oil and vinegar; toss gently to coat. Sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Let the salad rest for 15-20 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Other vinegars to use include balsamic vinegar, white wine vinegar, and champagne vinegar.
- If possible, use fresh herbs. Once tossed, let the Tomato Salad sit for 15-20 minutes so all the flavors meld. Serve this dish at room temperature.
- For added texture, include more vegetables like avocado chunks, cucumber slices, or blanched asparagus.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
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Edgar
I love this, with my chicken anytime of the day. The perfect summer recipe. I have so many tomatoes in my garden, I will be enjoying this all summer.
Franklin W
What a great salad. I have a garden full of sun-ripened tomatoes so I will be making this often.
Kristine
Oh! My cherry tomatoes are just starting to turn red. I can’t wait to try your recipe!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Kristine! Enjoy!
Kay
This tomato salad is simple to make and delicious. It’s perfect for summer when there are so many tomatoes from my garden. Thanks for the great recipe.
Christiana
What a great summer salad. So tasty and healthy! Even better if you have fresh garden tomatoes.
Carol C
Great salad. We will be enjoying this tasty salad for the rest of the summer thanks to you and our summer garden!
Beth Pierce
That sounds like a great plan!
Clarice Peters
We have a lot of tomatoes at home right now and this is just timely. Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe. Everyone gave it two thumsb up! Love the idea of adding some cucumber slices too for added texture.
Sonia
I simply cannot wait to try this with my steak lunch today. I love tomatoes, and the combination of fresh tomatoes, sweet red onions, garlic, and basil with the oil and red wine vinegar dressing is making my mouth water. It’s great to have a go-to summer salad that pairs perfectly with grilled chicken, fish, or steak. I can’t wait to try this out at my next summer gathering!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Sonia! Enjoy!
Gervin K
This recipe is amazing, the freshness of the ingredients is awesome and the flavors blend so well!
Melanie E
The tomato salad was so yummy and I love that there is basil and garlic in it. It’s a great salad that can accompany a range of main dishes but it is especially delicious with grilled chicken.
Ramil H
Fresh tomatoes, red onions, garlic, and basil in a simple dressing sound so tasty. It’s great with grilled meats!!
Michelle
This is a staple for me all summer long! Especially when the tomatoes in my garden are ripe and I can eat tomato salad every single day.
Beth Pierce
Summer garden tomatoes are just the best!