This tomato salad recipe is ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, mozzarella cheese and red onions, all tossed together in a zesty garlic and herb dressing. A classic summer salad that never goes out of style!
When it’s warm outside, I turn to cooling salads like watermelon salad, creamy cucumber salad, and this refreshing tomato salad. This salad makes the perfect side dish or light main course for entertaining.
As we head into the warmer months, one thing I’m excited about is summer produce. In the summer there are so many great options from melons to berries to corn, and of course, tomatoes. This tomato salad showcases the finest that summer has to offer. It’s a bright and refreshing salad that pairs perfectly with grilled meats and fish.
Tomato Salad ingredients
The primary components of this dish are tomatoes, basil, red onions and mozzarella balls. The salad dressing is consists of red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt, sugar, garlic, pepper and oregano.
How do you make tomato salad?
This recipe starts with the ripest tomatoes you can find. Of course, if you can grow your own tomatoes they’ll have the best flavor, but the farmer’s market is also a great place to look. Cut the tomatoes into bite sized pieces and mix them with fresh mozzarella balls, thinly sliced red onion and whole basil leaves. Whisk the dressing ingredients together until everything is well mixed. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad, then toss to combine. You can serve your salad immediately, or let the tomatoes marinate in the dressing in the fridge for up to 2 hours.
Tips for the perfect dish
- I use bocconcini mozzarella balls for this salad. These little cheese bites come packed in water in tubs in the deli area. You can also use diced fresh mozzarella if you prefer.
- I like to keep my basil leaves whole so that they don’t turn black in the salad. If you’d like to chop your basil that’s fine too, just be aware that cut basil leaves will discolor as they sit in the salad.
- I use a mandoline to shave my red onion into the thinnest possible slices.
- I recommend serving your salad as soon as possible, as the tomatoes can get mealy in texture if they sit in the fridge.
Recipe FAQs
This salad can be made with almost any type of tomato. You can use a variety of heirloom tomatoes for a super colorful end result, or even cherry tomatoes for a different look and flavor. In this particular case, I’ve used small vine ripened tomatoes that have been cut into quarters. I prefer to use tomatoes that don’t contain a lot of seeds, such as Roma tomatoes.
The key to a good tomato salad is ripe tomatoes. The off-season, pink tomatoes during the winter at the grocery store will not produce a good salad. Once you have your ripe tomatoes, you can enhance the flavors with a little salt and sugar, like is used in the dressing of this recipe.
The general rule of thumb is that your tomatoes should be in bite sized pieces. If you’re using a larger tomato, you may want to coarsely chop it. Medium and small tomatoes can be cut into slices or wedges, and cherry tomatoes can be cut in half.
Tomato salad variations
You can add so many different ingredients to this salad to make it your own and customize the flavors.
- Vegetables: You can try adding bell peppers, sliced olives, marinated artichokes, corn or avocado.
- Protein: Make this a main course by adding cooked shrimp, chicken, bacon, white beans or chickpeas.
- Herbs: Swap out the basil for green onions, dill or parsley.
- Cheese: Use cubed provolone cheese or shaved parmesan in lieu of mozzarella.
I make this salad multiple times a week when tomatoes are in season. It takes just minutes to put together, and the flavors are a classic combination that can’t be beat.
More summer salad recipes
Tomato Salad Video
Tomato Salad
Ingredients
- 5 cups tomatoes cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1 cup bocconcini mozzarella balls
- 1/4 cup red onion thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup small basil leaves
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh minced garlic
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place the tomatoes, mozzarella balls, red onion and basil in a large bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, sugar, oregano, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Pour the dressing over the tomato mixture and gently toss to coat evenly. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 hours.
Notes
- I like to keep my basil leaves whole so that they don’t turn dark colored in the salad. If you’d like to chop your basil that’s fine too, just be aware that cut basil leaves will discolor as they sit in the salad.
- I use a mandoline to shave my red onion into the thinnest possible slices.
- I recommend serving your salad as soon as possible, as the tomatoes can get mealy in texture if they sit in the fridge.
Jan says
This was really delicious! Tomatoes are so good this time of year.
Suzy says
One of the best and easy salad recipes to make! We love it!
Catalina says
I love easy and simple dishes. This salad is so perfect for summer!
Allyson Zea says
OMG This came out so delicious! Thanks for the easy recipe!
Vikki says
Such a tasty and refreshing salad! Definitely making this again because the weather will only get hotter
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says
This tomato salad recipe is looks incredibly delicious!
Jen says
Such a fresh and light dish to add to any dinner table this summer. Love it!
Haley D. Williams says
A classic summer salad! Love how easy and delicious this recipe is
Flo says
I used cherry tomatoes sliced in half and we really enjoyed this recipe!
deb says
My garden is overflowing with tomatoes so I’ve been making this a few times each week! It’s wonderful!
Jennifer Reilly says
Talk about a juicy summer salad! I’m looking forward to having this again for lunch tomorrow!
Jacque Hooper says
This was such a great salad with dinner last night! I will be enjoying this all season long; it’s delicious!
Sandra | A Dash of Sanity says
I love all those fresh tomatoes! So yummy!!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says
This looks absolutely delicious! Yummy! This is seriously making me hungry!
Michelle Goth says
This reminds me a lot of a salad my Grandma used to make with red onion, tomatoes and cucumbers. But it has a caprese vibe to it! I can’t wait to try it!
Kathy says
A great use for summer tomatoes! Last year I had a way too many, but now I have a tasty way to help use them all.
Jacquelyn Hastert says
This salad I could enjoy daily! I love the garlic and herb dressing and all the fresh flavors of summer.
Des says
The perfect way to use up those summer tomatoes! I absolutely love that dressing. I am saving this recipe for later this summer.
Jennifer says
One of our favorite salads to make!
Katerina @ diethood .com says
My kind of salad!! YUM!! A must try!