Description
Experience the vibrant flavors of summer with this simple yet exquisite tomato salad. Packed with fresh herbs and a bright dressing, it’s a delicious alternative to Caprese that celebrates peak-season produce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds ripe, assorted summer tomatoes (like heirloom, beefsteak, cherry, or Roma), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh chives or thinly sliced red onion (optional, for a bit of bite)
- 1 clove garlic, minced (optional, for a garlicky kick)
- A pinch of sugar (optional, to balance acidity if tomatoes are tart)
Instructions
- 1. If using larger tomatoes, cut them into bite-sized wedges or cubes. For cherry or grape tomatoes, simply halve them. Place all the cut tomatoes in a medium-sized bowl.
- 2. In a small bowl or directly over the tomatoes, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar (or balsamic), sea salt, and black pepper. If you’re using the optional minced garlic, add it here as well. Taste the dressing and adjust seasoning as needed. If your tomatoes are particularly tart, a tiny pinch of sugar can help balance the acidity.
- 3. Gently pour the dressing over the tomatoes. Add the chopped fresh basil, parsley, and any optional chives or red onion. Toss everything together carefully to coat the tomatoes evenly without bruising them too much.
- 4. Let the salad sit at room temperature for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and the tomatoes to release some of their delicious juices, creating a lovely dressing.
Notes
Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It’s best consumed within 1-2 days for optimal freshness and texture. Due to the uncooked nature of the ingredients, ‘reheating’ isn’t applicable.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g