Fresh and delicious Tomato Salad made with juicy tomatoes, fresh basil, and a simple olive oil dressing.
Easy Tomato Salad Recipe
My mom loves to garden, and tomatoes are her specialty—along with zucchini! She’s been giving me lots of both, and besides making zucchini muffins, bread, and pasta, I’ve been making this tomato salad on repeat.
I wasn’t sure if it needed a recipe, but after a big “YES! We want it on Instagram,” here it is!
It’s simple, but the tomatoes really shine. Plus, it’s a great base to add your own twist—more ideas below!
Quick Tip
If you have too many tomatoes, try this tomato sandwich or Caprese chicken—both are SO good!
Ingredients
- Cherry Tomatoes: Use different colors for a bright and pretty salad.
- Vine-Ripened Tomatoes: Core and chop into small pieces. Choose firm, juicy tomatoes for the best texture. The riper they are, the better the salad will taste!
- Fresh Basil: Thinly slice, or if you’re patient, tear by hand like the Italians do. Add just before serving for the most flavor.
- Shallot: Finely chop for a mild flavor. You can use diced red onion or skip it if you don’t like onions.
- Garlic: Finely mince to spread the flavor evenly. A little goes a long way!
- Red Wine or Apple Cider Vinegar: Both add a nice tang; pick your favorite. Balsamic vinegar is also good but will darken the salad.
- Olive Oil: Use the best quality oil for the best flavor.
- Salt and Pepper: Start with 1/2 teaspoon each, then adjust to taste.
How To Make Tomato Salad
- Prepare Tomatoes: Halve the cherry tomatoes and chop the vine-ripened tomatoes. Add them to a large bowl.
- Add Ingredients: Sprinkle the basil, shallot, garlic, salt, and pepper right on top of the tomatoes.
Drizzle and Toss: Drizzle the oil and vinegar directly over the tomatoes. Gently toss everything together to combine. I like adding the dressing right on top of the tomatoes, just like making Italian bruschetta. - Season and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Serve right away.
Variations
Change Things Up!
There are so many different ways to jazz up a tomato salad; here are a few ideas:
- Cheese: Add fresh mozzarella balls or slices for a Caprese-style salad.
- Cucumbers: Mix in thinly sliced cucumbers for extra crunch.
- Avocado: Add diced avocado for a creamy texture.
- Herbs: Try different herbs like parsley, chives, or oregano for a whole new flavor.
- Glaze: Drizzle balsamic glaze on top for some sweetness.
- Grilled Corn: Add grilled corn kernels for a smoky flavor. Or try this Corn and Tomato Salad.
What To Serve With Tomato Salad
Here are some simple options to serve with tomato salad:
- Grilled Chicken: Pairs beautifully with the fresh flavors of the salad.
- Crusty Bread: Serve with a slice of baguette or, even better, garlic bread to soak up the dressing.
- Pasta: A light pasta dish is delicious with this salad.
- Fish: Grilled or baked fish, like salmon or cod pairs nicely.
- Steak: A juicy steak is the perfect main dish to go with this salad.
Storage
For the best flavor, eat within a few hours of making. Store leftover tomato salad in a sealed container in the fridge.
Quick Tip
Since this tomato salad uses so few ingredients, the quality of each one really matters. Start with the best tomatoes you can find. If you grow your own, use those! If not, look for heirloom tomatoes at your farmers market or grocery store.
Use the best olive oil you have—you’ll really taste the difference!
More Easy Salad Recipes:
- Avocado Chicken Salad with sweet corn
- Smashed Cucumber Salad with an easy dressing
- Chick-Fil-A Kale Salad with sweet almonds
- Tuna White Bean Salad with a lemon dressing
- Broccoli Salad Recipe with bacon
Tomato Salad
Equipment
- Serving bowl
Ingredients
- 2 cups (1 pint) cherry tomatoes halved
- 3 cups (1 pound) tomatoes core removed and chopped
- 1 tablespoon finely minced shallot 1/2 of 1 shallot
- 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil see note 1
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cut all the tomatoes into bite-sized pieces and add them to a large bowl.
- Sprinkle the minced shallot, garlic, and basil over the tomatoes. Drizzle the olive oil and vinegar evenly on top.
- Gently toss everything together until well combined.
- Season with salt and pepper as needed (I start with 1/2 teaspoon each). Taste and adjust as needed.
- Serve immediately. This salad is best enjoyed within a couple of hours of making.
Video
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Great tomato salad idea, thank you!
Thanks so much!