A super simple salad that packs in an abundance of fresh satisfying flavor.

It’s often times the easy things that turn out to be some of the best, this salad is proof of that. Simple flavors that together create something sure to impress.

Use up the best supply of excellent quality fresh tomatoes from your own garden or from the farmers markets! The recipe for this tomato salad is uncomplicated! Make sure tomatoes are nicely ripe. Use best quality tomatoes for optimal flavor. If you happen to get tomatoes that are on the tart side add a little extra honey.

If you’re a tomato lover like me, you’ll be tempted to eat it all once that first tomato hits your taste buds. This salad is ideal to be served with anything from the grill! It tastes absolutely delicious after it has been marinated for an hour. Can be served chilled or at room temperature!

Tomato Salad Recipe Ingredients and Substitutes

• Fresh cherry or grape tomatoes: You could use other types of larger tomatoes here (cut into bite size wedges) but do serve right away before the dressing gets watery (the bigger tomatoes are juicier).
• Extra virgin olive oil: I like the more pronounced flavor of extra virgin olive oil here but if you only have standard refined olive oil that will work as well.
• Garlic: Fresh is best but the chopped bottled kind will work okay too. You can also add garlic powder in the dressing if you do not have it handy.
• Fresh Basil: If needed you could use dried basil instead of fresh basil. Add parsley or mint dried or fresh, but I do recommend using at least 1 fresh herb if possible.
• Dried oregano: Of course fresh oregano will work great too.
• Honey: Add honey or maple syrup to help balance the acidity and lightly emulsify the dressing.
• Salt and pepper: Add to taste.

How to make Cherry Tomato Salad?

Only 2 simple steps to prepare it:

1. Make tomato salad dressing: In a mixing bowl whisk together the olive oil, honey, and salt and pepper to taste.
2. Toss tomatoes, garlic and basil with dressing: Cut tomatoes into halves. Put them into a bowl along with chopped basil, garlic and scallion. Pour the dressing and lemon juice over the tomato mixture. Gently toss to coat evenly. To allow flavors to infuse further let marinate for 30 minutes in the refrigerator, tossing once halfway through. Serve within a few hours of preparing.

POSSIBLE VARIATIONS:

• Add diced cucumber.
• Try it with diced avocado.
• Sneak in a bit of red onion.
• To make it more healthy, add sprouts or beans or chickpeas.
• Add mozzarella cheese balls or layers for the traditional salad.
• Different herbs/condiments (basil, cilantro, mint, parsley, dried garlic powder, oregano etc.) create different flavors. Add as per your preference.
• You can use dill or chives also instead of basil or mint and the flavor will still be amazing. If you want to further liven up your cherry tomato salad, a light drizzle of balsamic glaze is a great addition!

HOW TO CUT TOMATOES FOR SALAD?

Cherry Tomatoes – Remove the stem and then cut in half from length wise. Depending on their size you can cut tomatoes into halves or cut it into quarters.

Feel free to mix different colors of tomatoes, red cherry tomatoes, yellow grape tomatoes.

There is no thumb rule on the size of tomatoes you need to have for tomato salad recipe. Any size of tomatoes will work.

Other Tomatoes – If using large tomatoes like roma tomatoes score the tomatoes and cut into half lengthwise. Cut each half into 8 lengthwise pieces. Cut each of those into halves.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GRAPE TOMATOES AND CHERRY TOMATOES?

That’s a great question that many people don’t know the answer to. Grape tomatoes tend to be smaller (about half the size) and more oblong shaped than cherry tomatoes. Grape tomatoes have a thicker skin and aren’t as sweet as cherry tomatoes. I find that grape tomatoes are more readily available at the grocery store these days. You can use either grape or cherry tomatoes in this salad with the same results.

Print

MORE SALAD RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE:

Roasted Feta Olive Tomato Salad

Laccha Onion Salad

I don’t feel like I say this often enough, or that I could ever thank you enough. But THANK YOU for all of your support, for visiting my blog, commenting, and sharing my recipes with your friends and family. I am SO thankful for you!

If you make this recipe or any of my recipes, then don’t forget to rate it and leave a comment below. I would LOVE to hear about your experience and your comments just make my day!