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Tomato Salad

Published August 3, 2020. Updated August 4, 2020

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Tomato Salad – this vibrant and flavorful salad is made with a colorful array of mildly sweet cherry and grape tomatoes, itty bitty fresh mozzarella pearls and it’s all tossed in a refreshing garlic-herb vinaigrette dressing. 

Tomato Salad in a white serving bowl. Shown in salad are multi-color cherry tomatoes and grape tomatoes, mozzarella pearls and it's coated in a herb dressing.

Fresh Tomato Salad

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

This tomato salad couldn’t be easier to make yet it’s one of those side dishes you’d want to polish off yourself – forget the main dish!

It’s a great way to use up garden tomatoes, or an opportunity to snag the colorful medley at the grocery store that’s in season during summer.

If you love tomatoes this is a must try recipe for you!

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.

Image of ingredients used to make tomato salad. Includes cherry and grape tomatoes, fresh basil and parsley, garlic, fresh mozzarella, dried oregano, honey, olive oil, red wine vinegar and salt and pepper.

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).
  • Fresh mozzarella salad pearls: If you can’t find this small size then just buy a ball of fresh mozzarella and dice it up.
  • 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.
  • Red wine vinegar: White wine vinegar or champagne vinegar will work just fine too.
  • Fresh basil and parsley: If needed you could use dried basil or parsley in place of fresh (using 1/3 the amount listed), but I do recommend using at least 1 fresh herb if possible.
  • Dried oregano: Of course fresh oregano will work great too. Use 1 1/2 tsp minced.
  • Honey: Only a hint of this is added to help balance the acidity and lightly emulsify the dressing.
  • Salt and pepper: Add to taste.

Collage of four images showing steps of making tomato salad. Shows mixing dressing in a glass bowl before and after and tossing tomatoes and mozzarella with dressing in a serving bowl.

How to Make Tomato Salad

Only 2 simple steps to prepare it:

  1. Make tomato salad dressing: In a mixing bowl whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, honey, parsley, basil, oregano and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  2. Toss tomatoes and mozzarella with dressing: In a medium salad bowl toss together tomatoes with dressing. Add mozzarella and toss.

 Tips

  • Don’t let it sit too long (a few hours is fine) or it the dressing just gets watered down as the salt draws the moisture from the tomatoes.
  • Use best quality tomatoes for optimal flavor. If you happen to get tomatoes that are on the tart side add a little extra honey.
  • Make sure tomatoes are nicely ripe.
  • Careful not to overdue it on the salt (as always) you can always add later on but can’t remove excess.
  • To allow flavors to infuse further let marinate for 30 minutes in the refrigerator, tossing once halfway through.

Image showing tomato salad from a side angle in a serving bowl.

How Far in Advance Can It be Prepared?

  • Serve within a few hours of preparing for best results.

Possible Variations

  • Use other types of tomatoes.
  • Add diced cucumber.
  • Try it with diced avocado.
  • Sneak in a bit of red onion.
  • If you want to keep it very healthy you can omit the mozzarella.

Close up image of tomato salad in a ceramic bowl.

What to Serve with It

This salad goes great with:

  • grilled chicken or steak
  • shrimp or salmon
  • couscous or orzo
  • grilled corn, zucchini or squash

More Summery Salads to Try

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Tomato Salad in a white serving bowl. Shown in salad are multi-color cherry tomatoes and grape tomatoes, mozzarella pearls and it's coated in a herb dressing.
5 from 4 votes
Print Recipe

Tomato Salad

This vibrant and flavorful salad is made with a colorful array of mildly sweet cherry and grape tomatoes, itty bitty fresh mozzarella pearls and it's all tossed in a refreshing garlic-herb vinaigrette dressing. Easy to make yet sure to satisfy!
Servings: 7
Prep15 minutes
Ready in: 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 lbs grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes, halved (I like a blend of multi-color if you can find them)
  • 1 (8 oz) pkg. fresh mozzarella pearls*

Dressing

Instructions

  • For the dressing: In a mixing bowl whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, honey, parsley, basil, oregano and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • In a medium salad bowl toss together tomatoes with dressing. Add mozzarella and toss.
  • 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.

Notes

  • If you can't find pearls then just cut a block of 8 oz. fresh mozzarella into small cubes.
  • White wine vinegar can be substituted for red wine vinegar.
Nutrition Facts
Tomato Salad
Amount Per Serving
Calories 191 Calories from Fat 135
% Daily Value*
Fat 15g23%
Saturated Fat 5g31%
Cholesterol 26mg9%
Sodium 211mg9%
Potassium 305mg9%
Carbohydrates 6g2%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 8g16%
Vitamin A 1384IU28%
Vitamin C 19mg23%
Calcium 178mg18%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Tomato Salad
Author: Jaclyn