Summer’s bounty is on full display in this colorful, tasty Tomato Salad Recipe.
If you’ve ever grown your own tomatoes (or had a neighbor who grows their own tomatoes), you know that there is often a point in late summer where you have a bumper crop of them. So. Many. Tomatoes. It’s a good problem to have! While B.L.T. sandwiches or caprese salads are always delicious, sometimes it’s nice to have a go-to recipe where you can use mixed varieties of tomatoes. Tomato salad is the perfect example. It uses a variety of tomatoes in addition to other garden-fresh veggies and tastes like summer.
Tomato salad is a wonderful side dish for your backyard cookout or can be a main dish when it’s hot and you just want something fresh and light. The saying goes, if you want to eat healthy, eat the rainbow—meaning, eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, which are full of color. Tomato salad makes that an easy task: you can use a mix of red, yellow, and orange tomatoes of varying shapes and sizes. Once you toss in the red onion, cucumber, and fresh basil, you have a riot of colors to enjoy and a fresh, healthy dish.
Tomato salad is a great recipe to have in rotation, especially during peak tomato season. Whether you’re growing your own or you frequent a farmer’s market, have fun trying different varieties in this salad. It comes together very quickly, and the dressing is made up of simple pantry ingredients. The red wine vinegar gives the salad a satisfying tang, and the fresh garlic and basil bring an earthy freshness to the dressing as well. Make tomato salad today and enjoy a garden-fresh, colorful dish that is easy to make and even easier to savor!
Tomato varieties to try
If you’re not a gardener or familiar with the myriad tomato varieties on offer, it might be overwhelming to know where to start. During the summer months, you will have the most options. For classic tomato flavor and appearance, go with Roma or beefsteak tomatoes. If you want to get a bit adventurous, try heirloom tomatoes. These come in all shapes and colors: from red to yellow, orange, green, and even purple! Finally, cherry tomatoes, one of the smallest ones, are nice to provide a burst of vibrant flavor and come in red, yellow, or orange colors. Experiment within these three categories and see what you like best.
How do I store leftovers?
Tomato salad is best enjoyed the same day it’s prepared. If you have leftovers, you can cover the dish tightly and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. After that, the textures and flavors will begin to deteriorate. Freezing is not recommended.
Serving suggestions
Tomato salad goes well with any number of mains. For instance, it is delicious alongside summertime favorites like grilled burgers or Greek Chicken. You can also pair it with pasta, including dishes like Chicken Broccoli Alfredo. If you’re enjoying tomato salad on its own as a main for a summer lunch or light supper, just pair it with fresh bread like Garlic Bread. Pour a glass of white wine and take your meal out to the deck on a beautiful summer’s day for a perfect alfresco meal.
Tomato Salad Recipe
Ingredients Â
- 2 pounds mixed tomatoes cut into wedges
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/4 cup red onion thinly sliced
- 1/2 English cucumber thinly sliced (optional)
- 6 fresh basil leaves thinly sliced (plus some whole leaves for garnish)
- 2 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
InstructionsÂ
- Place the tomatoes, garlic, red onion, cucumber, and sliced basil in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and red wine vinegar.
- Gently toss the salad to coat evenly. Season with salt and pepper, garnish with fresh basil leaves, and serve immediately.
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