Tomato Salad

This tomato salad recipe is one of my favorite summer salads. Try this mixed tomato salad with Italian dressing for dinner soon.

There are so many delicious summer salads that I look forward to each year. Have you had a chance to try my Broccoli Salad with Tuna yet?

Or, this Mason Jar Greek Salad is an easy way to take your salad to work with you. It’s a refreshing take on a regular old salad.

Tomato Salad

While this is an easy way to use up extra garden tomatoes, you can really enjoy this tomato salad recipe all year long.

Just pick up a few tomatoes from the grocery store the next time you go shopping.

This easy salad recipe is a refreshing combination that works for a light lunch or side dish for dinner. It pairs wonderfully with my Beer Can Chicken on the Grill.

It also works well for picnics, barbecues, and tailgating parties.

Just make a big bowl and cover it tightly. You can double or triple the recipe depending on how many you’re serving.

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What you need to make this recipe

• Medium bowl
• Spoon (we love these olive wood ones)
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife

How to make tomato salad

Chop your tomatoes

You can use whatever kind of tomatoes you wish.

Chop them up, yes, even cut cherry tomatoes in half if that’s what you’re using.

Mix the ingredients

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. Find the complete list of ingredients for this tomato salad recipe below.

Refrigerate

Refrigerate the tomato salad until you’re ready to serve at your BBQ.

This recipe goes great with grilled chicken, Grilled Pork Chops, or other BBQ dishes.

Make sure you check out my How To Grill Ribs tutorial for 1-hour ribs!

What are the best tomatoes for tomato salad?

I used Roma tomatoes in this tomato salad recipe. But, you can use almost any tomato with firm flesh.

Other options include grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes. You will just slice the smaller tomatoes in half rather than chopping them. 

You can use a larger tomato if you like. But, you will need to remove the seeds and drain the pulp before you add them to the bowl.

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How to pick a ripe tomato

Since tomatoes are the star of this recipe, you really want to choose the perfect ones. It will have such a huge impact on the flavor.

• Avoid tomatoes with bruises or blemishes.

• It should feel firm but not too hard.

• Look for tomatoes with the stem still attached.

• If you smell the area near the stem, it should smell earthy not bland.

How do you serve tomato salad?

You can serve this as a side summer salad in a bowl as is. Or, if you like you can add these marinated tomatoes to a pasta salad. 

Try adding fresh balls of mozzarella or crumbled feta cheese right before you serve it for a nice change.

What type of dressing should I use?

I use a simple Italian salad dressing with fresh herbs. It’s a light vinegar and oil combination that goes well with fresh tomatoes.

You can also add a few more herbs if you want to change the taste a bit. Why not try basil, dill, parsley, or oregano with your salad?

Can you make this the night before?

Yes, you can mix this up the night before or even earlier in the day. For softer tomatoes, allow them to marinate for at least 3 hours.

But, if you are short on time, 30 minutes in the refrigerator is really all you need to allow the flavors to meld.

How to store leftovers?

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use them within 3 to 5 days for the best flavor. 

You can add more Italian salad dressing if you need to. Before serving, just stir gently to combine the ingredients.

This tomato salad recipe does not freeze well. The tomatoes will become mushy when you thaw them out. It’s best to make only what you’ll use up within a few days.

More tomato recipes

If you would like to try a few more tomato recipes, here are some of my favorites.

This tomato soup recipe is sure to become a family favorite! It’s a perfect one-pot meal that’s healthy, delicious, and easy to customize to you and your family’s tastes. 

Turkey burgers with tomato buns are a delicious way to enjoy juicy grilled turkey burgers. The lighter swaps in this recipe are perfect for a better grilling experience.

Flank steak salad is loaded with everything you love. Cucumbers, tomato, onion, and of course, delicious flank steak. Plus, it’s real easy to make.

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Tomato Salad

This tomato salad recipe is a great BBQ side dish. With just a few ingredients like tomatoes, onions, and basil, you can serve a fresh tomato salad tonight!

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Equipment

• Mixing bowl

Ingredients

• 6 Roma Tomatoes cut into pieces
• 1 Small Shallot onion finely diced
• 1 Clove Garlic minced
• Italian Seasoning to taste
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• 1 Tablespoon Olive oil
• 2 Tablespoons Italian Dressing
• 1/4 Cup Red wine vinegar

Instructions

• In a medium bowl add the tomatoes, shallots, and garlic.
• Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
• Stir the ingredients and drizzle with olive oil, Italian dressing, and red wine vinegar.
• Stir until all ingredients are covered in liquids.
• Rest in refrigerator until ready to serve.

Notes

For softer tomatoes, marinate for 3 hours or up to overnight.

This recipe can be eaten as a salad by adding basil and fetta cheese, or you can use these tomatoes in other dishes like pasta or tacos.

Use your imagination!

Author: Scrappy Geek

Course: Side, Side Dish

Cuisine: American