Tomato Basil Salad is the perfect summer side dish to serve at barbecues, cookouts, and picnics outdoors. This healthy recipe features juicy tomatoes and fresh basil, which provide tons of flavor. Quick and easy to prepare, or modify, refreshing Tomato Basil Salad is the versatile, simple side dish you’ve been searching for.
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Tomato Basil Salad is a versatile side dish, which can be modified, or paired with plenty of main dishes.
In the summertime, this fresh salad is great with just about any grilled meat such as Cuban pork chops or spicy beef sliders. It is also delicious with pasta dishes, like garlic chicken pasta, and seafood dishes, like keto shrimp scampi.
This superb salad is perfect for serving at barbecues, cookouts and picnics all summer long. Fresh, healthy ingredients make it a refreshing, light menu item to create a balanced meal.
Raw tomatoes are also high in antioxidants such as lycopene, vitamins, potassium, and folate which contribute to your overall wellbeing, as well.
Why This Recipe Works
Tomato Basil Salad is quick and easy enough to prepare last minute. Only a few ingredients are needed to create this delicious dish.
This flavorful salad uses fresh and healthy ingredients such as cherry tomatoes, basil, and shallot. A simple oil and vinegar dressing is made to toss with the tomatoes or drizzle on top.
As written, this side dish is naturally gluten free, low carb, vegetarian, and vegan.
Try adding mozzarella or burrata for an Italian caprese-style salad, or try feta, cucumber, and oregano for more of a Greek flare – this is a super versatile dish!
How To Make Tomato Basil Salad
Ingredients
- Tomatoes: cherry and heirloom tomatoes are delicious for salads, but you can use any tomatoes or combination of different tomatoes that you like.
- Shallot: or small onion.
- Oil and Vinegar: I use extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar
- Basil: or a combination of fresh herbs like parsley and chives.
The full recipe and instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Prep!
Cut the tomatoes into halves and/or quarters.
Finely dice the shallot and cut the basil into ribbons by stacking the leaves on top of each other, tightly rolling them together, and finely slicing across.
Create!
Place the tomatoes and shallots into a medium bowl and toss gently to combine.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil and balsamic vinegar with a pinch of salt and pepper until emulsified. Taste and adjust the seasoning, as needed.
Either pour the dressing into the tomatoes and toss to coat, or place the tomatoes on a serving tray and drizzle the dressing over the top.
Let the tomatoes marinate for 15-20 minutes before serving.
Present!
Top the tomato salad with the basil ribbons.
Tips and Techniques
- For a more visually appealing salad, use a variety of different tomatoes in different colors. I also cut my tomatoes in half both vertically and horizontally.
- This salad is very versatile. You can add mozzarella to make a Caprese tomato salad or feta, cucumbers and oregano for more of a Greek-style salad.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Consume within 3 days, but do keep in mind that tomato salad is best freshly made.
FAQ’s
Can You Make Tomato Salad Ahead of Time?
Tomato salad is best made fresh, however, you can make it up to 3 days ahead of time. You may want to wait to dress the salad and add fresh herbs until immediately before serving.
What Goes Well With Tomato Salad?
Tomato Salad can be paired with steak, chicken, seafood, pasta and just about any grilled main dish in the summer time. It’s also a delicious side to a simple sandwich or green salad.
What Are The Best Tomatoes For Salad?
The best tomatoes for salads are cherry tomatoes because they are sweet and small in size. Heirloom tomatoes also work well in salads because they are very flavorful. Both come in a variety of colors, while heirloom tomatoes can also be found in different shapes and sizes.
More Fresh Summer Side Dishes
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Tomato Basil Salad
Ingredients
- 1 pound tomatoes (cherry or heirloom, cut into halves or quarters)
- 1 small shallot (finely diced)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- salt and pepper (to taste)
- 4-5 basil leaves (cut into ribbons)
Instructions
- Place the tomatoes and shallots into a medium bowl and toss gently to combine.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil and balsamic vinegar with a pinch of salt and pepper until emulsified. Taste and adjust the seasoning, as needed.
- Either pour the dressing into the tomatoes and toss to coat, or place the tomatoes on a serving tray and drizzle the dressing over the top.
- Let the tomatoes marinate for 15-20 minutes before serving.
- Top the tomato salad with the basil ribbons just before serving.
Notes
Tips and Techniques
- For a more visually appealing salad, use a variety of different tomatoes in different colors. I also cut my tomatoes in half vertically and horizontally.
- This salad is very versatile. You can add mozzarella to make a Caprese tomato salad or feta, cucumbers and oregano for more of a Greek-style salad.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Consume within 3 days, but do keep in mind that tomato salad is best freshly made.
Farrukh Aziz says
This looks so vibrant and bright! Salad turned out so delicious, and the ingredients always in the pantry! Definitely my favorite tomato recipe!
Farrukh Aziz says
I love all the flavors in this salad! Wonderful recipe, and like how easy it is to prep! Thanks!
Tara says
Such a beautiful summertime salad! All those flavors sound amazing and I love the variety of colors with the tomatoes. Yum!
Mahy says
If I had to choose one salad to make over summer, this tomato basil salad would be it. So fresh and yum. And colorful, too!
Ana F. says
This salad turned out amazing! Very fresh and delicious….will be making this all summer long!
Anjali says
Heirloom tomatoes are one of my favorite things to eat in the summertime, and your recipe was the best way to use up a bunch we got from the farmer’s market this week!! This salad was fresh, flavorful, and perfect for summer!
Julie says
As a tomato lover, I’m ready to dig in to this salad.