Fresh Tomato Salad

There's nothing like a Fresh Tomato Salad made with the best summer produce.

Made with garden-fresh tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, a simple Italian vinaigrette, and a handful of fresh basil – this is a classic combination that never gets old.

It's the perfect summer vegetable side dish recipe for grilling or a delicious light lunch.

Every year we try our best to grow a few varieties in our backyard garden. And every year we wait patiently for the tomatoes to ripen so we can enjoy this juicy tomato salad made with the freshest ingredients.

It's perfect as a side dish when serving grilled barbecue chicken – a burst of summer flavor on your plate.

My mother always says the best part of a homemade tomato salad is using a hunk of Italian bread to 'sop' up all that delicious, juicy goodness.

Table of Contents

• What type of Salad Dressing to use?
• What is the Best Tomato for Salad?
• Top Tip
• Helpful Kitchen Tools
• Ingredients
• Recipe Variations and Substitutions
• Step-by-Step Directions
• Homemade Italian Salad Dressing
• LOVE this recipe? SAVE it for Later!
• How do you store Tomato Salad
• More Recipes to Love
• 📖 Recipe Card
• 💬 Comments

What type of Salad Dressing to use?

I have made this recipe using bottled salad dressing as well. However, I do enjoy the taste of my homemade recipe.

I love mixing the ingredients together and storing them in this handy salad dressing mixer bottle. There is a whisk attached to the cap that allows you to mix the ingredients up perfectly right before pouring the dressing.

What is the Best Tomato for Salad?

For the ultimate Fresh Tomato Salad, you need those perfectly ripe, garden-fresh tomatoes – either from your own backyard or a local farmer's market.

If you don't have your own garden, celebrate tomato season with a trip to the market and grab a vibrant selection.

In my opinion, the best tomato for this Fresh Tomato Salad is a big juicy beefsteak tomato. They hold their shape really well while slicing too. However, I have also used the following:

• Grape tomatoes - are fun to use because you don't really have to cut or slice them. Just toss them with the dressing and the salad is done!
• Roma or Plum tomatoes - they have a real garden flavor to them and are great in a salad, but even more so, they're great in marinara sauces.
• Heirloom tomatoes are also great for a salad. They're also delicious sliced on top of a sandwich.

Helpful Kitchen Tools

14 Pieces Glass Mixing Bowls with Lids Set,Glass Salad bowls Nesting Glass Storage Bowl for Kitchen, Baking,Microware,Freeze and Dishwasher SafeStainless Steel Measuring Cups & Spoons Set, Cups and Spoons,Kitchen Gadgets for Cooking & Baking (Medium)1 pc Herb Mill Chopper Cutter Mince Stainless Steel Blades Safely New ( Color: White & Green)Updated Herb Scissors Set - Herb Scissors With 5 Blades and Cover

 

Ingredients

Step-by-Step Directions

Step 1: Cut the tomatoes into chunks. Slice the fresh mozzarella cheese into bite sized pieces. You can also choose to use pearl sized fresh mozzarella. That wasn't available for me when I was in the grocery store the other day.

Step 2: Next add the herbs. I always suggest using fresh herbs when making this fresh tomato salad. Add the fresh chopped parsley.

Step 3: Then add the chopped fresh basil. Stir to combine.

Homemade Italian Salad Dressing

Step 4: Toss all the ingredients into a bowl and add the Homemade Italian salad dressing to coat. Season with salt and pepper if necessary. Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.

How do you store Tomato Salad

Fresh tomato salad is best eaten the day it's prepared but it will last up to a day or maybe two if you store it in an air-tight container. Of course this is contingent on the fact that you actually have leftovers.

More Recipes to Love

📖 Recipe Card

This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2013 with new photos and a new printable recipe card that includes nutritional information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them!