Marinated Tomato Salad (Italian Tomato Salad)

Marinated Tomato Salad (Italian Tomato Salad) sides Fresh tomatoes marinated in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice or vinegar, garlic, shallots, and fresh herbs. This simple yet delicious salad is perfect for hot summer days and can be served as a side dish, topping for burgers or sandwiches, as a light lunch, added to pasta or salads, or use it as a topping for bread or grilled meats Italian salads Marinated Tomato Salad (Italian Tomato Salad) salads, tomatoes

This marinated tomato salad is a simple yet flavorful dish, perfect for summer. Fresh tomatoes marinated in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice or vinegar, garlic, shallots, and fresh herbs. This simple yet delicious salad is perfect for hot summer days and can be served as a side dish, topping for burgers or sandwiches, as a light lunch, added to pasta or salads, or use it as a topping for bread or grilled meats. Simply slice the tomatoes, combine with the other ingredients, and let it marinate for at least an hour to allow the flavors to meld. You can also customize the salad to your taste by using different types of tomatoes, such as beefsteak tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, or grape tomatoes, and adding other ingredients like I did with the mozzarella cheese or make it panzanella style with stale bread croutons.

Marinated tomato salad

Simple Marinated Italian Tomato Salad Recipe Ingredients

  • TOMATOES: I like to use vine-ripened tomatoes but feel free to use whatever you like or a combination of varieties like: heirloom tomatoes, Roma or plum tomatoes, beefsteak tomatoes or any of the baby tomatoes. Of course this recipe is always more flavorful during tomato season when the tomatoes are at their best
  • SHALLOT: I like the sweet flavor they add but feel free to use red onion or yellow onion
  • OLIVES: I love to use a mix of olive varieties so feel free to use an olive variety you prefer. I just recommend using pitted olives so they are easier to eat in this salad.
  • CAPERS: Capers are my not so secret “secret ingredient” for adding salty briny bursts of flavour to just about everything
  • MOZZARELLA: I like to use mini mozzarella but feel free to use chopped, torn or sliced mozzarella. This salad would also be great with feta - just saying.
  • HERBS & SPICES: For fresh herbs I love using fresh basil and fresh parsley. For the dressing I like to use dried oregano and of course salt and black pepper to taste.
  • OLIVE OIL: Extra virgin olive oil is what I use for best flavor in this salad.
  • RED WINE VINEGAR: I like the flavour of the red wine vinegar with this tomato salad but you could also use white wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar for more of a caprese salad vibe.
  • LEMON JUICE: Freshly squeezed is always best. It adds a little extra brightness to the marinade/dressing.
  • GARLIC: Use as little or as much as you prefer to taste. Fresh is always best.
  • VARIATIONS: For a vegan or dairy free version omit the cheese or use a dairy free cheese option. Add a protein like diced grilled chicken, or tuna or plant protein by adding chickpeas or white beans. Add even more flavor to the dressing by adding some chili flakes or dijon mustard to it.

Marinated tomato salad Ingredients

How To Make Marinated Tomato Salad (full instructions in recipe card below)

  1. SLICE tomatoes and chop shallots and fresh herbs. A note about the tomatoes - I prefer to slice them into wedges but if you prefer to slice them into thin slices or rounds so that you can layer them on a platter you can.
  2. WHISK together the dressing ingredients
  3. TOSS the salad with the dressing
  4. MARINATE chill covered for 1-2 hours (optional - you can also just serve it right away if you would like)
  5. SERVE room temperature garnished with more fresh herbs.

Marinated tomato salad Directions

Marinated tomato salad Directions

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Recipe

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 mins
Non Active Time: 1-2 hours (if marinating)

Ingredients

For the Salad

  • 1 lb tomatoes cut in large wedges (I like to use vine-ripened tomatoes)
  • 1 cup mixed pitted olives
  • 1 shallot, peeled and minced
  • 1 tablespoon capers, drained and rough chopped
  • 1 cup mozzarella pearls, (or use regular fresh mozzarella and cut into pieces)
  • 4 large fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley

For the Dressing

  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper pepper

Directions

  1. Place the tomatoes, mozzarella balls, olives, shallots red onion, and herbs in a large bowl.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, sugar, oregano, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste. (You can also shake all the ingredients in a mason jar fitted with lid )
  3. Pour the dressing over the tomato mixture and gently toss to coat evenly. Serve immediately, or cover with cling wrap and refrigerate for up to 1-2 hours to allow all the flavors to marry.
  4. If you do refrigerate the salad, ensure that it is at room temperature for serving for best flavor. I love to serve this salad with crusty bread to dip into all the delicious marinade at the bottom of the bowl!

Marinated tomato salad