This simple tomato and onion salad is fresh, bright and super zesty. It's easy to make, comes together quickly and it is chock full of summery flavor. With ripe and juicy tomatoes, the crisp bite of sweet red onions and copious herbs all dressed in a punchy red wine vinaigrette, this is the perfect summertime side salad.
What is a Tomato and Onion Salad?
Tomato and onion salad sounds really simple and perhaps even boring to some. But the truth is, this salad is incredibly flavorful. Featuring juicy, fresh tomatoes as the star ingredient, complimented by crunchy, sweet red onions all marinated in a simple red wine vinaigrette with herbs, this salad is nothing short of fantastic.
This summery salad has a decidedly Italian vibe. It has extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar and fresh herbs for a super Mediterranean flavor bomb. Simply spiced with salt and fresh ground pepper, the tomatoes really shine. You need to make this at the peak of garden tomato season for a dish everyone will be raving about despite this recipe's staggering simplicity!
Why you'll love this Tomato and Onion Salad Recipe
- This salad tastes incredible! Tomato lovers will rejoice in the fresh flavor of summer tomatoes
- It's easy to make, has a short ingredient list of fresh ingredients and pantry staples
- Comes together quickly with no cooking involved, perfect for hot summer nights
- A perfect side dish for summer cookouts and BBQs, goes great with grilled proteins
- Vegan, gluten free, nut free and dairy free recipe, super allergy friendly
- The best way to eat summer tomatoes, when the garden abundance is getting overwhelming, this is a good side dish for every meal
- Easy to customize, use whatever type of tomato, herbs and onions you like or have on hand. Add cheese, beans or proteins for a heartier meal
Onion Tip
If you only "sorta" like onions, there is a very easy way to reduce some of the spicy "bite" to make them more palatable in a salad like this. Once you slice the onions, add them to a bowl with ice water and let them soak for about 10 minutes. This will remove some of the compounds that make onions too strong for many people. Then, rinse and drain them well before adding them to the salad.
Full disclosure: I do not do this because I love onions flavor and for me, marinating them in the dressing is enough to sweeten them.
Simple Tomato and Onion Salad recipe Ingredients
I love the simplicity of this delicious summer salad. There are just a handful of fresh ingredients mixed with a couple of pantry staples. Forget gathering a long list on this easy recipe.
- Tomatoes: These are the star of the show! We are using vine ripe tomatoes, grape and cherry tomatoes, and kumato tomatoes. Use any kind that you can find, variety and color will keep it interesting and beautiful
- Red Onion: I like red because of the color, but white onions or Vidalia onions also work for this salad
- Fresh Herbs: this is where you can go rogue. Any combo of herbs will do but I like garden mint, parsley, basil and dill. Oregano, cilantro, tarragon or sage are other options.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Use the best that you can afford. The earthy flavor and silky mouthfeel of olive oil, makes this simple dish magical
- Red Wine Vinegar: Pungent and tangy, red wine vinegar has so much flavor. Appropriate subs are balsamic vinegar, citrus vinegar, apple cider vinegar.
- Pure Maple Syrup: I like using maple in dressings because it is liquid, so it does not need to dissolve, like sugar. You can use agave, honey or skip the sweetener all together for a tangier dressing. Be sure to use Pure Maple Syrup, not the artificial pancake stuff!
- Salt and Fresh Ground Black Pepper: These two make tomatoes shine
Tasting tip: When making a salad like this, or really any other cooking, you should taste as you go along and adjust the flavors to your liking. Add more salt, pepper or sweetener according your own preferences. This is how you make a recipe your own.
How to Make a Simple Tomato and Onion Salad
This is a beginner friendly vegan recipe that anyone can make with success. It is basically just chopping and mixing, no cooking involved!
- Make the dressing by combining extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, pure maple syrup, salt and black pepper.
- Add the tomatoes to a salad bowl and add salt and pepper, mix.
- Then add the onions and herbs, the dressing and toss well
- Enjoy
Tips for Making the Best Tomato and Onion Salad
- Get creative: use whatever you have on hand. Heirloom tomatoes, compari tomatoes, beefsteak tomatoes, sweet 100s are all wonderful for tomato salads. Whatever is fresh, colorful and in season. Same with the herbs. Anything fresh from the garden always tastes best.
- Make it a meal: Add beans or your favorite protein. I like lentils, chickpeas or cannelini beans in this recipe to make it more filling and the perfect light summer lunch with some crusty bread.
- Add vegan cheese, crumbled feta, fresh mozzarella or burrata
- Customize it to your liking. If onions are not your friend, skip them or sub in a milder onion like chives or scallions instead.
- Use a sharp knife! Veggies seem to last longer when they are cut sharply instead of damaged with a dull knife.
FAQs
If making this salad recipe for a party or event, I recommend making it within hours of the presentation. This salads flavor and freshness peaks within the two to five hour mark. While it is "fine" to eat the next day, it won't be as impressive. Once refrigerated the tomatoes will start to lose their flavor and texture.
This is a great salad to serve with grilled proteins or over a bed of fresh greens like arugula or mesclun. It also goes well in a "girl dinner" with hummus, tzatziki or other mezzo type salads.
Absolutely yes! It is low in calories, high in water, full of vitamin C which aids in the absorption of iron and other nutrients.
Other Delicious Tomato Salad Recipes
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Simple Tomato and Onion Salad
Ingredients
- 3 pounds mixed tomatoes cut in halves, slices and quarters
- 1 pinch salt
- 3-4 grinds Black pepper to your preference
- ½ red onion sliced thin
- ½ cup fresh basil parsley, mint or dill any combo
Dressing
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup or your preferred sweetener
- ½ tsp salt
- 3-5 grinds black pepper copious, to your liking
Instructions
- Make the dressing by combining extra virgin olive oil, vinegar, pure maple syrup, salt and black pepper.
- To a large salad bowl add the tomatoes, salt, pepper and mix.
- Next add the onions and herbs, pour the dressing over the top and toss.
- Enjoy within 1-2 days for best taste and quality
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