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This is the best summer tomato salad! With a short ingredient list, this fresh salad will have you making it all summer long!

Insight on the best summer tomato salad recipe

If you know me, you know I have a love/hate relationship with tomatoes.

I’m very specific about the type of tomatoes I will eat.

For example, I rarely eat raw tomatoes. I usually ask for tomatoes to be taken off my burgers and salads when we are restaurants.

I love, however, sun-dried tomatoes, tomato soup, ketchup, etc.

I attribute my aversion to tomatoes from childhood.

Growing up, every evening, my dad would make sure my brother and I each got a bowl of fruit for “dessert.” It’s culturally what Asians do.

Sometimes, the bowl of fruit would be a bowl of cherry tomatoes. SO GROSS.

Just thinking about this right now makes me gag a little, haha

I also don’t like the texture of raw tomatoes. I’ll eat octopus any day but raw tomatoes? Nope.

So you are probably now wondering if I have such an aversion to raw tomatoes, why do I have a recipe titled, “best summer tomato salad recipe,” right?

Why is this summer tomato salad the only tomato salad I will eat

You would think that my hatred for raw tomatoes would literally make me averse to a raw tomato salad.

I thought the same until I prepared this summer tomato salad in the way that I did.

And let me tell you — I absolutely LOVE it.

I am a firm believer that you can love any ingredient if you know how to prepare it the way you like it.

Which is what I did here with this summer tomato salad.

It is tangy from the balsamic vinegar, sweet from the fresh summer tomatoes, the bite from the shallot, and the fresh pop from the fresh basil.

This is the best summer tomato salad! With a short ingredient list, this fresh salad will have you making it all summer long!

What do you need to make the best summer tomato salad?

Only a few simple ingredients! This would be a great salad to bring to a summer party!

  • Fresh summer tomatoes
  • Olive oil
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Shallot
  • Basil

This is the best summer tomato salad! With a short ingredient list, this fresh salad will have you making it all summer long!

Can this be eaten at room temperature?

Yes. There is nothing perishable in this (or at least perishable in the sense that leaving it out for a few hours won’t cause it to spoil) so you can definitely be rest assured when bringing this to picnics or summer parties!

Can I used canned tomatoes for this recipe?

No. That would definitely not work.

Instead of grape/cherry tomatoes, can I use a beefsteak tomato or similar?

Yes! Grape/cherry tomatoes are easier for me but if you can find some really nice, fresh tomatoes at a farmer’s market or grocery store, just dice it up into cubes and toss it in this salad.

This is the best summer tomato salad! With a short ingredient list, this fresh salad will have you making it all summer long!

Do I have to use shallots? Can I use a white onion?

You could but I love using shallots in salads because they are milder in flavor than an onion.

If you really want to use an onion, definitely err on the side of less is more.

Can I add minced garlic?

I don’t think you’ll need to but if after tasting the summer tomato salad you feel that it needs some garlic, go ahead and add some.

This is the best summer tomato salad! With a short ingredient list, this fresh salad will have you making it all summer long!

Can I add anything else to this?

The purpose of this summer tomato salad is for it to be as simple as possible with the least amount of ingredients.

You can definitely add more to this, if you wish, though!

Adjust to taste and make it your own. I guess you could consider this a base recipe.

How long will this keep?

In the fridge, it can keep for two to three days, but if it’s going to be sitting out at room temperature, out of direct sunlight, I would say max 10 hours.

Do I have to marinate it overnight?

You don’t have to but it can help with the flavors.

I’ve done it several ways.

I’ve marinated it overnight, two-ish hours, and even no marinating and just whipping it up and eating it immediately as a side dish for dinner.

This is the best summer tomato salad! With a short ingredient list, this fresh salad will have you making it all summer long!

This summer tomato salad is delicious but if you’re looking for more tomato recipes, here is a list:

This is the best summer tomato salad! With a short ingredient list, this fresh salad will have you making it all summer long!

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4.67 from 6 votes

Best Summer Tomato Salad

This summer tomato salad is so easy to make and the perfect side dish to bring to a summer party or picnic!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Optional marinating time:: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients 

  • 1 quart (946 g) grape tomatoes, sliced in half
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 medium shallot, finely chopped
  • Fresh basil, chopped
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions 

  • In a large bowl, toss all ingredients together and serve!
  • If marinating (optional), cover bowl and refrigerate for two hours or longer.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Serving, Calories: 163kcal, Carbohydrates: 21g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 5g, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 14g

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition information can vary for a variety of reasons. For the most precise nutritional data use your preferred nutrition calculator based on the actual ingredients you used in the recipe.

The default measuring system for this website is US Customary. Unit conversions are provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. While we strive to provide accurate unit conversions, please be aware that there may be some discrepancies.

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13 Comments

  1. Just the recipe I was looking for…..I didn’t think about balsamic vinegar… Thnx.😊
    By the way… great response 😉
    Have a great summer 🙂

  2. Thirteen fucking scrolls before seeing the damn recipe. I don’t want your sodding life story or an essay on philosophy, just the recipe.

    1. well you CLEARLY found the comment box so scrolling wasn’t that hard. you’re on a free recipe blog. it’s a blog, not a recipe database. there is a real human (hi, me) behind the computer that creates these recipes and has stories to tell. if you don’t like blogs and want “just the recipe” then please go find a recipe database website where everything is robotic and if you have a question on a recipe, you never get a response. at least here, i take my time and respond to nearly every question and comment.

    2. Nice response.

      Thanks for the recipe, just what I wanted for a side to some tortilla espanola and bread

    3. @Diana hendrie, change your name to karen clearly enough time to comment soo pipe down or your be getting a tine out

  3. I feel the exact same way about tomatoes, slowly getting used to eating them raw at 26 yo, but I could never just bite into a whole raw tomato. Thanks for the recipe!

    1. @Julie Wampler,
      Thank you Julie. Ignore all rude people; most of us just appreciate you taking the time to share. Keep up the good work!