Make one (or 12!) of these fabulous tomato salads this summer. Choose a simple Caprese salad, or an elaborate burrata platter, but don’t miss out!
Tomatoes are sweet, juicy, healthy, gorgeous, and delicious. And they’re at their best right now, so let’s dig in to the best of the best tomato salad recipes. But first, some critical fresh tomato tips.
storing fresh tomatoes
- Store at room temperature: Once your tomatoes are fully ripe, it’s best to consume them within a few days. Store them at room temperature, but keep them away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
- Store away from ethylene-producing fruits: Some fruits, like bananas and apples, release ethylene gas, which can accelerate ripening and spoilage of tomatoes. Keep tomatoes away from these ethylene producers to extend their freshness.
- If necessary, refrigerate only ripe tomatoes: If you can’t consume ripe tomatoes right away, you can store them in the refrigerator to slow down the ripening process. However, be aware that refrigeration can affect the texture and flavor, so try to use them as soon as possible.
- Once cut or sliced, serve tomatoes asap: cut tomatoes become mushy in the refrigerator, so don’t plan on making tomato salads ahead of time~ when I make a tomato salad, slicing the tomatoes is the last thing I do.
why should we eat tomatoes?
Tomatoes are super healthy due to their rich nutrients like vitamins C and K, potassium, and antioxidants. The rosy colors of tomatoes come from lycopene and beta carotene, two antioxidants responsible for many of the health benefits of tomatoes. Tomatoes boost heart health, may reduce cancer risk, improve skin and eye health, aid weight management, and have anti-inflammatory properties. Pair tomatoes up with heart healthy olive oil and you’ve got a nutritional dream team.
Marinated Tomato Salad
Marinating brings out the natural juicy sweetness of tomatoes and creates an instant dressing! Top with some salty crumbled feta and crunchy pistachios and you’ve got a super elegant dish. Want to make dinner out of it? Top with grilled shrimp!
Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad
Cherry tomatoes are prized for their natural sweetness. Their higher sugar content appeals to many who don’t otherwise love tomatoes, including kids. Cherry tomatoes have a firmer texture compared to larger tomatoes, which makes them ideal for adding to salads, and they tend to keep fresh longer than regular tomatoes. I keep a bowl of them on my counter all summer long.
Shirazi Salad (Persian Cucumber Tomato Salad)
You don’t have to be a nutritionist to know that making a big bowl of fresh salad every few days can go a long way towards replenishing what your body needs. I think the key to keeping salads interesting is to pay attention to the extras ~ in this case that’s fresh herbs and a citrusy dressing. Here I’ve used fresh mint and dill, and enough of each to make a statement. Fresh squeezed lime juice and extra virgin olive oil make a memorable dressing.
Tomato and Burrata Platter
A burrata platter with juicy heirloom tomatoes, olives, and a little charcuterie for good measure. Heirloom tomatoes are open-pollinated and grown from seeds that have been passed down through generations. This results in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colors, as well as unique flavors. Heirloom tomatoes can have a more intense, sweet, and tangy taste compared to regular tomatoes, and each one is different. They make this burrata platter gorgeous.
Greek Tomato Salad with Salmon
I love to add protein to my tomato salads to turn them into a healthy summer meal. Grilled or baked salmon makes the ideal healthy Mediterranean supper.
Steak and Tomato Salad with A.1. Vinaigrette
My mouth waters just thinking about this salad. This is a gutsy tomato salad beefed up with tender sliced steak and a deliciously creative (if I do say so myself) dressing made with A1 Sauce. It’s a must try for steak lovers.
Heirloom Tomato Caprese Salad
If I had to pick only one tomato salad to have this summer it would be this one. It’s a classic, packed with all the colors and flavors I love. The twang from the olives and the bit of sharpness from red onions make it perfect.
Tomato and Pomegranate Salad
Definitely not your mother’s tomato salad, this gorgeous tomato and pomegranate salad from the great Yotam Ottolenghi is going to be the prettiest thing you eat all summer!
Loaded Tabbouleh Salad
Loaded tabbouleh salad takes a traditional cracked wheat salad over the top with fresh Mediterranean toppings like juicy tomatoes, olives, and briny feta cheese.
Grilled Cornbread Panzanella
Every tomato lover should have a great panzanella salad recipe up their sleeve! This cornbread and tomato salad is the epitome of late summer eating it’s meant to celebrate the glories of ripe juicy tomatoes. The way the toasty cornbread soaks up the tomato juices is so good!
Tomato and Tuna Salad
If you think canned tuna belongs between two slices of bread, think again ~ this vibrant tomato and tuna salad is just as easy to make, healthier, and a whole lot more fun to eat!.
Burrata Caprese Salad
Burrata is mozzarella that has been formed into a pouch and filled with soft cheese curds mixed with cream. It’s very delicate, and when you cut into it, the soft filling oozes out. The combination with the juicy acidic tomatoes is unreal.
My mouth is watering just reading about these 12 tomato salads. Will try each one of them