Sun-Kissed Cherry Tomato Salad

Welcome to the ultimate celebration of summer’s bounty: the effortlessly vibrant Cherry Tomato Salad! For lovers of fresh, bright, and utterly delicious flavors, this recipe is an absolute game-changer. Imagine plump, sun-kissed cherry tomatoes, bursting with their natural sweetness, lovingly tossed in a homemade tangy vinaigrette. This exquisite dressing is crafted from golden olive oil, aromatic Italian seasoning, a splash of zesty red wine vinegar, and just a hint of sweetener to perfectly balance the flavors. To finish, a generous scattering of fragrant fresh basil adds a pop of verdant color and an invigorating herbaceous note that ties everything together. Prepare your palate for an explosion of bright, bold, and irresistible summertime flavors, all packed into a remarkably easy-to-prepare side dish that will undoubtedly become a staple in your culinary repertoire.

Top-down view of a bowl of rich, bright red tomatoes with fresh green basil in a white bowl.

Contents

Why This Cherry Tomato Salad Will Be Your New Favorite

Experience the Essence of Summer in Every Bite: If you’re seeking a dish that truly embodies the bold, bright, and invigorating flavors of summer with minimal effort, this cherry tomato salad is precisely what you need. Each bite delivers the slightly-sweet, juicy burst of the tomatoes, beautifully complemented by a simple yet sophisticated dressing. The vinaigrette, a harmonious blend of rich olive oil, classic Italian seasoning, sharp red wine vinegar, and a subtle touch of sweetener, elevates the tomatoes to their peak. Fresh basil, with its distinct peppery and sweet notes, not only adds a crucial layer of flavor but also vibrant color, making the dish as appealing to the eyes as it is to the palate. It’s a symphony of fresh ingredients designed to brighten any meal.
The Ultimate Make-Ahead Marvel for Any Gathering: Hosting a cookout, a potluck, a baby shower, or any festive get-together? This cherry tomato salad is an outstanding make-ahead option that saves you precious time and effort. The beauty of this salad lies in its need to chill for at least two hours after preparation. This crucial resting period allows the quartered tomatoes ample time to thoroughly soak up the exquisite flavors of the vinaigrette, enabling the dressing’s aromatic notes to fully meld and deepen. You can even prepare it up to 24 hours in advance, ensuring it’s refrigerated in an airtight container. While early preparation is convenient, for the absolute best texture – where the tomatoes are still perfectly tender-crisp – we recommend not making it more than 6 hours prior to serving. This slight softening of the tomatoes, however, also contributes to a richer, more infused flavor profile that many adore. It’s the perfect solution for effortless entertaining.

Expert Tips for a Perfect Cherry Tomato Salad

Unleash the Versatility of Your Cherry Tomato Salad: One of the most endearing qualities of this cherry tomato salad is its incredible versatility. While it shines as a standalone side dish, its potential extends far beyond. Consider serving it as a vibrant accompaniment to practically any grilled chicken, fish, or steak entrée, offering a refreshing contrast to richer proteins. Transform it into an elegant bruschetta by finely dicing the tomatoes beforehand, spooning them over toasted slices of crusty bread, and perhaps adding a drizzle of balsamic glaze. For a heartier meal, toss these marinated tomatoes into your favorite pasta salad recipe alongside ingredients like feta cheese, olives, and cucumbers, or use them as a dazzling, flavorful topping for your next spinach or mixed green salad. You can also incorporate them into a grain bowl, serve them as part of an antipasto platter, or even enjoy them simply with fresh mozzarella balls for a light lunch. However you choose to feature them, this bright summer recipe is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser that no one will pass up.
Create a Stunning Visual Impact with a Rainbow of Colors: Elevate your cherry tomato salad from delicious to absolutely captivating by incorporating a variety of tomato colors. Cherry tomatoes are naturally available in their classic vibrant red, but don’t limit yourself! Explore the exciting spectrum of pink, gold, sunny yellow, deep purple, verdant green, and even sophisticated black varieties. A medley of these colors not only makes for a visually stunning dish that catches the eye on any dinner table but can also introduce subtle nuances in flavor and texture. Imagine a salad brimming with golden yellow tomatoes adding a slightly milder sweetness, contrasted with the deeper, earthier tones of purple or black varieties. While the original tip jokingly suggests a “frightfully spooky” salad for Halloween, the truth is that a colorful assortment creates an elegant and appealing presentation for any occasion, from casual family dinners to sophisticated summer parties. It’s an easy way to add a gourmet touch and impress your guests.

A large white bowl sits on a wooden table. In the bowl is a pile of sliced cherry tomatoes and strips of green fresh basil.

More Delicious & Healthy Recipes to Explore

Looking for more easy-to-make, incredible recipes to complement your meals or expand your culinary repertoire? Discover a variety of options from light bites to satisfying main courses that are both wholesome and bursting with flavor. Pair your cherry tomato salad with one of these delightful dishes for a complete and memorable dining experience.

Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Chips
The Viral Jennifer Aniston Salad Recipe
Irresistible Mango Habanero Wings
Hearty French Green Lentils
Sweet & Savory Carrot Raisin Salad
Fluffy Instant Pot Basmati Rice
Decadent Bacon-Wrapped Dates (2 Ways!)
Savory Smoked Baked Potato
Comforting Ratatouille Soup
Simple 4-Ingredient Banana Bread
Flavorful Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
Golden Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
Trendy Baked Feta Pasta
Delightful Strawberry Banana Cheesecake Salad
Classic Chef Salad

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Vibrant Cherry Tomato Salad with Fresh Basil Vinaigrette

Prep:

10 minutes

Cook:

0 minutes

Chill:

2 hours

Total:

2 hours
10 minutes

Juicy, sweet cherry tomatoes are elevated with a bright and tangy homemade vinaigrette, fresh basil, and aromatic Italian seasoning, creating a simple yet incredibly flavorful summer salad that’s perfect for any occasion.

Cheryl Malik

Print Recipe

6
servings

Ingredients

For the Cherry Tomato Salad

4
cups
quartered cherry tomatoes
(or halved if very small)

For the Vinaigrette

2
cloves
garlic
finely minced
¼
cup
olive oil
1
tablespoon
chopped fresh basil
2
tablespoons
red wine vinegar
2
teaspoons
Italian seasoning
1
teaspoon
granulated sugar
or 1 teaspoon honey
½
teaspoon
salt
more or less to taste

To Garnish (Optional)

additional chopped fresh basil
to taste

Equipment

Small mixing bowl
Whisk
Large bowl with lid, or plastic wrap to cover
Silicone spatula

Instructions

Carefully quarter the fresh cherry tomatoes and place them in a spacious mixing bowl, ensuring they are ready to absorb the vibrant dressing. Set this aside.
In a separate, smaller mixing bowl, combine the finely minced garlic, high-quality olive oil, fragrant chopped fresh basil, tangy red wine vinegar, aromatic Italian seasoning, a touch of granulated sugar (or honey for a natural alternative), and a pinch of salt. Ensure all ingredients are measured accurately for the perfect flavor balance.
Whisk the vinaigrette ingredients vigorously until they are thoroughly combined and the sugar has fully dissolved, creating a smooth, cohesive dressing. When the ingredients are perfectly mixed, pour this exquisite vinaigrette evenly over the quartered cherry tomatoes in the large bowl.
Using a silicone spatula, gently fold the vinaigrette into the tomatoes, stirring until every tomato piece is completely covered and glistening with the dressing. This step allows the flavors to meld beautifully. Once satisfied, cover the bowl tightly with a lid or plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. Chill the tomato salad for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to fully develop and deepen.
Immediately prior to serving, remove the chilled bowl from the refrigerator and uncover. If desired, sprinkle additional freshly chopped basil over the cherry tomato salad to enhance its aroma and visual appeal. Serve this delightful salad cold with accompaniments of your choice for a refreshing culinary experience.

Notes

Tomato Varieties: While cherry tomatoes are ideal, this salad is highly adaptable. If you don’t have cherry tomatoes on hand, feel free to use grape tomatoes, plum tomatoes, Campari tomatoes, or even very small regular tomatoes. Simply quarter or halve them to a similar size for optimal texture and flavor absorption. Each variety may offer a slightly different sweetness or juiciness, adding unique character to your salad.
Making it Vegan: To ensure your salad is 100% vegan, be mindful of your choice of granulated sugar, as some brands are filtered using bone char. Look for certified vegan sugar, or easily replace it with natural sweeteners like maple syrup or agave nectar. These alternatives will also lend a subtle depth of flavor.
For an Added-Sugar Free Option: If you prefer to avoid added sugars, you can easily replace the granulated sugar with your favorite sugar alternative. Excellent choices include erythritol-based sweeteners like Swerve, monk fruit sweetener, or allulose. Adjust the quantity according to the sweetness equivalency of your chosen alternative, typically aiming for a similar level of sweetness as one teaspoon of sugar to maintain the dressing’s balance.

Serving Suggestions

As a vibrant and refreshing side dish with any grilled or roasted protein (chicken, fish, steak, tofu).
An excellent chilled side option for summer potlucks, picnics, and barbecues.
Tossed into your favorite pasta salad for an added burst of fresh flavor and color.
As a delectable topping on a mixed greens salad, enhancing its appeal and taste.
Piled generously on toasted slices of French bread for an instant, elegant bruschetta appetizer.
Paired with fresh mozzarella balls for a caprese-inspired twist.

Nutrition Information

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. The result will be the weight of one serving.