This easy cherry tomato salad recipe is the perfect way to use fresh cherry tomatoes from the garden! Ready in minutes, it's a great snack or side dish.
I make the balsamic dressing first so that the flavors have a chance to meld together a little bit. As with any salad dressing, make sure you season it with salt and pepper! Don't be shy, I often find this is why someone doesn't love a salad dressing recipe they try.
Really, you could use any tomatoes in this salad and just chop them. I love how easy the cherry tomatoes make this salad, so they are always my go-to. But some heirloom or even sliced San Marzano would be fantastic.
I grew sun-gold and chocolate cherry tomatoes this year, so that is what I used. You can definitely use whatever you grew or can find at the store, just make sure everything is about the same size - cut the tomatoes in half if necessary.
Now, normally I say if you don't have fresh herbs just use dried. BUT. I really, really, really recommend that you find or grow some fresh basil for this cherry tomato salad recipe. It sends the flavor over the top and makes it so fresh and delicious.
Next up, cheese! The mozzarella cheese is really what pulls this whole cherry tomato salad together. Again, if you can't find the mozzarella pearls, just use some chopped or sliced mozzarella. I love the pearls because they make assembling the cherry tomato salad recipe so dang easy.
Then just dress the salad as much as you like! I usually don't use the whole dressing recipe, it's totally up to you how much you want to use on the cherry tomato salad.
Easy as that! This salad is actually one of my kids' favorites. They love the cherry tomatoes and of course, the cheese makes any dish enticing. And it's all bite-sized! It's fancy enough for company but easy enough for any day of the week - my kind of recipe.
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Cherry Tomato Salad Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Balsamic Dressing
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic (minced, about 1 clove)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
For the Cherry Tomato Salad
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes (different colors are best)
- 8 ounces mozzarella (pearls are best, chopped is fine)
- ¼ cup fresh basil (cut into strips (chiffonade))
Instructions
- Combine balsamic salad dressing ingredients in a bowl or mason jar. Mix well.
- Slice cherry tomatoes in half if they are too big to eat in one bite.
- Combine tomatoes, mozzarella and basil.
- Dress with balsamic dressing gradually, until it's as coated as you prefer.
- If possible, let sit 5-10 minutes for the flavors to meld.
Alli
So easy and fresh!