Oh, summer food! Doesn’t anything beat biting into something that tastes exactly like sunshine? I get so tired of heavy meals when it’s hot out. That’s why I keep the recipe for my Easy Herb Tomato Salad right up front on my counter during tomato season. Seriously, minimal effort, maximum flavor—that’s the promise! I first made this years ago for a chaotic backyard potluck where I forgot I was supposed to bring a proper side dish. Five minutes later, with just some tomatoes and whatever fresh herbs I could grab from the garden, this salad came together. It stole the show! It’s ridiculously simple, and the fresh pop of herbs brightens absolutely everything. Trust me, this Easy Herb Tomato Salad is about to become your new go-to side dish!

Why This Easy Herb Tomato Salad is a Summer Staple

Honestly, some nights I don’t want to turn on the stove, and this salad gets that job done perfectly. It’s what I rely on when I’ve got beautiful tomatoes but zero energy. It’s light, it’s bright, and it needs virtually no skill whatsoever. If you’re looking for a simple side, this truly is it.

It’s fresh! You can practically taste the summer sunshine.
It pairs beautifully with just about anything grilled.
It’s the ultimate quick side dish for unexpected company.

When you need something fast and flavorful, you can’t beat this Easy Herb Tomato Salad.

Quick Preparation Time for Your Easy Herb Tomato Salad

Ten minutes. That’s the total time commitment here, people! I’m serious. This is great for those weeknights when you’re running late, or maybe you’ve been out in the garden all day and just want to sit down. You spend maybe two minutes chopping herbs and slicing. We’re talking speed, which is why this Easy Herb Tomato Salad is a lifesaver.

Fresh Ingredients Make the Best Flavor

You can’t hide behind complicated sauces here, which is why the quality of those few ingredients really shines. If your tomatoes aren’t ripe, the salad falls flat. I always sniff my tomatoes before I buy them—if they don’t smell like tomatoes, I pass! The same goes for the herbs; nothing beats the smell of fresh basil hitting that olive oil.

Gathering Ingredients for Your Easy Herb Tomato Salad

You only need a handful of things for this salad, which is why having good produce matters so much. Don’t stress if you’re missing something minor; this Easy Herb Tomato Salad is forgiving. But when gathering your supplies, remember that quality is everything here. We’re keeping it simple, so the tomatoes and herbs are truly carrying the whole show. Grab your cutting board, and let’s see what we need!

Ingredient Specifications for Easy Herb Tomato Salad

For a perfect batch serving about four people, you’ll want to grab exactly three large ripe tomatoes. Make sure they are nice and heavy! Then, for the greenery, measure out a quarter cup of fresh basil leaves, and you’ll need the same amount, a quarter cup, of fresh parsley—make sure you chop both of those up beforehand. The dressing is basic: two tablespoons of good olive oil and one tablespoon of red wine vinegar. Finally, just half a teaspoon of salt and a quarter teaspoon of black pepper finishes it off. That’s it! Simple pantry staples combined with summer’s best.

Expert Tips for the Perfect Easy Herb Tomato Salad

Look, I’m not trying to pretend this recipe is rocket science, but there are tiny things you can do to take your Easy Herb Tomato Salad from good to absolutely unforgettable. It’s all about the tiny personal touches you add right before serving. Remember, since this dish relies on raw ingredients, the chef’s intuition really comes through. A little tweak here or there makes all the difference when you’re dealing with something this fresh.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Your Easy Herb Tomato Salad

If you want to add just a little spicy bite that cuts through the tomato sweetness, you HAVE to try adding some thinly sliced red onion. Don’t just chop it; slice it ultra-thinly so it mixes in without overpowering everything. Also, don’t be afraid of variety! I love using a mix of Roma tomatoes, some bright cherry tomatoes, and maybe a heft-ier heirloom slice just for color. Mixing up the tomato types gives your Easy Herb Tomato Salad such a fun texture. It’s a simple addition that makes people ask what your secret is!

Step-by-Step Instructions: Making the Easy Herb Tomato Salad

Okay, here is where we bring all those pretty ingredients together. Since we aren’t cooking anything, the technique is super important. We don’t want mushy tomatoes! I’m going to walk you through exactly what I do to keep everything tasting perfectly balanced and firm, from the washing all the way through to that final gentle toss. Following these steps in order means you’ll have a perfect Easy Herb Tomato Salad ready to go.

Preparing the Tomatoes and Herbs

First things first, give those beautiful tomatoes a good, thorough wash. Next, you need to slice them up—I usually prefer wedges, but thick slices work great too, depending on what shape looks best in your serving bowl. Place all those tomato pieces right into a medium bowl. Now, grab your fresh herbs. You need to chop the basil and the parsley finely. Don’t just rip them; a nice, clean chop releases the oils better. Sprinkle all that fresh green goodness right over the top of the tomatoes waiting in the bowl.

Assembling the Dressing and Tossing the Easy Herb Tomato Salad

Time for the dressing which is so simple it feels almost illegal! In a separate little bowl—seriously, use a different bowl, don’t just pour it on top yet—whisk together your two tablespoons of olive oil and your one tablespoon of red wine vinegar. Whisk it well until it looks slightly cloudy and blended. Pour that liquid heaven right over the tomatoes and herbs. Now, grab your salt and pepper and sprinkle those on top. The most crucial moment: you must toss this gently. Use big, soft spoons and lift from the bottom. We aren’t beating this; we are lightly coating. This careful mixing is what keeps this Easy Herb Tomato Salad looking fresh and firm when it hits the table!

Serving Suggestions for Your Easy Herb Tomato Salad

This Easy Herb Tomato Salad is surprisingly versatile, even though it’s just tomatoes and herbs! Because it is so bright and acidic, it cuts beautifully through richer foods. It’s phenomenal next to a slightly smoky grilled chicken breast or a simple piece of seared salmon, don’t you think? If you’re doing a big summer barbecue, this is your absolute must-have side dish.

I also love serving this salad alongside thick, crusty sandwiches, especially ones with salty cured meats. It always makes lunch feel way fancier than it actually is! Heck, sometimes I just eat a giant bowl of this Easy Herb Tomato Salad by itself with some crusty bread for dipping—no shame in that game!

Storage and Best Enjoyment of Easy Herb Tomato Salad

Here’s the real talk about leftovers: This Easy Herb Tomato Salad is definitely a ‘make it now, eat it now’ kind of dish. Tomatoes are mostly water, and once they mingle with that vinegar and salt dressing for too long, they start weeping. You see that little puddle at the bottom of the bowl? That’s what happens overnight!

If you absolutely must save some, put whatever is left in an airtight container immediately. But I’m telling you, it’s best eaten within an hour of making it. Do not try to reheat this; heating raw tomatoes changes their texture completely, and we want fresh crunch! Do you hear me? No reheating the Easy Herb Tomato Salad!

Frequently Asked Questions About This Fresh Herb Salad

I get so many lovely questions about this recipe, which makes sense—it’s so simple that people wonder if they are missing a crucial step! Nine times out of ten, you aren’t missing anything except maybe using the best tomatoes available. But I gathered a few of the most common things people ask me when they try this salad for the first time. I hope these tips help you serve up the freshest bowl possible!

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

This is the first question I always get, and the answer is usually, “You shouldn’t!” If you want peak performance from your tomatoes, you need to serve this immediately after you toss it. Once the salt and vinegar hit the tomatoes, they start releasing all that beautiful, watery juice. If you let it sit for hours, you end up with a soupy mess at the bottom of the bowl instead of a crisp salad. If you must prep, chop your herbs and slice your tomatoes, but don’t dress it until the moment you walk out the door for the picnic!

What herbs work well besides basil and parsley?

Oh, you can have so much fun here! Basil and parsley are the classic base, but don’t stop there. I absolutely adore tossing in some finely snipped fresh chives! Chives give you that little oniony zing without the sharpness of actual onion slices. Another really good one is a little bit of fresh oregano—it gives it a slightly Mediterranean, earthy feel that complements the red wine vinegar perfectly. If you make pickled red onions, they are excellent additions to this mix, too!

Nutritional Estimate for Easy Herb Tomato Salad

Because this Easy Herb Tomato Salad is mostly fresh vegetables and olive oil, it’s super light! Per serving, we’re looking at about 85 calories, which is great news for a side dish. You get a little bit of fat from the oil and some natural sugars from the tomatoes.

Just remember these numbers are an estimate! If you use a heavy hand with the oil or add onions, those counts change. But for a simple, fresh dish, this Easy Herb Tomato Salad keeps things healthy!

Share Your Easy Herb Tomato Salad Experience

So, that’s it! My ridiculously easy guide to the best Easy Herb Tomato Salad you’ll ever make. I truly hope you love how fast this comes together. Seriously, once you try it, let me know!

Did you add red onion? Did you use a different herb that blew your mind? Head down to the comments and rate this recipe—it helps other folks know how worthwhile this salad is. Snap a picture of your beautiful bowl of fresh goodness and share it around!

Easy Herb Tomato Salad

Author: freddyrecipes.com
Total Time: 10 min
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A simple and fresh salad featuring ripe tomatoes and mixed herbs.

Ingredients

Scale

3 large ripe tomatoes
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Wash and slice the tomatoes into wedges or thick slices.
Place the sliced tomatoes in a medium bowl.
Sprinkle the chopped basil and parsley over the tomatoes.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil and red wine vinegar.
Pour the dressing over the tomatoes and herbs.
Season with salt and pepper.
Gently toss the salad to coat everything evenly.
Serve immediately.

Notes

You can add thinly sliced red onion for extra flavor.
Use different types of tomatoes for varied texture and color.

Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 0 min
Category: Side Dish
Method: Tossing
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 85
Sugar: 5
Sodium: 300
Fat: 6
Saturated Fat: 1
Unsaturated Fat: 5
Trans Fat: 0
Carbohydrates: 7
Fiber: 2
Protein: 1
Cholesterol: 0

Keywords: tomato salad, easy salad, fresh herbs, summer salad, quick side dish