Cherry tomato salad is a simple, fresh, and delicious dish that's perfect for a light snack or side with your meal. It's made with juicy cherry tomatoes, which are small, sweet, and packed with flavor.
Add other ingredients like fresh herbs, a drizzle of olive oil, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper to bring out the natural taste of the tomatoes.
If you're looking for more tomato recipes try our savory tomato galette with mozzarella, roasted asparagus and tomatoes and creamy tomato tuna pasta bake.
❤️ Why You'll Love This Cherry Tomato Salad
- Quick and Easy - Make these marinated cherry tomatoes in just 5 minutes! After that, just let them marinate to soak up all the flavor.
- Pairs With Many Dishes - Enjoy these tomatoes as a tasty appetizer with crusty bread, cheese, or dip. They also go great with pasta salad, sandwiches, chicken dinners, and more!
- Perfect for Extra Tomatoes - Have too many tomatoes? Marinating them is a great way to use them up and keep them fresh for different recipes!
🛒 Ingredients
- Extra virgin olive oil - Choose a high-quality one for the best flavor.
- Cherry tomatoes - The star of this recipe! Wash, dry, and cut them in half. You can also use grape tomatoes, but fresh ones work best—skip the canned ones!
- Vinegar - Use red wine or apple cider vinegar to make the dressing for the salad.
- Honey - Adds sweetness to balance the sour taste of the vinegar.
- Garlic - Mince one clove of fresh garlic for added flavor.
- Fresh herbs - Use chopped parsley, basil, or even dill for a burst of freshness.
- Seasoning - Season with fine salt and black pepper. Add red chili flakes if you like some heat.
👩🍳 You'll find the complete list of ingredients below the recipe card.
🥣 How Do You Make Cherry Tomato Salad?
- Make the vinaigrette: Mix the olive oil, minced garlic, vinegar, honey, parsley, dill, and seasonings in a salad bowl.
- Add the tomatoes: Toss in the halved tomatoes and gently stir until they’re well coated. Adjust the seasonings if needed.
- Marinate: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the tomatoes marinate in the fridge for 1-2 days.
📋 Tips For The Perfect Tomato Salad
- Temperature: Serve the marinated cherry tomatoes at room temperature, but keep them chilled in the fridge to stay fresh.
- Marinade time: Give the tomatoes 1-2 days to marinate in the fridge. If you're short on time, marinate them for at least 2 hours. Plan ahead if you're making them for an event or weekly meals.
- Quality ingredients: This recipe uses just a few ingredients, so it's important to choose high-quality ones for the best taste.
- Ripe tomatoes: Pick ripe tomatoes that are bright red, slightly firm, and free from blemishes or dark spots.
🍅 Flavor Variations
Here are a few flavor variations you can try for your marinated cherry tomato salad using the ingredients you provided:
🍋 Lemon Herb Twist: Add the juice and zest of half a lemon for a bright, zesty flavor. Swap out the red wine or apple cider vinegar with lemon juice for a citrusy kick.
🌿 Italian-Style: Mix in a teaspoon of dried oregano or thyme, and add a tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese for an Italian flair. You can also replace the dill with extra basil or parsley.
🌶️ Spicy Kick: Increase the red chili flakes to a full teaspoon for more heat. Add a dash of smoked paprika to give it a smoky, spicy depth.
🤔 Balsamic Sweetness: Replace the red wine or apple cider vinegar with balsamic vinegar for a sweeter, tangier flavor. Add an extra drizzle of honey to balance the tartness.
🧄 Garlic Lover's: Double the amount of minced garlic for a more intense garlic flavor. You could also add a few thinly sliced garlic cloves for texture and extra bite.
Cherry vs Grape Tomatoes: What’s the Difference?
Cherry tomatoes are round and usually a bit sweeter, while grape tomatoes are more oval-shaped and have a thicker skin.
Grape tomatoes are also slightly less juicy and a little less sweet than cherry tomatoes. Both are great for salads and snacking!
🍱 Storing Leftovers
To store leftover marinated cherry tomato salad, place it in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator.
It will stay fresh for about 3-4 days. Just give it a stir before serving again to mix the flavors!
What to Serve With Cherry Tomato Salad
- Cherry tomato salad pairs well with a variety of dishes. You can serve it with grilled chicken, fish, or steak for a light and fresh side.
- It also goes great with this pasta, crusty bread, or as a topping for bruschetta.
- For a more complete meal, try adding it to a grain bowl with quinoa or couscous.
- Perfect for Mediterranean style soups like this Tuscan sausage soup, or pasta fazool.
📖Recipe
Cherry Tomato Salad
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine or apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic clove
- 3 tablespoons chopped parsley or fresh basil
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
- fine salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 lb cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ teaspoons red chili flakes, optional
Instructions
- In a salad bowl, mix olive oil, garlic, vinegar, honey, parsley, dill, salt, pepper, and chili flakes.3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon red wine or apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon honey, 3 tablespoons chopped parsley or fresh basil, 1 tablespoon fresh dill, fine salt and black pepper, ½ teaspoons red chili flakes, 1 tablespoon minced garlic clove
- Add the halved tomatoes and gently stir to coat them. Taste and add more salt, garlic, or chili flakes if needed.1 lb cherry tomatoes
- Cover the bowl and chill it in the fridge for 1-2 days. Serve at room temperature and enjoy!
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Notes
Nutrition
🤷Cherry Tomato Salad: Frequently Asked Questions
YES, cutting cherry tomatoes in half or quarters helps them mix better with other salad ingredients and allows the flavors to blend more effectively.
YES, cherry tomatoes are delicious and safe to eat raw. They make a great snack, salad ingredient, or addition to sandwiches and wraps.
NO, cherry tomatoes do not need to be peeled. Their skin is thin and tender, making them easy to eat as-is.
really good ones and helpful for reader (3-6)
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