Ripe, juicy tomatoes, tangy balsamic, smooth olive oil, and dried herbs make a simple and delicious Italian Tomato Salad. It’s perfect as a side dish or a healthy midday snack, coming together in just five minutes!
This post was originally published on February 15, 2021. It was updated with new recipe information and photos on July 22, 2025.
Some of my favorite recipes are the simplest ones. That’s the case for this stunning Italian Tomato Salad recipe, which is basically my take on one of the salad classics: insalata di pomodori! Marinated cherry tomatoes join forces with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and Italian seasoning to create a herby, tangy, and refreshing side dish that takes literally five minutes to make.
I love to toss it together for quick snacks with slices of fresh mozzarella and crusty bread, and as a side dish next to heartier meals, like my Basil Balsamic Chicken Thighs, Flank Steak, or Air Fried Chicken Cutlets. However you dish it up, you’ll love every juicy, flavorful bite!
For more delicious tomato recipes, check out my Blistered Tomatoes with Basil and Burrata, Sundried Tomato Pesto, and Spicy Roasted Tomato and Burrata Risotto.
Why You'll Love It
This Italian tomato salad recipe has only a few ingredients, but really packs a flavorful punch and looks beautiful!
- Effortlessly versatile. Don’t get me wrong, this tomato salad, Italian-edition shines on its own, but you can dress it up with cheese and additional fresh veggies, or add it as a topper to a bowl of pasta and meat for a more substantial meal. Honestly, with a drizzle of oil and balsamic, anything will taste good with this salad.
- Time-saving preparation. If you’re on a time crunch, this is the recipe for you – it comes together in under five minutes!
- Allergy-friendly. The ingredient list is super simple, and includes no gluten or meat products. It's also super simple to make dairy-free (just omit the Parmesan cheese!), making it a perfect dish that even your vegetarian, gluten-free, and vegan friends will love.
🥂Make it A Rosy Moment
Tomatoes are one of my favorite ingredients just because they are so versatile and vibrant! This marinated salad is no different and here's how you can serve it up to make it extra special:
- Ruby Red Dinner Party - Just like this red themed dinner party I threw, everything you serve should be red! This vibrant salad is great as a starter or side dish for steak. Pair with a pitcher of Berry Bright Sangria for the ultimate Red Dinner.
- Tomato Girl Summer - Calling all the girlies! Tomato girl summer is arguably one of the best summer aesthetics we've ever experienced and this would be the star of the show! Serve with a Tomato-Tini, Tomato Tarts, and a homemade Pesto Rosso & you've got a party!
- Light & Bright Lunch - The dog days of summer call for using up that fresh garden produce and this is the best way to do it. It's quick, easy, and light which is perfect for my lunch on a hot day.
Important Ingredients
Don’t be fooled by the short list of ingredients – tomato salads are packed with flavor and are super adaptable.
- Tomatoes - I enjoy using cherry or grape tomatoes, cut in half, because I find they’re the most juicy and crunchy. But any variety of ripe tomatoes will pair well. Just avoid green tomatoes.
- Balsamic Vinegar - Sharp and tangy, balsamic is the marinated backbone of the dish. I really suggest investing in a high-quality vinegar for elevated results. You’ll definitely notice the difference.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil - EVOO balances the tartness of the vinegar, enhances the natural sweetness of the tomatoes, and makes the balsamic and tomato juices extra smooth. Plus, it's a tasty source of healthy fats!
- Italian Seasoning - A blend of all the best Italian seasonings is what makes this recipe so convenient. Use one that includes oregano, basil, and parsley at the very least to give the juicy tomatoes a herby, aromatic flair!
- Sea Salt and Black Pepper to taste.
Swaps and Substitutions
We love tomato salad for how adaptable she is! Don’t hesitate to modify the recipe if you don’t have everything on hand already.
- Vinegar. Any vinegar will get the job done – white wine or red wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or even champagne vinegar. Just make sure it’s a high-quality version for the best flavor.
- Seasonings. Make your Italian seasoning by combining dried or fresh basil, oregano, parsley, rosemary, thyme, and even red pepper flakes. Minced garlic also amps up the flavor!
- Tomatoes. Like I shared above, my go-to is cherry tomatoes, but I’ve made this salad with all types of tomatoes and it’s tasted amazing every time. Ripe beefsteak tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes, plum tomatoes, Roma tomatoes, and Campari tomatoes will all work.
Full Recipe Below
Find the full list of ingredients & measurements below!
Step by Step Instructions
- Step 1: Cut all cherry tomatoes in half and place them in a medium-sized bowl. Pour in the salt, pepper, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and Italian seasoning.
- Step 2: Stir well to combine all ingredients and allow to marinate for at least 10 minutes.
- Step 3: Plate with shaved parmesan and fresh basil.
Top Tip
If possible, use the highest-quality ingredients because it will make an impact. For example, extra virgin olive oil is cold-pressed and minimally processed, resulting in a stronger flavor that you’ll definitely notice in the final dish.
Tips for the Perfect Italian Tomato Salad
We could all make fresh tomato salad with our eyes closed; it’s that easy! But these simple tips will take your salad to the next level.
- When choosing a balsamic vinegar, check the order of ingredients on the list, because the one listed first is the most prominent. For a sweeter balsamic, cooked grape must will be listed first. For a more acidic balsamic, wine vinegar will be listed first.
- Choose the ripest tomatoes. Whether using cherry tomatoes or another variety, you want the juiciest, deepest colored, and freshest tomatoes for the best taste and texture.
- If you have the time, let the salad marinate at room temperature for 10-20 minutes before serving to allow the vinegar, oil, and herbs to soak into the tomatoes. The salad only gets better the longer it sits!
Recipe Variations
Get creative with your tomato salad by adding in vegetables and topping it with cheese. Here are a few simple suggestions to take this dish to the next level.
- Classic Panzella Salad: This is a beloved Italian salad made of the same ingredients, but with the addition of red onions, cucumbers, fresh basil, and stale bread or croutons. Yum!
- Summer Veggies: Customize your tomato salad for the summer season with garden veggies like cucumbers, red onions, fresh-cut corn, peppers, grilled zucchini and squash, and fresh basil leaves for a colorful, nutrient-rich salad.
- Add cheese: Cheese makes everything better, including tomato salad! Try out a few different types to top your salad off with, including fresh shaved parmesan, marinated mozzarella di bufala, burrata, feta, and dollops of ricotta cheese.
💡Recipe FAQ
Any type of fresh, ripe tomatoes will have the best flavor. This includes cherry, grape, beefsteaks, heirloom, Roma, and Campari tomatoes. Just avoid using green tomatoes – they have an unpleasant taste when eaten raw, and can be toxic if consumed in large amounts (source).
This Italian tomato salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. In fact, the longer the salad sits and marinates, the better it tastes!
Related Recipes
If you tried this Tomato Salad Recipe, or any other of the delicious recipes on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Recipe Card
📖 Recipe
Marinated Italian Tomato Salad
Equipment
- 1 glass bowl
Ingredients
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- ½ teaspoon flakey sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Cut all cherry tomatoes in half and place in a medium sized mixing bowl.
- Add in the salt, pepper, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and Italian seasoning.
- Toss well to combine all ingredients.
- Let sit for 10 minutes up to overnight.
- Enjoy topped with shaved parmesan cheese and fresh basil
Notes
- Use the highest-quality ingredients, if possible, because it will make an impact. For example, extra virgin olive oil is cold-pressed and minimally processed, resulting in a stronger flavor that you’ll definitely notice in the final dish.
- When choosing a balsamic vinegar, check the order of ingredients on the list, because the one listed first is the most prominent. For a sweeter balsamic, cooked grapes must be listed first. For a more acidic balsamic, wine vinegar will be listed first.
- Choose the ripest tomatoes. Whether you’re using cherry tomatoes or another variety, you want the juiciest, freshest ones on the vine for the best taste and texture.
- If you have the time available, let the salad marinate at room temperature for 10-20 minutes before serving to allow the vinegar, oil, and herbs to soak into the tomatoes. The salad only gets better the longer it sits!
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