Enjoy Your Family Dinner with This Favorite Cherry Tomato Salad Recipe
In your quest for the best summer salad, look no further than the Cherry Tomato Salad, a quick and easy recipe that’s bound to become a staple in your summery dish collection.
This salad is not just great for cookouts but also stands as the perfect side dish for picnics, potlucks, and family dinners.
Embodying the essence of healthy meals with its vibrant mix of cherry tomatoes, red onion, red wine vinegar, olive oil, and cilantro.
Seasoned with just salt and pepper, it’s a testament to the beauty of simplicity in creating healthy salad recipes.
Why Cherry Tomato Salad is Your Go-To Summer Salad
Cherry Tomato Salad is celebrated for several reasons, making it a must-try dish for any occasion:
- Favorite Vegetable: Cherry tomatoes are a beloved ingredient, and this salad showcases them beautifully.
- Easy Recipe: Known for its minimal prep time, it’s an easy tomato salad that can be whipped up in no time.
- Versatile Serving: Can be served chilled or at room temperature, making it adaptable for any event.
- Great for Cookouts: A refreshing choice that complements any barbecue menu.
- Healthy Recipe: Aligns with your goals for healthy meals, being both a vegetarian dish and a vegan side dish.
Cherry Tomato Salad Ingredients
This salad brings together:
- Cherry tomatoes, halved for a burst of flavor
- Red onion, thinly sliced for a sharp bite
- Red wine vinegar and olive oil, whisked together for a homemade salad dressing
- Cilantro, adding a fresh, herbaceous note
- Salt and pepper, to taste, ensuring the salad is seasoned perfectly
How to Prepare Cherry Tomato Salad
- Prepare the Vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together red wine vinegar and olive oil with a pinch of salt and pepper until emulsified. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Toss the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, and freshly chopped cilantro.
- Dress the Salad: Drizzle the vinaigrette over the cherry tomato mixture and gently toss to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Serve: Allow the salad to sit for a few minutes to marinate, enhancing the flavors. Serve chilled or at room temperature as a refreshing side to your favorite summer meals.
The Ideal Side Dish for Every Occasion
- Picnic Side Dish: Light and refreshing, it’s the best companion for your outdoor meals.
- Potluck Favorite: Easy to make in large quantities and always a hit.
- Weeknight Dinner: With minimal prep time, it suits busy schedules perfectly.
- Holiday Side Dish: Adds color and nutrition to festive tables without the hassle.
Storing and Enjoying Leftover Tomato Salad
- Fridge: Keeps well in an airtight container, making it a great leftover tomato salad.
- Serving Suggestion: Ideal for summer meal prep, it can be enjoyed as a quick snack or side dish throughout the week.
What to Serve with Cherry Tomato Salad?
Pairing Cherry Tomato Salad with the right main dishes can make a simple side dish into a delicious family meal.
This salad’s fresh and tangy flavors are versatile, making it an excellent healthy side for a variety of mains.
- Paprika Chicken Thighs: The smoky and slightly spicy flavor of paprika-rubbed chicken thighs is a perfect match for the Salad of Cherry Tomatoes. The juiciness of the chicken complements the salad’s acidity, creating a well-balanced meal that’s both flavorful and satisfying.
- Italian Sausage Rigatoni: Pairing the salad with Italian sausage rigatoni offers a delightful contrast between the hearty and savory pasta and the light, refreshing taste of the salad. The robust flavors of the sausage and the tangy tomato sauce in the rigatoni enhance the fresh taste of the cherry tomatoes and cilantro.
- Baked Chicken Breasts in Garlic-Butter Sauce: The rich, buttery garlic sauce of the baked chicken breasts pairs wonderfully with the Tomato Salad. The salad’s crispness cuts through the richness of the sauce, providing a refreshing bite that cleanses the palate between mouthfuls of savory chicken.
- Penne alla Vodka: The creamy and slightly spicy sauce of Penne alla Vodka is an excellent complement to the Cherry Tomato Salad. The pasta’s richness is perfectly balanced by the salad’s acidity, making for a meal that’s both indulgent and light.
These main dishes not only complement the flavors of the Cherry Tomato Salad but also create a meal that’s satisfying and complete.
FAQ’s: Maximizing Your Salad Experience
Is it budget-friendly?
Yes, this budget recipe uses simple ingredients for a cost-effective healthy side.
Can it fit into a low-calorie diet?
Absolutely, as a low calorie meal, it’s suitable for anyone watching their calorie intake.
How to make it a vegan recipe?
Naturally vegan, this recipe requires no modifications to fit a vegan diet, making it a delightful vegan side dish.
The Best Cherry Tomato Salad
Cherry Tomato Salad
Enjoy a refreshing bite with our Cherry Tomato Salad, the perfect summery dish for your next cookout or family dinner. Bursting with juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp red onion, and fresh cilantro, all tossed in a homemade dressing of red wine vinegar and olive oil. This easy recipe, great as a quick snack or a healthy side, is a must-try for a vibrant, low-calorie meal that can be served chilled or at room temperature.
Ingredients
- 2 pints fresh cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 red onion thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar good quality
- 3 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoon fresh basil chopped fine
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together red wine vinegar and olive oil with a pinch of salt and pepper until emulsified. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Toss the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, and freshly chopped cilantro.
- Dress the Salad: Drizzle the vinaigrette over the cherry tomato mixture and gently toss to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Serve: Allow the salad to sit for a few minutes to marinate, enhancing the flavors. Serve chilled or at room temperature as a refreshing side to your favorite summer meals.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 128Total Fat 10gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 9gCholesterol 0mgSodium 83mgCarbohydrates 8gFiber 2gSugar 5gProtein 2g