Tomato and Onion Salad

This easy Tomato and Onion Salad is the tomato salad to make this summer and every summer.  Fresh tomatoes take center stage with a supporting cast of a delicious light vinaigrette, thinly sliced red onion, capers for a salty, briny kick and lots of fresh basil!

Why This Recipe is a Keeper!

Tomato lovers like me wait all year to pick the first summer tomato because there’s nothing quite like one that’s homegrown.

Because the season is so limited, you don’t want to hide their amazing flavor. This Tomato and Onion Salad is a simple yet delicious way to enjoy summer tomatoes’ bright, juicy taste.

A light vinaigrette, salty capers and fresh basil pair perfectly with the natural sweetness of tomatoes. Together, these ingredients create a harmonious balance of flavors that elevate the taste of the fresh tomatoes, making each bite a burst of summery goodness!

This tomato and onion salad recipe:

• Is super easy!
• Showcases the freshness of summer tomatoes rather than disguise them.
• Is the perfect side dish for all your other summer fare like grilled meats, poultry, fish, seafood and vegetables.

Let’s make it!

How to Make a Tomato Onion Salad:

Recipe Ingredients:

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this tomato and onion salad recipe, along with how to prep the ingredients. See the recipe card below for the exact quantities.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions:

• Tomatoes: The most important ingredient! Use fresh summer tomatoes from your backyard, the farmers’ market or a friend’s bounty! Any tomato will work, such as Beefsteak, Romas or even cherry and grape.
• Red Onion: I love onions, but if you don’t, go easy or dice the onion and sprinkle them over the top.
• Red Wine Vinegar: Red wine vinegar is fermented red wine. Bacteria and oxygen are introduced to red wine to transform it into acetic acid, which gives vinegar its distinctive tangy flavor. After fermentation, the vinegar is diluted to achieve approximately 5% acidity. Pompeiian is a reliable brand.
• Dijon Mustard: I’ve tried numerous brands of Dijon mustard, and you can’t go wrong with Grey Poupon which is widely available in every supermarket. Grey Poupon originated in Dijon, France in the 1800’s. Although Kraft Heinz now owns it, it has authentic roots. Maille is also good, but it’s pricey.
• Capers: Capers are green, unripened flower buds of the caper bush. They’re available near the pickled products section.
• Sugar: Just a pinch is needed! It helps to bring out the natural sweetness of the tomatoes.
• Fresh Basil: A must!

Step-By-Step Instructions:

• Gather and prep all the ingredients.
• Whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, mustard, garlic, sugar, salt and black pepper to taste.
• MAKE AHEAD: The vinaigrette can be made up to three days ahead, but wait until you’re almost ready to serve the salad to slice the tomatoes and onions and tear the basil.

• Place tomatoes on a serving platter.

• Top with red onion and capers.

• Drizzle dressing over tomatoes.
• Garnish with torn basil and whole basil leaves. Serve immediately.

• Enjoy! You’ve got the best Tomato and Onion Salad to pair with anything!  An easy vinaigrette, pure and simple sliced tomatoes, red onions, capers, and fresh basil for pure summer enjoyment!

Chef Tips and Tricks:

• Always store tomatoes at room temperature. The cold refrigerator air steals the flavor and makes the tomatoes mealy.
• When making a vinaigrette, all the ingredients–especially the oil–should be at room temperature because cold ingredients make it difficult to create an emulsion. Let the vinaigrette stand at room temperature for the flavors to meld while making the rest of your salad.
• Use a serrated or razor-sharp knife to slice tomatoes. This enables you to slice through the skin without crushing the flesh.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Storage:

• Store any leftover salad in the refrigerator. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes or so before enjoying the leftovers.

Serve with:

• Grilled Marinated Skirt Steak with Peperonata
• Buttery Blackened Steak Bites with Gorgonzola
• Nashville Hot Fried Chicken
• Ground Chicken Burgers with Spicy Tzatziki
• Maryland Crab Cakes

More great tomato salad recipes you’ll love!

• Stacked Tomato Salad with Black Olive Tapenade and Basil Pesto Dressing
• Tuscan Cherry Tomato and White Bean Salad
• Greek Cucumber Tomato and Red Onion Salad
• Marinated Tomatoes

Get all my side salad recipes at Side Salad Recipes – From A Chef’s Kitchen.

Join the FROM A CHEF’S KITCHEN MAILING LIST to get all the latest posts and more!