Simple Tomato Salad with Basil & Balsamic
This simple tomato salad celebrates ripe summer tomatoes with fresh basil, red onion, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and olive oil. It takes just 5 minutes, needs no cooking, and pairs beautifully with grilled meats, crusty bread, or your favourite pasta.
Equipment
- Sharp chef's knife or serrated knife
- Cutting board
- Large flat serving plate or platter
Ingredients
- 4-5 medium ripe tomatoes about 1.5 lbs / 680g, sliced ¼-inch (6mm) thick
- 6 large fresh basil leaves julienned (thinly sliced into ribbons)
- ½ medium red onion thinly sliced into rings or half-moons
- ½ tsp fine sea salt or to taste
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper or to taste
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 30ml
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar 15ml
Instructions
- Arrange the sliced tomatoes in a single overlapping layer on a large flat serving plate or platter.4-5 medium ripe tomatoes
- Season evenly with salt and freshly ground black pepper.½ tsp fine sea salt, ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar over the tomatoes.2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- Scatter the julienned basil and sliced red onion over the top.6 large fresh basil leaves, ½ medium red onion
- Serve immediately at room temperature for the best flavour.
Notes
Storage: Best served immediately. Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 day, but tomatoes will release liquid — drain before serving.
Make-Ahead: Slice the onion and julienne the basil up to a few hours ahead and store separately in the fridge. Assemble and dress only when ready to serve.
Substitutions: Swap red onion for thinly sliced shallots for a milder flavour. Use white wine vinegar or red wine vinegar in place of balsamic if preferred.
Pro Tips: Use room-temperature tomatoes — cold tomatoes straight from the fridge have muted flavour. Let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before slicing.
Serving Suggestion: Finish with a pinch of flaky sea salt (such as Maldon) instead of table salt for better texture and a cleaner burst of salinity. Serve alongside grilled meats, crusty bread, or pasta.
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 93kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 1gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 298mgPotassium: 320mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1057IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 18mgIron: 0.5mg
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