Easy Tomato and Onion Salad
Get ready to elevate your salad game with a tantalizing twist on a classic – the Tomato and Onion Salad. Juicy tomatoes, thinly sliced sweet onions, and a burst of zesty flavors combine to create a salad that’s sure to be the star of your next cookout, potluck or weeknight meal!
A classic tomato and onion salad is served up at every church function and potluck right alongside chicken salad and pasta salad. It’s a really delicious salad that’s especially suitable for summertime when the tomatoes are a-plenty!
Just a few ingredients:
Find the full recipe card (printable) at the end of the blog post.
Tomato and Onion Salad Ingredient Swaps & Notes
TOMATOES: What are the best tomatoes to use in tomato and onion salad? Experiment with different tomato varieties for diverse flavors and textures. Beefsteak, Roma, or cherry tomatoes – each brings its unique charm to the salad. In the summer months, I love to use a hearty tomato like an heirloom tomato if I have them! Just make sure you use ripe tomatoes. If using smaller tomatoes, just quarter or half them.
ONION: You can substitute in red onion for the sweet onion if you like. When Vidalia onions are in season, they’re a great alternative also!
OLIVE OIL: When a recipe has few ingredients, you want to use as good quality ingredients as you can get so use your best EVOO here! It’s a key player in the dressing, and quality oil elevates the overall flavor profile.
RED WINE VINEGAR: You can substitute balsamic vinegar or apple cider vinegar if you like or even add a bit of both! Adjust to find the perfect balance between acidity and sweetness. Taste as you go and customize to your liking.
OREGANO: Dried oregano adds a boost of flavor, but you can sub in any Italian seasoning herb blend you like! I also like to garnish with fresh herbs like basil, chives, parsley and fresh oregano if I have it in the garden!
SALT & PEPPER: The sea salt and black pepper are the unsung heroes of this recipe. If you have ever had a good Southern tomato sandwich, you know that salt + pepper + tomatoes = magic! Season to taste of course! I love to use course sea salt flakes.
This tomato onion salad recipe is such an easy recipe (and a healthy recipe) that’s perfect as a side dish or side salad for summer grilling or taking to a picnic or party! It’s made with fresh ingredients that are loaded with flavor!
Tips for Making Tomato and Onion Salad
Ensure your knife is sharp for clean tomato wedges and thinly sliced onions. Use a serrated knife for tomatoes.
Temperature is Key: Serve the salad immediately after tossing, at room temperature. Tomatoes lose their vibrant flavor and texture when refrigerated, so keep it fresh and crisp.
Mix and Toss with Care: Gently toss the salad to ensure an even coating of the dressing without bruising the tomatoes.
Freshness Over Refrigeration: Embrace the freshness. This salad thrives on being served immediately. Leftovers won’t keep for long so enjoy right away.
Want to add a twist to your tomato and onion salad? Add in some ripe avocado, diced cucumber, fresh mozzarella balls, crumbled feta or goat cheese, blue cheese, pasta, or even corn! Make it your own and enjoy!
I hope you’ll give this tomato and onion salad a spot at your dinner table or next party! I like to serve it with some crusty bread and grilled chicken or fish for a delightful meal! It’s the perfect side dish!
More Easy Salads You’ll Love
Tomato and Onion Salad
Ingredients
- 4 medium tomatoes sliced into wedges
- 1 medium sweet onion thinly sliced
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp dried oregano or Italian seasoning blend
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, sea salt and black pepper.
- In a medium bowl, add in tomatoes and onions. Tomatoes should be sliced in wedges or cut in half or quarters if using cherry tomatoes. Onions should be thinly sliced.
- Pour over olive oil vinegar mixture on the tomatoes and onions. Toss gently to coat well. Taste to check for seasonings and adjust if desired.
- Serve garnished with extra herbs like chopped basil, fresh oregano or chives.
- This tomato and onion salad is best served right away as tomatoes don't do well when refrigerated.
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