Tomato and mozzarella salad is a traditional summer side dish recipe that never goes out of style. This version uses cherry tomatoes and bite sized mozzarella balls and is perfect for a pot luck or barbecue. Serve it alongside other summertime favorites such as grilled pork chops or grilled chicken kabobs. I often like to throw together salads that don’t contain lettuce for a nice snack. Of course, they work as a side dish just as well and one of my favorites is this cherry tomato salad. If you’re a tomato lover like me, you’ll be tempted to eat it all once that first tomato hits your taste buds.
Cherry Tomato Salad Ingredients
To make this salad, you will need cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, red onion, fresh herbs, olive oil, red wine vinegar, sugar, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt and black pepper.
How Do You Make Cherry Tomato Salad?
Place your fresh tomatoes, red onion, mozzarella balls, and herbs in a large bowl and set aside. In a separate bowl, whisk together the ingredients for your dressing and pour it over the top of the tomato mixture. Lightly toss and you’ve got a tasty snack or side that only takes minutes to make.
Tips For The Perfect Salad
If you prefer grape tomatoes, those work just as well, but cherry tomatoes are usually my go-to. I think it’s really fun to get the multi color cherry tomatoes you usually find at the Farmer’s Market and use those in this tomato and mozzarella salad. It makes for quite a gorgeous side dish with little effort involved. Use a serrated knife to easily cut the tomatoes in half. You can use your favorite blend of fresh herbs. I typically use parsley, basil and chives. Other great options include dill or even cilantro.
Flavor Variations
This recipe is great as-is, but you can add other ingredients to customize the flavors to your tastes.
Greens: Toss the cherry tomato salad with 4 cups of greens such as baby spinach, arugula or butter lettuce. Cheese: Swap out the mozzarella balls for shaved parmesan or cubes of provolone cheese. Toppings: Finish the salad with some capers, olives, a drizzle of balsamic glaze, or even toasted breadcrumbs. Grains: Feel free to stir in up to 2 cups of cooked pasta, farro or quinoa for a heartier dish.
There couldn’t be an easier side dish than this cherry tomato salad. The salad has been a huge hit with family and friends so I always keep it in my arsenal when party plans start brewing. Time is rarely on my side so I need easy recipes like this to keep me sane! Plus it’s the perfect way to showcase all those fresh summer tomatoes.
