Light and refreshing with a little tangy zing, this Tomato Salad with Fresh Italian Herbs is a great addition to any summer dinner table. I have a tomato-loving family. We plant several different kinds each year in our garden boxes and this year we had quite the variety of small grape, cherry and pear tomatoes. This tomato salad is a personal favorite and regular go-to side. It’s simple to make and simply delicious with its tangy dressing and fresh flavors.
This salad is simple, and that’s what makes it so great. It’s primarily tomatoes, herbs and dressing. As easy as 1, 2, 3!
Ingredients Needed:
- small variety tomatoes
- fresh basil
- fresh chives
- Italian salad dressing
- parmesan cheese
How To Make An Easy Tomato Salad
First, if your tomatoes are larger than a grape cut them in half and place them in a bowl. You can use your favorite kind. I use tomatoes straight out of my garden (orange Sun Sugar, yellow Pear, red Cherry and 4th of July). I love the different colors–it’s like yummy eye candy. This salad is soooo beautiful.
Next add your finely chopped chives, basil and lightly toss. If you’d like a stronger onion flavor you could add finely chopped shallots, green onions or even a regular onion. Personally, I like the subtle mild onion flavor of chives.
Next add the salad dressing. I prefer a simple Italian dressing that gives this salad a little tangy zing. Toss until the tomatoes are coated then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese before serving. One of the great things with this salad is that it’s delicious right after it’s made and perhaps even better if you let the tomatoes marinade in the dressing for a couple of hours. So, feel free to make ahead.
You can also add small pieces of mozzarella cheese if you’d like. I recommend not adding the cheese until right before serving. We’ve made this with and without and you can’t go wrong either way.
We get tomato fever in late summer as the tomatoes are bursting from the garden. I love making my creamy tomato basil soup. It’s devine!
Tomato Salad with fresh Italian Herbs
Ingredients
- 2 dry pints small tomatoes (4 cups)
- 1/4 cup chives finely chopped
- 1/2 cup Italian basil finely chopped
- 1/2 cup Italian salad dressing
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated
Method
- Rinse and cut tomatoes in half (if larger than a nickle). Place in mixing bowl.
- Add chives and basil. Lightly toss.
- Add salad dressing and lightly toss.
- If not ready to serve, marinade in fridge until ready then complete step 4.
- 4. If ready to serve, sprinkle Parmesan on top.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!What’s your favorite tomato dish?
Originally published: 10/19/2016 Updated: 02/10/2026