Description
A fresh and vibrant tomato salad featuring juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella pearls, and fresh basil, all tossed in a tangy homemade balsamic Dijon dressing. Perfect as a light appetizer or a refreshing side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 5 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 8 oz mozzarella pearls
- ½ cup red onions, thinly sliced
- 10–15 fresh basil leaves, chiffonade
- Balsamic glaze (optional, for drizzling)
Dressing Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons avocado oil (or extra virgin olive oil)
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinaigrette
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: Combine avocado oil, balsamic vinaigrette, red wine vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, grated parmesan cheese, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a small (8 oz.) container with a lid. Shake vigorously until all ingredients are well emulsified. Refrigerate the dressing to allow the flavors to meld.
- Prepare the Vegetables: Slice the cherry tomatoes into halves or thirds depending on their size. To reduce excess moisture, place them cut side down on a paper towel if desired. Thinly slice the red onions and chiffonade the fresh basil leaves by stacking, rolling tightly, and slicing into thin ribbons.
- Toss the Salad: Transfer the tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, sliced onions, and basil ribbons into a large mixing bowl. Pour the chilled dressing over the salad ingredients. Using a silicone spatula, gently toss everything together until the salad is evenly coated with dressing.
- Serve: Transfer the dressed salad to a serving bowl. Optionally, drizzle balsamic glaze over the top or around the perimeter of the bowl for an added touch of sweetness and presentation. Serve immediately to enjoy the freshness of the ingredients.
Notes
- You can substitute avocado oil with extra virgin olive oil if preferred for a more traditional flavor.
- Placing tomatoes cut side down on paper towels helps reduce excess moisture and prevents the salad from becoming watery.
- Balsamic glaze is optional but adds a deliciously sweet and tangy finish that complements the salad.
- This salad is best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 2 hours before serving for optimal flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: tomato salad, mozzarella salad, fresh basil salad, balsamic vinaigrette, easy summer salad, no-cook salad
