Tomato Onion Salad with Basil

Tomato Onion Salad with Basil is a classic Mediterranean dish. This vegan cherry tomato salad is a great way to enjoy summer produce. And it’s so easy to make. Pair this tomato and red onion salad with all your seasonal favorites.

Cherry tomatoes are a staple ingredient in my kitchen.

I love buying them from the farmers market in the summer when they are as sweet as candy.

Besides popping them in my mouth as a snack, I incorporate them into all sorts of recipes.

From Cherry Tomato Pasta to simple tomato bruschetta, cherry and grape tomatoes work well in a variety of Mediterranean diet recipes.

And even though I try to eat seasonally as much as possible, it’s nice that these little tomatoes are readily available year-round. 

So even though I tend to think of Tomato Onion Salad as a warm-weather dish, I often enjoy it at other times, too.

Red onions

The other key ingredient in this cherry tomato salad is red onions.

Since raw onions are often too strong for my taste, I like to use the method outlined in the recipe for Marinated Artichoke Hearts Salad to cut down on their sharpness:

1. Slice the onion crosswise.
2. Separate the slices and place them in a bowl of ice water.
3. Let the onion soak for at least 15 minutes.
4. Drain and run fresh water over the onion slices, then proceed with the recipe.

However, if you like your onions to have a little kick, you can skip this step.

And did you know that raw onions, which are part of the allium family of vegetables, contain anti-inflammatory properties which may help prevent cancer? You can read more about them in The Healthiest, Anti-Cancer Foods: G-BOMBS by Dr. Joel Fuhrman, MD.

Foods that not only taste delicious but are also healthy are always winners in my book!

And if you don’t have a red onion, a white onion is a good substitute in this recipe.

Tomato Onion Salad serving suggestions

This tomato red onion salad is very versatile. 

You can enjoy it as a snack or starter before your meal.

And I love combining it with other complimentary dishes such as pasta, pilafs, sandwiches, or other salads.

In the photo above I’ve served the tomato and red onion salad with Oven Roasted Mushrooms, Chickpea Rice, and Garlic Yogurt Sauce.

It’s also wonderful with Spaghetti with Garlic and Olive Oil.

Or mix things up and try it with Green Bean Curry.

More cherry tomato salad recipes

And if you enjoy this recipe, you may want to try some of these other easy salad recipes featuring cherry or grape tomatoes:

• White Bean Salad with Cherry Tomatoes
• Watermelon Tomato Salad
• Mediterranean Cucumber Salad
• Vegan Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad
• Silken Tofu Salad

Tomato Onion Salad Recipe

As you can imagine, this recipe is very easy to prepare.

Simply halve or quarter the tomatoes, slice the onions, chop some basil, then toss them with a little olive oil, red wine vinegar, and salt and pepper.

This recipe makes 2-4 servings, depending on how much salad you want to eat. I have listed it as 4 servings in this recipe in order to estimate the nutritional information.

And while you can refrigerate the leftovers for a couple of days, I personally prefer this salad fresh and at room temperature. This way the tomatoes have the most flavor.

If you love this recipe, please give it 5 stars!

Tomato Onion Salad with Basil

Tomato Onion Salad with Basil is a classic Mediterranean dish. This vegan cherry tomato salad is a great way to enjoy summer produce.

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Course: Salad

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 40kcal

Author: Amy Katz

Equipment

• Tomato Knife
• Herb Scissors

Ingredients

• 1 dry pint cherry tomatoes, (or grape tomatoes) halved or quartered
• 1/2 cup red onion, sliced crosswise (See Notes)
• 2 Tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar
• salt and pepper, to taste

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

• Place all the ingredients in a medium bowl.
• Toss well to combine. Taste and adjust for salt and pepper. Serve.

Notes

If the onion tastes too strong for your liking, let the onion slices soak for at least 15 minutes in a bowl of ice water. Drain and rinse them under cold water, then proceed with the recipe.

 

Nutrition

Calories: 40kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 29mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 55IU | Vitamin C: 1.5mg | Calcium: 5mg

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