Dotted with creamy mozzarella, this refreshing heirloom tomato salad is a celebration of summer flavours. Perfect as a light lunch or as a side dish.
Heirloom Tomato Salad: Summer On A Plate
Dotted with creamy mozzarella, this refreshing heirloom tomato salad is a celebration of summer flavours. Perfect as a light lunch or as a side dish, I like to serve it with some crusty bread to sponge off the delicious juices.
This is the ideal recipe when it is just too hot to cook. For me, it is reminiscent of our summer holidays in Tuscany or in the South of France. Over there, of course, you easily come across heirloom tomatoes (also known as heritage) at farmers markets, grocery stores, and greengrocers.
In England, they are a bit harder to find. We are lucky enough to have a local independent greengrocer (named Banstead Fruiterers if you are local and want to check them out) which has a great selection of different varieties of seasonal produce that are not always available in supermarkets.
Simple and delicious, this heirloom tomato salad is one of our staple summer recipes. The colours are so vibrant and the flavours just amazing. I like to mix a selection of different colours, sizes, and shapes. I keep the seasoning very minimal: salt, pepper, fresh basil and oregano, as well as a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar for added flavour.
Like with a traditional Caprese salad, I like the contrast of creamy mozzarella cheese (burrata is my favourite), but you can easily skip it or use something different like feta, shaved Parmesan, goat cheese, or queso fresco).
TOP TIPS:
- Heirloom tomatoes come in different colours, sizes, and shapes. Make sure to use different varieties, cut into slices, wedges, or a mix of both.
- This is a salad with minimum seasonings so, for maximum flavour, make sure you use the best quality extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar you can find. It really makes a difference!
- If you have time, leave the salad to rest for 15 minutes after step 2 as the salt will help the tomatoes release more of their delicious juices.
DID YOU KNOW?
The FAO estimates that the world has more than 50,000 edible plants. Yet, 90% of the world’s energy demands are fulfilled by just 15 crops.
Eating heirloom vegetables are essential to preserving our shrinking agricultural heritage and agrobiodiversity to help build a more resilient food future.
Other Recipes Where You Can Use Heirloom Tomatoes:
Watch How To Make This Heirloom Tomato Salad
In this post
What Are Heirloom Tomatoes?
Heirloom tomatoes (also known as heritage tomatoes) are varieties of tomatoes available in a wide variety of colours, shapes, flavours, and sizes. Their seeds have typically been passed down through generations without genetic modifications.
While commercial tomatoes are hybrids (i.e. cross-pollinated by humans to achieve certain qualities such as disease resistance, taste, shape, colour etc…), heirloom tomatoes are typically open-pollinated naturally by insects or self-pollination.
Heirloom tomatoes have more intense and complex flavours which makes them perfect for recipes such as this heirloom tomato salad.
You can easily grow your own heirloom tomatoes at home. Check out this handy guide from Jack Wellington or this guide from Home & Gardens.
How To Make This Heirloom Tomato Salad
Ingredients needed and substitutions:
To make this salad you will need:
- heirloom tomatoes (also known as heritage tomatoes)
- small red onion
- Maldon salt (or similar salt flakes)
- extra-virgin olive oil
- balsamic vinegar
- mozzarella (you can substitute it with feta, shaved Parmesan, goat cheese, or queso fresco)
- pepper
- fresh basil
- fresh oregano
Step 1: Prepare The Vegetables
Slice the tomatoes (and/or cut them in wedges) and arrange them on a large serving dish. Cut the onion into thin slices and add on top of the tomatoes.
Step 2: Season
Sprinkle everything with a generous pinch of salt. Top with a drizzle of olive oil and vinegar. If you have time, leave the salad to rest for 15 minutes.
Step 3: Top With Mozzarella
When you are ready to serve, cut the mozzarella into small chunks and arrange on top of the salad.
Step 4: Season And Serve This Heirloom Tomato Salad
Season with pepper and decorate with fresh basil and oregano leaves. Add an extra drizzle of olive oil if desired and serve.
Common Questions About This Heirloom Tomato Salad
Yes, you can use regular tomatoes to make this recipe. However, I would recommend using ripe vine tomatoes as they tend to have a more intense flavour than regular salad tomatoes
You can store leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It’s best eaten within a day or so, as overtime the tomatoes will release more juices and lose their firmness.
You can enjoy this salad on its own with a slice of crusty bread. If you are catering for a flexitarian family, you can also pair it with grilled meat or fish.
I hope you enjoy this heirloom tomato salad recipe as much as we do. If you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram!
Heirloom Tomato Salad
Equipment
Disclaimer: the equipment list above includes affiliate links to products I use and like.
Ingredients
- 1 kg heirloom tomatoes (see note 1)
- 1/2 small red onion
- 1 generous pinch of Maldon salt (or similar salt flakes)
- 3 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil plus extra to serve (optional)
- 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 125 g mozzarella
- pepper to taste
- 2 sprigs basil
- 2 sprigs oregano
Instructions
- Slice the tomatoes (and/or cut them in wedges) and arrange them on a large serving dish.1 kg heirloom tomatoes
- Cut the onion into thin slices and add on top of the tomatoes.1/2 small red onion
- Sprinkle everything with a generous pinch of salt.1 generous pinch of Maldon salt
- Top with a drizzle of olive oil and vinegar.3 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- If you have time, leave the salad to rest for 15 minutes.
- When you are ready to serve, cut the mozzarella into small chunks and arrange on top of the salad.125 g mozzarella
- Season with pepper and decorate with fresh basil and oregano leaves.2 sprigs basil, pepper, 2 sprigs oregano
- Add an extra drizzle of olive oil if desired and serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Find this recipe online:
https://theflexitarian.co.uk/recipe-items/heirloom-tomato-salad/
I cannot wait to see your posts!
Other things you might enjoy
Delicious! Recipe is easy to follow and tastes good. I shredded parmigiano reggiano which I have on hand instead of using mozzarella.
Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed this recipe. Annabelle x