Marinated Tomatoes Salad Recipe

Name: Marinated Tomatoes
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1.5 pounds Ripe Tomatoes; 6 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil; 2 tablespoons Red Grape Vinegar (or feel free to use red wine vinegar); ⅓ cup Red Onion (finely chopped); 1 clove Garlic (minced); 2 teaspoons Basil (chopped); 2 teaspoons Parsley (finely chopped); 1 teaspoon Dill (finely chopped); Salt and Freshly Ground Pepper

The recipe for homemade Marinated Tomatoes couldn't be any easier and as flavorful as this one! Fresh juicy tomatoes marinating in zesty vinegar, olive oil, and herbs makes a perfect healthy summer salad, a topping or a side dish.

close up shot of vinaigrette and herbs marinated tomatoes salad in grey ceramic round plate

Table of Contents

Why you will love this recipe?
Ingredients + Notes
How to make Marinated Tomatoes?
Expert Tips
FAQs + Storage
Uses and Serving Ideas
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Marinated Tomatoes

Why you will love this recipe?

Marinated Tomatoes are so full of robust flavors, quick and easy taking less than 10 minutes from start to finish.
The recipe uses few simple ingredients from your pantry and no cooking involved whatsoever!
This recipe is totally customizable! You can indeed modify your fresh herbs, and vinegar of your choice to suit to your taste. Just combine tomatoes with your favorite herbs, vinegar and allow the flavors to infuse in the fridge.
I love the fact that oil, vinegar and herbs used in this recipe not only make it delicious but also enhances the pure flavor of the tomatoes. You will just want to eat them with anything or put them onto everything.
A good thing about this recipe is, it's low in carbs, naturally vegan and gluten-free.
You can make it ahead in a big batch and store for few days. Isn't that so amazing? I know, it is! 🙂
These marinated tomatoes are delightful on their own as a salad, serve as side to grilled meats or just add these to your sandwiches, pastas or burgers. Or, toss it with some refreshing cucumber and your favorite cheese.

Whether you pick fresh tomatoes from farmer's market, grocery stores or harvest them from your garden, these seasoned beauties are going to become your favorite way to enjoy them this summer. Honestly, for me, this is the best way to use freshest and the juiciest tomatoes (making this Homemade Salsa is my another favorite way to use them up) when they are plenty in season.

Here's some more yummy summer tomato recipes for you to try:

Ingredients + Notes

Let's get into the kitchen and quickly whip up this delicious summer tomato recipe in no time! Here's what you will need to make this ultimate marinated tomato salad:

Ingredients for marinating the tomatoes placed in bowls and kept on grey table

Tomatoes : Fresh, ripe, in season tomatoes! I am using beefsteak tomatoes here(I also love to make this Tomato Basil Salad with this variety). Feel free to use any juicy variety like Roma tomatoes, Cherry tomatoes, Grape tomatoes, Heirloom tomatoes (red, yellow, orange, green) all of these will work in this recipe.
Olive Oil : Use a very good quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil to marinate the tomatoes, because quality does makes a huge difference in taste as well the flavor.
Vinegar : I am using red vinegar here. You can use Balsamic Vinegar or Apple Cider Vinegar in the recipe. Experiment with your favorite choice of vinegar, but, keep in mind that each one will provide a different flavor profile to the dish.
Onion and Garlic : Being my favorite, I prefer to add chopped red onion in this recipe. You can also use sweet white onions instead of red ones. Garlic mince adds nice flavor punch to tomatoes, 1 large clove of garlic goes in this recipe.
Herbs : I highly recommend fresh herbs, always better! I chose to use basil, parsley and dill, these herbs adds so much flavor and great aroma to the dish. Feel free to use other herbs like thyme, cilantro and even mint. You can use dried herbs or Italian Seasoning, if fresh ones are not in access.

How to make Marinated Tomatoes?

Marinating the tomatoes is an effortless task, it's as easy as 1-2-3! The only time you need here is to prep up the ingredients, and that's 10 minutes max!

Start with choosing fresh juicy tomato variety - beefsteak, cherry tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes or roma tomatoes. Choose any of these, rinse well and pat dry them.

I have sliced them into ⅓ inch slices and the same goes to any big variety tomato you use. You can also cut them into wedges, if you like! And, If you're using cherry tomatoes, then cut them into halves or in quarters.

Prep up your onion and herbs. Finely chop the onion, fresh herbs and mince the garlic clove. TIP: To reduce the bite and sharpness from the onion, soak them in cold water for 5-7 minutes, drain thoroughly and then use.

In a bowl, make the marinade thoroughly whisking together olive oil, vinegar, onion, garlic, herbs, salt and pepper.

two step collage showing marinade ingredients in bowl on the left and ready marinade on right

Now, arrange the tomato slices in a large shallow dish.

sliced beefsteak tomatoes arranged in grey shallow dish

Pour the prepared marinade over sliced tomatoes and spread evenly.

herbed marinade poured over sliced tomatoes

Cover, keep it in the fridge for at least 2 hours to allow the tomatoes soak up the pure deliciousness. Flip once in between!

two hands holding plastic wrapped grey dish filled with marinated tomatoes

Serve as a salad or as side to your favorite meal, enjoy!

Expert Tips

Use freshest and juiciest ripe tomatoes for this recipe.
I highly recommend fresh herbs for this recipe, always better as it is packed with lots of flavor! If using dried herbs as a substitute, go for ⅓ the amount of fresh, because dried ones are more potent than the fresh herbs.
Let the tomatoes marinate for at least 2 hours in the fridge to soak up the flavors.
Do not discard the marinade from the leftovers, drain and use it in stews, soups, and salads.

FAQs + Storage

How long should you marinate the tomatoes?

Marinate the tomatoes for at least 2 hours! However, longer the tomato marinates in the fridge (8-12 hours is my preference), better will be the infusion of flavors - intensely delicious! Just that, bring it to a room temperature before serving.

How to store these tomatoes?

Just cover and refrigerate it! You can either use plastic wrap or transfer the leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate. Marinated tomatoes stay in the fridge up to 3 days, beyond that, they will start to soften. I am sure, they will all be used up by then!

marinated tomatoes in grey serving plate with some fresh herbs spread around on a white table

Uses and Serving Ideas

There are various ways where you can use and serve these marinated tomatoes:

Serve it as a salad on its own or as a side to BBQ or grilled meats.
Chop and use it as topping for bruschetta, avocado toast, or spoon over grilled shrimp or chicken.
Slather your favorite bread with some mayo and top it with marinated tomato slices, you have stunning tomato sandwich ready for your quick snack or a light meal.
Combine with mozzarella cheese balls or slices, drizzle a bit of balsamic glaze and throw in some fresh basil to make a delicious Caprese style salad.
Throw in some crumbled feta cheese, top with fresh basil and drizzle a bit of balsamic vinegar to make this fantastic summer salad.
Layer the tomatoes over the bed of arugula, pour some marinade and top with parmesan shavings - beautiful arugula and tomato salad is ready to serve!
Add these Italian herbs flavored tomatoes to your pasta, burgers and sandwiches.
Here's my most favorite way to use it: I love to serve this seasoned tomatoes as a side with butter garlic herbed rice/ quinoa and roasted chicken - a wholesome meal, YUM!

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