Marinated Tomato Salad with Mozzarella

This Marinated Tomato Salad recipe is quick and easy to make. Tomatoes are tossed with basil, herb dressing, and fresh mozzarella cheese!

If you're like me and haven't quite reached that point in adulthood where you have the time and energy to embrace the canning process you may choose to enjoy those garden tomatoes in fresh recipes like this Italian Tomato Salad.

It is officially tomato season! You might be looking at the tomato plants in your garden wondering what to do with your bounty. Tomatoes are incredibly versatile and there are a lot of routes you can take.

Some of the more popular options include turning them into canned salsa and tomato sauce and this is great because it allows you to enjoy your tomatoes all winter long.

This salad is literally bursting with flavor. It's got everything that wonderful about late summer including lots of fresh tomatoes, a homemade Italian herb dressing, and tons of basil.

This quick salad is great served on its own, as a side dish, or enjoyed with toasted bread. The one thing I can say for sure is that It. Is. Addicting.

Jump to:

• Which Tomato Is Best For Salad?
• Ingredients For Marinated Tomato Salad
• How To Make Marinated Tomato Salad
• How To Make Tomato Salad Dressing
• Which Vinegar Is Best?
• Can This Salad Be Made Ahead Of Time?
• Which Mozzarella Is Best?
• What To Serve With Italian Tomato Salad?
• How Long Does Marinated Tomato Salad Keep?
• Marinated Tomato Salad with Basil & Mozzarella

Which Tomato Is Best For Salad?

There is no hard and fast rule as to which variety of tomato is best for a salad like this one but it is recommended to choose ones with a low water content.

Examples of tomatoes with a low water content include roma or plum, cherry or grape, or the 'on-the-vine' variety. Each of them has a nice balance of sweetness and acidity and you won't end up with a salad swimming in water.

For this recipe I used what was available in the garden (mostly because I didn't feel like running to the store) and ended up with roma, 'on-the-vine', and some yellow pear tomatoes.

Ingredients For Marinated Tomato Salad

Here's what you'll need to make it.

• 6 cups diced Tomatoes (such as grape, cherry, or roma)
• 4 Tbsp. Olive Oil
• 2 Tbsp. Red Wine Vinegar
• 2 cloves Garlic
• 2 tsp. Dijon Mustard
• ½ tsp. Italian Seasoning
• ½ tsp. each Kosher Salt and Pepper
• 1 8 oz. package Marinated Mozzarella Balls (or fresh mozzarella)
• ⅓ cup fresh Basil

How To Make Marinated Tomato Salad

This dish is super easy to prepare and only requires an hour or two of marinating time in the fridge.

1. Start by dicing the tomatoes into small chunks. (This recipe calls for 6 cups of diced tomatoes and the amount of tomatoes needed may vary depending on the variety you use).
2. Place the diced tomatoes in a large bowl.

You can cut the tomatoes as large or small as you like. They can be small like those found in bruschetta or pico de gallo or cut into large wedges if you prefer.

I like to dice the tomatoes small but not so small that they become mushy as they marinate in the dressing.

How To Make Tomato Salad Dressing

If you've got fresh garden tomatoes it's best to toss them in a homemade salad dressing. There are lots of great store-bought dressings out there but making your own will allow the natural flavors in the tomatoes to shine through.

This salad dressing has an Italian spin. It's tangy and vibrant - Perfect for something hearty like tomatoes.

1. Mince 2 cloves of garlic.
2. In a small bowl combine 4 Tbsp. olive oil, 2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar, 2 tsp. Dijon mustard, 2 cloves minced garlic, ½ tsp. Italian seasoning, and ½ tsp. Kosher salt and pepper.
3. Stir until completely combined using a small whisk or a fork. (Alternately, you can combine all of these ingredients in a small mason jar, cover with a lid, and shake until combined.

Which Vinegar Is Best?

You can use any type of vinegar you like but the variety you choose may affect the flavor of the salad. I tested this recipe using both red wine and white wine vinegar and found the white wine to be too mild.

Balsamic would be a great choice if you prefer that flavor.

Malt vinegar should be avoided if you are gluten free.

Can This Salad Be Made Ahead Of Time?

Once the tomatoes are chopped and the dressing made everything is combined in a large bowl.

1. Pour the prepared dressing over the tomatoes and stir until completely combined.
2. Cut 1 8 oz. package of marinated mozzarella balls into pieces and add them to the bowl with the tomatoes. Stir until combined.
3. Mince ⅓ cup of fresh basil and add to the salad. Stir until completely combined.
4. Place the bowl in the fridge and allow the salad to marinate for 1-2 hours before serving.

Which Mozzarella Is Best?

You can find marinated mozzarella balls in the cheese or deli section of the grocery store. If you can't find them the large fresh mozzarella ball or regular mozzarella are just fine.

I will say, though, that those marinated mozzarella balls are super tasty!

The great thing about marinated salads is that they can be ahead of when you plan to serve them.

The flavors develop as the tomatoes marinate in the dressing. I wouldn't make it more than one day ahead of when you plan to serve it, however, as the tomatoes may break down and become mushy.

What To Serve With Italian Tomato Salad?

This Marinated Tomato Salad is a super versatile dish. It can be served as an appetizer, side dish, or eaten on its own if you really love tomatoes.

The fresh Mediterranean flavors pair nicely with a grilled Italian chicken sandwich, grilled steak or chicken. It's great served with any type of pasta (like this Chicken Marsala Pasta).

You can eat is as you would bruschetta on top of toasted baguette or warm crusty bread.

A sandwich like this chipotle chicken panini, corned beef reuben, or lemon tarragon chicken salad is a great pairing.

It would be perfect served alongside a quiche or Ham and Asparagus Frittata.

The fresh flavors lend themselves to all kinds of Italian or Greek dishes like this mushroom arugula pizza, Mediterranean veggie naan pizza or arugula pesto, prosciutto pizza.

It's best to serve this salad with a slotted spoon as the dressing does draw the water out of the tomatoes. You can also drain some of the dressing before serving if you prefer.

How Long Does Marinated Tomato Salad Keep?

This salad should keep 3-4 days stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

It's important to keep in mind that the tomatoes will soften the longer they sit. If you prefer the tomatoes to remain firm it's best to serve it 1-2 hours after preparing or the next day.

Maybe someday I'll have the time to can fresh tomatoes come late summer but until then I think I'll just enjoy this salad!

Love healthy salads? Check out these recipes!

• Corn Salad with Feta Dressing
• Minty Pea and Almond Salad
• Balsamic Pickled Beet Salad
• Marinated Green Bean Salad
• Summer Grilled Vegetable Salad
• Quinoa Arugula Tomato Salad

If you love fresh tomatoes you've got to check out this Homemade Spaghetti Sauce and Sheet Pan Italian Chicken!

Looking For More Fresh Tomato Recipes? Don't Miss These!

Easy Homemade Salsa

Taco Stuffed Tomatoes

Tomato Galette with Basil Whipped Feta

Zucchini Tomato Casserole

Roasted Tomato and Red Pepper Soup