Tomato and Onion Salad with Basil and Capers Recipe

Introduction

This Tomato and Onion Salad is a fresh, vibrant dish perfect for warm weather or as a bright side to any meal. The tangy homemade tomato dressing brings together ripe tomatoes, herbs, and a hint of mustard for a delicious finish.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ pounds tomatoes, cut into wedges
• ½ small red onion, thinly sliced (or 1 shallot)
• 1 ½ tablespoons capers, drained
• 3 tablespoons basil (or substitute with dill, cilantro, or parsley)
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
• 1 small tomato, roughly chopped
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar (or champagne vinegar)
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare the tomato dressing by roughly chopping the small tomato and adding it to a blender or mason jar. Include Dijon mustard, white wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, and kosher salt.
2. Step 2: Blend the mixture until smooth, keeping the tomato seeds but removing the cores for enhanced flavor. Adjust the seasoning with additional salt to your taste.
3. Step 3: In a large serving bowl, combine the tomato wedges, thinly sliced red onion, capers, and fresh herbs.
4. Step 4: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat everything evenly.
5. Step 5: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately with crusty bread, grilled protein, or pasta.

Tips & Variations

• Use fresh herbs according to what you have on hand; dill, cilantro, or parsley all work well if basil isn’t available.
• For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing before blending.
• If you prefer a smoother dressing, strain it after blending to remove tomato seeds.

Storage

Store any leftover salad and dressing separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Toss the salad with dressing just before serving again to keep the freshness and texture. The dressing can be kept for up to 3 days and shaken well before reuse.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of tomatoes for this salad?

Yes, you can use any ripe tomatoes you have available, such as cherry, heirloom, or Roma. Each will add slightly different flavors and textures but work well in this recipe.

Is it necessary to remove the tomato cores for the dressing?

Removing the cores helps reduce bitterness, but keeping the seeds adds flavor and texture. It’s best to remove cores for a balanced taste.

Tomato and Onion Salad with Basil and Capers Recipe

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4.7 from 108 reviews

A fresh and vibrant Tomato and Onion Salad featuring a tangy homemade tomato dressing blended with Dijon mustard, white wine vinegar, and fresh herbs. This easy-to-make salad pairs ripe tomato wedges, thinly sliced red onion, capers, and basil for a perfect balance of flavors and textures, ideal as a side dish or a light meal accompaniment.

• Author: Elena
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Salad
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Mediterranean
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Salad Ingredients

• 1 ½ pound tomatoes, cut into wedges
• ½ small red onion, thinly sliced (or 1 shallot)
• 1 ½ tablespoon capers, drained
• 3 tablespoons basil (or substitute with dill, cilantro, or parsley)

Dressing Ingredients

• 1 small tomato, roughly chopped
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar (or champagne vinegar)
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt (plus more to taste)
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt (plus more to taste)

Instructions

1. Prepare Tomato Dressing: Roughly chop the small tomato and remove its core, keeping the seeds for flavor. Add the chopped tomato, Dijon mustard, white wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, and kosher salt to a mason jar or blender container.
2. Blend the Dressing: Using a hand blender or regular blender, blend all the dressing ingredients until smooth and well combined, creating a bright, flavorful tomato dressing.
3. Adjust Seasoning: Taste the dressing and add additional salt as needed to suit your preference.
4. Assemble Tomato Salad: In a large serving bowl, combine the tomato wedges, thinly sliced red onion (or shallot), drained capers, and fresh basil or chosen herb.
5. Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the tomato dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss to coat everything evenly without bruising the tomatoes.
6. Final Seasoning and Serving: Taste the salad and adjust seasoning with extra salt if required. Serve immediately alongside crusty bread, your favorite protein, or pasta for a delicious and refreshing meal or side.

Notes

• Leave the tomato seeds in the dressing for extra flavor and natural sweetness.
• You can substitute basil with other fresh herbs like dill, cilantro, or parsley according to your taste.
• Use fresh, ripe tomatoes for the best flavor and texture.
• This salad is best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to one day, though tomatoes may release water.
• Pair this salad with grilled meats, seafood, or crusty bread for a balanced meal.

Keywords: tomato salad, onion salad, fresh salad, easy salad, Mediterranean salad, tomato dressing, healthy side dish