How to Make a Super Simple Zesty Tomato Salad

A wonderful friend of mine, Lise of SimplyLise.com asked me for an easy, 5 ingredient recipe. I offered her a simple homemade ricotta cheese recipe. As I sat down to enjoy the ricotta I made while preparing for the article, it’s sister recipe also came to mind. It’s a zesty tomato salad that pairs perfectly with ricotta cheese. The tomato salad is also easy to make, versatile, and an excellent go-to for spring and summer. Here’s how to make it!

The flavor profile I’m using today is somewhat Mediterranean in nature, but you can add whatever you want to it and make it all your own. This recipe should yield about 2 cups, give or take.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

INGREDIENTS

• 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
• 1/2 Cucumber, diced
• 2 discs of red onion (not pictured), diced
• Cilantro (optional)
• Trinity Spice: Salt, Pepper, Granulated Garlic, to taste
• Thyme, to taste
• Oregano, to taste
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil (about 1/3 cup, but to taste)
• Vinegar (about 1/4 cup, but to taste)

There’s an optional ingredient pictured above in a glass jar, but I’ll talk about that later.

Also, there’s no special culinary equipment needed for this recipe. However, if you have a food processor, the dicing shouldn’t take very long. And now…

A NOTE ABOUT CILANTRO

I LOVE CILANTRO

No, you don’t get it. I can, and will, put it on everything and anything. As a matter of fact, here’s a fantastic cilantro-based chimichurri recipe that works as a condiment or marinade.

But I’m fully aware that 50% of you out there can’t stand it because of the sad “It-Tastes-Like-Soap” predicament. I feel bad, but Its OK, no worries.

You can easily substitute it with parsley, basil, or whatever you please. Or don’t bother substituting anything at all. Omit it altogether and carry on.

The zesty-ness in this zesty tomato salad won’t be compromised. Remember, you’re the Top Chef of your kitchen and you can do whatever you want.

INSTRUCTIONS

• Dice up the tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and cilantro. You only need about 2 discs of red onion, pictured below, not the entire onion.

• Place those ingredients in a bowl and pour in the extra virgin olive oil and vinegar, then stir to combine.
• Next, sprinkle in the Salt, Pepper, Garlic, Thyme, and Oregano.
  • You can start with a teaspoon of each spice, but it’s really to your taste.
  • Stir this again and taste it.
  • If you need more of any particular spice, feel free to add a little bit at a time so you don’t overdo it.
  • Keep in mind this cooking rule of thumb:
    • You can always add more, but you can’t take out.
• Next, add the cilantro, tossing lightly so it doesn’t get too bruised and stays bright green. This goes for any leafy herb you decide to use.

Now back to that glass jar. I have a special condiment that my sister brought me from Greece, pictured below.

It contains rosemary, sea salt, pink peppercorns and such. I decided to grind some of it up and add it to my salad today.

Bear in mind, steps like this are totally optional and in accordance with your mood, LOL!

VOILA! YOU’RE DONE

Now how to eat it? Normally I’d buy a french baguette, slice it on the bias for crostini, brush on some olive oil and toast it lightly in the oven. But I didn’t have a baguette on hand, and I didn’t feel like running to the grocery store.

Plus, cooking, eating, food…it doesn’t always have to be fancy.

Instead I opted for humble white toast, two pieces cut into fours. I spread the homemade ricotta cheese and ladled some of the zesty tomato salad on top of each piece.

OMG, it was Delicious!

VERSATILE RECIPE

This zesty tomato salad can also be modified in a multitude of ways. You can add capers and it’s juices instead of vinegar.

You can also sub the vinegar with lemon juice (adding some lemon zest as well). Or perhaps a white wine vinegar.

You can add olives, olive tapenade, or avocados.

You could add heat with a couple of dashes of hot sauce, or red pepper flakes. Or you can go richer with cheese, such as Parmesan, Asiago, or homemade ricotta, of course!

Either way, I hope you enjoy this zesty tomato salad for years to come. And for more ideas on how to use this tomato salad, check out these 7 Sensational Ways to Enjoy Tomato Salad All Year Long.

** This post may contain affiliate links. You can read our Affiliate Policy here.

Would you try this recipe at home?
If you tried it, did you like it?
Please feel free to share your comments below.
For further community engagement please join the 385 Life Facebook Group.
Remember, sharing is caring, if you like this post please consider sharing it on Pinterest or FB, thanks!

Be Well & Enjoy!

Cynthia
385Life
Live · Love · Learn

Below are a few curated items that could help you with this recipe and many others.